Moving on, the fierce Rose is seeking the whereabouts of Nishino.

"Where are you?! Nishino-kun! Nishino-kunnn!!"

The moment she arrived at the hotel, she found herself in the room that had just been vacated by the Gothic Lolita girl. Sadly, her loved one was nowhere to be found, leaving the blonde-haired lolita feeling utterly helpless.

Even though the traces of the gunfire battle remain, it is impossible to tell where they headed from the scene. Therefore, she is currently in a state of panic, barking and howling as if it were the end of the world.

"Um, customer-sama... beyond this point is..."

Beside Rose stood a female employee, diligently carrying out her duties.

She is in her mid-twenties with a short brown hair and eyes of the same color. She has a calm and mature-looking face.

"Where have all the people who stayed here disappeared to?"

"No, u-um, we are also not informed of their whereabouts."

"Any details are fine. Could you please tell me what caught your attention?"

"Something that caught my attention..."

The female employee wrinkles her forehead, pondering, as they both gaze at the devastated state of the room.

It is likely that she is responding sincerely to the young girl who appears to be in single-digit age because she is impressed by her determination despite the room being filled with gunshots, indicating an extraordinary situation. Alternatively, she may have mistaken her for a well-bred young lady.

After few seconds, the employee-san finally spoke up.

"Speaking of which, I lent a shovel to one of the customers."

"Shovel?"

"Yes. I remember being told that a larger size would be preferred, and I believe I provided something used for hotel garden work. It's about this size, and it is a common item that can be found anywhere."

The shop assistant demonstrates by positioning both of her hands about one meter apart while speaking.

"......No way."

Upon hearing this, Rose had another realization about where Nishino might be.

"Is something the matter?"

"Is there a place nearby that can be reached by foot and preferably accessible by car, yet not too crowded, and with a sandy beach?!"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you have any idea of such a place? You're a local, right?"

"Well, let's see..."

Once again, the employee-san began to ponder deeply.

"A little further west from here, there is a small cave that has become a playground for local children. It's not particularly noteworthy, so tourists don't really stop by, but I have fond memories of playing there when I was little."

"West, is it? Thank you!"

"No worries... Ah, w-wait... Ehh!? C-Customer-sama!?"

As soon as she heard this, Rose dashed out of the room. She seemed to be in a hurry, not even sparing a moment to walk down the hallway, and headed straight for the balcony. Without even hearing the employee's voice telling her to stop, she quickly stepped onto the railing and jumped out with great force.

"Wha..."

The employee-san froze in surprise.

Rose flies around the night hotel district without care. Using the exterior walls of the connected buildings as a scaffold, she follows the instructions and heads west. Sometimes it's a rooftop, and other times it's a railing on a terrace. She jumps from anything that can be used as a foothold.

As she looked up, a white beach caught her eye, its brilliance standing out against the sky. It was a distinct scene, hidden behind the rocky cliffs. If she had been walking on the ground, she might not have been able to find it.

"Nishino-kun! Where are you, Nishino-kun! Nishino-kunnnn!"

Naturally, she jumped there.

She jumped out with such force that she broke through the concrete walls of the building she had used as scaffolding.

Without pausing, she reaches the bottom of the sandy beach.

If it had been low tide, the same spot would have been much wider, but already about half of it had sunk into the sea. It could be confirmed from the line-up of barnacles clinging to the rocky surface of the cave opening next to the sandy beach that in another half hour, most of it would sink.

"!"

And there, she found the person she was looking for.

His head, buried in the ground from the neck down, is the only part sticking out above the ground, while the upper part above the neck is already sunk into the sea. His eyes are closed, showing no signs of movement. And his hair simply sways back and forth, much like seaweed, in response to the ebb and flow of the waves.

It is hard to believe that he is still alive.

"Nishino-kun!!!"

But she didn't give up.

Ignoring the fact that her clothes are getting wet, she hurriedly ran to his side. Without wasting any time, she began digging frantically around the area where the futsumen was buried. Like a dog, she spread her legs and positioned herself with her hips low, using both hands to scoop out the dirt and toss it behind her.

The soil was being dug up with tremendous force.

She continued to dig steadily, even though the water reached up to her knees. Her strength was extraordinary, almost inhuman, and it allowed her to accomplish this seemingly impossible task. Without this blond Lolita, achieving this feat would have been completely impossible.

Shortly after, the side area became visible in the soil.

She hugs his head tightly with both hands and lets out a loud roar.

"NISHINO-KUNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!"

She recovered the futsumen as if pulling out a large root vegetable from the field. Yelling loudly and standing firm with a wide stance, she is completely different from the idolized girl on school campus. Her bloodshot eyes seem to forget even to blink.

As the futsumen unloaded, the "splash" sound echoed through the calm night sea.

Nishino's body, which had been dug up from the sandy beach, was tightly bound with rough ropes, rendering his hands and feet completely immobilized. It was evident that a significant length of rope had been utilized, as the area covered by it exceeded what was visible through his shirt fabric. In this state, he resembled a caterpillar, unable to move.

The sight of a young girl hugging this figure is remarkably odd and bizarre.

"I-I can't feel his pulse...!"

Blood drained from Rose's face when she took a pulse on his neck.

She hurriedly ran to a place where the seawater couldn't reach, still carrying a normal-looking guy with her. She jumped over the sandpit in one breath and moved until she reached the area where the gravel road continued. It was a place that looked like a road extending from the nearby road to the seaside, where the ground had been compacted by people's footsteps.

After lying Nishino's body down, she swung her arm wide.

The rough rope that had bound the futsumen was torn apart by her sharp claws.

"Nishino-kun, Nishino-kun, Nishino-kun!"

Rose removes the rope entangled around the futsumen and adjusts his posture to lie on the back with the chest up. And without wasting any time, she starts performing CPR.

Repeatedly applying rib compression and artificial respiration, all the while continuously calling out the person's name. She herself is overwhelmed with anxiety about the current situation. Tears well up in her eyes, and she frantically tosses her long hair, yet her actions remain precise and unwavering.

"Please, Nishino-kun! Don't die, Nishino-kun! Nishino-kun!"

The sound of regular waves can be heard from the distant sea.

As if to drown out all of that, Rose's pleas echoed in the same place. This must have been too silly.

After several attempts, there was a reaction in Nishino's body.

"Cough... cough...!"

It seems like he regained consciousness.

As his heart starts beating again, his lost breath is regained. At the same time, the seawater that had entered his body is forcefully expelled as he coughs. It is as if water is being drawn out of an old well, and he starts coughing, struggling with a strained expression.

Seeing this, tears of joy welled up in Rose's eyes.

"N-Nishino-kun!!"

She instinctively wraps her arms around his body.

"Cough...! Ugh... Gaha...!"

After regaining consciousness, Nishino continues to vomit for a while. It takes a few more minutes for him to spit out the seawater he has swallowed and regain his breathing. Even he doesn't have the luxury of being cynical during this time.

Eventually, as his breathing calmed down, his gaze landed on Rose.

"W-Where..."

"Can you recognize my face?"

"...Why are you here?"

"How many fingers do you see?"

"...Two."

"Are there any parts of your body that you can't move?"

As directed by Rose, Nishino checks his physical condition.

It seems that he remembers the events leading up to losing consciousness. That's why questions were swirling in his mind. However, given the current situation, he obediently responds to her words by giving honest answers.

"...No, I don't have anything specific in mind."

"It looks like your brain is fine."

"...Did you help me?"

"You are also quite lucky, aren't you? Seriously, I wonder if you are really something special?"

"......"

Rose spoke in a way that evaded the conversation. It seemed that she, too, didn't genuinely want to owe a favor in a place like this. Suddenly becoming aware of her own behavior, she gently and slowly released the futsumen she had been holding onto, placing him down on the ground.

"Ugh..."

Immediately, Nishino tried to get back on his feet.

Although he was staggering, he pulled himself up.

"You had a cardiac arrest, didn't you? I think it would be best not to overexert yourself."

"I'm currently functioning properly. No issues."

"......"

After exchanging words to that extent, Rose realized something.

"...Nishino-kun, what happened to your eye?"

Even though his neck was covered in blue bruises, what particularly caught her attention was his left eye, which was dripping red. Instead of a normal eyeball, it seemed to be filled with a mixture of sand, pebbles, and a viscous substance.

She doubted whether it was functioning properly.

"...Who knows."

"It's fine to act tough, but for now, let's go back to the hotel, shall we?"

While gritting her back teeth, Rose behaved as if she were oblivious to the situation. Witnessing the pitiful state of the futsumen, anger welled up inside her. It was an anger directed towards those who had been in conflict with Nishino before they parted ways.

From her tightly clenched fist, something red seeps out and it drops like a tear.

"Would you like me to lend you a shoulder?"

"...I don't want to owe you any more debt."

"That's good to hear."

"O-Oi!"

Ignoring Nishino's selfish remarks, she lifted him up in what is commonly known as a 'princess carry'. Naturally, the ordinary guy was thrown into a panic. He even struggled to break free. However, for someone who had lost their abilities, Rose was an opponent beyond reach.

"If you don't behave, you'll end up getting hurt, you know?"

"Let go."

"If you aimlessly walk around with that condition, by the time you return to the hotel, it will already be morning."

"......"

In the end, the futsumen was safely retrieved.

While Nishino overcame his crisis with the help of Rose, in another place, there was another man who was currently facing a situation that could be called a crossroads in life.

He is known as the Rock Evangelist, Ogata Tarousuke.

"Tch, they're one step ahead again... this way!"

They were running and dodging around, desperately trying to escape from the group led by Aloha shirt man. Before they knew it, they found themselves back in the hotel district of Fira. They rushed here and there, panting heavily, but their frantic efforts proved futile as Aloha Man and his group steadily closed in on them.

Currently, they are engaged in a high-speed chase with the Aloha gang, who abandoned their car.

In addition to being a first-time visit to the area, the intricate layout of the city, resembling a labyrinth, bewilders them. Furthermore, within the group led by Takeuchi-kun, Matsuura-san's lack of stamina severely hampers everyone's progress.

"Haa haa haa...!"

Matsuura-san has a face that looks like she is about to die at any moment.

While the three of them are active members of the sports club, she is dubbed as the princess of the history research club. Recently, rumors have circulated that she displays her princess-like demeanor splendidly, even going so far as to ask the male club members for help in reaching books on the shelf in the club room.

Naturally, her athletic ability were the worst.

"T-Tarou-san... Matsuura-san is..."

As Takeuchi-kun runs alongside of him, he opens his mouth with an apologetic expression.

"What's up this time?"

"I-I, c-can't run, anymore...!"

Tarousuke was met with a pleading gaze from Matsuura-san.

On the other hand, Suzuki-kun and Risa-chan cast condemning glances at Matsuura-san. This is because the running pace, once again, had been brought down to its current state due to her declaring that it was impossible for her on two previous occasions.

The sweat glands of the cultured girl, who frequently skipped physical education and rarely engaged in exercise, produced thick and malodorous sweat that oozed out and soaked her shirt.

On the other hand, there doesn't appear to be much close interaction between Suzuki-kun, Risa-chan, and her. So, they have no hesitation in criticizing the whole sequence of events. When their own lives are at stake, it is only natural for them to speak more freely.

"Hey, Matsuura-san, let's try a little harder, okay?!"

"That's right! It's because you don't usually exercise that you end up like this!"

Such harsh words would never be exchanged in a classroom.

By the way, Risa-chan is a member of the girls' track and field team.

"But, I-I'm different from everyone else... T-This is already impossible...!"

However, there are things that are simply impossible for Matsuura-san, and in the end, she comes to a halt.

The princess's mental state was on the verge of breaking.

Reluctantly, the others also come to a halt and turn back to look at her.

"What should I do... Just what should I do...?"

As Tarousuke observes the exhausted and fatigued exchanges within Takeuchi-kun's group, he can also feel his own mental fatigue reaching its limit. However, what prevents him from breaking is the courage that arises solely from the one-sided belief that they are all friends of Nishino.

What would he do if it were him?

If it were him, how would he resolve this?

Think carefully.

Meanwhile, the pursuers are closing in.

From not too far away, he could hear the voices of the Aloha Gang.

"—Oi! Which way did they go?"

"—They went that way!"

"—These bastards, we won't let them escape for sure!"

"—Hey, I'm getting tired, isn't it enough already?"

"—We can't go back without venting our frustration from the past few days!"

"—Do they think they can just disrespect us like kids?"

"—I'll gut them alive!"

"—Oi, I found them! Over there!"

When he heard this, he became even more impatient.

"Damn it, what should I do...!"

He observe his surroundings, hoping to find something useful.

Then, what drew his attention was an abandoned moped on the roadside.

"...Good. The handlebars are not locked."

Ignoring the bickering among Takeuchi-kun's group by his side, he examined the moped from below. Naturally, the engine was not running. However, as he just confirmed, the handlebars were straight and it was parked on its stand.

Tarousuke casually kicks the front cover of the scooter with the heel of his boots. It's his brag-worthy one-shot move that once sent a Marquis' bar chair flying. The loud sound of the plastic being kicked reverberates throughout the area.

Naturally, Takeuchi-kun group's attention also turned towards him.

Tarousuke, out of nowhere, started kicking a moped. Everyone was shocked to witness his actions. They all seemed to think, 'Because we were slacking off, Tarou-san finally lost his temper.'  and Matsuura-san's complaints didn't help the situation. Everyone began to tremble with an attitude that seemed to say, 'We won't say anything more.'

The kicks were delivered repeatedly, one after another, causing the front cover to be completely blown off.

Tarousuke hurriedly drops to his knees beside the bike.

And then, unexpectedly, he picked up the exposed wires and started fiddling with them. Relying on the moonlight, he began checking each wire one by one, saying "Not this one, not this one." And it didn't take long, within a few seconds, he pulled out two wires coated in vinyl from the inside.

Right in front of Takeuchi-kun's group, who are staring fearfully at him, he peels the insulator off of these wires and connects them.

At the same time, the engine shuddered with a deep rumble, and a few moments later, exhaust gas began to escape from the muffler. The vibrations, which had been uncertain for a few seconds, gradually settled into a steady rhythm, indicating that the engine had indeed started successfully.

"Amazing... Tarou-san, you're amazing!"

Takeuchi-kun was deeply moved and barked in excitement.

"Get on this and run away!"

"Amazing, you can also do things like that?! Amazing, that's so cool!"

Takeuchi-kun keeps repeatedly exclaiming "Sugee, Sugee!".

"I never thought my mischievous self from the past would still be alive at this age."

Tarousuke pretends to be calm and answers in a relaxed manner.

The Rockstar's thieving life begins here.

However, his inner thoughts are not on that at all. He confirms the presence of the approaching Aloha gang until he can hear their voices, almost as if silently urging them to hurry up and get on board. Even now, his knees were trembling and he was desperately trying to endure it.

"B-But, um, there are five of us..."

Next to Takeuchi-kun, Suzuki-kun looked anxious as he spoke.

His expression remains uncomfortable even when faced with a motorcycle that has its engine running.

The difference between him right now and the one they usually see on the school campus is like night and day.

"In my younger days, even a group of four riders on one motorcycle was no big deal."

Actually, three is the limit. Tarousuke, who had given up on being the fourth, silently exclaimed.

He was a man who once confidently climbed aboard as the fourth rider, only to be spectacularly thrown off.

"That's right, Suzuki! There's no point in complaining about it, you know!"

With Tarousuke by his side, Takeuchi-kun is 30% more energetic than usual. Combined with the situation of being chased by gangsters, his spirits are undoubtedly high. He didn't receive a good education for nothing as the son of a doctor. He possessed a strong character for handling real situations and adversity.

On the other hand, when compared to normal times, Suzuki-kun seems to have lost some of his confidence. His parents are regular salary earners. He is an ordinary guy born to a father who serves as an acting section chief in a subsidiary of a major publicly traded company and a mother who is a full-time homemaker.

It's in situations like these that the difference in one's inner strength as a person becomes apparent.

"W-Well, that's true, but what about Tarou-san?"

"That's..."

When this is pointed out, Takeuchi-kun also hesitates to respond.

Then, as that topic came up, Tarousuke responded with a sly grin and a confident nod.

"I still have some leeway. I'll just toy with them around this area and then make my escape."

Actually, there is no such thing as "leeway" for this unpretentious guy. Even the moped in front of him is something he would like to replace with his own two legs if he could. However, his recent motto doesn't approve of passing that on to the young boys and girls right in front of him.

He's almost pleading to himself, 'I am constantly reminding you not to be arrogant now, but when will you ever listen?'

"I-Is that really okay? Tarou-san..."

Takeuchi-kun repeatedly confirms it.

"Just hurry up and go. We don't have time."

"...Understood."

Tarousuke gave a pat on the backside to Takeuchi-kun's group, who eagerly jumped onto the moped. Takeuchi-kun held the handlebars while Matsuura-san was tucked underneath. Behind them, Risa-chan sat on the pillion seat, with Suzuki-kun sticking close behind her.

It appears that they are barely managing to hang on.

The petite stature of Matsuura-san and Risa-chan is what makes their acrobatics special.

"Alright, We're going... Tarou-san!"

"Ooh. Don't get into an accident, okay?"

"Yes!"

"If you happen to know the way, head to Enigma Room 802. A friend of mine is staying there. Mention my name and explain the situation, and they should be able to assist you with various things."

"I-I understand!"

Takeuchi-kun nodded and revs the engine.

The tires started moving, and the vehicle began to move forward.

Right after that, he yelled towards Tarousuke.

"Tarou-san, seriously, is the best rocker!"

It was a lines that caught Tarousuke's attention as he turned around. Before he could respond, Takeuchi-kun's group quickly disappeared around the corner of the street. The faint engine sound of their vehicle slowly faded away and soon became inaudible.

"With a body like this, I'm still far from being a rockstar."

He was a handsome dude who was even happier than he expected to be called the best rocker.

However, there is no time to indulge in such afterglow.

"You bastard, how dare you let the women escape!"

"Shit...!"

He skillfully exchanges blows with his opponent in a dangerous situation and miraculously manages to deliver a powerful groin kick, successfully repelling the attack.

The opponent collapsed to the ground, unable to even let out a scream as they writhed in agony. However, the enemy is not alone. One after another, reinforcements rushed towards the fallen person. Some brandished iron pipes or knives in their hands.

"Haha, this is quite something...!"

With a self-deprecating smile, Tarousuke started running through the streets of Fira once again.

Suddenly, the scene changes and we find ourselves once again in a hotel room where Francisca is relaxing.

"You look pretty terrible, don't you?"

Illuminated by the indoor lighting, Nishino's face appeared much worse than she had imagined. Francisca's words, unlike her usual sarcastic remarks, seemed quite serious, causing Nishino to feel taken aback.

"...I messed up a little bit."

"I-Is that so? I'll call a doctor then."

"I'm sorry, but I'd appreciate it if you could do that."

The straightforward confession from the futsumen with a commendable attitude further adds fuel to the fire.

"It will take some time, I believe..."

"I don't mind. It's fine as long as disinfection is carried out at the minimum level."

"......"

As she got up from the sofa, Francisca took a device out of her pocket. It was a magical device that could bring anything she requested. She directed it towards her ear and walked towards the balcony.

Rose turned towards Nishino, keeping the middle-aged woman in the corner of her vision.

"...I wonder if it is crushed?"

"Beats me, we won't know until I see a doctor."

The two of them are sitting side by side on a single sofa.

By the way, speaking of the Gothic lolita girl, she is placed on the opposite sofa.

"Can you see this?"

"I'm not sure."

"How about this? You can't see this, can you?"

"...Kinda."

Normally, Nishino is someone who doesn't expose his weaknesses. That's why in this moment, Rose, who was deeply stimulated by her maternal instincts, couldn't resist the urge to hold the man in front of her tightly. She couldn't resist wanting to embrace him with all her might.

If it weren't for the eyes of Francisca and the Gothic Lolita girl, she might have come up with some excuses and proceeded with the plan haphazardly.

"I wonder if it can be somehow resolved with your supernatural ability?"

"As expected, attempting something like healing injuries is impossible for me."

"...I see."

The words exchanged between the two of them, considering their usual relationship, were surprisingly calm. This was because Nishino, who had shown his clumsiness due to his own mistake, felt ashamed and was quietly responding.

Rose found this behavior of the futsumen, which was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor, irresistibly attractive. This only fueled her feelings for the man in front of her even more. She is a blonde lolita who wets her thighs while stealing glances at that expression.

"Onee-sama, would you please give me some attention as well?"

Thanks to that, the neighboring Gothic Lolita girl does not feel at peace.

Even though her body wasn't moving, her mouth was is still moving.

However, her chances of success seem slim at the moment.

"I don't want to."

"You're cold, aren't you? But that coldness is also wonderful and lovely."

"You can say whatever you want."

No island for her to take refuge on.

As Nishino observed their exchange, he unexpectedly interjected.

"Speaking of which, where's Class rep?"

"Well? Come to think of it, I haven't seen her either."

"Francisca, how about you?"

He asks the crotch lady who just finished making a phone call.

"That girl? Well, I'm not sure."

It seems that the two of them have little to no interest in a girl named Shimizu. Even if she were to disappear, they wouldn't be moved in the slightest. They live by the belief of personal responsibility and freedom, so they are extremely indifferent to events outside of their scope of interest.

"I'm going to look at the other rooms."

"In that case, I'll go on your behalf."

Rose stopped Nishino, who was about to stand up from the sofa, and stood up in his place.

She left the living room and began to tour the other rooms. It took her about two or three minutes to look around. Eventually, just like when she left, she returned alone. She then sat down next to Nishino again and conveyed her findings.

"She wasn't in the bedroom, shower room, or toilet either."

By the way, regarding the shower room, Nishino had just used it to rinse off seawater. As a result, steam still lingered in that room. Enveloped in this steam, Rose became aroused and devoured the black hair remaining in the drain. This is a secret that futsumen will never know.

"So, does that mean she is not in this room?"

"I guess that's how it is."

"......"

Suddenly, Nishino's expression turned stern.

His gaze naturally turns towards Francisca.

"Francisca, did she leave any messages or instructions behind?"

"Well? No idea."

"Really?"

"Ah, but she was making a fuss about going to the police or something, all by herself."

"Police, huh?"

"How much does she think the police on this small island can actually do? Even though there's already someone more incredible right in front of her. Honestly, she never seems to listen to what others say, does she?"

"...It's a sad story, but somehow I got the gist of what happened now."

Combined with Francisca's casual remarks, Nishino grasped the likely exchange that had occurred between the two. Considering the Class rep's meticulous nature and unnecessarily high energy, Nishino could easily imagine that she didn't get along well with this prostitute.

"I'll be going out for a little while."

Nishino stands up from the sofa.

Rose asks this with a deeply worried expression.

"W-Wait, what are you saying? What about the doctor?"

"I'll be right back."

"You're not a child, so go home on your own this time, okay?" Francisca reminded.

"The one who couldn't return on her own is the Class rep."

"Well, I can't deny that as well."

The memory of them going to the police station to pick her up in broad daylight was still fresh in everyone's mind.

However, Rose is not someone who can be easily persuaded to go along with it. Right now, this blonde lolita is an unstoppable love machine, who is currently in love with Nishino. She desperately wishes to spend this night together with him.

"Nishino-kun, how about at least getting treatment first?"

"Treatment can be done later."

"You've sunk into the sea and your heart has stopped, you know? What are you going to do if you move around carelessly and meet your end?"

"Whatever happens, happens."

"T-That's just..."

Without a moment's hesitation, the futsumen headed from the living room to the entrance and walked away.

Unable to just leave him alone, Rose followed afterward.

"Ah, Onee-sama!"

The Gothic Lolita girl wants to follow after Rose. However, she cannot move her limbs and is unable to stand up from the sofa. She desperately wriggles her body but only manages to shake her prosthetic arm slightly. Instead, she loses her balance and ends up rolling on the sofa sideways.

"I've already called the doctor, so please come back quickly, okay?"

On the other hand, Francisca completely shows an attitude of indifference as if it's someone else's matter.

By successfully rescuing the Gothic Lolita girl, her job has come to a satisfactory conclusion.

"I know."

Nishino and Rose left the hotel.