Chapter 2

W-wait a sec. What is that old uncle with so much energy and performing radio aerobics doing?!

Looks like hes really looking forward to scuba diving

On the sides of a little boat dimly illuminated on the surface of foreign lake at night, two Japanese and American students are whispering to each other. In the middle of the boat is a man of unknown age, wearing sunglasses and performing warm-up exercises full-heartedly with the lower half of his body dressed strangely in rubber diving gear.

Hmm, hah! Hmm,hah! Hmm, hah! Hmm, hah!

Who would have thought that his abs are actually pretty strong.

You said he wants to dive But hes wearing sunglasses, and its nighttime Does he think hes part of Ishihara Promotions[1] USA branch?

Speaking of which, Shouri hasnt taken your glasses off either.

Im fine, glasses are a part of the face.

Whoa~~ Then you are discriminating against sunglasses.

Shibuya Shouri thinks to himself, I should instill the respect of glasses men deep into this persons heart. No matter who it is, anyone who puts on sunglasses will look a lot manlier, but people who look hotter after wearing normal glasses are way fewer. No matter what kind of trendy frames they wear, if the person wearing them is just meh then theres no point: In other words, those who can look hotter are the really impressive ones. Those who dont rely on sunglasses, or contact lenses, and win with just true glasses, theyre the ones that should be honored as the worlds treasures.

But what is reality like?

You plan on wearing your glasses instead of goggles--?

Of course, if I dont wear my glasses how do you expect me to find the Box?

A-ha--?

Just like the Americans from the educational films, she shrugs, her expression full of contempt!

Before all that I have to ask, do you guys actually know how to dive?

The Asian man controlling the plane and the boat asks with heavily accented English. Hes sitting on top of the boat cabin, swinging his short legs and looking all carefree. Next to him is a scary-looking Frenchman born in the CaribbeanFrancois, who has his arms crossed in front of his chest and doesnt utter a word. The two of them seem to know each other, even greeting each other with a language Shouri doesnt understand when they were introducing themselves at the airport.

The Asian mans name is DTJ, which sounds like the acronym of a theme song band, so it shouldnt be his real name.

Hes the pilot of the rented plane, and seems to be an old acquaintance of Bob and Abigail. Apparently his flying skills are the best in the world, but hes wearing a Yankees ball cap and a striped shirt, add that to his slightly wide chin, and you cant tell what age he is. He feels younger than Shouri, but even in the country of freedom America, someone that young cant possibly get a pilots license. That mouth of his never has anything good to say, though, he even keeps purposely trying to rile up Shouri, whom he just met.

Youre Japanese? Ill say this now, the J at the back of my name doesnt stand for Japan.

The way he places emphasis on it, seems to indicate he doesnt have a good impression of Japan.

The Asian guy whose age you cant tell and the scary-looking Frenchman, the longer you look at them the stranger this combination seems.

If you dont have any diving experience you have to tell us honestly--! Even if I am the warrior protector of the people, I cant save two or three people at once

What the heck is the warrior protector of the people? Is that a relative of Naniwa Mozart[2] or something!? Im telling you, I can! I know how to dive! Isnt that obvious? Im Japanese! Its just diving in a lake, whats so hard about that!

Half of the Japanese are samurais or geishas, while the other half are ama[3] and fishermen. The super college student whose goal is to become governor shouldnt be able to handle it. Even the notorious Kachabi[4] can play with the fishes in the southern sea, its no problem as long as you dont have Mukkus[5] bloodline.

Shouri pulls the skintight rubber diving suit up to his shoulders, and its tighter than he thought it would be. Once he pulled the zip up to his neck, it would easy as pie to tell where his nipples are, huh.

Hmm, he! Hmm,he! Hmm, he! Hmm, he!

Bob is focused on his warm-up exercises.

Lets take this opportunity to get it over with now!

Shouri quietly hastens Abigail Graves, who allegedly has an instructors license.

Its just that he never thought there would be such a surprising talent in this world. The koi fish girl who sat all alone in the airport, is actually a world-famous treasure hunter (or so she says), as well as a cheerleading captain, diving instructor, and a half-assed Japan expert. Although to the neighbors Shouri is an excellent older brother, his resume is a little less impressive.

The way things are looking now, its not hard to imagine how amazing the talents in the future will be. After all, the Maou of the financial world known as Bob Airlines once danced the samba in the middle of the shopping street; so the man who was yesterday known as a simple Gundam otaku, might actually be a new type of extremely reliable human.

Thats right.

No matter what you want to do, the most important thing is money.

Even if you want to strike first, putting one foot up while pretending to be clueless, you cant do anything without money. No matter how justified your actions are, its the same.

This is too much, I get suspected even when I use cash to buy plane tickets. Logically speaking, shouldnt it be safer to shop with cash and a smile? You dont have to worry about being a credit card slave!

Dont blame America

Im not blaming any specific country!

Murata Ken is just against the employee who looked at him suspiciously when he paid for his plane ticket in cash just now. Even if a high school student has a credit card, the limit would be very limited. After all his family is just a normal working class family, and can only share the limit on one card.

Thats why he had to use cash, and got a suspicious where did you get this money come from look for his trouble. This country has so many people who started companies with their stocks, and students who earned big bucks at a young age! But on the other hand, they also have a lot of young people who commit crimes, dirty their hands, and walk the wrong path.

Really, do I look like a drug mule? I wouldnt want to sacrifice my life like that just for drugs!

Murata releases a long breath, trying to calm himself down a bit.

But the thing I want to transport is even more dangerous than drugs.

It shouldnt be you, is it, Ken.

I know, its me. Relax! I can still tell the difference.

In the end, Rodriguez was the one who bought the ticket for the change of flights from New York.

He seems to really enjoy his role as a guardian, the laugh lines on his face deepening. He takes off his aviator goggles, even putting on the jacket he rarely wears, trying to pretend hes Muratas parent. Jose Rodriguez is an excellent pediatrician. This is the job he chose for himself, so he never hated taking care of kids in the first place; plus this is a child he treated before, so its obvious he would help.

Murata and Rodriguez have taken a different mode of action from Bob and the others, who took a private plane to Switzerland. The two of them headed for New York from Narita, and then from New York flew to the Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.

Because Japanese people look youngerthey must have thought you were a middle school student traveling on your own

If its to find an important friend, so what if a middle school student rides a plane!

Youre not wrong, but the rules here are stricter, like if a divorced father took his son away on his own, it would be treated as a kidnapping, you know

I feel that a middle-aged Latin American man and a Japanese student walking together is weirder Ah~ Doctor, dont put on such a pitiful expression! Im really glad you left Bob to stay by me, but

The international airport in the afternoon is so crowded its scary. Although its not the tourism season, there are quite a few people dragging their luggage and running around everywhere. Murata sticks closely to his companion, scared of getting lost in the crowd, and looks up at the skinny Mexican.

What were doing now is going against his orders, will that have any effect later? I hope it wont have some bad influence on your work or anything.

What are you talking about, Ken? Im just a pathetic little pediatrician, you know--? Even if Bob wants to pressure me, he wouldnt bother with that clinic of mine that never earns much! Plus, hes not that kind of person.

Thats great. Since you bypassed him and contacted me directly, Ive been very worried for you.

Mn. Because Ken, Im guessing you would rather let Bob know first.

Of course.

The mastermind of the group Rodriguez belongs to, is Bob who should now be in Switzerland together with Shouri and the others. Thats why his actions, of giving Murata important information without going through Bob, could be taken as a betrayal and he wouldnt be able to deny it.

Murata got the intel regarding the Box from Rodriguez a few weeks ago. Before he hung up the phone, he said, If you want to do that, you can report to Bob first, no problem. Back then Murata immediately answered, Ill see how it goes.

What we do from now on is all up to you!

I think it should be up to Bob, right? His ratings in my mind have plummeted. Who asked him to talk about using Mirrors Depth, even if its to fulfill Shibuyas brothers wish he shouldnt do that, right?

HmmBut hes not usually so rash--? Maybe its that once it gets to JUNIOR he becomes a doting father?

But theyre not father and son!

The pediatrician smiles shyly, using those fingers with joints as obvious as old sticks to push the hair out of his eyes, though some locks of unruly hair still stick to his face.

When it comes to that, I can understand how he feels. Speaking of parents, is this okay with your mom and dad?

Dont worry, both of them have keys.

The pediatricians expression says thats not what I meant, but thats indeed what real life is like, it cant be helped that he answers like that.

If you think about the good side, they dont care about me at all, adopting a free and easy approach to some extent. As long as I leave a note saying Im staying at a friends place, they wont come looking for me. But the truth is they dont know any of my friends, so they wouldnt know where to start looking even if they wanted to. I told them, the school is taking a week off for the school anniversary, so Im going on a trip. And they said, without a care in the world, Its okay, as long as we can reach you by phone. But first you have to confirm your accommodation.

Ken.

The man who was once his guardian before he was born frowns a little, turning the corners of his mouth down unhappily.

Arent you lonely?

Lonely? Why?

Just then a young girl runs past the two of them, yelling something childishly. A woman that looks like a mother waves at her from the blue benches, using French to whisper something as she lifts her onto her laps, hugging her waist tightly. Quite a few flights from the aviation companies pass by Logan, so there are many tourists headed for Europe here. Rodriguez watches the scene, murmuring almost to himself,

Did I make the wrong choice?

What choice?

Your family? Bob chose a very perfect family for Shibuya to be born in, but I was the one who chose the family you were born in. Actually, until the very end, I was hesitating whether or not to let you be born in a wealthy childless family in Hong Kong. The one before- you know, that onestayed in Hong Kong, right? But in the end, I handed you over to a very normal Japanese couple Was I wrong in doing that? If I you were born in a wealthy family, wouldnt it be better for you to be an international young master

Hah?

Murata is shell-shocked by his sudden words, slowing down his steps and staring at the other man.

Its because from what youre saying, it seems like you dont have the warmth of a family, so Im wondering if youre happy.

Theres no such thing, Doctor!

Murata cant stand his wild imagination. Since hes already a Japanese, he hurriedly refutes the other option:

Sure, its tempting to be born in a wealthy family, but if I was born there, it would surely be a lot more hassle to come to Japan. Besides, if I became the heir to a wealthy family, my family would not let me move overseas so easily, so wouldnt I waste a lot of time before meeting him?

Meeting who? Yuuri?

Thats right, so it was the best choice to make me Japanese.

But Ken

The pediatrician pushes his glasses up with his index finger, the nail trimmed short, because his retro-style frames are almost going to slide off his nose.

He is the person you are willing to sacrifice a loving family to get?

Thats right. Influenced by his actions, Murata pushes up his glasses too, answering with a nod,

Thats right, no matter what I want a friend like that. Not the new Maou, I just want someone I can talk about everything with. I want a comrade I can trust my all in, I want a friend.

The Frenchman who never opened his heart out to others, and the poor girl who couldnt acknowledge her memories, spending all her days looking for the truththats the thing both of them could never get.

I always wanted Shibuya Yuuri.

And now I got him.

So right now Im extremely happy, yknow!

No matter what I dont want to lose him, even if I have to make enemies of others.

When he held his fist he used a bit of force, too. But those emotions quickly retreated into his body, and he acts cheerful as he continues,

Besides, I think you may have misunderstood some things, so Ill explain it for you first, Doctor. Those people In other words, my parents, I believe they love me a lot, yknow! Its just that there havent been any problems in my growing up so far, so as parents they may seem a little callous. After all, Im a model student, so they really trust me. If I suddenly started selling legal drugs on the street, they would definitely be shocked, and try to bring me back to the right path, even if it means giving up their jobs. But first my father would probably faint from the impact.

A model student suddenly starts selling drugs, that sort of life change is way too dramatic. Ow!

A young man brushes past them, his backpack knocking into Rodriguezs shoulder and causing him to stumble. Although Rodriguez is healthy, hes thin as a stick. Compared to the luggage of a frequent traveler, the luggage may actually be heavier than him.

Although were average citizens, you could say our travelling style is pretty high class.

Taken aback by Bob and Shouris unexpected actions, they hadnt brought anything before running straight for the airport, so all the luggage they had at hand were their wallets and passports.

Then they stuffed their wallets into the plastic bag they got with the tourist map at the nearby bookstore, while the green booklet went into their inner pockets. As for clothes to change into and other toiletries, they plan to buy these things once they got to their destination. Going on the road with what they had is definitely very light and easy, but no one would think that they were planning to go overseas like this. Thankfully, too, because this way they didnt need to fight with everyone else at the luggage retrieval area, and can quickly pass through the customs counter under the Welcome to Boston sign.

You dont have to worry about that. Our destinationFreeport is a city known as a commercial center, you could cover yourself from head to toe in branded clothes!

The one who needs a branded suit is you, right?

Murata scrutinizes his companion, whose crumpled jacket looks like something bought for cheap at a Japanese motel, an outfit that doesnt fit his status at all. Although he was a resident doctor, hes still an expert in pediatrics, so there should be a limit to how little he cares about his dressing, right? He could take this opportunity to prepare some clothes for himselfclothes that would let him stand on the stage of an American national pediatrics conference.

Forget the commercial center for now, right now Ill be grateful to god as long as the place were headed to isnt the Boston city center.

There are too many things in Boston that bring up memories of the past for him. The Graves family house is right there on Beacon Hill, and that shop in Chinatown should still be around.

Of course those arent parts of Muratas own past, but since something happened and he awakened, in the end theyre no different from things that happened to him personally. If he could avoid them, that would be best.

I wonder if a monologue like this could be overheard.

On the other side, the group headed for Switzerland has encountered an inevitable situation.

The headlights shine blindingly onto the surface of the water, the boat Shouri and the others are on is now surrounded by a group in green.

Theyre all armed to the teeth. And even worse, all the guns are pointed at Shibuya Shouri & Bob et al. Putting aside from the squad waiting for their orders on the bank, there are at least twenty-over people just on the boats approaching them.

Twenty-four Eyes[6] No, there are twenty-odd guns pointed at me.

Even Ive only ever had twenty guns pointed at me, huh

Bob, who is particularly reliable at times like this, is still in his warm-up exercises mode. Hes doing the first move from radio aerobics, Stretch your arms forward, stretch your back upwards! The way he has his arms raised up high is quite fitting for the moment.

As for the remaining four, they all have their hands raised beside their faces. After all, having twenty-odd guns pointing at them, no matter how powerful a superhero would still have to give up protesting and put on a smile.

But why must we accept the cops concern, huh? Forget bringing the Box up, we havent even dived in! Or is this placeout of bounds for swimming?

If its just to reprimand tourists for swimming against the rules, theyre overreacting just a bit.

Shouri is acting dumb, but hearing his words Abigail doesnt think much before replying with a ton of insider jargon,

Really, Shouri, these people arent cops, theyre the army, you know! Look closely, theyre not holding .38, but 9mm guns!

I still cant tell even if I look closely!

When you say that, it feels very as expected of a Japanese person.

Abigails tone is very relaxed. Even though she acts nonchalant, but when she talks to Shouri, she switches to speaking in English, proving that the situation isnt as simple as she says it is. To Shouri, he simply cant tell the difference between the diameters of each gun. Not only that, in every three enemy soldiers, theres one holding something that looks like a machine gun.

If its the army then thats even more ridiculous, why would we be surrounded by the army? And more importantly, if we were hit by that kind of weapon would it hurt, hurt a little, or hurt so bad I want to die?

It wouldnt hurt, youd die before you could feel pain.

Just as the self-proclaimed warrior protector of the people DTJ mutters that, the boat suddenly starts rocking violently. Turns out the soldiers surrounding them are yelling warnings as they board the boat, but Shouri cant understand what theyre saying at all. Whats the main language in Switzerland? Swiss?

Abigail uses a bone-chilling expression, yelling back at them in a rude tone.

G-Graves, theres no need to be so angry, its best not to do anything rash at a time like this

Im not angry! Thats what retorting in German sounds like! But thank goodness, these people are Swiss soldiers

Why would you say so?

Although my great grandfather was German, the problem is he used to be a war criminal, and was forbidden from entering Germany.

What the hell did your great grandfather do!?

Abigail is yelling in German, Bob is speaking in fluent French, Francois is as composed and quiet as ever, while DTJ scolds *** and *** as he picks his nose.

Shouri looks up into the sky, still dressed in his diving suit, waiting whole-heartedly for a young celebrity in a helmet to appear holding a sign that says Youve been pranked.

The driver of the RANGE ROVER approaching them is almost forty years old. Hes wearing a yellow cap over his curly brown hair, a large man in green camouflage clothing.

Once he sees Murata and Rodriguez coming out of the arrival hall, he throws away the donut he was biting to raise his hand in salute. The driver is saluting? Murata finds this unbelievable, but Rodriguez seems very used to his actions, raising his right hand lightly to return the salute.

Hi~ Matthew, long time no see. Youre a bit different from usualDont tell me now its Sergeant?

Long time no see, Captain! Nah, about thatOf course I would want to be a soldier of the Allied Forces forever, but that--- my son desperately says he wants to invade the Blue PlanetOn the other hand, Captain, are you part of the Suit Squad now?

Mn, there are a lot of factors involved here. Oh, right, I bought some souvenirs in Tokyo, but since I didnt want to bring luggage, I had them mailed back home. Later Ill divide them amongst you.

It is our honor, Captain!

Compared to their honor, the drivers almost drooling at the idea of the souvenirs contents, even doing something an American taxi driver never wouldgetting out of the car and opening the door for us.

Let me introduce you. Ken, this is Matthew Orson, a friend Ive known since the White Base period.

What on earth is the White Base period? Is it okay to think of it as something along the lines of the Cold War or Kamakura period Just as Murata is thinking that, a memory from his childhood when he was treated by Rodriguez awakens. In the beginning the pediatrician had asked,

What MS do you like~?

So, could it be No, of course it is, the two of you are Gundam-related, right?

Rodriguez and Matthew Orson are all smiles, putting their arms over each others shoulders,

Thats right, thats right. We are forever Gun-pals, right

But time will change a person.

Influenced by his son, Matthew Orson has gotten interested in other anime, until even his rearview mirror has some green-colored ornament. Looks like hes really into frogs as well.

Theres a man with long-lost flight genes in his blood over there, were going to meet his grandson, so were asking Matthew for help. And he knows the person were going to see, too

Apparently the special pilot of Bob Airlines is the grandson of the flight genius called DT. But a man with two strange titles like that, wouldnt he be about the same as Gundam otaku Orson? Forget it, if it was just driving in a city with normal traffic, they might as well grab one of the local high school students.

Just as Murata looks out of the moving car window

Wait a sec!? That was an orange amphibious-looking car that just brushed past us, right!? Dont tell me Boston is where the army has drills in the middle of the city in broad daylight!?

AhThats nothing, just one segment of the novelty tour!

Novelty tour!? I thought it was some army vehicle.

The respect and surprise he feels chases away Muratas tension all at once. He relaxes his shoulders, slumping into his seat like a rain-drenched ragdoll. Maybe its because the car interior is really warm, so the sleep bug takes over him instantly, after all he didnt sleep much on the plane.

Speaking of the army

His expression naturally relaxes.

The other group, is probably already being surrounded by the Swiss and German Special Forces as we speak.

Special Forces!?

Yeah, even if they didnt bring out the Special Forces, the division in charge of investigating the X-Files is indeed monitoring them.

How did it get so big?

Because the information leaked out, of course. Its already reached Confoederatio Helvetica, in other words the Swiss federal authorities.

Even Murata himself was always thinking, which division do they mean by authorities? But after coming face to face with them, hes starting to slowly understand.

The rookie researchers in Germany heave heard of it too. It was during World War II, an OOPArt[7] the Nazis were desperately searching for showed up in Bodensee Lake

Murata tries his hardest to suppress the laughter bubbling up.

Rumors online even said that the thing has a really long tailfin. Im guessing in a few weeks, there will be rumors of a red-eyed Bossie that shows up at night or a Boden water-man that leave behind huge footprints.

How scary!

To distract the enemy attention, this cant he helped. If everyone were focused on the Mirrors Depth in Bodensee Lake, there will be fewer people obstructing us here.

But

The pediatrician who was once this high schools psychological counselor a long time ago, starts pulling at the hair he tied behind his head. Since hes a perpetual optimist, it was very rare to see him with such an obvious expression of uneasiness. Like Murata, he seems unwilling to fight on the offensive.

If the relevant authorities found out, they would definitely sent an expert in to interrupt. Then wouldnt Shibuya JUNIOR and Abigail be the only ones in hot water? If one of the sides actually does bring Mirrors Depth out of the water

Thats impossible.

Why?

Because its not there.

Since he didnt get any reaction, he repeats the same words. Finally he sees infinite laughlines extend in all directions behind those outdated frames, and those long, narrow eyes turn wide.

Youre saying the Box isnt there?

Thats right.

Not in the lake?

Yup!

But, back then the one who said the Box had sunk into the lake, was you

I said that, yes.

Murata cant help but smile wickedly at his companion opposite him, eyes wide and mouth hanging.

I said that, I did indeed say that. The Box Mirrors Depth has sunk to the depths of the water where no one can reach it, and I was the one who personally sunk it. Technically the person who did it wasnt me, but that French doctor who could not trust anyone. However, the place isnt the lake.

With his mouth wide open, Rodriguez points at Murata with his fingers, so surprised he cant even ask. No wonder, because no one knew about this somewhat upsetting truth until now, the person involved and Murata, who inherited his soul, never leaked it out.

Instead its in the bottom of the sea, we just passed over it, too!

You say we just passed it, dont tell me its in the Pacific Ocean--!?

Mn, I dont remember the exact location either. After all, to him, that was something unexpected.

I I dont really understand, Ken! Can you explain it to me step-by-step, slowly? Ah, you can ignore Matthew, dont worry about him. Matthew, this conversation is top secret, if the news got out we will lose the war! Alright, Ken, its fine now!

Understood.

Murata imitates his protector from before he was born, dragging out his reply, Understood Then he crosses his arms in front of his chest, his entire back pressed against the seat, so he can feel the tremor of the car better.

The ancestor of my soul To save time, Ill call him that. After all, its annoying to count how many generations ago it was. Anyway its someone whose fragments remain my records, from a long~ time ago.

He purposely chose the term records, though he isnt sure if the other person noticed.

Putting aside whether or not hes the first generation, in any case Im talking about that person whose hair was so long it got annoying, the person people call the sage, have you heard that he took two of the four Boxes and flew over to Earth with them under his armpits?

I-I heard of it.

After that my ancestors repeatedly missed the location of the Box because they were born in the wrong place, or horrible environments kept them unaware of their true identities, so they refused to admit that they brought something here no matter what. But there are still some excellent ancestors who understood everything, and watched the Boxes closely.

Just like you?

Ah, ha! Just saying, no matter how you praise me, I cant return the favor, yknow. As you can see, Im only carrying a plastic bag and my passport. But you cant really blame that Frenchman, Henry Regent, all I can say is he was unlucky, and couldnt locate both Boxes, thats why And this is just a guess, when Abbys great-grandmothers grandmother Confusing, right? Anyway, it was the treasure hunter Hazel Graves that miraculously got both Boxes. One of them, Mirrors Depth, was found in West Asia and then entrusted to an art gallery in Australia, but then a dictator heard of it and intercepted it. However, all these are just deductions, okay?

The pediatricians round eyes went back to their normal size, looks like hes finally regained his composure.

Mn, about Abbys great-grandmother, right? In other words, the founder of the museum, April Graves recovered the Mirrors Depth that she heard about from Bob it should be the Box called Mirrors Depth, and then she sank it into Bodensee to prevent it from being used on the battlefield, right? The ones helping her then were her partner-- the flight genius and her husband. The last-last-owner of my soul, Henry Regent tagged along. But Regent didnt trust.

Didnt trust who?

Rather than saying he didnt trust who, its better to say he didnt trust everything. I only dare to say this as his descendant, but he was a very pitiful person, afraid to trust anyone, suspicious of anything and everything. Although it was a bad trait to have, in a way he was a victim too. Honestly, I feel this system is very cruel, and the person who thought it up is a bastard with no blood and tears.

Rodriguez wanted to say I know who that person is, but he doesnt in the end. Talking about who the founder of Shin Makoku is while on Earth is completely meaningless.

Regent carried too many memories on his shoulders, but he didnt dare to tell family or friends about it, so he was always alone. On the surface he has the glorious title of a doctor, and is friendly to everyone, but inside hes always been lonely and scared. He even wondered, does he have psychological problems? Why must he protect the Boxes? What should he do? How should he find ridiculous Boxes he cant even be sure exist? And he has to protect them from falling into others hands? Besides, is any of this real? These should be the common symptoms of someone with mental problems. And the past memories, personalities, history, the Boxes and all that, could very likely be a country of imagination that he made up on his own. Of course he would be troubled, because I was too, and I started when I was three!

Ken matured so young

Mn, but when I was four or five, Shibuya and you, doctor, showed up in front of me, so I had no time to trouble over whether I was lucky or unlucky.

Besides, all those different examples were prepared long before he was born as Murata Ken. Examples of those who were troubled, those who werent troubled, those who lost their minds and sank into insanity from their suspicions before they could be troubled. Should they tell everyone around them, or make up something and forget about it? Should they accept this burden and live on? Or reject it, seal it somewhere deep in their memories, and try to forget about this unhappy ending? Regent only remembered half of the past, but Murata got every single record, unaltered and unabridged.

Which part of which life to use, which person he should imitate to live happily, the answers left by his ancestors carry infinite possibilities.

If Regent could have known Bob, maybe his life would have been a bit easier. But that doesnt mean theyre the same type of person. After all they originated from different places, and he never opened out his heart to anyone. You can see that Henry Regent had no friends. He was different from me, he didnt know how to find the heart of the problem.

The pediatrician asks carefully,

So Regent didnt trust anything Since he didnt trust anything, what did he do?

He took the Box away.

Even if its said in English, it cant become a cold joke. Murata smiles bitterly, raising his chin high to ease the pressure on the back of his head,

At the end of World War II, he brought the Box that was once at the bottom of the lake up again and took it away. Just because he couldnt trust, not that he didnt trust April and her husband, but he felt that it was impossible the army would never find the Box. He didnt trust that anything in life could go so well.

They went through so much to hide it, and he actually brought it back up again But you say he took away the Box, yet there cant be a lot of places to hide it without drawing attention, right? Where on earth did he keep it?

Hm, I cant say either. Sinking it into the sea may have been his initial plan, or it could have been an unexpected accident. Or maybe he intended to keep it by his side the whole time, and keep an eye on it while at sea.

Ah~ Youre right. If it was kept in the cabin as a ship doctors personal belongings, it would be harder to find than leaving it on land. Plus he travelled a lot, I see

Jose Rodriguez mumbles to himself while holding up his glasses, using those fingers with joints as obvious as sticks to rub his eyelids. Theres weariness in the corners of his eyes, a bit out of place with his usual cheerful Mexican image.

In the end, it still sank into the bottom of the sea.

Rather than saying it sank, itd be more accurate to say it was sunk.

Eh?

The civilian boat he boarded as a ship doctor, was accidentally bombed one of their own.

Rodriguez doesnt say anything after an Ah, closing his eyes tightly and resting his head on the back of the seat. His ten fingers are interlinked and resting on his stomach, his lips slanting in grief, as though the one who died in that explosion was his own friend.

Once the conversation dies down, it suddenly becomes silent in the car. Maybe because he cant stand the wordless atmosphere, Matthew Orson in the drivers seat turns on the radio. A cacophony of music erupts from the speakers, singing of despair towards the world in fluent English.

Just like he did a long time ago, the doctor puts his hand on the knee of his young counseling patient, using those fingers with joints as obvious as sticks to rub his eyes.

You remembered the memories from that moment, didnt you?

The eyelids over his eyes cant stop trembling.

Its inside you.

Thats right.

With that short answer, Muratas gaze drifts out of the window. All the trees are dressed in green, all he sees is beautiful scenery. Inside his heart he thinks, no matter what, before he could tell if this was the city, the cars had already crossed the state border on the high-speed freeway. The scenery hes looking at is no longer Boston.

Say it. Ken, tell me about it.

That feeling is very strange, really hard to describe with words.

But I still want to hear you talk about it.

It feels very calm.

He tries to bring out those memories, and its as though something bright and colorful appears in front of his eyes, quietly, with a larger emphasis on the color blue, a beautiful image like a kaleidoscope.

His body was facing upwards, looking up to see the sky fall down on him. But he wasnt in the sky, instead he was in the sea, so he was looking at the sky through the seawater. It could have been daytime then, the seawater was bright and blue, sparkling even, he was sinking down as he looked up at the seawater. Not a shred of pain, or anything like sorrow, because he didnt have family that would grieve for him.

He knows in that moment, many people died. He experienced examples of streams of thought interrupted by explosions, and then the world turning suddenly black in front of his eyes. There were also times it was like a childs dream, and he kept seeing things that were impossible in real life. But Regents end was especially quiet, probably only the bottom of the sea can bring that absolute a silence.

He looked up, and quite a few people were falling with him. Although they were falling continuously, they fell slowly, their limbs still moving gracefully. There probably wouldnt be a term like this back then, but it looked like they were walking in space. The womens hair floated in the waves like seaweed, sometimes becoming red or orange fireworks. But that was on the other end of the screen of water, so the pictures were blurred and soft, and felt very beautiful. This feeling is very strange, not upsetting or painful, just slowly sinking into the clear, bright depths of the water.

With that, Murata sighs deeply.

After that he should have died, that must be it.

Thank you for telling me. Sorry, forcing you to remember those things, it must really hurt, huh?

It doesnt hurt at all, but it feels so strange What do you think, doctor, is it worth referencing in your medical studies?

Even if I wanted to use it as a reference, your story wont work on anyone other than yourself.

Rodriguez takes his hand off Muratas knee, looking into his face,

Besides, Ken isnt sick, so I never used your condition as a part of my medical studies.

Is that so?

Murata interlinks his fingers and puts them behind his head, then stretches his spine hard. His gaze moves from the ceiling to the front seat, then to his feet. The Orson boy must have ridden this sort of car before, right? Its not too clean inside, and theres even a donut paper bag scrunched into a ball in the corner.

Outside the car is even a cute pink and light green combination that kids should like.

Most people think that kids like pink and light green. Most adults think that kids never grow up.

I see.

Thats right, I never thought you were sick from the very start. Back then you were just a kid who couldnt pronounce properly, but when you saw my nameplate you suddenly called me Josie, yknow. Meaning you knew your ABCs

Distracted, Murata thinks, Why are my glasses fogging up suddenly, but no matter how he rubs with his fingers he cant rub it away, so he quickly gets back to the main point.

Mirrors Depth should be lying somewhere deep within the Pacific Ocean, together with the body of Henry Regent. It should be impossible to bring it up again.

In that case, it is rather more comforting to know its in there.

Thats right. As long as a marine expert doesnt use deep-sea radars to look for sunken treasure, there wont be a problem.

That way, the heir of the elite treasure huntersAbigail Graves wont find anything in Bodensee Lake no matter how she dives On the contrary, I kinda feel bad for Bob and the others.

If they want to look for it, let them look for it.

The pediatrician narrows his eyes, staring at him intently.

Why, doctor, are you unhappy about something?

Im not unhappy, Im just wondering how you became so crafty

I would rather prefer it if you said Im someone who shouldnt be messed with.

Murata smiles brightly, as though saying no such thing, Im a model student, you know. Even if he purposely tries to act more decent, his cover has been blown from the start.

Thats why Im saying, the problem we have now is the other Box, Inferno on the Tundra.

But that one

As usual, Rodriguez drags out his last syllable when asking.

was under Hazels care, and eventually burned down together with the house for some reason, right?

Thats what it looks like on the surface, but its full of mystery."

Back then Hazel Graves was getting ready to renovate the house she just got into a gallery of her collection. She even personally brought in a few of the most precious items, things even her family rarely got to see.

And that was one of themthe Box identified as Inferno on the Tundra.

She gave the other Box she foundMirrors Depth to the art salesman in Australia for safekeeping, while keeping Inferno on the Tundra by her side.

That fire that attacked the Graves house burnt even the pillars down to the ground, until all that was left was coal and ash. The assumption was that she died in the fire as well, but there was no body in her coffin. Back then the people who attended the funeral, who grieved and wept for Hazel Graves, didnt know that in the coffin covered with flowers and soil, there was only her clothes and personal items.

But I suspect she went there.

Went where?

There.

Rodriguez doesnt ask where there is. Hes a mazoku born and bred on Earth, so even if someone told him theres a world completely different to this one, he cant quite imagine what kind of a place that is. But he can understand the existence of that world, and he can accept it.

So this can explain it?

To be precise, there is no other way to explain it.

The crime scene investigators in 1903 couldnt come to the truth. Their conclusion was the heat was so extreme it destroyed everything, from the building to the items in the house to the bodyThat was the explanation the police and fire brigade gave her family.

That explanation cant convince me. After all, that wasnt a drug factory or a petrol station, just a normal civilian house, so no matter how high the heat, there should be some flesh or bone left. If there was an explosion then that would be another matter altogether, but a normal fire wouldnt make someone vanish without a trace.

Well, about that The incident happened over seventy years ago~~

However, if Hazel flew over to that world with the Box, everything can be explained. Once things transcend science, reality can never catch up.

He tries to use the tips of his toes to kicks aside the donut bag, and the paper bounces off under the front seat, vanishing. But this only means its vanished from his sight, and even if he cant see it, its still right there, hiding in a dark place under the seat. Matter doesnt just suddenly disappear.

Anyway, lets meet Mr Hobart first.

Rodriguez nods lightly to approve Muratas words, their conversation ending with that. Only the radio keeps repeating passionate words. Soon, though, Rodriguez still cant help but say,

B-but You said its not there, so the Box isnt in Switzerland!?

The pediatrician presses his hand to his chest, his brow furrowed as he laughs,

In that case, why did Ken purposely act so nervous in front of Bob!? You had him hook, line and sinker I cant believe you actually acted all this out, what a naughty boy you are

The pediatrician brings up the incident at the KTV.

Calling him a naughty boy isnt just rude, it obviously means he treats him as a child. But affected by the mood, Murata raps the car window glass with his fist and laughs,

I wasnt acting. That wasnt acting, I wasnt in the mood, either, I really panicked. Because Shibuya disappeared, and without a trace. This was my first time feeling so panicked since kindergarten.

Panic? You, panicked?

When you ask that and sound so surprised, its like youre saying I dont have emotions.

Nah, thats not what I meant.

The doctors smile suddenly disappears, and he says, completely seriously,

Im really worried.

MnBecause Shibuya always does things so rashly.

Im not talking about Shibuya, Im talking about you.

His expression is that of a mother who just got interested in parenting, yet has to send her kid to kindergarten. Worried for him, reluctant to leave him, and yet confident that he can pass this test.

Murata cant help but avert his gaze, looking at the car ceiling and sighing deeply. Then he relaxes his body, tilting his head towards the window glass.

If youre not hungry then take a nap! Well be spending close to two hours in the car, anyway.

You want me to take a nap in this car with the god awful music?

Mn, Ill call you once we reach Freeport.

Ill never get to sleep.

But it seems there was nothing to worry about.

In a few minutes, he descends into a deep slumber. The young singer continues to vent his emotions, singing of despair towards this world.