One-way traffic

Accelerator and Hatsune Miku are both currently inside the supermarket.

It seemed less like an emergency to replenish necessary resources and more like a couple shopping for lunch, although it was impossible to tell whether the white-haired guy was male or female.

Compared to Accelerator's nonchalant expression, Hatsune Miku looked very happy.

"Hehehe~?"

"Don't run around like that, are you a kid?"

"Because this should be the first time we've gone shopping together like this, right?"

Hatsune Miku ran to the beverage area in front and happily spun around.

She looks no different from any other energetic girl her age.

"Even though it's just an ordinary day, just thinking about how I can go shopping with you so peacefully for the first time makes me really happy!"

"I really don't know what you're so happy about. It's just a simple replenishment of supplies."

"You wouldn't understand, would you?"

Accelerator, who has absolutely no understanding of a girl's heart, casually turned his head away.

He and Hatsune Miku carried a basket together as they walked through a crowded, enclosed supermarket. The clean white floor and ceiling were the same color, and fresh seafood and meat were displayed nearby, along with various attractive trinkets.

Two people walking together like this are bound to attract attention, no matter how you look at it.

just.

'...The contrast is too great.'

That's right.

This sounds a bit silly, but it's actually true.

Accelerator was originally supposed to be a scientific monster created by Academy City, filled with malice and darkness.

Wherever he was, there was blood and destruction; he was practically the embodiment of the apocalypse.

even so.

Even someone like him would go grocery shopping with a girl, something Accelerator in the past would probably never have dared to imagine.

What am I doing?

Can someone living in darkness yearn for this peaceful light? Or is it simply because I'm living in a comfortable, carefree world that I've forgotten my true situation?

Am I darkness or light?

Accelerator couldn't help but think about this kind of question.

This was actually the peaceful life he had been looking forward to for a long time.

But if a monster like him, who has lived in bloodshed and destruction for years, were to descend into this peaceful world, it would be very difficult for him to adapt to the environment.

Just like suddenly welcoming a transfer student to another school, there's always a sense of loss.

In order to survive in this peaceful society, he must change his personal atmosphere.

However, that will inevitably be a very difficult road.

"...My head is starting to hurt from thinking about it."

This is a really complicated and tedious problem.

He twisted his neck, and Accelerator couldn't help but frown, giving up on thinking about this difficult problem for him.

Let's go get some coffee.

Upon arriving at the beverage section, Accelerator followed Hatsune Miku to the other side of the counter.

Coffee was everywhere, and it was a flavor he had never tasted before.

"Hello! We are currently running a new product promotion. If you don't mind, please try our coffee!"

It's just like the usual tactics used by shopping malls: first, they give you a small cup of free sample, and then they go on a crazy promotion of their products.

Accelerator didn't drink the coffee; he simply glanced at the other side, where he saw a flavor he had never tasted before.

"Oh... sir, you want to buy one of those?"

A couple was also walking on one side.

Accelerator ignored the two men and started looking at the types of coffee.

However, the man in the couple said something with a touch of emotion.

"That must be a brand endorsed by an idol company."

"Indeed, darling...it's truly tragic."

"I remember it was a company called VOCALOID, right? It's so tragic, they suffered such destruction..."

what?

Accelerator, who had originally intended to be indifferent to the past, suddenly perked up his ears.

"What did you say?"

"Eh?"

The couple, who were about to leave, were stopped by Accelerator, which startled the staff member who had just been trying to sell to him.

Wow, this person looks... fierce.

"Well, um, you didn't know that?"

Among the couples who were asked the question, the man gave a somewhat embarrassed and wry smile.

"Last night, VOCALOID's company was attacked by an unknown bomb, which resulted in the entire building being destroyed."

"This kind of thing has spread all over the news by now, I thought everyone would know by now..."

The company behind VOCALOID.

Accelerator certainly knew what that was; it was the company that Hatsune Miku belongs to.

Then, the company building... was bombed?

"Eh…?"

A girl's surprised exclamation came from behind.

Hatsune Miku, who had been happily shopping for supplies, suddenly stared wide-eyed in astonishment.

"How...how could this be...?"

if it is like this.

What happened to the employees and even the idols who stayed in the building that night?

What if it also includes idols you know?

I can't even imagine it.

"One, one side!"

Hatsune Miku panicked and quickly looked at Accelerator in front of her.

A different kind of expression had appeared on his face.

He had already realized it.

—This is definitely an aura of evil, completely different from any other peaceful world.

"Could it be that there is an evil side to this world?"

If that's the case, then there's no reason to sit idly by.

What's more, that's where Hatsune Miku's friends are.

He simply grabbed some coffee and looked over.

"Ready to go."

"Take me to the front of your company's building and let me see what's going on."

Chapter 137 A Kind of Unknown Darkness

Although I've said that before, I still have to use it when necessary.

VOCALOID's office building is quite far from the mall; it would take at least twenty minutes to walk there.

It's impossible to use superpowers for supersonic flight in such a large crowd, so naturally, Accelerator switched to driving.

The speed is unimaginable.

It's several times faster than a typical supercar just from the start, and the engine noise is kept to a minimum without causing a commotion. For someone like Accelerator who seeks a low-key style, it's a pretty good experience.

He drove Hatsune Miku directly to the headquarters.

Then, what appeared before my eyes was an enormous skyscraper.

Even though it was already broken and tattered.

"how come…!"

This is a fact.

The girl stared wide-eyed in astonishment at the building in front of her, finding it hard to believe.

"Really? We were attacked?"

"The police action was urgent."

Accelerator glanced at the police officers who were standing frantically beside the cordon; it seemed they had only just begun their investigation.

"It seems that this really happened last night."

"night…"

When people are tired from work, many staff members rest inside the building, and sometimes idols do the same.

At least among the idols Hatsune Miku knows, many of them take their breaks in this way.

When everyone is resting peacefully, if such a large-scale bomb attack suddenly breaks out, everyone can guess what the unexpected consequences will be.

This idea kept rising in my mind.

The thought filled the girl with fear.

"Um, everyone wouldn't...?"

"Could it be something?"

Huh? Hatsune Miku blinked; the familiar voice came from behind her.

She quickly turned around, and behind her, a young man wearing a black jacket and a black hat appeared directly in front of them.

The other person had blue hair and icy blue eyes; she would never forget him, no matter what.

Good morning, Miku. It all happened so suddenly, it seems like it gave you a bit of a fright.

"Kaito, are you alright?"

"To be precise, everyone is fine."

Kaito, dressed in casual, concealing clothing, appeared before them and spoke in a very gentle, comforting tone.

“I was the only person in the building at the time. Everyone else had already gone home to rest. After this happened, they definitely wouldn’t be able to come back. So, basically, there was no problem.”

"So, Kaito, do you know what's going on here?"

The young man glanced at Hatsune Miku, then at Accelerator standing to the side.

If it were him, he would understand at a glance.

As a monster living on the dark side, Accelerator easily understood the meaning conveyed in the eyes of others.

"Let's go, get in the car."

"Huh? No, aren't you going to say it?"

"Of course I'll talk to you, but we need to consider finding a different place to discuss it."

Kaito smiled and said casually.

"You haven't had lunch yet, have you? I'll treat you to lunch today."