One-way traffic

The two chatted back and forth as they walked back to the villa.

at this time.

A figure seemed to emerge from around the corner in front of them.

If it were just a silhouette, it wouldn't be a big deal, but...

Accelerator, with his keen senses, instantly grasped the important information.

"...It smells familiar."

Accelerator narrowed his eyes slightly.

The air was filled with something that only those who have experienced hardship could understand.

murderous look.

Moreover, it still retained a very faint, bloody killing intent.

Accelerator wasn't some kind of master of realms, and he didn't know how to sense other people's auras. But based on his years of living in the dark, he could easily detect it, just like a marine creature that climbed ashore to choose its own evolution and eventually successfully evolved into a land creature.

"This feeling is probably that of someone who has just finished dealing with a shady matter and is preparing to escape."

"Something shameful, could it be...?"

It seems like they've made a connection to something.

Hatsune Miku beside them also frowned slightly, and the two quickly looked ahead.

A very clear figure came into view.

A young girl wearing a light blue coat and also with a blue ponytail.

The three looked at each other, seemingly wondering where the other person was headed.

then.

The girl fixed her gaze on Accelerator and blinked.

"…ah!!"

She suddenly realized something and called out softly.

"You, you're the person I saw last time... I knew it!"

"what?"

"The school uniform this girl is wearing... could it be that you're also a student from Zen High School?"

"Well, that's definitely true..."

"That's really how it is! If that's the case..."

The blue-haired girl in front of him seemed to suddenly become agitated.

The girl asked the two of them in a very excited tone.

"Have you seen my brother at that school? He also goes to Laizen High School!"

"You, your brother...?"

Seeing Hatsune Miku's utterly bewildered expression, the blue-haired girl quickly realized what was going on.

"Oh... I forgot to mention, that's his name and appearance."

The girl patted her head and quickly took off the necklace-like object around her neck.

then.

Upon seeing the photo of the inside of the necklace, both of them couldn't help but show expressions of surprise.

"Um...you mean, the person in this picture is your brother?"

Yes!

She said with a very happy smile.

"My older brother, Itsuka Shido, is a student at Raizen High School, that's for sure!"

Chapter 379 Takamiya Mana

creak-

Once the oven was opened, an incredibly enticing aroma wafted directly from the inside.

Upon smelling this scent, Takamiya Mana couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

"This taste is...!"

"That's right, it's a crepe!"

Hatsune Miku, carrying a tray in both hands, walked into the living room and responded with a smile.

On the tray she was holding in both hands, a variety of brightly colored and tempting delicacies were laid out.

They are all the same type of dessert, a dish that can often be found at roadside stalls.

"You're still waiting for your brother to come back, right? It'll be a bit boring these days, so why don't you have some afternoon tea with us to pass the time?"

"Wow! Really? Then I won't be polite!"

She had only taken her first bite when she showed an expression of pure enjoyment, it seemed that Mana Takamiya was completely won over by Hatsune Miku's culinary skills.

Accelerator, who was sitting to the side, simply took his cup of black coffee from the tray and did not take the crepe.

He doesn't really like desserts or similar foods; in a sense, he's a pure carnivore.

"If that's the case, then Shido-kun really is your older brother..."

exactly.

The blue-haired girl in front of me is named Takamiya Mana.

Then, this girl, at this moment, claims to be Itsuka Shido's real younger sister.

"Are you siblings?"

"Mmm, 100% the same bloodline~!"

"That's truly astonishing..."

There has always been a girl named Kotori Itsuka by Shido Itsuka's side. Until now, Hatsune Miku has always believed that she is his real sister. Unexpectedly, the girl in front of him is actually his real sister.

However, even so, why does Takamiya Mana seem so unclear about her own brother?

"Well, how should I put it, I guess it's because of where I work."

"Your workplace?"

A single sentence evoked a multitude of possibilities for Hatsune Miku.

"It's because the places are too far apart that it's difficult for them to meet, which is why the two of them don't know much about each other."

"Okay, that's about it..."

Mana Takamiya, who was holding a crepe, suddenly started to stutter.

Hatsune Miku blinked, but didn't pursue the matter further.

"If that's the case, haven't the two of you met even once in all these years?"

"Well, although I've always known about my brother, it's very likely that he doesn't know about me... or rather, he's probably forgotten about me for some reason."

"Forget? Do you really mean forgetting you?"

Hatsune Miku, who was standing nearby, seemed slightly surprised by this.

But Takamiya Mana simply smiled indifferently.

"It's okay, after all, I don't really remember the details of these things either."

"Huh? What's going on?"

"Well, if I didn't have this necklace as a clue, I probably wouldn't have known that I actually have such an older brother."

She took out the small necklace with the photo inlaid on the inside from her bosom.

Previously, when Accelerator and Hatsune Miku were shown this necklace, it was indeed the same necklace. The photos inside looked very old, almost like they were taken thirty years ago.

"I came to this city specifically to check on my brother. I haven't even had a proper chance to say hello to him yet. I'm such a terrible sister!"

"No, no, that's not true. I think you really like Shido-kun, so I'm sure he'll understand."

"Hmm...that's true!"

The two girls were talking to each other, discussing things related to Itsuka Shido.

but.

The other person, sitting to the side and quietly observing all of this, began to ponder other things.

Accelerator sipped his coffee, pondering the words that Takamiya Mana had just spoken.

I came to this city only to see Itsuka Shido.

Is it really that simple?

Perhaps it was indeed to finally see her older brother, whom she hadn't seen in so many years, that she went through all the trouble to come to this city, but...

Accelerator was always able to sense that something else was lurking in the shadows.

So he made a decision in secret.

"Speaking of which, you've seen him before, haven't you? Mr. Accelerator."

"Huh? Mana-chan and Accelerator met not long ago?"

"Mmm! It was probably when we first arrived in this city. We both had some unique interests and got along very well. It was quite a serendipitous meeting!"

"Wow... I didn't know that! That's amazing..."

You're the only one I click with, right?

Accelerator pursed his lips and didn't say anything more about it.

"Kotori, I'm back."

"Yay! Brother, you're finally back!"

I had just eaten a crepe when I heard this sound coming from the house next door.

"That voice, could it be...!"

"Huh...? Mana-chan, you recognized Shido-kun right away...?"

"Yes, yes, there's no mistake! Although it's been a long time since we last met, I will never forget that voice, it must be my brother's voice!"

The thought of seeing her long-awaited reunion with her loved ones soon brought a touch of emotion to Mana Takamiya's expression.

Ultimately, she still has the pure heart of a young girl, and she might even be moved to tears by it.

"Thank you so much! I can never thank you enough, no matter how many times I say it. Thank you so much for bringing me to my brother's vicinity!"

"It's okay, we live next door to him, it's just a small favor."

Hatsune Miku and Mana Takamiya shook hands with light smiles.

Then, Takamiya Mana came directly to Accelerator.

"Thank you, Mr. Accelerator!"

"...I don't think I've done anything, have I?"

"No, that's not true! It's because of meeting you that things are like this today, so I want to especially thank you!"

This guy... he really has a very carefree personality. Accelerator couldn't help but think to himself.

Mana Takamiya happily extended her hand, seemingly without any wariness towards Accelerator.

Accelerator didn't seem to care about that.

He simply reached out his hand and placed it against the girl's palm.

then.

A strange flow passed directly through his hand.

"oops…?"