One-way traffic

So, what would it be like if Othinus, who already has enough power to contend with all of them combined, were to regain his true power?

Accelerator clicked his tongue in amazement.

In the worst-case scenario, not only will I and Hatsune Miku be implicated... but Yomikawa, Yoshikawa, and the extra characters will also be affected.

And, the final work.

"So, what do you plan to have me do?"

“Nothing important. Although you are indeed very strong, as someone from the scientific camp, you clearly lack a more detailed understanding of the Demon God. The main matters will still be handled by me and Orelels.”

"Speak the key."

Right Fire took out a wrapped scroll from his bosom.

After receiving the scroll, Accelerator realized that it was a world map.

"I've already marked the exact location on it."

"This must be where the Gremlin are hiding."

"What I need you to do is first and foremost ensure the safety of yourself and those around you. Since Othinus launched an attack on you, he will definitely keep his eyes on you... We can't let that guy notice your rash approach, nor can we let him get close to you again."

Fire on the right then sighed.

"...If you could come and fight alongside us, that would be the best support you could receive."

It's too difficult to act on just O'Reilly and Right Flame.

However, even if you searched the entire world, there were very few powerful individuals who could act alongside beings of their caliber.

Even though the magic departments of various countries around the world have begun to devise countermeasures against the "Gremlin," even the saints of the magic world, popes and high bishops of various countries, are fundamentally not qualified to participate in the secret events of defeating the demon god.

These people almost all lacked sufficient strength to stand alongside Right Flame and Orelus.

Except for one person.

That was the man standing before this man who possessed the power to save the world, the one known as the strongest.

If Accelerator comes to help, the three of them can team up and launch another, more fundamental attack on Othinus, just like last time.

The odds of winning must be much higher.

"Huh? Accelerator?"

Footsteps echoed from the stairs behind.

The previous managers came down the stairs; judging from their appearance, they were probably going to have lunch.

They looked at the figure standing in the stairwell with some surprise.

"Excuse me, are you alright? You said you had some personal matters to attend to, but now you're standing here all alone..."

"Oh, it's nothing, just making a phone call."

Accelerator put his hands in his pockets and walked back up the stairs.

He was the only one left in the entire stairwell.

The one-armed youth who had been talking to him here earlier had already disappeared without anyone noticing.

'I see… This level of stealth ability is indeed enough to operate right under that one-eyed woman's nose.'

After inwardly marveling at the power of the Right Flame, Accelerator returned to the upper floor.

"After that, everyone in the company plans to go directly to the restaurant we booked for lunch."

"Yes! It's all to celebrate the victory of today's talks. Oh, speaking of which, I have to thank Mr. Accelerator for his help today!"

"Thank you so much... Why don't you join us for lunch? Oh, right! Mr. Kaito and Ms. Hatsune Miku will also be coming along, and since it's a private event, no outsiders will be allowed to come!"

"Wow, really?! That's awesome!"

Ignoring the cheers of the people around him, the first person walked along, deep in thought.

Coincidentally... for him, that demon god was indeed a difficult opponent.

'No matter what, as long as that guy exists and has any chance of threatening that brat and that woman... I won't let her go.'

Even without the message from the Right Flame, he would probably find time to defeat that demon god.

Even though he knew very well that the other party was far stronger than him, it didn't matter.

Everything is for the sake of protecting the peace and safety of those around us.

Therefore, no matter what kind of enemy they face, they will strive to move forward on the one-way road to a happy ending in order to resolve these tragic futures.

This is what I really need to do.

——————————————————————————————————————————

then.

Despite having made so much preparation and awareness, I still ended up in this kind of place.

Bang!! Then, the staff and managers all set off small props that were used for celebration, like fireworks, making the whole room filled with colorful sparklers.

"Come on! Let's thank Mr. Accelerator once again for bringing us success today!"

"Thank you so much! Wow, being number one in Academy City, that idol-level status is truly amazing!"

"That's amazing... That wellhead has always been a real pain, but you took care of it so easily in just a few moves!"

"That's amazing! Could all superpowered people be this powerful...?"

A constant stream of words came to my ears.

Accelerator twitched the corner of his mouth, then reflected all of these guys' annoying voices.

So, he picked up a glass of wine he had prepared and went straight to the windowsill.

"That's ridiculous."

Accelerator took a small sip from the glass in his hand and couldn't help but frown. This wine was definitely not top-notch.

Instead of drinking this roadside-stall-level liquor, it's much more worthwhile to have a can of coffee.

Just as I was thinking this, I heard other sounds besides those people talking.

"Are you here to find me?"

He asked without turning his head.

Then, the figure sat down in front of him.

"If you're still thinking about saying those thank-you things like those guys, then there's absolutely no need for that."

"No... well, we know each other's personalities, and I've already said thank you before. I know you're not good at handling these kinds of things, so I definitely won't say anything more."

At first glance, it looks similar to Hatsune Miku's hair color, but it is actually a completely different deep blue.

Aon Kaito, also known as Kaito.

As for what the name should be, Accelerator no longer cared about it. In any case, with such a strange name, he had no right to say anything about it.

"While I am very grateful for what happened today, I would like to talk to you about something else."

Accelerator couldn't help but turn to look at him.

"Well, Miku... she's been living at your place all this time, right?"

"...Is everyone already aware of this?"

"Haha! No, that's not it. But we Valve idol groups have always been very close to Miku, so she usually talks about these things with us idols."

Although he really wanted to complain about Hatsune Miku saying everything, Accelerator continued to watch him.

"And then... I don't know what other people think, but at least from my perspective..."

Kaito also took a small sip of the red wine in his glass.

"She's really changed a lot compared to the past."

As Accelerator said those words, he also saw the look in the other person's eyes.

gratitude.

"Miku's path to becoming an idol has always been filled with various incidents."

That's probably also Accelerator's memory before he met Hatsune Miku.

"Due to various reasons, this child... despite experiencing all sorts of scandals and shocks, still managed to reach the status of a world-class idol."

"Back then, she always held onto the belief that she wanted to sing her songs all over the world and into the future, no matter what. Although I and everyone else were always supporting her, there are limits to everything."

Haidou's expression seemed somewhat sorrowful.

“Back then, Miku would often lock herself in her room and say things like, ‘It’s okay, it’s all over now,’ the next day. Even though we repeatedly encouraged her to talk to us and let her cry it out, it still affected her deeply.”

“She’s always been alone. Even though we’re like family to her, we can’t always protect her.”

Even birds kept in cages will eventually be released, let alone humans.

Even now, there are people like Kaito, Rin, Len, and Megurine Luka who care for Hatsune Miku like family.

This will not last forever.

"...But now, I feel there's no need for that anymore."

He couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth and chuckle softly.

"Because I saw a completely different side of that child than she had in the past."

“Even things that used to require the help of others can now be easily solved by her alone.”

"Recently, even when she encounters various troubles related to being an idol, she still perseveres and gets back on her feet. No matter what, she can easily and freely convey the feelings she wants to express to the audience on stage."

"Now, even without our help, no matter what kind of shady dealings there are, they can't hurt her anymore."

As mentioned before, for Hatsune Miku, Kaito and the others are like family.

Because they are family, they are the ones who take the closest care of her.

Therefore, they are also the people who notice these changes happening the fastest.

"…snort."

Accelerator didn't say anything.

All he could do was quietly listen to what this loved one, who needed protection, had to say.

"There are some things I may not understand, and I may not be able to understand them."

Superpowers, Academy City, and the like—these things do actually exist in this world.

Kaito had no way of delving into this world, nor did he know what Hatsune Miku and Accelerator had gone through.

Those were worlds beyond the reach of an ordinary human being like him.

just.

Even if she doesn't know anything, as long as she sees her loved ones who have always been by her side finally showing that strong and unyielding smile, she can truly become a girl who can stand on her own.

"So, this statement is not only for the meeting you made for our company today, but also for the series of changes that ultimately occurred because of Miku's presence by your side."

In the past, she was a girl who would always lock herself in her room and cry after suffering setbacks.

Now, that girl, even when faced with setbacks, is still able to stand up strong and face difficulties.

Kaito looked at Accelerator calmly.

"Thank you for transforming the person closest to us from someone who needs to be protected by others into someone who can protect herself."

Looking at the sea monster, Accelerator shook his head.

"You've got it wrong... I didn't do anything."

He just brushed past Haidou like that.

But he left behind his final words.

"The person who truly changed her future should be herself, right?"

The young idol with dark blue hair looked ahead again.

Even though the other person had left, his words still echoed in his ears.

…yes.