"Director Woodman? Why are you here?"
Seeing the person before her, Kotori could not help feeling surprised.
Elliot Baldwin Woodman.
He was the founder of Ratatoskr, currently the world's largest company developing Realizer devices, and the man who had brought about a major leap in modern technology. At the sa ti, during the global great spacequake disaster, he had been the first to react, mobilizing all the resources of his company to research counterasures and end the spacequake threat. He was a heroic figure.
And he was also the superior of Kotori's parents at work.
"Shh~"
Woodman did not imdiately answer Kotori's question. Instead, he first placed a finger in front of his lips and made a shushing gesture.
"I'm only taking an ordinary walk. Work has been too busy lately, so I wanted to steal a little ti and give myself a small vacation."
Hearing that, Kotori suddenly noticed that the beautiful secretary who was normally always beside Director Woodman was not with him.
"Um... Is Karen-san not with you?"
"I said I was stealing so free ti, didn't I? Besides, it's not like my legs are inconvenient like they used to be. If Karen were here, she would definitely complain a lot and tell to go back and rest."
Touching the cane in his hand, the older gentleman gave a sowhat helpless bitter smile.
In recent years, Ratatoskr had begun developing its Realizer business toward the dical field. As the technology advanced, Woodman's once-paralyzed legs seed to have been treated as well. From being unable to move without a wheelchair, he had recovered to the point where he could walk normally with only a cane.
"After finally healing my legs, don't you think it would be a waste not to go out and walk around more?"
Woodman smiled and shrugged. Looking at him now, he was just like a mischievous old child.
"Y-yes."
Kotori secretly broke into a cold sweat, as if she could imagine how that secretary must be feeling right now.
"Kotori-san , are you also out for a walk?"
"Well, since it's a day off..."
Kotori hesitated.
Honestly, a wealthy married man, under his wife's strict control, secretly sneaking out behind her back——just that fact alone was enough to make one's imagination run wild.
"Um... Director Woodman, if there is nothing special, I'll be taking my leave."
Worried that she might accidentally get involved in trouble, Kotori gave a slight bow and prepared to leave.
"Please wait a mont, Kotori-san."
At that mont, Woodman called out to Kotori and asked,
"Forgive for asking, but did you co out with a boyfriend or a friend?"
"No... I'm alone."
Although she really wanted to make up so excuse and brush him off, since he was her parents's boss, Kotori hesitated for a mont, then answered honestly.
Hearing Kotori's answer, Woodman showed a delighted smile. He gave Kotori an elegant gentleman's bow and said,
"In that case, would you mind letting take up so of your ti?"
————————
Inside a café, gentle and lodious music flowed through the room, comfortable and pleasant.
"You truly helped a lot, Kotori-san. If you had not been here, I would have kept being invited and approached by young ladies on the way. What a headache."
Woodman let out a relieved breath.
"Well, sothing that small is no big deal."
Kotori answered with a subtle expression.
At first, when Woodman invited her, she had not understood what was going on. Only halfway through did she realize that the old gentleman was using her as a shield to reject people who tried to hit on him.
And more than that, what made her unable to let it go was that when she walked with Woodman, they had not been treated as a couple, but as father and daughter. Although, judging by their ages, that explanation did make more sense.
(Well, Director Woodman really does have the charm of a mature man.)
Kotori secretly thought.
Although he looked like an uncle in his forties or fifties, from his facial features one could still tell that Woodman had been an extrely handso man in his youth. His every gesture also carried a gentlemanly elegance and wit. To so young won, he really did have a strong appeal.
Though Kotori was not especially into that type.
"But it's surprising. Even though people hit on you, no one recognizes you?"
Kotori said with a little surprise. She had originally thought Woodman should be rather famous.
"That is normal... Ah, thank you. After all, I rarely appear in front of the dia. Unless soone pays special attention to our field of work, ordinary people would rather pay attention to young idols and celebrities than an old man like ."
After nodding slightly to the waiter who brought the coffee, Woodman took a small sip and answered calmly.
"But you..."
'Aren't you a hero who saved the world?'
As if guessing Kotori's question, Woodman shook his head and interrupted her.
"I have no interest in that title, and I do not think I deserve it. I am not as great as everyone says. I rely did sothing that happened to solve the problem. If the whole world were to place overly high expectations on without permission, I would be troubled instead. I'm old now. I want to live quietly and leisurely."
"You are too modest."
"I am only telling the truth. Besides... I was rely cleaning up the ss left behind from the past..."
"Mm?"
Kotori tilted her head in confusion.
For so reason, Woodman suddenly fell silent halfway through his sentence.
"Speaking of which, Kotori-san, you interned at our company a while ago, didn't you? How did you find it?"
As if changing the subject, Woodman asked.
"Yes. Um... Both the work environnt and the atmosphere of the company were very comfortable. During my internship, I also received guidance and help from many seniors, so I feel I benefited a lot."
Being asked about work by the boss, Kotori hurriedly straightened her posture and answered seriously.
Woodman nodded in satisfaction.
"That is good. Everyone was also very satisfied with your work ability and attitude. As expected of Tatsuo-san and Haruko-san's child. I truly hope you will officially co work at our company in the future."
"Th-thank you very much."
Kotori answered, feeling a little overwheld.
"I'm also very interested in the company's research on Realizers and spacequakes. The thesis Director Woodman wrote about spacequakes... I have read it as well."
Hearing Kotori's words, Woodman raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
"Oh? You have read my paper?"
"Yes. Because I was curious, I asked General Manager Kannazuki to apply for permission for . Was that rude of ?"
"Not at all. It is good for young people to be eager to learn. Rather, did Kannazuki make any strange requests of you?"
"No. The general manager is very kind."
Although he was a strange person who handed her a middle school sailor uniform and asked her to wear it so she could step on him.
Kotori silently added that in her heart.
As she spoke, Kotori secretly observed Woodman's reaction.
Honestly, when Kotori t Woodman, she felt sowhat uneasy deep down. After all, just last night, she had sent Woodman's paper to Origami for personal reasons without permission.
Although she had no malicious intent, leaking company information was, strictly speaking, an illegal act. If exposed, she herself might be one thing, but her parents, who worked at Ratatoskr, would be in a very bad position. At best, they would have to resign. At worst, they might even face legal prosecution.
And then, the next day, she t Woodman himself. The coincidence made Kotori feel guilty, like a thief, worrying whether she had been exposed.
But judging from Woodman's unconcerned attitude, perhaps she was overthinking.
"Still, Director, you really are amazing. You spent so many years collecting materials to write that paper. Why did you first think of researching that topic?"
"Kotori-san, your order of understanding is slightly wrong."
Hearing Kotori's words, Woodman smiled bitterly and explained.
"I did not start collecting materials because I wanted to research that paper. Rather, after collecting the materials, I suddenly felt like organizing them into a paper."
"What do you an?"
"Well... Honestly, I do not quite rember myself. At the ti, for so reason, I was especially concerned about the existence known as 'Spirits.' Every day, I collected related materials from all over the world, and every day, like polishing prayer beads until they shone, I repeatedly read them several tis. I thought about them day and night, and before I knew it, it had beco a habit."
"It sounds like you were secretly in love with 'Spirits,' Director."
"Well, perhaps it was as you say."
Kotori joked. Woodman gave a bitter smile and shrugged.
"But it was precisely because of that obsession with 'Spirits' that everyone can now live peaceful lives."
"Perhaps. Although there were many sacrifices back then, if it brought peace to the world, there is so comfort in that."
Woodman neither confird nor denied that. He only sighed softly and continued.
"To , rather than a paper, that article is more like sothing I wrote for myself. At most, it is a closing statent to bid farewell to the past."
"I see."
Kotori nodded as if learning sothing. In her heart, she secretly admired Woodman's open-mindedness and maturity.
"By the way, Kotori-san. What do you think of that paper?"
Suddenly, Woodman asked Kotori a question. Kotori could not help freezing.
"?"
"Yes. Why are you interested in this paper? Is its conclusion trustworthy? Are there any flaws? I want to hear the opinion of an observer."
"I..."
Kotori lowered her head and fell into thought. Her hands on her lap nervously repeated clenching and loosening. After a long while, she finally spoke slowly.
"In the past... I was once caught in a spacequake. Although I luckily survived, I also lost part of my mories because of it. Honestly, I'm really afraid. If spacequakes happen again, what will the world beco? That is why I paid attention to your paper, Director."
As she said that, Kotori could not help thinking of Origami, who, in order to investigate the truth, had ignored her studies and future and decided to join the military. Before Kotori went abroad to study, Origami had once co to her and requested her help.
Kotori had not refused. Rather, from long ago, she had thoughts similar to Origami's.
Only, perhaps because her parents were still alive, or perhaps because unlike Origami and the others, she had not completely forgotten who she was, Itsuka Kotori did not have such a deep obsession with spacequakes.
No. Kotori knew very well.
That was nothing but an excuse to comfort herself.
The reason she had always chosen to do nothing was simply because she was too cowardly.
"This paper, whether in data collection, analysis, or research, is very comprehensive. The construction of Realizer algorithms, the construction of space models, the fluctuation patterns of spiritual power in different spaces——many parts have already exceeded my knowledge. I think your conclusion... is correct."
An indescribable sense of wrongness choked Kotori's throat.
She was not lying. In fact, when she obtained this paper, she had read it repeatedly word by word, investigated many docunts and materials, and only then reached that conclusion.
Real data, reasonable logic, correct conclusions——in the end, naturally, they guided people toward a reassuring answer.
It was as if all sharp edges had been worn away before it was shown to humanity as a safe toy. It deliberately told the world that reality was just this plain and ordinary.
"So, when I read this paper, I really felt relieved. I hope you can publish this paper soon, Director... After all, in this world, there are still many people living in the shadow caused by spacequakes."
More than the unease caused by the possibility of disaster returning, another feeling had always wrapped itself around Itsuka Kotori's heart.
Fear——fear of the truth.
Why had she lost her mories?
During the ti she lost, what had she experienced?
Kotori was very afraid that the mont she learned the truth, everything around her would collapse.
That was why——
"Kotori-san? Are you all right?"
Looking at Kotori, who was trembling slightly, Woodman asked with so concern.
"I'm fine... I'm sorry. I got a little emotional."
Kotori took a deep breath and replied sowhat awkwardly.
"I am the one who should apologize. I asked you difficult questions. It is true, as you said, that there are still many people in the world living in the shadow of that disaster. I should take responsibility, think about these problems, and face them, instead of standing aside and leaving sothing I wrote for my own amusent untouched."
As if moved by Kotori's words, Woodman said that with firm resolve.
"As expected of Director Woodman. You really are strong."
"Not at all. In recent years, I have grown tired of troubleso matters. I have always avoided showing myself in public and wanted to find a place to peacefully spend my old age."
Woodman spread his hands and answered.
"Elliot. So you were here after all."
At that mont, a blonde beauty wearing intellectual square-frad glasses and a neat, elegant suit suddenly entered the café. With a bit of urgency, she walked toward Woodman's table.
"Yo, Karen. How did you find ? I should have removed the transmitter on my cane."
"A woman's intuition. Even if Elliot goes to the ends of the earth, I can still find you."
"Oh, as expected of you, Karen."
"Please do not do things that make people worry."
"Mm... Sorry."
They really are close.
Although their conversation was a little strange, Kotori did not intend to stay there and be a third wheel, so she stood and prepared to quietly leave.
"Kotori-san, there are often many sides of the human heart that even people themselves do not notice."
As if thinking of sothing, Woodman suddenly spoke.
"Gentleness, courage, strength. Many people often fail to notice these things and define their own limits on their own. But in truth, sotis, change only needs a small trigger."
"A trigger?"
Hearing Woodman's sudden words, Kotori felt puzzled.
"The hair ribbon in your bag. I think it should suit you very well."
After saying sothing that left Kotori completely confused, Woodman left first with Karen's support.
...
Just like that, ti flew by.
After graduating from high school, Kotori entered a local university and studied knowledge related to Realizers and spacequakes in a university research lab established by Ratatoskr.
"Okay, this should be about right."
Looking at herself in the mirror after changing clothes, Kotori nodded in satisfaction.
"Last is..."
Taking a black hair ribbon from her makeup box, Kotori did not choose twin tails. Instead, she tied her hair into a single ponytail.
"...Nothing has changed at all."
Kotori looked at herself in the mirror and retorted speechlessly.
Back then, half believing and half doubting Woodman's words, Kotori had used the hair ribbon to decorate herself, wondering whether she might discover so unknown side of herself through it. But reality was not that dramatic after all.
However, her classmates, her parents, and her friends back in Japan all gave positive comnts about her new hairstyle. So she chose to keep this image.
(A low ponytail, huh...)
The reason Kotori chose this hairstyle was because she was imitating the way Yumi Obaa-chan tied her hair when cooking at Tohka and the others's ho.
Was it out of respect, or out of a feeling of rivalry?
Perhaps because the other person had done what Kotori had failed to do back then, Kotori had unconsciously taken her as a goal to look up to.
(Am I... a little stronger than before now?)
"Kotori, food is ready!"
"Okay, Dad, Mom. I'm coming!"
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