CK 55

Chapter 55…

Encounter at the Science Museum
As Expected of You, Senpai

After the battle ended, the three of us took shelter under the museum’s roof and removed the plate from our Gears.

As we did, the Star Armors disappeared, dissolving into blue light. A moment later, the Gears themselves emitted the same light and vanished from our abdomens.

The museum we were at was some distance from my home, but it seemed the Gears had safely returned as usual.

Just then, accompanied by a “Good work,” Chiharu Hanayama and Miyu Mikagami-senpai arrived.

“Thanks, Chiharu-chan!” said Yui, accepting a towel.

…Where did that towel even come from?

Still, there was something more important I needed to ask first.

“So—what was stolen?”
“Well, the place was definitely ransacked, but we’re not sure what was taken… Huh? Where’s your dad, Mikagami-senpai?”
“He went back with the other curators to double-check.”

Not sure, huh… Maybe it’s something ordinary people wouldn’t recognize.

Thinking that, I just replied, “I see.”

Then I was handed a towel too, so I started wiping myself down. My clothes were still damp from when the Star Armor disappeared.

…Still, with all this commotion, the police are bound to show up soon.
And this isn’t Seiun City—so the officers here won’t have a clue about monsters.

…I might need to contact Detective Maruoka.

While I was thinking that, Shirō, who was lightly wiping himself with his towel, spoke up.

“Hey, uh… Mikagami-senpai hasn’t said a word this whole time, and that’s kinda scary.”

Yui and I looked toward Mikagami-senpai at the same time.

She was staring at us—though her eyes weren’t really focused. It looked like she was deep in thought.

Yui hesitantly approached her. “Um… Mikagami-senpai?”

“Oh—sorry,” she said, snapping back to herself at last.

“I just… can’t really believe everything that happened.”

Well, that’s understandable.

That’s exactly why magic and divine relics are kept secret.
These are powers only a handful of people can wield. “If their existence became public, society would descend into chaos”—that’s the Association’s stance.

So ideally, the fewer people who know about the constellations’ powers, the Fallen Stars, or the Taint, the better.

But contrary to that ideal, Yui had already started explaining everything to Mikagami-senpai.

☆☆☆

“So basically… you’ve all been fighting monsters, and your power comes from constellations.
And that’s why you came here today—to learn more about constellations so it’d help in battle… right?”

Looking apologetic, Yui murmured, “Yes… that’s right.”

In the end, Yui ended up explaining pretty much everything in broad strokes.
I couldn’t help but sigh and rub my forehead.

Still, she’d only given her a rough outline—nothing detailed about the Gears, the Star Armor, or Star Power.

I actually felt relieved that I’d never told Yui about the Association or the deeper truths.

And besides, what’s done is done.
It’s not like I can erase memories with magic anyway.

Then Yui bowed deeply. “I’m so sorry for lying!”

But Mikagami-senpai gently grasped Yui’s shoulders and straightened her up.

“It’s okay—you don’t need to apologize. Sure, it was surprising, but I wouldn’t get mad over that kind of lie. Sometimes people lie to protect someone else. What matters more to me is using the power of the constellations to hurt others—that’s what I couldn’t forgive.
So even if I can’t do much myself, I’ll still cheer you on.”

“Mikagami-senpai…!!
Um! If it’s alright with you, could you keep teaching us more about the constellations?”

At Yui’s words, Mikagami-senpai smiled again.
“Of course!” she said warmly.

“If you ever need help, I’ll be there!”
“Yay!! Um, Mikagami-senpai, can we add each other as friends?”
“Of course!”

After that, the two of them started fiddling with their phones to exchange contacts.

Even right after a battle, Yui was still full of energy.
Maybe it was because today’s fight had been short and hadn’t drained her too much.

…No, Corvus had been a tough opponent.
Yui had even taken some hits.

…Could she be stronger than I thought?

As I was silently pondering that, Shirō turned to me.

“So, Masato—what do we do with this?”

He handed me something he’d been holding.

It was the plate we’d retrieved earlier.

Right—I’d forgotten about it since Hanayama and Mikagami-senpai had shown up.

“This is a plate, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Which constellation is it from…?”

I couldn’t answer immediately.

If it were one of the 48 classical constellations, I could probably guess from the star pattern.
But outside that set, I’d have to look it up.

I took out my phone to check—

—but Yui and Mikagami-senpai arrived before I could start.

“From left to right, those are Sextans, Octans, and Telescopium,” Mikagami-senpai said smoothly.

My phone screen showed the same answer.

…Her astronomy knowledge is seriously terrifying.

Even Shirō muttered, “As expected of you, Senpai…”

Then Hanayama added thoughtfully, “So… they’re all constellations related to astronomy, huh?”
“That’s right,” Mikagami-senpai replied.
“Um… what are Sextans and Octans?” Yui asked, tilting her head.

Well, yeah—those aren’t exactly common names.
Honestly, I wouldn’t have known them myself if I hadn’t inherited a constellation’s divine power.

But the conversation kept moving in a direction I hadn’t expected.

“They should both have real instruments on display here… Want to go see them?”
“Yes! Let’s! …What about you guys?”

The three of us exchanged looks.

I didn’t particularly need to go.
More importantly, I had to deal with the authorities.

…Actually, this might work out perfectly.

“You three go on ahead.”
“What about you, Ma-kun?”
“I’ve got something I need to take care of. You guys go back without me.”

But Yui clearly didn’t like that. “Eh? No way! We’re coming with you!”
Shirō added, “Yeah, like we’re just gonna leave it all to you.”

Still, I couldn’t drag them into this.

“It’s fine,” I said simply, then turned to Mikagami-senpai.

“Mikagami-senpai, could I ask you to look after these three?”

Then I bowed slightly.

“S-sure… but are you okay with that, Insei-kun?”
“Yes. Please.”

“…Alright, then,” she said after a pause, and led Shirō, Hanayama, and Yui back into the museum—
their voices of protest echoing behind them.

Once they were gone,
I opened my contacts and brought up the number for Detective Maruoka.