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Classmate wa Isekai de Yuusha ni Natta kedo, Ore dake Gendai Nihon ni Okizari ni Narimashita - Chapter 118

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Chapter 118: I Had a Secret Meeting with a Fugitive

“Hmmm, this is the right place, isn’t it…?”

Comparing the picture Alicia sent me with the actual building, I muttered to myself.

It was a retro-style shop converted from an old Japanese house. The name was Shamrotto. According to online reviews, during the day they serve original blend coffee and the owner’s homemade apple baked goods, and at night it becomes a bar offering fruit and a selection of liquors from various regions. It’s apparently a famous hidden gem, with customers coming even from far away.

“Uh, the sign says, ‘Closed for break. Business resumes at 8 PM’…”

I checked my watch. It was 18:36 now. So I had to wait about an hour and a half.

But if that was the case, why had Alicia sent me a message at that timing…?

Anyway, I decided to knock first and if things looked bad, I’d use Recognition Inhibition Magic to handle it.

“Hey, the cafe is closed for today.”

As I was thinking this, the door opened and a dapper older gentleman wearing a white shirt and black vest — clearly the bartender and owner — spoke to me.

“Ah, sorry. Actually, I have an appointment to meet someone here.”

“A meeting?”

“Yes. Also, I was told if I said to the owner, ‘I came for the tea party,’ that would be understood—”

When I relayed the message Alicia had given me, the owner’s expression changed. He glanced around then whispered, “Come inside.”

I obediently followed him into the shop. The interior was retro-styled like the outside, filled with the aroma of coffee beans.

But Alicia was nowhere to be seen.

“If it’s her, she’s in the room at the very back on the second floor. Also, I’m sorry, but could you take this with you? She hasn’t eaten anything since this morning.”

“O-okay.”

“I also prepared some for you. Please eat if you like. I’ll get back to work now.”

The owner handed me a tray with two plates of sandwiches—simple ones with ham, lettuce, and cheese—and two cups of cafe au lait.

I was a little hungry, so I figured I’d eat the sandwiches later.

Taking the tray, I headed to the room Alicia was said to be in and knocked.

“Alicia? It’s Iori. I came as you told me.”

“...Come in.”

The voice from behind the door was definitely Alicia’s, but she sounded tired.

Wondering what she was doing in that room, I opened the door.

There were no windows, piles of paper documents stacked everywhere, and one corner was covered in computer screens—an unusual setup.

“Sorry, but please don’t read any of those papers.”

“Ah, okay.”

Alicia sat slouched over a PC, looking worn out.

She glanced at me, then at the tray I was holding.

“Oh, that’s from the owner. He said you hadn’t eaten anything since morning.”

“...Thank you. I’ll eat later, so just put the tray somewhere.”

I wondered where to put it, then found a barely enough space on a desk and placed the tray there.

“You okay, Alicia? You look really tired.”

“...Well, I spent the whole night sneaking past pursuers while carrying all these documents. Sorry, I’ve been like this the whole time.”

“Oh, got it. So what is it you want me to check?”

“This.”

Alicia brusquely handed me several sheets of paper.

The writing wasn’t Japanese—it was filled with symbols more complex than the Voynich Manuscript.

“You have the ability to tell whether things or words are genuine or fake, right? I want you to use that power to see if these are real and if they haven’t been tampered with.”

...I had suspected Alicia and Kyori would eventually find out about Appraisal, but I hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

“For the record, I’m the only one who knows. My subordinates don’t suspect anything, and I don’t intend to tell anyone.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

I tested with Appraisal just to be sure Alicia wasn’t lying—it seemed true.

Still, I had to consider setting traps with Recognition Inhibition just in case.

Alright, Alicia’s request was to verify if these documents were authentic and untampered.

Ah, I should get ready to use that skill again after so long.

(Appraisal)

――――

Target: Copy of report ADXX-40019de

Status: Good

Notes: Report by government special agency about handling incidents involving rogue ability users. Written in special symbols. No editing or tampering as it’s a report for upper management.

――――

“So no tampering and it’s not fake either. But decoding this content is…”

“Thank you, that’s enough. Here’s your reward.”

Alicia handed me several oddly heavy sealed paper bags.

Peeking inside one, I saw—

“H-Hey, how much is in all these?”

“Ten million yen. That’s all I could withdraw.”

Ten million was “all” she could take out? How much wealth does she have?

Right, I had something to ask.

“Hey, I heard from Mr. Kosumi that person was your subordinate and you escaped the organization. Is that true?”

“Yes. I’m a fugitive who betrayed the organization for my own goals. I know they’re chasing me, and I’m living that reality.”

Alicia answered casually.

She had said earlier she was sneaking past pursuers.

“Isn’t it dangerous to stay in one place too long?”

“It’s safe here under this owner. He was the best agent in our organization and supports my cause. He can easily shake off surveillance and spies… though tonight’s probably the limit.”

She said that and finally took a bite of the sandwich.

“You’re not coming back to school?”

“No.”

“Your friends were sad.”

“They were. But I won’t be involved with you anymore.”

“...Are you serious?”

“Yes. You should forget about me too. You have an important girlfriend, right?”

Alicia’s tone was cold but sincere.

She seemed resolute telling me all this.

So what I needed to confirm was—

“Last thing, is what you’re planning going to harm me, Kyori, or my family?”

“No, and I have no intention to.”

Appraisal showed white.

If she knows about my skills, she wouldn’t lie.

“Got it. Then I’ll stay out of your way.”

“Does that mean you’re refusing Mr. Kosumi’s request?”

“Yes.”

Alicia finished her sandwich, drank her cafe au lait, and finally smiled at me.

“You really are kind.”

“I’m glad you think so. Well then, take care.”

I gulped down my own cafe au lait and left the room.

Thus, the strange connection between me and a girl who was an agent belonging to a government special agency came to a temporary end.

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