Three days, or 72 hours.
They say a person can survive up to this long without drinking water. Most people accept this with admiration, calling it the mystery of the human body or the tenacity of life.
But if you think about it conversely, it also means that after 72 hours, one could die.
However, such an interpretation rarely appears. The reason is simple. How likely is it for someone in present-day Kivotos to die from 'simple dehydration'?
It's probably lower than the probability of the Gourmet Research Society deliberately choosing to eat expired food.
Unfortunately, that infinitesimally small probability hit the mark exactly.
Kuchinasi Yume. 79 hours since missing.
She is currently lying in the middle of the desert.
She does not move.
Sandstorms that seem alive sweep over her head, but she does not move.
Sunlight pierces her like hot stakes, but she does not move.
Even as bugs crawl over her. Even as her empty water bottle rolls far away. Even as the heat from the ground rises as if to gnaw at her bones.
She does not move.
The tears she shed have long since dried up and are invisible, and her skin looks beyond dry and cracked, bordering on decomposition.
Her lips are parched and have lost their color, and no sound of speech can be heard.
It's a natural story. She has come too far for speech to be possible.
A sound is heard from far away.
The sound of massive engines roaring and blades spinning rapidly.
Soon followed by someone's shout and the sound of speech being transmitted over a radio.
"—Hey!"
Even at the sound of numerous helicopters arriving ten minutes later.
Even at the sound of someone with gray hair approaching.
"—Don't be ridiculous!"
Even as they hit her shoulder, lift her body, hold onto her, and shout.
"—Come on!"
What must have been in her heart?
She simply remembered her kouhai back in Abydos.
What does the academy, or youth, matter?
Even though she was a student living in the same city, she couldn't leave behind a single, all-too-common last will.
It was natural. Because it was too early, and too late.
Kuchinasi Yume. Abydos High School, 3rd year.
Her story came to a full stop here.
My senpai died.
Honestly speaking, I still can't believe it.
That the person I was laughing and chatting with just a week ago became a corpse in a matter of days. It was a fact hard to believe, even for me.
I didn't want to believe it. That fact.
"..."
Yesterday at 9 PM, I finished the search and returned to the school, only to find some students standing at the entrance.
They were students wearing strange black masks.
I was about to attack them, wondering if they were from Kaiser, but they explained that they were from 'The Farm'.
The Farm.
There's no way I wouldn't know. The giant corporation looking at a 25% market share, having broken Kaiser Industries' monopoly as one of Kaiser's business entities.
Of course, just because they were Kaiser's counterpart didn't mean I let my guard down completely, but I thought their story was worth hearing.
And as soon as I heard what they had to say...
"You, say that again."
"I will say it again, but..."
I grabbed them by the collar and aimed my gun.
It was absurd, mere lackeys of a company...
"Five hours ago, around 4 PM, our Farm discovered the body of the Abydos High School Student Council President, Kuchinasi Yume, in the middle of the desert and currently has it in custody."
Saying that Yume-senpai died.
And the fact that only four of them came, with an attitude asking what someone like me could do, didn't sit right with me either.
One of them was even in a wheelchair. If you have a body like that, you shouldn't be out and about.
However.
It's already been two days since Yume-senpai hasn't returned to school.
I'll believe them for now, and if it's a lie, I can wreak havoc or take hostages then.
Thinking that, I followed their guidance and boarded the helicopter.
The helicopter moved to a place called 'Gehenna Farm Branch 2', and I was guided to the top floor.
And. There, really. Lay Yume-senpai's corpse.
Her expression was peaceful, as if she had just laid down for a nap, and seeing Senpai in the uniform I always saw her in... it felt like she would wake up at any moment and say it was a joke.
It didn't feel real.
"..."
I poke her arm.
A cold chill travels up my finger and pierces my brain.
My breath trembles, my lungs gasp, and soon my vision blurs. The colorful world turns grayish-white and covers my eyes.
My heart shatters, and my limbs tremble thoughtlessly.
Feeling as if someone was pulling my neck down, I collapsed onto the floor.
The masked Farm employees around me took care of me, but as if that didn't matter. My body separated me from the world like molded clay.
Ah.
I felt nauseous.
From very deep, from a place higher than my body. I felt nauseous.
This nausea must surely be coming from my heart.
Why? Why? Why?
That was the only thought.
At first, the direction of that thought was Senpai.
Why did she die?
They said it was dehydration, so why didn't she take water?
Was she that angry?
I told her to wear the compass strap.
Why did she leave?
Did the things I said hurt her that much?
But the result drawn from the agony my brain dug up... turned the direction of that thought towards me.
Why on earth did I do that?
Because I didn't let her buy a bigger water bottle. Why did I do that?
Because the money was a waste? I didn't know a few pennies would lead to this.
Why did she run out? Was what I said that hurtful?
And my uselessly smart brain ignored its owner's emotions and continued its deduction into the abyss.
Because I tore the poster?
Because I saved money?
Because I didn't visit the school?
Because I didn't search harder?
The result of the deduction showed me the truth I had been trying hard to ignore, to me with my frozen heart.
I killed her. It was me who killed her.
"...Ah, ahh."
I clutch my head. I want to grab my hair at least, but my fingers, once strong, tremble on their own like twigs and lose their strength.
I bend down and watch Senpai's body as if crawling.
"Aaaah..."
No. I didn't mean to.
But I killed her, didn't I?
I tried to do well this time.
It's always like this with me.
What do you know to act so high and mighty?
Isn't that why my brother left too?
That kid is probably still alive.
You know. He's weak. He can't live without me.
But
Yume-senpai at least left a corpse, what do you think happened to Kosei?
I did my best.
But they died! Both of them. I should have tightened the leash more. I should have taken responsibility.
Shut up.
Shut up.
Just.
"Fuck, just shut up!!!"
Shouting brought me back to my senses.
The Farm employees patted me on the back. Only then could I look straight at Yume-senpai.
"...Hah, hah..."
I liked the name Yume.
I liked seeing her dream.
Unlike my brother who only caused trouble, I liked her because she was a warm person.
Yeah. I just liked her.
She was a person always like a warm sun.
It's time to admit it.
Now, stop...
...
"Ugh, sob."
There's no way I can...
That I. Ended this person's life.
"There's no way I can admit it...!"
I cried for a long time.
Tears flowed down my cheeks and wet Yume-senpai's hand.
Even though I poured it out to the point where my eyes stung, my heavy heart didn't become even a feather's weight lighter.
Only when the sound of gasping filled the room and I was on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion did I stop crying.
It wasn't because the sadness got better. Rather, the clearer my mind became, the more I felt like I was going crazy.
But I know that this behavior won't bring Yume-senpai back to life.
And I know it's not polite to The Farm, who recovered the body for me and allowed me to meet her like this.
I took a deep breath in, and slowly exhaled again.
When I raised my head, one of the masked employees from earlier spoke to me.
"You've been through a lot of heartache."
"Sob, no... Thank you for letting me see her, even like this."
They said The Farm would handle the funeral themselves and offered support if I wanted, but I refused the support because I didn't want to be indebted to a company.
My heart was still heavy. But still, after crying, I felt somewhat lighter.
"Actually, this is the second time. Someone precious. Becoming... like this."
"...Is that so."
"Yes. But the first time, it got better with time, but now... I don't know. Back then, it was okay after a day..."
"Originally, the closer you are, the more upsetting it is."
"I guess so. ...Well then, thank you."
Saying that, I returned to Abydos.
July 26th.
That day became the anniversary of Yume-senpai's death for me.
"...Is it over?"
"Yes. President."
Only after my sister left did I come out of the hidden space in the wall.
Now that it's come to this, I was afraid to face her. Of course, she wouldn't have noticed.
"Then, what should we do with this?"
Sarin asked, pointing to something shaped like Yume.
"Isn't it obvious? Just run it through the shredder. If you throw it away, people will be shocked."
"Understood."
...I saw my sister grieving, but I don't feel happy or relieved as I thought I would.
Is it because we're blood relatives after all? My heart feels complicated.
No, no. This isn't complicated.
This is disgust.
"Phew..."
Every time I heard my sister's story, I felt nauseous.
From very deep, from a place higher than my body. I felt nauseous.
This nausea must surely be coming from my heart.
I knew it.
That was the only thought.
The fact that that person was capable of cherishing someone,
The fact that she could show such emotions to someone,
But the fact that she never did so once during the long time she lived with me.
It was so disgusting.
Did you hear? She's sadder now than the first time.
That first time must be me.
She even affirmed Sarin's words.
The death of a school senior was sadder than the death of a blood relative.
One day.
That was the sadness of my death measured by that person.
Really, I don't feel a shred of sympathy.
I suspected it, but to think she really thought of people as mere possessions.
Of course, I know too. That person isn't that much trash. That she definitely would have been upset for me too. That I'm trash too for being like this.
That she just rambled and those words came out.
But I must be a kid too. Seeing how emotions and negative thoughts constantly well up.
While I was thinking that, Sarin asked,
"Why. Does it weigh on your mind?"
"Umm, maybe so? Touching something like this, doing this feels a bit...!"
"It's just an object, not even human. If you're really bothered, shred it with the coffin."
Saying that, I kicked the coffin.
At that, the director sitting in the wheelchair flinched. Her body trembled.
"Ah, I'm introducing you just now. A, S, W. Let me introduce you. The newly joined director, D. Her position is Director of Welfare."
I recruited her to supplement welfare and such for the company.
"Nice to meet you."
"Hello."
"Welcome!!"
"Anyway, take care of 'that'. D. You, talk with me for a bit."
"..."
D just nodded slightly and followed me into the next room.
I close the door, sit on a chair, and look at D.
"...There's no one listening here. You can take off your mask."
An uncharacteristic honorific.
But there is naturally a reason for doing so.
"..."
As she quietly puts down her mask and takes off her hat.
Mint-colored hair shining like emeralds scatters.
Seeing her in person, I certainly understand why my sister was so obsessed. The Abydos Student Council President.
"Are you really okay with this. D. No, Kuchinasi Yume-san."
"..."
Yume does not speak, but types on the keyboard attached to her wheelchair.
[Yes. I chose this.]
"...Very well. Then let me explain the contract again. From now on, Yume-san, you will work as the Director of Welfare for a year and a half. The starting annual salary is 300 million yen. But with incentives and such, the system is sufficient so you don't have to worry. During that year and a half, we will do our best to heal Yume-san's body."
[Okay. Thank you!]
"I'm the one who should be thankful."
What is this situation?
To start from the conclusion, Yume, whom we found this morning.
"Don't be ridiculous!"
"Wait, President. Look at this!"
Was alive.
Of course, she was skin and bones, and looked like she would stop breathing at any moment. But somehow she was alive.
"Stretcher! Bring a stretcher!"
She was immediately transferred to a large hospital and received treatment, miraculously recovering.
Of course, it wasn't a condition recoverable in just a day, but thanks to a Mystic-based remedy Sarin improvised, she's in a state where outside activity is sufficiently possible, so don't worry.
However. That doesn't mean a complete recovery.
Due to vocal cord nodules from prolonged thirst and damage to important parts of the brain. Currently, Yume is in a state where she can neither walk nor speak.
She probably knew it instinctively too. That if she returned like this, instead of a helpful senior, she would become a burden costing more in hospital bills.
So I made a proposal.
That I would support her full medical expenses and employ her as a director.
300 million a year for a year and a half is about 450 million yen.
Money that can pay off half of Abydos's debt.
Of course, I want to pay it all off if I could, but she said that nothing would change then.
Raising the salary more would create too big a discrimination against the other directors who aren't receiving a single penny right now.
Delivering this fake obituary was also Yume's own will. She said letting her see even her corpse would make it easier for my sister to overcome.
So we commissioned Utaha to make a fake corpse.
The result was successful. My sister was completely fooled.
Of course, this contract is beneficial to me too.
Yume is someone who instinctively treats people well.
Whether this is also the influence of a Mystic or her own personality, I don't know. But it certainly belonged to the realm of talent.
Frankly, put Wakamo in that seat. The company would be overturned in two months.
Also, returning to Abydos as is right now? Then my sister could really become a murderer.
How much medical treatment could she even get there.
'Of course. Incidentally, there's also the aspect of giving that sister of mine a big "fuck you" for the first time in her life.'
"I look forward to working with you. Director of Welfare, Kuchinasi Yume."
[Me too. President.]
In the distant future, when my sister becomes more mature and deeper in thought. I intend to show her Yume-onee-chan. Right now, it's dangerous.
...When that time comes. Will I be able to feel the love of family too?
I don't know.
Right now, what I wish for is, like the name Yume. That her dream comes true splendidly.
I just pray for it.