NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24 - Episode 024: The True Identity of the Meddlesome Offender (Different Perspective)
**Episode 024: The True Identity of the Meddlesome Offender (Different Perspective)**
■ Yukki Kana Side
“Hey!! There’s something in front of the school gate!”
“Isn’t that food!?”
“When did that happen!?”
“More importantly, who put it there?”
When I woke up, the room was dimly lit, and despite the early hour, there was a sense of urgency. It seemed like everyone else was waking up due to the commotion.
After being welcomed into Arisugawa Academy yesterday, we received a brief explanation. Many people were killed by the Shadows, and currently, around three hundred people have sought refuge in this school. There are probably many others still hiding in their homes, holding their breath.
During our shopping trip, we encountered a Shadow, and although we managed to escape sacrificing our grandparents, we were almost eaten alive.
At that moment, I truly thought we were going to die, but thanks to Kotaro, our lives were saved. I still remember the warmth Kotaro provided, shielding us from that shadow.
My sister and I were drawn to Kotaro at that moment. Just thinking about Kotaro makes my chest warm, and my heart beats faster.
Returning to the present, it seems that a considerable number of people among those seeking refuge here have awakened to their status.
Therefore, from now on, groups will be formed to explore various activities based on individual abilities, such as procuring supplies, patrolling, searching for survivors, experimenting with agriculture, and so on, with the goal of surviving.
Considering that we must be tired from the day, we were allowed to rest before receiving detailed explanations.
We were assigned to a room in the area where women gather, the audio-visual room, and we laid out suitable sheets to sleep on.
Despite sleeping on a hard floor, my back doesn’t hurt. Perhaps this is the benefit of awakening to status and leveling up.
*Creak*
The door opens, and someone enters. It’s dark, and I can’t see well, but there’s no mistaking it. It’s someone I know well.
“Kana seems to be awake too.”
It’s my sister, Yuna. Seeing me sitting up, she approaches and starts a conversation.
“Is something wrong? It’s kind of noisy.”
“Yeah. Well, you see, there seems to be a lot of supplies in front of the school. About the size of a twelve-tatami room. Even with three hundred people, it’ll probably run out quickly.”
I see.
I understand the reason for the noise after receiving my sister’s explanation.
But some people are truly commendable. In the current situation, preserving one’s own life is crucial. If there are such supplies, I would think about claiming them for myself. Yet, for some reason, someone is providing supplies as if flaunting them in front of the school gate, making it easy for evacuees to find.
I became concerned about the person’s identity and, at the same time, intrigued.
“Do we know who the culprit is?”
“Most likely out of ten, it’s definitely not someone at this school.”
I asked my sister about the supplier of those provisions, and she shrugged in response. As my sister pointed out, it was almost certain.
“Yeah, you’re right. People here don’t have the luxury to look outside right now. Unlike us, who were on the brink of death, saved, and forcibly assimilated into this world, others here have been protected by strong individuals after seeking refuge. They haven’t fully accepted the current situation of having to fight for themselves.”
Even if accepting it is inevitable, it’s unreasonable to expect someone to accept it when the world has gone awry in just one day. Of course, the world keeps changing, constantly forcing us to make choices.
“Yeah, we were really lucky to meet him. Thanks to him, we can face the Shadows without fear.”
“Yeah… Wait, could it be…”
While agreeing with my sister’s opinion, she remembered the time she met Kotaro and wore a gentle smile.
Then, I suddenly realize.
The person who could bring those provisions.
“What’s wrong?”
My sister tilts her head as she notices the change in my expression. Unlike my expressive sister, I’m not good at conveying my emotions, and I can’t help but think we’re truly twins.
“Maybe Kotaro brought those provisions?”
“Huh?! No way…”
When I convey my thought, my sister’s face momentarily showed surprise, but it changed to an expression of understanding.
“Can you say for sure?”
My sister seems to have already noticed, but she asks to confirm.
“It’s possible. He’s a bit perverted but very kind. Moreover, it would be easy for him to do something like this.”
My sister nods, then puts her hand on her chin, agreeing with my opinion.
“Yeah. Kotaro didn’t show us everything. Besides the gift he gave us, he might have various other powers and items. So it wouldn’t be strange for him to have a bag that can hold a large capacity, like in games.”
“If he has that, bringing that much supplies in front of the school wouldn’t be impossible. And if he brought them here and didn’t take them anywhere else, it means he’s somehow related to this school. In this situation, if it’s possible for someone to do that and be related to this school, it’s almost certain that it’s him, right?”
The circumstances seem to overlap with it being Kotaro.
However, the desire to believe that Kotaro brought them for us plays a part in making me think that way. There could be others who would do such a thing.
“Yeah, you’re right. Maybe he brought them to make sure we, whom he helped, wouldn’t suffer. It’s possible.”
“That might be true.”
My sister and I talked excitedly about Kotaro’s kindness.
“What are you talking about? But if the supplies for your two shelters increased, that’s good.”
I sent a message later on the LINGU messaging app, but he pretended not to know.
Still, I’m sure he’s the culprit this time.
I believe so.