Chapter 129. [Excuse Me]
I received a phone call from Angu Ogu’s mom.
I was communicating with Anguog as the interpreter.
[Thank you again, Iroha-san. Thanks to you, we averted the world war.]
“Oh, no, it’s not just me. It’s thanks to the VTubers and the fans too.”
She thanked me again.
Then we quickly got to the main topic.
[So, Iroha-san, about what happened after you collapsed.]
She said they safely retrieved the nuclear weapons, or the launches were voluntarily get canceled. We restored world peace.
[But, well, it’s not that simple.]
“What do you mean?”
[We can’t be sure if all the nuclear weapons were recovered. It’s the devil’s proof. And the sparks of war haven’t disappeared either.]
“…! Right, I see.”
[The end of war isn’t as neat as an ending in a story.]
I hadn’t thought about it.
I had thought everything gets resolved.
[I’m sorry for saying something scary. Thanks to you, the whole world is in a self-restraint mode now, so I think we’ll be fine for a while.]
“For a while?”
[Yes, for a while..]
I suppose there’s no true end to war, after all.
People said peace is a period of preparation between wars.
[Take Ukraine, for example, which was at the center of this incident. That country is going to have a tough time from now on.]
“Even though the war is over?”
[Because the war is over, that’s why. The worsening situation, the destroyed land, and the lost lives won’t be coming back. Plus, it’ll take time for the evacuees to return.]
If I were one of the evacuees, I would want to return only after ensuring safety.
But in this situation, it’s uncertain when that will be possible.
[With the war over, support from others will get cut off too. They’ve lost Crimea, the warm-water port. Even though there will be reparations from Russia, it’s going to be a very tough time economically.]
“I see.”
[There’s more. For now, things are okay, but Ukraine might become a new source of conflict. For example, it might transform into a nation of arms dealers.]
“What do you mean?”
[They might start making copies of the weapons that were provided to them and engage in arms trading since the country is struggling. It’s just one possibility, of course.]
“Can’t anything be done to prevent that?”
[We’ll do what we can. But it’s all under the premise that it’s in our country’s interest and for the sake of our citizens. After this incident, it’s unlikely that Ukraine’s NATO entry will be approved anytime soon.]
“But that’s just for now, right? If you become the president…”
[No. Even if I become the president, I probably won’t approve it either.]
“Are you just going to abandon them!?”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
Angu Ogu, who was translating for me, looked at me worriedly.
I know. It’s not her fault.
But I couldn’t contain my emotions.
In that case, it would mean NATO had used Ukraine as a disposable tool to weaken Russia.
[I’m an adult. Of course, if my position changes, my priorities will change, and I’ll use different language. So, I should say what I want to say while I still can. Both I and… you.]
I see, she’s doing this on purpose…
I realized that Angu Ogu’s mom deliberately chose cold words.
Because if she becomes the president, she won’t be able to speak freely like she can now.
And honestly, speaking one’s mind is a privilege for children.
“Can I confirm something? Was today’s phone call to give a status report?”
[Ah, speaking of which… I still haven’t thanked you properly, have I? The hero who saved the world?]
“Then, can I ask you for one favor?”
[Of course. It’s a child’s privilege to be a little selfish, you know.]
“Well then…”
***
“Are you serious, Iroha-chan? Walking home alone?”
“Yeah. I feel like taking a little walk.”
Today is the day I’m discharged from the hospital.
After being seen off by the nurses, I stopped in front of a taxi.
“Are you… okay?”
“Yeah, my condition is perfect now.”
“Not that… Ugh! I know that Japan is safe for girls to walk alone, but still, I’m getting all anxious!”
“Haha. It’s a main street, and it’s still daytime. You worry too much.”
I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled at the 2 who seemed worried.
Then, I said to my slightly upset mother.
“It’s okay, Mom. If anything happens, I’ll call right away.”
“I’m not worried about you! I’m just exasperated by your lack of common sense.”
“Sorry, sorry. The traffic is getting congested, so I’ll go now.”
“Sigh… Driver, please go.”
“Iroha-chan, come back soon, okay?”
“Iroha, make sure to come back!”
The door closed, and the taxi drove away.
I waved “bye-bye” to the three as they left.
“Mmm!”
I stretched tall and then started walking slowly.
Come to think of it. It’s been a while since I’ve been alone like this.
Before I knew it, winter approached its end.
With spring’s arrival, the bird’s sounds and insects chirping, and the rustling of branches and leaves were playing a melody.
Now, they sound like just environmental noises to me.
However, they’re not bad.
I find them soothing to my ears.
Come to think of it. It’s been who-knows-how-many years since I enjoyed these sounds like this, even including my past life.
It’s similar to war in that sense.
It’s always there, but unless I focus my attention. I can’t notice it in the depths of your “unconsciousness”.
“But in the end, well, that’s different from this! I’ll still listen to VTubers’ songs!”
As if making an excuse to someone, I said aloud and took out my smartphone.
At that moment, someone spoke from behind.
<<Um, excuse me.>>
The footsteps of a new era had come close by.
