Morikubo leaned back against the sofa, looking at the finished bento box and drink cup on the small table in front of him. "Ugh, time to clean up." He braced himself against the table to stand up, but his waist still stung with intense pain. As he picked up his portable cutlery to head to the kitchen, he muttered to himself, "That person has to be kidding me."
The scene shifts back to the park just a while ago.
Iori hoisted one of Morikubo’s arms over her shoulders. As Morikubo tried to stand, leaning his weight on her, they both ended up collapsing back onto the ground.
Morikubo laughed weakly and said, "You aren't as strong as you think you are. Just let me rest for a second more."
"Should I call an ambulance?" Iori asked.
"That’s a bit dramatic, don't you think?" Morikubo replied.
Iori sighed. "I want to go home early, too, but I can't just leave you here."
"I was supposed to be the one escorting you, and look who ends up getting escorted," Morikubo said. "How about this? You’re old friends with the trees, right? Find a way to help me crawl over to one. Once I can use it to stand up, I’ll be able to walk on my own."
"Fine," Iori said. "Lean on my shoulder."
"Again? You want to fall over another time?"
"Can’t we just crawl there together? Come on, hurry!"
Morikubo was surprised by her suggestion, but Iori helped him crawl toward the nearest tree. With the tree for support, Morikubo slowly managed to stand up.
"Follow me," Iori said. Morikubo followed slowly behind her; it was clear she was intentionally waiting for him, stopping every so often. Iori pulled out her phone to call a taxi. After hanging up, Morikubo asked, "You called a cab this early—how long is he going to have to wait for us?"
"We’re almost at the roadside," Iori replied. Suddenly, Morikubo heard a car horn and said with admiration, "Wow! That’s impressive! Did you take a shortcut straight to the road? If I were alone, I’d probably be lost in these woods for hours."
"It’s easy to get around when you have a local guide," Iori said.
"A tree-whispering tour guide, huh?"
Iori said, "I’ll ride with you to your place, then take a cab home. Don’t tell anyone I have superpowers, okay? I still want to live an ordinary life." She lowered her voice. "It’s related to my job."
Morikubo replied, "I can’t see how your life is any different from a normal person’s. That’s a truly low-profile power you’ve got there."
Iori retorted sarcastically, "Oh, sure. It’s just enough to scare you."
Morikubo gave a dry laugh. "What was that last part? I didn't catch it."
"Nothing," she said. "You know it’s not safe around here lately. Tell anyone you know to avoid going into secluded areas alone as much as possible."
"Kid, are you investigating this case, by any chance?" Morikubo asked.
"It’s easier for one of our own to deal with one of our own, I suppose," she said.
"You think an Ability User did it?"
"I hope not," Iori sighed. "If another one pops up, our reputation will just get even darker. We’ll have to hide even more carefully."
A car pulled up in front of them. Morikubo looked at the driver—he looked more like a soldier than an Uber driver. They both got in, Morikubo gave his address, and the car started moving.
"Do you have any leads on that series of mysterious injury cases?" Morikubo asked.
"Probably the same amount as everyone else," Iori replied. "It’s not like we can be sure the perpetrator hasn't been active in other cities before this. Maybe the previous injuries weren't severe enough to be reported to the authorities."
Morikubo asked, "The media doesn't have a definitive theory. I wonder if it’s the same person or copycats. Do you think the police are clueless, or are they just withholding information?"
"They’re definitely clueless," Iori said. She paused, then blinked as if waking up. "Wait, I’m not a cop, how would I know?"
Watching her reaction, Morikubo couldn't help but laugh.
Back in his living room.
Morikubo threw his bento box and drink cup into the trash, wiped the table, packed up the garbage bag, and placed it by the door. "The person who appears alongside these incidents is like a 'Grim Reaper Conan,'" he muttered to himself. "I really hope I don't run into them again."
During their lunch break at the office, Morikubo and Yong-En were sitting at the bar counter of a submarine sandwich shop, eating and chatting. Halfway through the meal, Morikubo stood up solemnly and took out a miniature model he had intended to return.
"I am truly sorry," Morikubo said. "I somehow managed to lose the outer casing. I went back to look for it that same day, but I couldn't find anything in the classroom we rented. I will definitely go on an auction site to buy a replacement for the missing part."
Yong-En said, "So, that’s why you’re treating me to lunch today."
"Don't mock me!" Morikubo said. "Just the fact that you were willing to lend me such a precious collectible is reason enough to treat you. It was my fault I lost it."
"I'm just kidding," Yong-En replied. "I was actually shocked when you came to borrow it back then. My 'Zelda Museum' desk has been there for a long time, and I never saw you stop to take a second look. You borrowed a top-tier piece right off the bat—you’ve got an eye for quality."
"You're being too modest," Morikubo said. "Even just the gashapon set from last year on your desk must have cost you tens of thousands. If I lost one or two pieces from that, I’d be crying my eyes out." He sat back down to continue his lunch.
Yong-En said, "Oh, you’re quite the connoisseur, aren't you? The one you borrowed was a set that could be bought in parts. There weren't many pieces. It was a bit pricey, though. We weren't close back then, but you’re reliable at work. Doing you a favor is convenient for me later." Yong-En picked up an unopened gashapon ball and opened it to take a look.
"You don't even have time to befriend fans, let alone anyone else," Morikubo teased. "New or old, everyone ends up lining up by your 'museum desk.' You really do seem like a Nintendo-appointed receptionist."
Yong-En laughed, "I only care if Nintendo gives me money. Why did you join that collector's club? Do you have several buildings at home filled with a museum?"
"My place is dirt poor!" Morikubo said.
"What are you afraid of? I’m not going to rob your house."
"I’m just joking!" Morikubo said. "I just have a genuine interest in collectibles. Actually, the offline gatherings for that online group are quite chill. I go most of the time because it’s free—I get to play with other people's precious collections and listen to them detail the features. The cost-to-fun ratio is unbeatable. Working at a museum must feel like that, right?"
Yong-En replied, "A single teacup at a museum can cost millions. Look at this gashapon I just got; it was only 250. Man, I’m lucky today. This model I pulled is supposedly quite rare online."
"That’s the era we live in," Morikubo said. "Different eras value different things. Didn't sculptures thrive in medieval Europe? Nowadays, we can just print them with 3D printers."
"Listening to you, I feel like I live in the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg," Yong-En said, looking out at the street with pride. "Didn't you say you pass by the park when you go to the club classroom? There was an incident there yesterday. You’re walking a bit lopsided today—you weren't the one involved, were you?"
"Uh... no, I'm fine," Morikubo said. "Just a bit clumsy. That’s not a big deal. You wouldn't make the news just for walking a bit weirdly."
Yong-En said, "Who knows? A lot of people want to be famous nowadays. Apparently, a salaryman had his briefcase stolen. He refused to let go and got beaten up. But he claimed he didn't even see the person who did it."
"It must be an Ability User..." Morikubo muttered.
Yong-En said, "You think it’s an invisible person? Or maybe he borrowed money from the mob and is too scared to tell the truth? 'Invisibility' hasn't even been reported yet. Hey! I checked—invisibility is the most loved and the most feared ability."
Morikubo said, "Let’s just assume it was the loan sharks. That’s much better than Thanos having invisibility."
Yong-En said, "What a mature adult! Pretending something doesn't exist just because you haven't seen it. I think that’s a good way to live."
Morikubo’s phone rang. "I didn't realize it was this late. We should get going. You have a tighter schedule, right?"
"It’s fine, today is clear," Yong-En said. "What about you? Do you have to head back to work immediately?"
"It’s not that urgent," Morikubo said.
"Good. Then come with me to my meeting site later. It happens to be related to the commission for your department."
At the entrance of the meeting room, Yong-En picked up a briefing packet and a list. The registration staff also handed a list to Morikubo. Morikubo followed Yong-En into the conference room. Yong-En took the stage and began addressing the trainees. "Thank you all for applying. Even in this digital age, we still want to adopt a localized survey approach. If we receive too much spam from unknown sources for physical service requirements, it becomes a burden. We were very grateful to receive your applications; it’s great that such capable people are willing to help us with this street-interview gig. For this first gathering, in addition to assigning tasks and detailing the area's characteristics, I’ve invited someone from the demand department." Yong-En paused and gestured toward Morikubo. Morikubo waved to the interviewers.
Yong-En continued, "He will explain the data we want to collect, as well as the boundaries of interaction with interviewees, to protect you from getting into trouble."
As Yong-En continued to lead the process, Morikubo noticed someone in the group of interviewers waving at him. Morikubo muttered to himself, "Isn't that the girl from the park? What kind of bad luck is about to happen now?"
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2jP05lr3JW
標題：靜陪末座的超能力-2
森久保往後靠向身後的沙發，前方小桌子是吃完的便當盒和飲料。「哎，該收拾了。」森久保撐著桌子站起身，腰際還是超痛。拿起隨身餐具到廚房洗，一邊嘀咕著，那傢伙在開玩笑吧。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunafF3ZQmH
361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4DuQfKPvk
場景回到剛剛公園內，依織背起森久保一隻手，森久保撐著依織，稍微使力要站起來，連依織也被壓倒在地。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi0HuseBKo
森久保笑笑的說，「你沒有你想像中的神勇啊，就讓我再多休息一會吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuLESxXGuB
「要不我叫救護車？」依織說。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcQlxk4lD5
森久保說，「這也太誇張了吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTvfuKygVKL
依織說，「我也想早點回去啊，又不能把你扔在這裡。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgASSw49KUL
森久保說，「本來要護送人的人，到頭來被人護送了呢。這樣吧，樹不是你老朋友嗎？你想辦法讓我能爬到樹旁邊，站得起來之後就好走了。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe9nKWCONc
依織說，「好吧，搭在我肩上。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0n2QEQZw5
森久保說，「還來？你還要再摔一次？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVT2wfqxrY
依織說，「跟你一起爬過去不就得了？快啦！」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyHC8nVUr0
森久保有點驚訝依織會這樣提議。依織帶著森久保爬向最近的樹。森久保撐著樹慢慢站起來。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7P9geJErIL
「跟我來。」依織說。森久保跟在依織身後慢慢走，顯然依織是有意要等他的，時不時停了下來。依織拿起了電話叫計程車。掛掉電話後，森久保問，「這麼早叫計程車，他要等多久啊？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5T9UmEr7E
依織說，「我們就快到馬路邊了。」森久保突然聽見喇叭聲，佩服地說，「哇塞！真強！直接抄捷徑走到路邊來嗎？要是我一個人不知道要在林中迷路多久呢。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCPumM6bpp
依織說，「有地陪指路，走起來快多了。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8IuFzPoWM
森久保說，「識途老樹，是吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rtxnXJZMR
依織說，「我陪你坐車到你家，我再坐回家。別讓任何人知道我有超能力喔。我還想過著平凡的生活。」依織放低聲量，「這也跟我的工作有關。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfG21aSbk3K
森久保說，「我看不出你的生活，跟一般人會有什麼不同。真是低調的能力啊。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoTsQVpu8u
依織挖苦的說，「對啦，只夠拿來嚇你。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW3nChC9Ok
森久保乾笑了兩下，問到，「你最後一句話說什麼？我沒聽清楚。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9dUeuWsx0
依織說，「沒什麼。你也知道最近這附近不安全，順便跟你認識的人講一下，盡量少獨自前往人少的地方。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYCX3YSXfbu
森久保說，「小鬼頭，你不會是在調查這件事吧？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdbl1iQJ6tz
依織說，「同類對付同類，勝算高一點吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgconxP7Y2s
森久保說，「你認為是超能力者幹的？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡePFxVEKAA5
依織說，「希望不是啊。又出來一個，我們的形像不是更黑嗎。又要躲得更小心了。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLj9GNRt4m
車子停在他們前面，森久保看著司機，與其說是uber臨時司機，還不如說是軍人什麼的。兩人坐上車，森久保告知他家地址，車子開始前行。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpL3OoB5tDQ
森久保問，「你對那一連串神秘傷害事件有點頭緒了嗎？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYo9lYaBBg
依織說，「應該就跟大家差不多吧。肇事者已經行經過哪些城市，也不保證之前就沒有事。大概之前傷人程度沒那麼大，沒有被回報到執法單位吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UXBdRZRSA
森久保問，「媒體現在都沒有個確定的說法。不知道是同一個人還是模仿犯。你覺得警方是沒有頭緒？還是偵查不公開呢？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsCBOPrqAj
依織說，「是沒有頭緒吧。」依織稍微停了一下，猛然醒來的樣子說，「我又不是警察，我怎麼會知道啊？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ehCrnZMsf
森久保看依織的樣子忍不住笑了出來
場景回到客廳，森久保把便當盒和飲料杯扔進垃圾桶，擦一下桌面，打包好垃圾袋，放到門邊，自言自語的說，「跟事件一起出來的人叫死神柯南，希望以後不會再遇見了。」
在辦公室午休空檔，森久保跟勇恩在潛艇堡店玻璃牆吧台邊吃邊聊。吃到一半森久保很慎重的從座位上站起來，拿出要歸還的迷你模型。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9JONjSdnM
森久保說，「真的很抱歉，我居然把外圍部分弄丟了。我當天有馬上折返回去找，但是在租借的教室沒看到什麼。我隨後一定會把不足的部分，去拍賣網站買回來。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIY3Iy41wGO
勇恩說，「原來這就是你請客的理由啊。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4yk0LBsgP
森久保說，「別挖苦我了！光是你願意借我這個珍貴的收藏品，我就應該要請你一頓了。又把他弄丟，真的是我的錯。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqitZm9qxQf
勇恩說，「開玩笑的啦，那時候你跑來向我借，還真嚇了我一跳。我桌上的塞爾達博物館，也不是一天兩天的事了。從來不覺得你停下腳步瞄兩眼啊。一借就借了珍品啊，有眼光。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPN6PX2Ec5
森久保說，「你講的太謙虛了。你桌上就連去年版本的轉蛋，能擺上整套無缺，就不知道你是花幾萬了。我搞丟了那裡其中一兩隻，要想補回來可是欲哭無淚。」森久保坐回座位，繼續吃自己的午餐。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Z8CDngHFC
勇恩說，「哎呀，挺識貨的嘛。你借去地的確是能分開買的套裝組合。零件也不多。雖然買起來也是有點貴。那時跟你還不熟。不過你工作蠻可靠的，賣你個人情，以後對我來說也方便。」勇恩拿起桌上還未拆封的轉蛋，打開來瞧瞧。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aMEPhEPai
森久保說，「你根本跟非薩粉絲沒空搞熟吧。不管新人舊人，沒事都排到你的博物館桌邊。搞得你真像任天堂特約接待員。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZnDURHgCg
勇恩說，「我只求任天堂給我錢啊。你怎麼會去參加收藏品社團？難不成你的博物館在你家好幾棟嗎？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWO1ZxPZMs
森久保說，「我家一貧如洗啊！」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdBiPxVfuE
勇恩說，「怕什麼？我又不會去你家搶劫。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr81TibRO5A
森久保說，「開玩笑的啦！我單純是對收藏品有興趣。說起來，我那一個網路社團的實體聚會還蠻自由的。只是我幾乎都去，不用花錢就能夠把玩別人珍貴的收藏品，還可以聽他們詳細述說特色，性價比超高啊。在博物館工作也是這種感覺吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWsitJ8Ovn0
勇恩說，「博物館一個茶杯就好幾百萬啊。你瞧我剛到手的轉蛋，也不過250。欸，我今天運氣不錯耶。我轉到的這一個模型，好像是網路上說少見的呢。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWzXmNsD3o
森久保說，「這是時代啊！每一個時代重視的東西不一樣。中古歐洲不是盛行雕刻嗎？我們現在用3D列印就可以印出來了。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NNk10hCWm
「被你這麼一說，我都像住在聖彼得堡的冬宮了。」勇恩抬頭看向街道，神氣地說。「你是不是說去社團教室，會經過公園啊？昨天公園有出事耶。你今天走路彎彎的，出事的不會是你吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3m1sGXRKK
「呃....沒事。」森久保說，「只是有點怪實在沒什麼大不了。光是走路彎彎的，不會上新聞吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQzqV9SDvL
勇恩說，「誰知道？現在想出名的人很多呢。很像是一名上班族的公事包被搶走。他死不放手，就被暴打。但是他說他沒看到人呢。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQNigx68Wf
森久保說，「是超能力人士吧.....」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSmLUR07Pc
勇恩說，「你猜是隱形人嗎？還是他跟黑社會借錢被打不敢講？隱形人這能力還沒有被報導過呢。嘿！我有查過喔，隱形可是最被喜愛，也最被害怕的能力呢。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s3CFahlW1
森久保說，「就當他是被地下錢莊打吧。比薩諾斯擁有隱形能力好多了。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDyafUGz1Gl
勇恩說，「真是成熟的大人啊！沒看過的事就當作不存在。我也覺得這樣過日子就好。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgICfFW11x
森久保的手機鈴聲響了，「沒想到到這個時候啦，我們該走了。你的時間安排比較嚴格吧。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnN9stS2iFH
勇恩說，「沒事，今天剛好沒問題。倒是你，馬上得回去工作嗎？」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1UrVEniBE4
森久保說，「這倒是沒那麼急迫。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnM8UfLQgPY
勇恩說，「那好，等一下你就跟我去我的會議地點吧。剛好跟你們部門的委託有關呢。」
勇恩在會議室門口登記處拿了份簡報及名單。登記人員也遞了一份名單給森久保。森久保跟著勇恩走進會議室。勇恩走上講台，開始跟台下的學員們宣布。「感謝你們的申請，雖然早已進入網路化的時代，我們還是希望能採用在地調查。一些實體服務需求調查，如果收到太多不知來源的垃圾，也是一項負擔。我們收到你們的申請時滿感謝的，這麼有實力的人願意來幫我們做街訪打工。這次的首次集會，除了分配工作，以及詳細敘述當地的區域特色外，我還請了需求部門的人來。」勇恩停頓了一下手伸向森久保。森久保對街訪人員招手示意。361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFNEqnPCml
勇恩繼續說，「他會向你們說明，我們想要得到的資料，以及與訪談者的互動界線。保護你們不遇到麻煩事。」361Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpHv8bgnH2
勇恩繼續主持流程。森久保好像看到街坊成員裡，有人持續向他揮手。森久保嘀咕著，「這不是公園那個女孩嗎？又有什麼衰事要發生了？」
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