The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"S-Senpai... I've always, always l-liked you!"

It was by chance that I found that site.

I - Nanairo Gaku - was killing time until the photo shoot by fiddling with my smartphone under the cherry tree next to the schoolyard. 

While browsing creative mythology sites as a hobby, I somehow ended up on that particular site.

I reread the strangely captivating text once more.

"Once, all was nothingness.

But then, existence was born. It was the world itself.

On the first day, the newborn existence created void. But void was born on the other side of the world, and they could never meet.

On the second day, existence created order. The world was filled with rules.

On the third day, existence created the pinnacle. The world gained an end.

On the fourth day, existence created cycles. The world became phenomena.

On the fifth day, existence created spacetime. The world began to progress.

On the sixth day, existence created perfection. The world became imperfect.

And on the seventh day, existence created individuality, thus completing the primordial world. The children born from existence blessed the primordial world and began to create further worlds.

Eventually, all worlds overflowed with elements and life, and they revered existence as the Star Birth God. The miraculous seven days brought about by the Star Birth God and its children came to be recorded as the Creation Period.

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Author Notes:

  Excerpt from [The Book of Genesis] by Hyuturgulus Sarmas

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"...What is this?"

It's unusual to see numbers used as an allegory for gods.

I was curious about the author, but there was nothing else on the site, and I couldn't figure out who the site administrator was or how I had accessed it.

Hmm... it's strangely intriguing.

"S-Senpai! Senpai!"

Hm?

I thought I heard a familiar voice mixed in with the background noise.

I looked up from my smartphone screen.

What I saw was a crowd of people.

"Senpai, I like you!"

"President! Please give me your second button!"

"Kyaa~ Captain, look over here~"

People, people, people everywhere...

A horde of female students was swarming around the cherry tree, letting out shrill cries.

"...Yeah, must be my imagination."

I look up at the sky to escape reality.

It was clear and sunny.

The early-blooming lone cherry tree next to the schoolyard is a famous confession spot at our school. When cherry blossom season comes around, dubious rumors start spreading like a gushing spring - things like "if you confess under this cherry tree, you're guaranteed success."

Naturally, on graduation day today, many underclassmen appeared wanting to try their luck. They swarmed like bees attracted to flowers, in droves.

The reason I was under that cherry tree wasn't because I wanted to confess or be confessed to... I had simply forgotten about that rumor. 

There was an event to take class photos in the schoolyard, so until it was our class's turn, I was leaning against the cherry tree using my smartphone. Before I knew it, I found myself surrounded by a large crowd.

Of course, the target of those gathered girls wasn't me.

Their objective was the three classmates in front of me, known as the "Handsome BIG 3".

These handsome guys were each surrounded by dozens of underclassmen girls, updating a vibrant page of their youth.

The three handsome men were showered with high-pitched cheers of "Kyaa!" and "Ufufu". With looks that wouldn't be out of place as capture targets in an otome game.

And there I was, squeezed between their backs and the cherry tree, feeling out of place.

"S-Sen-pa--"

"Hm?"

Mixed in with the crowd, it seemed like someone was reaching out to me...

Well, it must be my imagination. I'm not one to brag, but I have the typical looks of a background character. I'm far removed from events like confessions.

I had continued an unremarkable high school life, not standing out or causing trouble. I wasn't in any clubs, and of course, I didn't have any close underclassman acquaintances.

Moreover, my facial features were worlds apart from those handsome guys.

I'm well aware of that.

I know that, so you riajuu can just explo-- no, I shouldn't.

I thought about it calmly.

If the "curse of the non-riajuu" were to activate now, wedged between the riajuu and the cherry tree, I'd definitely get caught up in the explosion... That'd be too lame an ending. If I could choose when to explode, I'd at least want to become a riajuu myself before exploding. But thinking it through carefully, I don't want to become dirty fireworks, so isn't staying a non-riajuu the most efficient way to protect my honor?

I see, I've stumbled upon a universal truth. I'll leave the life activities necessary for human survival to the riajuu. Thank you, thank you for maintaining your riajuu status even while bearing the risk of explosion for our sake...

...No, I'm not going crazy, okay? I'm just bored because I can't move.

Seriously, it's just annoying that I can't escape because they're in the way. Hey, could you move? Ah, you can't hear my voice, can you? Right.

"--kun! Nanairo-kun!"

This time I definitely heard someone calling me.

I stop my escape from reality and look outside past the shoulders of the handsome guys. Beyond the swarming underclassmen girls, a familiar girl with glossy straight black hair was looking around, peering this way and that.

"Where's Nanairo-kun?"

"Ah, here! I'm here!"

When I raised my hand while stretching up, the girl quickly noticed me.

"Found you! Nanairo-kun! Can you come over here!?"

She's Ichinomiya Azusa, a classmate of mine.

This considerate classmate often looks out even for background characters like me. Despite embodying the appearance of a proper beautiful girl - well-mannered and graceful - she has a dazzling cheerfulness that makes her loved by everyone, without being arrogant about her looks. She's such a riajuu that she probably has not just a hundred, but a thousand friends.

Me? Well, I have about a thousandth of that many friends. In other words, maybe one.

...Saying it myself makes me want to cry.

Ichinomiya was waving at me while trying to push through the wave of underclassmen girls, but kept getting pushed back.

Even an honor student can't overcome this. The crowd of girls blocking the way was like the rough waves of the Sea of Japan in winter.

"Kyaa. One more time... ugh, this is nothing~"

Ichinomiya tried to challenge it two or three times but failed.

Can Ichinomiya master this big wave!?

"I-Ichinomiya!?"

"C-Could it be for me!?"

"No, it must be for me!?"

Oh, looks like the handsome guys have noticed Ichinomiya's presence too.

All three of them hurriedly fixed their hair, straightened their collars, and started desperately protecting their second buttons that were about to be taken. I saw a girl make an incredible face when she realized the button had been snatched back from her hand. Hey, hey, you're in front of your crush, so stop that mandrill impression. No, maybe she's trying to make her crush laugh... yeah, let's leave her be.

"H-Hey, what a coincidence Ichinomiya,"

"You've finally come to confess your feelings to me,"

"You've finally become honest with yourself,"

I won't miss this slight change in the flow.

Finding an escape route, I relax my limbs like a soft-bodied creature and slither through the gaps between the girls.

"Eeeek!?"

"Ew, that movement is gross"

"D-Don't come near me!"

They sure had some harsh words for me.

Well, they can say whatever they want. Thanks to the girls recoiling in disgust, I was able to escape more quickly. I meet up with Ichinomiya.

"Ahaha. Nanairo-kun, you were making funny movements again."

"You get it, Ichinomiya. I call it the 'Octopus Walk'."

"Hee... Do octopuses walk?"

"With eight legs, surely at least two must be for walking, right?"

Not that I know for sure.

"Hmm~ Then do squids walk too?"

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

"I don't think their flat bodies could withstand the water pressure from the front."

"Ah, I see-- Wait, that's not it. The class photo, it's our turn next."

"Sorry, you came to call me? Thanks."

She really is a considerate person.

I follow behind Ichinomiya, who started moving at a light jog, towards where our classmates are gathering.

When I glanced back, for some reason the three handsome guys were reaching out towards us. Girls swarming around trying to touch or grab their arms. Have they started a game to see how many people can hang from their arms? Damn it, riajuu should just explode!

"Azusa! Hurry up!"

Our classmates had already started gathering in position for the photo.

Looks like I was the only fool who couldn't move. Sorry about that.

The one who just waved and called out to Ichinomiya was one of her best friends - Kujo Aika.

Kujo is a tall, slender beauty with a strong personality, and if I remember correctly, she's the captain of the archery club. As the best of the background characters, I personally didn't have much interaction with her, but I remembered her name and face from occasionally talking through Ichinomiya.

She glares at me and Ichinomiya with half-closed eyes as we slide in next to her.

"You should've just left Nanairo behind."

"Come on, we can't do that."

"Azusa, you're too caring towards Nanairo. Hey, Tsuru, don't you think so too?"

"Nanairo... who's that?"

The one who answered from the other side of Kujo was an extremely petite and unfriendly person.

It's Onitsuka Tsurugi, another of Ichinomiya and Kujo's best friends.

Although she looks like an elementary school student with her childlike figure, she's actually the captain of the kendo club. Moreover, she's a prodigy with extraordinary athletic abilities who achieved three consecutive national championships in high school without losing a single point.

Despite her small stature, her undefeated fighting style is called "Onitsuka Musou", and with a name that sounds like an anime character, she's quite popular among others.

Well, I've hardly ever spoken to her directly. It seems she doesn't even remember my name.

By the way, Ichinomiya was also the captain of the tennis club and participated in the national tournament, and Kujo placed second nationally in archery, right? Because of this, these three girls are often the center of attention at school, and with their striking appearances, they seem to be popular among both boys and girls.

Naturally, these three girls are at the top of the school caste. Along with the Handsome BIG 3, they're called something like the Three Goddesses... Just to be clear, I'm not the one calling them that.

If Ichinomiya wasn't so caring, they'd be heavenly beings I'd never interact with in my lifetime. It's a miracle that I'm even recognized by these three. Well, one of them doesn't recognize me, but still.

With such a difference in specs between classmates, nothing was bound to happen to an inconspicuous guy like me, and for better or worse, it was an ordinary three years.

"Hey, little one over there! Sorry, but your face will be hidden, so come to the front row!"

The photographer looked this way and said that.

It's clearly directed at Onitsuka.

"Hey! You, small child! Switch places with the boy in front!"

"Tsuru, they're calling you."

"...It's not Tsurugi."

"It's obviously you."

"It's not."

"Face reality, will you?"

Although Onitsuka seemed displeased, she reluctantly moved to the front row at Kujo's urging.

Well, I guess she wanted to be photographed together with her three friends as usual.

Surely it's not that she doesn't want to admit she's short.

As the classmates rearranged the rows following the photographer's instructions, they waited for the shooting time.

I, having no particular attachment to the photo, was waiting in a daze.

Next to me, for some reason, Ichinomiya peered into my face with a slightly high-pitched voice.

"B-By the way, Nanairo-kun. Have you decided if you're going to participate in tonight's after-party? We've reserved the entire Italian restaurant right next door..."

Ah, they mentioned something about that during homeroom last week. A graduation commemoration party or something.

I turned my face towards Ichinomiya to answer -- and recoiled.

Her face was close.

One of the bad things about riajuu is their closeness to others. Besides, Ichinomiya, you already have such a well-formed face, so I wish you'd show a bit more restraint.

I'm a virgin to my very core, you know?

I deserve praise just for not showing my agitation on my face.

"What do you think? Think?"

"Azusa, don't push so hard. Can't you see Nanairo is troubled?"

It was Kujo who pulled on Ichinomiya's shoulder.

Oh, nice one Kujo. But why are you glaring at me?

"So, is Nanairo coming?"

She doesn't seem to want me to come.

But don't worry, Kujo.

"I won't be participating."

"Why? Do you have a reason?"

"My chronic family misfortune--"

"I'll hit you if you're joking around."

"That was a joke. Actually, I have prior plans with my only friend. Besides, even if I went, I don't really have anyone I can call a friend in class, and it would probably just dampen the mood."

"That's not true! Nanairo-kun is funny!"

"O-Oh... thanks, Ichinomiya."

That was an energetic follow-up.

But honestly, it's pretty much the truth.

I've always been bad at interacting with others, and even during these three years of high school, I didn't make any close friends to speak of. The only person I can truly trust is still my childhood friend.

Even if I participated, I'd probably bring the mood down rather than liven it up.

Well, I've made a long excuse, but the truth is, I'm just socially awkward.

Many people, scary.

"I see..."

Ichinomiya visibly drooped her shoulders.

She must have been one of the organizers. I do feel sorry.

Feeling awkward, I averted my gaze, and Kujo glared at me while whispering to Ichinomiya.

"Are you okay with this, Azusa? It's the last time."

"...But, we'll be going to the same university."

"Oh right, that's what you decided."

"I-It's not like I decided, it just happened to turn out that way. Don't say things that could be misunderstood."

"Yes, yes. Hey, Nanairo."

I turned my gaze back as my arm was poked repeatedly.

Kujo was embracing Ichinomiya's shoulders, wearing a somewhat mischievous smile.

"I'm counting on you to take care of Azusa from now on."

"Take care... what do you want me to do?"

"Make sure she doesn't get caught by weird guys at university. Also, keep an eye on her so she doesn't join any strange clubs."

"...Isn't that a matter of personal freedom?"

"You idiot. What if Azusa gets tricked? If such a beautiful girl enters university, bad guys won't leave her alone, you know."

Well, that might be true.

But if I remember correctly, Ichinomiya is in the Faculty of Social Sciences. I'm in the Faculty of Literature. Since we're in different faculties, the buildings should be different, so it might be difficult to follow Kujo's instructions.

Besides, university is a place to devote oneself to studies. Particularly, the university we're going to has implemented the latest international information sharing system, enabling quick and smooth mutual provision of materials with partner universities worldwide. The reason I chose this university is because of this system. Of course, the dedicated AI lent to each student's personal account at the time of enrollment supports students, and the network-wide privilege of being able to automatically translate or view in the original text the stories and folklore materials stored from all over the world--

"...This guy's hopeless. He's not listening at all."

Kujo shrugged her shoulders, seeing that I was lost in thought.

Ichinomiya gave a wry smile and said,

"That's what makes Nanairo-kun interesting, isn't it?"

"Really, Azusa, you're so strange."

"Am I~?"

As they were talking like this, a tall male student came to the back row following the photographer's instructions.

He had a well-formed face, though not as much as the Handsome BIG 3, and a good physique that was incomparable to mine.

He came next to me and suddenly put his arm around my shoulders.

Hey, too close, too close. Isn't the personal space of these extroverts too thin? I've had enough of forced zero distance at doujinshi conventions.

"Hey Nanairo, I saw you. You were troubling Ichinomiya again, weren't you?"

Brown dyed hair, pierced ears.

This handsome guy who occasionally pesters me is from the soccer club, if I remember correctly...

The soccer club's...........

"...Yamada?"

"It's Yamakaki! The former soccer club captain!"

Oh, I was off by one character. That was close.

This Yamada-kun always butts in when I'm talking with Ichinomiya. Also, every time I get his name wrong, he adds "from the soccer club!" so the image of him being from the soccer club is so strong that I've actually forgotten his name.

I casually brushed off the hand on my shoulder and said,

"So, Yamamoto, what do you want with me?"

"I told you it's Yamakaki! Remember it already, it's been three years!"

"Three years... that's right. We're already graduating..."

"Don't get all sentimental now!"

"Huh? Did we ever even have a proper conversation?"

"You bastard, I let you join my group during the school trip when you were all alone, didn't I?"

Ah, come to think of it, something like that did happen.

I remember getting annoyed with Yamashita-kun's constant pestering and faking illness to relax at the hotel from the second day.

"Sorry, Yamagata, I just can't seem to remember names I can't remember..."

"How rude! Saying it like 'my headache hurts'. And it's Kaki, remember that."

"I'll try. The guy who gets hit by crabs."

"Don't try to remember me from the Monkey-Crab Battle story!"

"Eh~, but it's easy to remember that way."

"Don't try to remember just one character through word association games!?"

"Now, now, Yamakaki-kun. Nanairo-kun doesn't mean any harm."

Ichinomiya quickly came to my defense.

Perhaps annoyed by this, Yamakishi glared at me even more intensely.

To be honest, it's obvious he's just trying to attack me out of jealousy, so I find it tiresome to deal with him seriously.

I really have no interest in my classmates' love lives. I wish they wouldn't drag me into it.

If I'm going to watch something, I'd prefer the messy love-hate drama of Greek mythology. Why don't you step into the complex games of the gods where you can't tell who's related to whom? It'll make daytime soap operas feel like a refreshing mint taste in comparison.

"If only Yamaoka was a demigod or something, I might have cheered for him..."

"What incomprehensible thing are you saying now. And it's Kaki."

"Got it. The eight-year guy."

"Stop adding more characters!"

Unfortunately, he doesn't seem interested in mythology.

There's so much more drama and romance in it than in human relationships.

Alright, time for my presentation to ignite!

"Think about it, Yamakura. While there are many mythological traditions, they're packed with history. You could say they are history itself. They've been passed down or continuously woven through the words of numerous storytellers, or people. It's no exaggeration to say that history, that time, has fleshed out these stories. Compared to the shallow thing called modern human romance--"

"Sorry for the wait! We'll now begin the photo shoot!"

"Damn, time's up. We'll continue this another time, Yamazaki."

"I don't need that... *sigh* whatever."

It seems I couldn't convey its charm. My skills still need work.

But this Yamakawa-kun, despite always seeming grumpy, is unexpectedly a good guy so we never end up fighting. Rather, he's quite easy to talk to because he'll always respond when I tease him.

Well, since his soul is the opposite of mine, an extrovert, we can't be close friends, but if we meet again after graduation, I must thoroughly convey the charm of mythology next time--

And. Just as I renewed my determination.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over this place.

It was an unnaturally abrupt shadow.

Only the ground where we stood was covered by a dense black shadow that appeared out of nowhere. Rather than white clouds blocking the sun, it was as if something heavy and thick was obstructing the light.

The first to look up at the sky was the photographer.

The photographer was speechless, threw away the camera, and ran away.

Prompted by his look of shock, the boys and girls of Class 3-2 also turned their heads straight up.

"Huh?"

Who was it that screamed first?

It was a mass of iron.

What was falling, overlapping with the sun, was a painted mass of iron.

Its heavy shadow was falling vertically, having lost its original function. The propeller that should have been at the top was facing the ground, and the overall rounded, massive shape was visibly devoid of power. Of course, even if it had regained its function from here, there would have been nothing we could do.

Some people tried to run away and fell.

Some had their legs give out.

Some froze in shock.

"Eek"

My arm was gripped tightly, and I finally came to my senses from my daze.

Ichinomiya was clinging to my arm with a frightened face. Kujo was hugging Ichinomiya's waist, tears in her eyes.

We need to run away quickly.

Such a voice seemed to scream inside my brain.

But, where to?

Such a calm voice was also heard simultaneously.

No matter how quick my thoughts were.

No matter how swiftly I moved.

It was already too late.

Because the massive iron mass bringing despair was already looming right before our eyes.

In the end, all I could do was throw myself over the two girls.

Knowing it would mean nothing in the face of the enormous mass pulled by gravity.

Ah, looks like we're dead.

Without even time to see my life flash before my eyes, we were crushed by the iron mass.

On that graduation day, all 40 of us in Class 3-2 died.

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Author Notes:

  ~Afterword Tips~

  [List of deceased: In order of attendance number]

  Akimoto Midori

  Iizuka Akira

  Igari Takeshi

  Ichinomiya Azusa

  Inaba Hasaki

  Ioo Renya

  Endo Hotsu

  Okazaki Tomohiro

  Onitsuka Tsurugi

  Onna Nana

  Kato Shohei

  Kimura Seiichi

  Kinjo Misaki

  Kujo Aika

  Kobayakawa Rei

  Sakuragi Mei

  Yotsuba Koun

  Shishido Naoki

  Seto Nadi

  Tachibana Moe

  Tachida Yuka

  Chigasaki Rokuro

  Chichibu Kazuma

  Tokuma Juso

  Tomiyasu Eri

  Nanairo Gaku

  Nikaido Yuyu

  Nestalia Leen

  Nonoue Chiko

  Nijue Misaki

  Hachinohe Yuka

  Fukuyama Sho

  Fujimi Hatsumi

  Makabe Keita

  Mita Shinji

  Yamakaki Seiya

  Yamaguchi Yuki

  Yoshida Ai

  Yoshimura Hikaru

  Watabe Neon

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