Unwoven Destinies
Yuujiki
Chapter 10: Chapter # 9 - Silent Sevenstar
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Fear. Most living things feel that emotion if they are complex enough. Driven by it, in fact. Animals that don't have effective mechanisms for feeling fear and reacting to it are at an immense evolutionary disadvantage, as they are essentially more vulnerable to outside dangers.
Interestingly enough, said mechanisms sometimes take utterly bizarre forms. Take rabbits, for one. While most animals use fear-induced chemical reactions to get away from danger or fight it more efficiently, rabbits take the third option: hide. However, they have their own way of hiding. Unlike some reptiles, which would take refuge in the environment or morph into it, they have no such impressively efficient way of doing so. They also have no real way to hide their scent. All in all, rabbits can actually hide only the sound. By freezing, staying still and motionless to not get spotted by the keen eyes of predators, and making no noise, rabbits use their own brand of hiding. It also kind of contradicts the other reactions the rabbits have, such as shaking or being vocal. No wonder it isn't considered very effective, to the extent of being the textbook definition of bizarre reactions.
Humans often make fun of rabbits' odd reactions. But just now, as I faced a herald of death, I suddenly acquired a deep and thorough understanding of rabbits and a close kinship with them.
Less than a year ago, I had a frighteningly close run-in with death. It was absolutely terrifying and came out of nowhere. The second time is different. I've stopped in my tracks the moment I noticed the other person, as my primal instincts kicked in. A shiver ran down my spine. My grip on Arrogant Water Dragon King is painfully tight. My mouth is completely dry. My heart is pounding. I'm not blinking, and my gaze won't leave the White Mask for a single second. But I also feel myself quivering, and as I attempt to step back, I find myself unable to move.
"Lady Silent, it's good to see you. I apologize for the delay; meetings sometimes overlap." Jinas doesn't notice my reaction at first and proceeds to greet the girl, leaving me a few steps behind.
"It's alright, Jinas, I understand." She answers impassively, raising her head from some kind of... notepad, and then notices me.
I can see no emotions behind the white mask, and I'm in no state to read body language. The other person neither moves nor makes a coherent sound; she is only staring at me. Seconds stretch endlessly, and somewhere in the back of my mind, sensations of sweat running streams on my body register.
"Please allow me to introduce our newest special student. Quite a talent, I must add. This is Rude… Rudeus?" Looking back at me, Jinas finally notices my distress. He seems to be at a loss because of the weird interaction.
Finally, the silence is broken with a quiet "…Ah. We meet again."
"Y-yes." My answer came in a squeak.
"Easy, you don't need to be afraid of me… Your name is Rudeus Greyrat, isn't it?" Once she hears my answer, her tone shifts after a small pause. It isn't emotionless anymore, and the conviction she started with faded into something that might be called gentle reassurance, almost like speaking to a child who is crying because they scraped their knee.
"R-right." The new tone probably helps. But only a little. I'm not an actual child, of course, and I'm still considering taking off and running. This woman blocks the way out, though. Should I go back and use the window while I still can?
"We need to talk." Seeing my distinct lack of enthusiasm, she audibly sighed. "Come on, don't be like this. It's rude."
"I'm so sorry!"
"Why are you even afraid of me? I saved your life back then, didn't I?" What is she talking about? Could it be that she is playing for time? Orsted might be around, ready to come at me. I should run.
"Matte kudasai! " As I was about to make my escape, she bolted up and reached her hand to me, stopping me in my tracks. It wasn't her hand or some kind of magic that did the trick, but the words. This is the first time I've heard Japanese in years, and it was the sound of it, followed by a shocking realization, that made me pause.
"Are you…?" I'm at a loss. Just who is this person? What does she want from me?
"My name is Nanahoshi Shizuka. Silent Sevenstar." The last part came in Human God Language once again, and I could feel pieces of a puzzle clicking in my head. For months, I've heard of Silent Seven Star, a genius inventor who would make revolutionary things in many mundane spheres, from fashion to logistics to cuisine. That person is now before me. Was she reincarnated or summoned? Are there more people from Earth around? What was she doing with Orsted? And more importantly…
"As in Nanahoshiyaki?" As thoughts of possible consequences and unforeseen meaning swarmed in my head, somehow this particular question left my lips before I could bite my tongue. For a second, silence reigns. And then she snorts, and snorts again, and finally bursts out laughing.
"Of all things you could ask…" She finally chuckles as she calms down.
"Sorry about that, I didn't quite make a list of questions I'd ask if I ever met you again." I retorted weakly as I felt my cheeks burning. But it's better this way. Her genuine laughter and non-aggressive attitude calmed me down a little bit. I'm not in any immediate danger… probably.
"Well, I've got a whole list of them." Even hidden by the mask, I could feel the intensity of her curious gaze, and while the sheer terror has shrunk back for now, I must ask. I take a deep breath and summon all of my courage.
"S-speaking of meeting again, w-where is Orsted?"
"He isn't here." She answered casually. "He is a very busy man, you know."
"Really?" I sagged as a relieved sigh left my lips.
"Really." She wouldn't lie about it, right? She speaks Japanese, and she looks Japanese with this black hair of hers. She wouldn't throw her compatriot into the lion's den, right?
"Rudeus, Silent, do you two perhaps know each other?" Jinas wedges into our conversation as we pause for a second, Nanahoshi letting me digest the information and let my fears dissipate. Damn. We've both forgotten he was even there.
"Excuse us, Jinas. We are just passing acquaintances." Nanahoshi sounds a tiny bit flustered as she answers, not that it's noticeable behind the mask. I nodded in affirmation.
"It's quite alright, Silent. Looks like you've got some incredible connections, Rudeus." He pointed out, and I can only smile awkwardly at the comment. "Now, Silent, if you wouldn't mind…"
"Right. I just need a quick word with Rudeus" Jinas smiled wryly and stepped back with a nod. Nanahoshi turns back to me.
"We really need to talk. Please. I promise it will be okay. Find me in my laboratory; Jinas will tell you where to find me. Or better yet, just wait for me here. Okay?" She asks in Japanese in the most earnest, serious, and urgent tone possible. She means it.
"Okay. Got it."
I ended up waiting for Nanahoshi, sitting on the sofa in the reception room, as she proceeded to discuss her business with the vice principal.
Honestly, I still have half a mind to run away from the talk with Nanahoshi. She is not all that terrifying in and of herself, I'll admit it. But part of me is still afraid that Orsted will enter the room and kill me, as merciless and unstoppable as an avalanche.
However, I employed my rational thinking for once, and with a bunch of evidence to the contrary, I managed to quell this particular fear.
Firstly, there is the matter of reasoning. Last time we've met, Orsted did spare me after going out of his way to kill me. I remember Eris mentioning how the unknown woman who was with him asked to leave me alive. I can't see her doing it only to kill me later in some crowded place. No, scratch that; I can see it, but that goes beyond any rational thinking into the realm of bad horror films.
Secondly, there is practicality. I'm to be enrolled in Magic University, and by the looks of it, Nanahoshi is doing some kind of research in here or whatever. If she wanted to, she would be able to track me down easily, and while I could leave it all behind to save myself… Well, that's not going to happen. Escaping would mean leaving Ariel, and that would mean leaving Sylphie… or not. I'm actually not sure whether she would run away with me, and the thought alone of what her answer could be if this were to happen makes me feel a lot more afraid and insecure than the prospect of meeting with a vaguely scary masked girl.
Besides… I can blame it all on my rationality or whatever. I could even almost believe it all myself. But in the end, I'm not sure if I have the heart to not speak with Nanahoshi after that last request. Her tone, her words. There was some unspoken hope, and there was raw desperation behind it. I'm not entirely sure if I didn't imagine it, but it feels like the emotionless mask she was wearing even amplified the emotion behind it. Kind of like how blind people are a lot better at picking up useful information just from hearing, but the other way around. For all I know, she could be an unwilling inhabitant of this world, scared and lonely. There was this kind of Isekai stories, too, right?
On that note, I'm at a loss. I'm not sure how I feel about meeting with this most likely Japanese person. Up until now, there was no notion whatsoever of other isekaed people being around. Hitogami also said that he has never seen anything like this… or something along those lines. Whatever, fuck Hitogami. But other Japanese people around me… They will remind me of the past. They might ask questions I not only don't want to answer, but even think of the answers to. And looking at Nanahoshi, they might also judge me for not doing better. I was born with a vast knowledge of an advanced civilization and a treasure trove of ideas, and I've only put it to use for playing a sick, high-stakes RPG of adventuring. Well, maybe some other stuff, too, but that couldn't possibly compare to the ripples Nanahoshi already made in this world. Damn, now I actually feel a bit guilty. Well, it's probably never too late to start, and, in the future, I might be in a good position to do it if I remain close to Ariel… and don't let any of us die in the process.
Speaking about it… What does Nanahoshi even want from me? Pondering this question isn't any less a waste of time than the others, but at least it kept me distracted until the clicking of the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Jinas saw Nananhoshi out and, with a nod to me, went on his business. Was their meeting intended to be this short, or was it cut because of me? Whatever. I'm a little curious, but I'm not comfortable asking about it.
We arrived at one of the buildings nearby in silence. Neither of us was probably a person for small talk, and our tense interactions before didn't really help. Besides, our discussion, most likely, was not one for the ears of others.
Silent Sevenstar's laboratory turned out to be a set of interconnected and spacious rooms. The one in the back was completely empty; another had some skeleton furniture consisting of several shelves; and the largest one had a large desk with a bunch of stacks of paper on it. There were some books on the shelf, several empty inkwells and other junk, some trinkets, and a row of magical appliances of all kinds. I wasn't quite sure what the use was for most of them, but I've seen some before. Most of them were probably used for working with magical items and tools; some were for experimenting with magical crystals, and the rest were a mystery. There was a layer of dust on most of them. Overall, the rooms gave the impression of being neglected and uninhabited, and the only window in the back room was shut.
"Pardon the intrusion." Saying Japanese courtesies after so long felt weird, and after a curt nod for an answer, I took a designated chair for me.
"Thank you for taking time to talk to me. I understand you might be wary of me, especially after what happened the last time." Nanahoshi started.
"It's okay. I've got some questions too, if you wouldn't mind."
"Not at all, but first we should establish our respective situation…" She paused for a deep breath, and… "You are from Earth like me, correct?" No use in beating around the bush, huh? Well, I was already mentally prepared for that, and still, the (probably) unintentional dramatic flare of the question took a little out of my breath. Quickly composing myself, I answered.
"I am. Are you Japanese?"
"Yes. Once again, my name is Nanahoshi Shizuka, but lately, I've been using the name Silent Sevenstar." With that, she took off the mask, and the sight of her face instantly made something light up in my memory in recognition. I know her face. She was that girl from before, one of the teenagers I was trying to save when I died. She looked exactly the same. And that was odd. It had been fifteen years since then, and she hadn't aged a day. And…
"You weren't reincarnated, were you?" In my bewilderment, I couldn't help but let this piece of information slip.
"I wasn't. I just appeared in this world one day after an incident… Were you?"
"Yes." Please don't ask about the past. It's really not important at all.
"By any chance… Do the names "Shinohara Akito" or "Kuroki Satoshi" ring any bells?" She is suddenly timid, with hesitation creeping into her voice. They were probably her friends from that accident.
"No, I'm not either of them." There's no way around it. Better be done with it, like ripping off a band-aid.
"I see." A calm, collected response, but I did notice how her gaze fell in sadness for a split second. A silence hangs. And then…
"Are you interested in going back to Earth?"
"No. There is nothing for me there."
"I see." Even more disappointment, and silence reigns once again.
I feel bad for her. Personally, there is nothing for me back on Earth, and being reborn is the best thing to happen to me in the last thirty years. And still, I sometimes miss my family, and I also miss Japan, despite how shitty my life was here.
It's probably a lot harder for Nanahoshi, to be suddenly ripped away from it. She was a high school student, wasn't she? That means she had a family, with parents and siblings who didn't hate her. Friends. Maybe a boyfriend or something — she is objectively good-looking by Japanese standards.
I've lost it all and have come to terms with it. None of it exists for me anymore. But it is somewhere for her, and she just can't possibly reach it. It's just... heartbreaking, if you think about it.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not like it's your fault or something." Now that I think about it… It could be, right? She was close to me when it all happened. Or is it the other way around? She never mentioned how long she spent here.
But it looks like she is holding up. I should clarify some things.
"Could you… Answer some questions for me, too?"
"Go ahead." She nodded, her expression somber and a little distracted.
"Why did Orsted try to kill me? He called me an apostle of Hitogami. What's the issue between them?" Most pressing concern, first.
"I don't know the details, but they are mortal enemies, or so he said. Apparently, Hitogami's apostles eventually cause trouble for him, so he kills them." Yikes. I could do without people trying to murder me over things that are not my fault.
"Why would he spare me, then? Should I expect him to come for me?"
"I'm not sure if he cares all that much. I've traveled with him for months, and I guess I picked up some of his… notions, if you will. He loathes this Hitogami thing, of course, but he is mostly apathetic towards the apostles. Not sure why. I guess he could deal with them either way. So, I wouldn't expect him to come for you unless you do something that he doesn't like." Huh. Good to know, I guess, and not ominous at all. What is Dragon God even interested in, then? I'd like to know so that I won't accidentally piss him off. Specifics, please!
"You have been traveling with him? Isn't he cursed or something? How do you two even know each other?"
"He briefly explained the curse to me. It doesn't really work on me. And by the looks of it, it doesn't work on you either. You willingly tried to talk to him, didn't you?" Seeing understanding light up in my eyes, she continued. "He picked me up soon after I… appeared in this world, almost four years ago. He taught me Human God language, and helped me get back on my feet. He even tried to help me find a way home, but… even he didn't know much."
"So that's how it is…" So, the evil dragon god wasn't a high school girl-eating monster. What an absolute surprise. Figures. But, now that I think of it… "Just to make sure, it wasn't him who summoned you?"
"No. He had no idea what happened." Well, she did travel with him, and she is onto the cause of this isekai thing a lot more than me. Asking something like "Are you sure?" is probably useless.
"You've already mentioned it, but are you looking for a way back? I thought you would stick to this world, with all the things you reinvented." From what I've heard, Silent Sevenstar was the talk of the court in Asura for a time a year ago or something.
"No way. Absolutely. This whole place is absolutely hideous. Gruesome. Dreary." She grimaced. "And I'm not spending my whole life in here fixing it. I was just making a base of operations for myself." Makes sense, even if it somehow sounds like an excuse. It's okay. I love this world, in a way, because it gave me a second chance. But I can imagine how utterly revolting this place could be for a normal high school girl. Perverted nobles, hunger, poverty, violence, fanatics… Yikes. How… medieval, huh.
"Any leads on leaving, then?"
"Possibly something to do with summoning magic… even though this world's best summoning magic practitioner didn't have any real explanation, and it also breaks all the laws of it, apparently. Requires further research. Actually, that's why I'm here." So that's how it is. Well, I'm by no means an expert on the topic… But I did just enroll in the Magic Univesity. And I want to help her. Kinda.
"If you are looking for a way home…" I swallowed the last remnants of hesitation. "If you do, then I'll try to help you when I can, if you will have me. As long as it won't take me along, that is. I do have a life, you know." I know better than to treat it like some kind of side quest. I know I've got my hands full. But seeing how her eyes lit up with hope, delight, and determination made it worth it. Besides… I couldn't possibly abandon her to it. If nothing else, I owe it to her for saving my life.
Notes:
Thank you for reading. Any feedback, including but not limited to negative, is always appreciated. (seriously, i read it all, even if I don't answer sometimes)
Got a little (a lot, that is) sidetracked with my vacation and some other life stuff. I know, excuses, excuses, no one really cares. I actually used to hate fanfic writers who constantly delay updates myself. Besides, it is actively detrimental for the reception of the story, so kinda shooting myself in the foot here.
Speaking of the story: somehow, writing Nanahoshi is hard. I adjusted her character a bit, both because of timeline and because of inconsistencies in canon. Hopefully it feels right.
Speaking of timeline, sorry to disappoint some of you guys, but no Cliff and Zanoba for now. They simply aren't enrolled yet.