Boogiepop and Others
Dengeki Bunko
Come to think of it... You actually listen to rock music, even though you're rich.
I never got to listen to it.
I see. So you're the sheltered type.
Yeah. Honestly, I hate it.
My dad's not even that rich.
He just owns a small business, but he still treats me like a rich daughter.
Actually, I'm more like some fancy French doll than a daughter.
As for my mother...
This feels weird, King of Distortion.
That's your name, right?
You can call me whatever you'd like.
Right.
Well, my mother—along with my father, and myself, too—
We all hated it when I became a mother.
When I got pregnant with Makoto, I was only twenty.
I didn't know whose kid he was, but out of all the relationships I'd had,
you're the only one I wanted to be his father.
I see. So, how much do you want?
Th-That's not why I brought this up!
I'll give you as much as you'd like,
but I refuse to acknowledge the child as my own or marry you.
I don't have citizenship, so city hall wouldn't accept it, anyway.
I don't know whose kid it is, but it also doesn't really matter.
What's that supposed to mean?
I can't have children.
I'll tell the media about this! Your reputation will be ruined!
Let me just warn you... I really wouldn't do that.
That would put your life in danger.
As if I'd fall for a bluff like that.
If only I were bluffing...
So, going back to the subject of money...
This is your chance. I really encourage you to take as much as you can from me.
You can never have enough money when it comes to raising a child.
You're not going to say you don't need any money, are you?
You're not going to tell me not to have it?
Is that what you want to hear?
If you don't want to have it, I won't stop you,
but I personally think that'd be a waste.
Even though I don't even know who the father is?
Then just marry anyone you want.
That won't change my mind about giving you money.
I'd act now if I were you, though.
In a few years... maybe six? I'll probably be disposed of.
Huh?
Then I won't be able to pay you.
Of course, I don't intend to go without a fight.
I plan to leave one last parting gift.
He had such a serious expression that I couldn't say anything.
After that, I took Teratsuki's money and gave birth to Makoto.
I thought the best way to get him back was to raise Makoto to be a great person.
But then Teratsuki died.
Not in the six years that he predicted,
but in eight.
And now, Teratsuki is sitting next to me, just like before.
You don't like your mother?
That's not it. She doesn't like me.
That's not very nice.
After I started raising my son, I started to realize
that there were things my mother never did for me.
But you're giving your child the proper love and care that he deserves.
That's great.
Hey, what's your deal? What are you trying to do?
I mean... This is all your doing, right?
You planned all of this, didn't you, Kyouichirou-san?
I'm not so sure about that.
Well, who else is there?
Besides, when did I ever say that I was actually Teratsuki Kyouichirou?
Huh?
You only came to this world because you wanted to.
Who I am has nothing to do with you.
Then you really don't care what happens to me?
Just like my mother...
I was in love with you.
It's true. I really, really loved you.
I couldn't say it back then, but...
Is it just that you couldn't say it?
Maybe that's what you thought you felt now that you're looking back on it.
Why does that matter?
I just want to throw everything out.
I was such a fool, all this time...
Wait a second! Is this really in the past?
Where's Makoto? What happened to him?
Does this mean he's not going to be born?
Who knows? I'm not sure.
You might actually get your wish.
What do you mean by that?
You can't mean...
that I could possibly make Makoto your real son?
Who knows? I'm not sure.
I feel like it's been a while since I started looking for Boogiepop.
Sakiko! I see that you give up as easily as ever. Here.
Well, what am I supposed to do?
I'm not as smart as you, Hina-chan.
Huh?
What is it?
It's just... Is this where we were?
What's that supposed to mean?
Well, I mean...
What are you talking about?
Never mind, it's nothing.
I'm just tired and a little out of it.
You never change, Sakiko.
Neither do you, Hina-chan. But you're so pretty now.
Really? Well, thank you.
The Hina-chan I knew was a really lively eleven-year-old girl.
She was popular and always cheerful.
But you're really pretty now, too, Sakiko.
I bet you're really popular.
I'm not.
All the guys interested in me are losers.
Even the guy I was with today couldn't figure anything out.
I think he just wanted to have fun with you.
He just doesn't know when to stop, though.
Oh, come on. You feel something for him, right?
No way!
I'm sure you'll understand once you start dating, Hina-cha—
Well, I've never been on a date, so...
Hey, Hina-chan... When did that happen?
What?
You know... That thing...
Right before summer break started...
I said something awful to you, and...
Guys will never like a stupid beanpole like you!
You're just gonna die like that!
After that... I wanted to apologize to you so badly, but...
Once summer vacation was over... Once I saw you at school...
I was going to apologize...
But you...
I died along with my family in a car accident.
It was a tragic accident.
I was jealous of you, Hina-chan.
There were rumors saying that the boy
I happened to like back then had feelings for you.
So I...
Maybe she didn't care so much.
But I've wanted to apologize this whole time!
I'm so sorry! I'm sure you'll be beautiful when you grow up, Hina-chan!
I really think that!
So I...
I wanted to say I'm sorry...
That's what's been bothering you?
Yeah...
That's not Hinako-chan...
I know there's no point in me telling you this...
But I'm an awful person who has no right to live,
so... so I...
I wanted Boogiepop to kill me!
Boogiepop...
They were right here! I saw them!
Yes, I know.
You do?
But I wonder if Boogiepop will actually kill you.
Do you think they'll save you from your suffering?
Well... Will you kill me, then, Hina-chan?
Hey, who are you?
You were suffering.
This whole time, you've been suffering so much that you couldn't even realize it.
It's impossible to get rid of that pain now,
because it consumes your whole heart.
That's why you must take
the pain you want to erase from your heart,
and turn it into gold instead.
Gold?
Yes.
All that glitters.
Back then,
I was using a hacking tool I happened upon to look into investment companies,
to steal their client data and sell it onto the black market.
Come on... Come on!
Yes!
Don't blame me. Blame the person who made this incredibly convenient tool.
I always chose companies that operated in a gray area,
so it'd be hard to track me down...
Or so I thought.
Wh-What the hell is this?!
Shit!
Device Not Ejected Properly Eject this device before disconnecting or turning it off.
I had a bad feeling about this.
And sadly, I was right.
Was that a trap?
Are you a high school student?
Yes, I am.
Do you have your student ID card?
Uh, sure, I do... Is something wrong?
Well, that's a great school.
Identification Card This card proves that this individual is a student at this school. Name: Habara Kentarou Date of Birth: ****/**/**
Do you come around here often? This isn't a route to this school.
Well, I guess I come this way sometimes.
Is there a problem?
Could I take a look in your bag?
Um... There's nothing really important in there.
I'd still prefer to make sure.
I-I see...
Kentarou.
Did something happen?
I'm gonna go on ahead.
Is that your girlfriend?
Uh, yes... We were just meeting up.
Well, there are some unsavory characters around here, so don't wander around too much.
Café Tristan
Who the hell are you?
What's my deal? You're the problem here, Habara Kentarou.
How do you know about me?
You should give up on that business of yours.
You haven't run into too many problems so far,
but things are about to change.
This world isn't as kind as you think.
Don't tell me that warning was...
Well, thanks to you, I was able to crush one investment scam group's network.
Hey, what the hell do you mean by that?
Nothing, really.
Are you the one who made that hacking tool?
Of course I'm not. I'm sure someone like the NSA made it.
Which means someone altered it and spread it onto a site.
I never thought I'd meet anyone who could actually use it, though.
I see. So I've been dancing in the palm of your hand this whole time.
I don't feel bad about it. You did a half-assed job, anyway.
No, that's not what I meant.
Why didn't you just tell me in the first place?
If you'd just explained everything to begin with,
I would've been happy to help you out.
Why didn't you just ask me?
Well? Kirima Nagi-san from Shinyou Academy.
How do you know my name?
Guess you're not too careful yourself.
There's nothing weird about some guys trying to find out more about
someone as hot as you.
This was my memorable first meeting with Nagi.
And apparently, what's going on right now is its continuation.
So what you're saying is that this is love at first sight?
Pretty much... Though I never would've been able to say that.
Why not?
Huh? How the hell am I supposed to tell her?
She's a superhero.
She's got no time for someone like me.
Well, aren't you admirable.
No matter how you look at this, this is an illusion.
I'm still inside the Moon Temple.
Oh? Is that what you think?
I don't know how this trick works, but don't think you can trap me in here forever.
I'm gonna get the hell outta here for sure.
That's rather noble of you, Kentarou.
Only because you're looking at me with that face.
Listen up, King of Distortion.
Everything here is something I've seen before.
Which means this is my memory,
and this is just going on in my head.
It's basically a dream.
I see. Well done.
But haven't you ever considered
that this world we live in is a nightmare?
What's the easiest way to escape a nightmare?
What does that mean?
It's extremely simple.
A trifle, really.
Wh-What was that?!
I just told you, didn't I?
It's extremely simple.
Who the hell are you?!
You sure I'm not part of your memory?
I asked you who you are!
Saotome Masami. Just like you, I had unrequited feelings for Kirima Nagi.
Now... Will you be able to make it out of this nightmare?
Damn it!
Don't tell me...
No way! This has to be a dream!
Hey! What the hell are you doing there, kid?
Let's get out of here!
Who are you, mister?
Don't call me that! I'm still in high school!
Shit! Here it comes.
Hey... Are you able to see Zooragi?
Zooragi? Are you talking about that monster?
Yeah.
Hey, aren't you...
My balloon!
That's what you get for not holding it properly. Jeez.
Man...
I see. So that's what's going on here.
What are you doing? Weren't we getting out of here?
Yeah, you're right.
This pretty much solidifies the fact that this is all taking place in my memories.
Apparently that Saotome guy showed up just like this kid,
because I must've seen them somewhere.
In that case, to get out of here...
To wake up from this nightmare...
Are we gonna be okay going back in there?
Yeah, don't worry.
Leave this to me.
Hey.
I'm... exhausted.
All right... Fine.
You wait here.
Got it?
Just as I thought.
You dumbass! Hurry and wake the hell up!
Hey, Shirou! Wake up!
Habara-san... What was I...
It's not just you. Everyone here's in the same boat, including me.
Th-This is... What in the world is going on?
I'm not really sure myself,
but apparently everyone fell asleep at some point, and they're dreaming.
Dreaming?
You had one too, right?
Come to think of it...
I was meeting with her...
Did this girl happen to call herself the King of Distortion?
Yes, she did.
I knew it.
You met them, too?
Yup.
That bastard... What's he trying to do?
Habara-san, do you have any idea who the King of Distortion is?
Who the hell else could it be?
It's the one who built this damn thing to begin with.
Teratsuki Kyouichirou?
But isn't he dead?
That's the problem here.
Maybe he didn't die and he's hiding somewhere around here,
or he managed to set something up here to function even after he died.
Either way, he really thought this out...
We're all dancing in the palm of his hand.