r/Ichika_Amasawa_Club

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“I intend to do everything I can to prevent that from happening, but I don’t know what the outcome will be.”

Along with Ayanokōji’s overwhelmingly superior abilities, there was also the information held by the White Room side.

Amasawa inferred that Nanase believed she herself might not make it through safely depending on how those factors combined.

“Sorry, but rotten as I may be, I’m still a White Room student. I’ve lived my life taking pride in that, and honestly, I still have lingering attachment to it. I don’t dislike Nanase-chan, but personally, I want to support the future senpai desires. Helping sensei is my true role, after all.”

What Nanase was trying to do amounted to twisting Ayanokōji’s future in a completely different direction.

Since she couldn’t determine whether that was truly right or wrong, there was no option for her except refusal.

“What is your dream? To return to the White Room together with Ayanokōji-senpai?”

“And if it is? Got a problem with that?”

Of course, she already understood that such a dream would likely never come true.

Amasawa had already been branded a failure by the White Room.

Even so, she smiled toward Nanase as though to say she was still free to dream about it.

“I understand your feelings. However, miracles do not happen. It’s a wish with a zero percent chance of coming true. No matter what achievements you accomplish, a bright future will not be waiting for you.”

“And how can you say that so confidently? Maybe I’ll awaken some incredible power from here on out.”

“This goes beyond mere ability. Do you know what your father is thinking right now?”

“My father? Sorry, but I’m completely uninterested in that kind of thing. Isn’t that unrelated?” “What matters isn’t your opinion, but the fact that the ownership rights of Amasawa-san belong to your father.”

Nanase took back the phone she had handed over to Amasawa and began operating it.

“So a parent I’ve never even met in my life suddenly wants to interfere—”

“We already understand that you’re not someone your father can control. And because he understands that too, he’s been maintaining close contact with the White Room side while making preparations.”

As Nanase spoke quietly and matter-of-factly, the smile gradually disappeared from Amasawa’s face.

“Re-education? Discipline? Whatever kind of future it is, bring it on.”

“If you’re truly prepared for that, then fine. However, his company is currently cornered due to discovered misconduct and severe financial difficulties. It seems there are people overseas offering large sums to purchase attractive young women, and he’s apparently scrambling to decide where to hand you over.”

Displayed on the scrolling screen was information about a man believed to be Amasawa’s father—his appearance and profile.

“So since I’m defective now, they’re just gonna sell me off? Hilarious.”

Whether it was true or false didn’t matter.

Amasawa clapped her hands and laughed as though she found it amusing.

But her eyes weren’t smiling.

It was as if she had just been told she didn’t even have the right to dream about a future anymore.

“If you cooperate with me, I may be able to save you.”

As Nanase continued sliding through the information, the screen switched to pages written in English.

There were also details suggesting the kind of contacts currently being made.

Where she might end up, and the living hell awaiting her there—something so horrific it was difficult even to put into words. Whether it was the truth or a lie didn’t matter.

But her eyes were no longer smiling.

It was as though even her right to dream about a future had been denied.

“If you cooperate with me, I may be able to save you.”

As Nanase continued sliding through the information, the screen switched to pages written in English.

“Whoa, there’s even a price attached to me. Feels like you could buy anything with this.”

“From an ordinary person’s perspective, perhaps. But to President Amasawa, it’s little more than a drop in the bucket.”

Over and over, Amasawa found herself thinking about her own life—one where she couldn’t even determine what was true and what was false.

However, one thing alone was certain.

The future being shown to her offered absolutely no salvation.

“If we succeed in changing Ayanokōji-senpai’s heart, then after graduation, you too will be placed under thorough protection just like him, Amasawa-san. If that happens, you’ll finally be able to begin a life that belongs solely to you.”

In other words, she would be allowed to stand at the starting line as a real individual.

“…Can something like that really happen?”

⸻

“It can. Certainly, Ayanokōji Atsuomi is an influential man with ties to underground organizations. However, the faction backing us is large enough to swallow that influence whole. Even you can imagine that much, right?”

“Well… if they seriously intended to protect me, then maybe.”

Amasawa didn’t simply swallow those sweet words whole.

Someone with value on the level of Kiyotaka Ayanokōji might truly be protected as Nanase claimed.

But there was no guarantee she herself would receive the same protection.

Nor did she believe she possessed that kind of value.

“Can you give me a little time to think about it?”

“Of course. I’ll be waiting for a favorable answer.”

Amasawa gave a sly grin and took a bite of her slowly melting soft-serve ice cream.

Source | Tl from japanese to english by me