Cop Craft – Dragnet Mirage Reloaded

Book 3: Chapter 1: (7)

Tilarna walked to the bus stop right in front of the school, and she saw Nyath Maybell there.

Ah hey

Nyath nodded slightly. There was something awkward about his movements.

Nyath

For some strange reason Tilarna felt relieved. Perhaps it was because, after spending an entire day in a school she wasnt used to, with unknown students, it was all getting on her nerves, and seeing a familiar face felt good. No, it was odd to even call him a familiar face. She had only met him that same morning after all.

Are you going home? Yeah. You already know that I dont have a car or anything, so

He fleetingly gazed at the distant parking lot. Going out of the school, there were only luxury cars, luxury cars and more luxury cars. Thinking back on what she said to Kei about getting on a workhorse being a discredit to her familys honor, Tilarna wondered if this was something similar. Even though her boss on this side, Zimmer, was riding and taking care of an old car.

Dont worry. Im also taking the bus. Yeah, I can tell Besides, the bus isnt even that bad. Its the best way to observe the Dorinis. I was quite pleasantly surprised by their tradition to give their seat to older men and women. That doesnt exist? Semanians dont have that habit? No. There arent even any buses to begin with Ah, well yeah. Obviously

Nyath laughed

You were raised on this side, right Nyath? Yep. I was there only until I was seven in Earths years. Do you know a town called Dohga? No Im sorry No, well, its just a country town. Its a port town in the Goliah region Goliah, huh?

The Goliah region. It was a part of Tilarnas home kingdom of Farbani. It must have been almost nine years already since the tragedy where the Zambenikan army had marched in and it fell into disarray.

The Zambenikans, who were main contenders to the Farbani Kingdom, had unofficially received the support of an East Asian country from Earth, and the problems only became even more dire since then. She had heard that many people fled amid the Zambenikan pillaging, crossed the mirage gate as earthlings called it, and ended up moving to San Teresa.

Tilarna was still only a child at the time, and she had been removed from it all living in the Exedilika estate, so she continued her training in swordsmanship and mildite, carrying out her undisturbed life. She had heard about the suffering in the Goliah region, but she had only thought of it as an isolated incident that took place in a single region of the entire kingdom.

Even after the kingdoms Milvor Salanda chased after the Zambenikan troops and made them pay, the region was left in complete chaos.

You must have had a rough time back then, right? Yeah, thank you. But I dont really remember much of it. I think both of my parents died around that time, but I cant say I really feel too sad or anything like that now I see After that I blended in with the refugees, came to Earth and an NGO found an adoptive family for me. The Maybells, that was the name of the family. Its horrible to say this, but I dont even really remember my Semanian family name. I am an earthling by heart, no doubt. I cant even speak much Farbani at all. Do you feel like going back? Not at all. If I came back right now, I dont think I would be able to adapt. I mean, its a world without any AC or any smartphones, so I dont think I could do it!

Tilarna laughed as he said that

We do have at least AC, from a little while back Oh, really? In the kingdoms capital of Zalze we do. The buildings over there are already built with their own AC. Youd be surprised at how chilly it would get even in the summer. Ohh But, arent normal Semanians not allowed in Zalze? Eh? Why did you go there? The place where they check your qualifications to travel to Earth is somewhere else, and Ive heard that even noble families have issues getting in. Isnt the city only merchants and Milvoa knights? Yo- you do know an awful lot about it after all, huh?

Tilarna did her best to hide her surprise.

Zalze was a small piece of land in the middle of the Vinelam river that ran through the kingdom. It had a special district for people from earth that lived in the Farbani kingdom, and a special district for merchants as well.

Even in Semanian history records it was an unusual place, so previously, when she had told Kei about a place like that, he nonchalantly nodded and said Ah, so its basically Dejima, huh?. Apparently in his own home country, there used to be a place like that a long time ago.

The reason Tilarna was able to enter Zalze was because of her being a member of the knight squad, and the actual reason her English was that good, was because she had always been coming in and out of that place. There were a lot of very complicated circumstances but she couldnt just reveal all that to Nyath.

So how did you manage to get into a place like Zalze? My father he was a commerce manager! So I took the opportunity to go with him in one of his trips to the capital. Oh, I see. So you really are a noble lady, huh?

He didnt seem to be particularly doubting her. Nyath just accepted it immediately, and he changed the topic.

By the way, you seem to have made quite the scandal during lunch break So disgraceful. You see he suddenly called out to me, and startled me, and No, no. Seeing you send that Ghili guy flying was kind of refreshing actually Why? Looking at it fairly, it was I who was in the wrong. Well yeah, doing something like that all of a sudden can be a big problem. But he tried to grab you by the hair, right? That tells you all you need to know about him. I hate him. I dont really get it, but

Looking at Tilarna who was raising her eyebrows at his approval of her actions, Nyath clapped his hands together

I dont know how it is in the Semani world, Tilarna, but Earths schools have these things, some kind of invisible social classes. Ghili is the type of guy that people call a jock. Hes tall, and hes really muscular and violent, basically a macho guy. His strengths are sports and being popular with girls. That kind of guy has a really good standing within a school. Huh A plain guy like me is just normal, so we are made fun of by them really often. He went berserk because you did something like that to him, but from our point of view we were just thinking that it served him right, and no, Im sorry, Im just talking nonsense. Forget it.

Maybe he wasnt the type to go around badmouthing others. As if noticing himself getting carried away, Nyath simply stopped himself from talking bad about him any further.

I see. So it seems like Emma Sehlams words were mistaken after all Ah, her

He frowned only slightly

Is she a friend of yours? No way! She wouldnt even hang out with me. To put it simply, shes the queen of this school. She is incredibly beautiful, super rich, and her personality is great too. Shes a popular girl. Extremely popular

He smiled drily. It was an expression similar to Keis when he said something sarcastic.

From the way your speaking, I dont think it sounds like youre praising her very much Oh, did it sound like that? Maybe thats just my poor guy's resentment speaking then Well, Im sure she found you interesting, being your first day here, so youll probably be able to make a striking debut with Sherwood Highs high society. Im sure there are already emails being thrown around all over the place. A mysterious beautiful transfer student was being friendly with Emma Sehlam for thirty minutes! and stuff like that. Even standing on this bus stop, and talking to me if they saw you doing this it would be bad for you. This is just a school, right? Calling it the high society or something is going too far Its not going too far! There are many people approaching her, dying to be welcomed into her group. Worst of all, even one of my friends is doing that. I cant believe her, that Norune Norune?

Tilarnas expression stiffened, though she tried to hold back. Was he talking about Norune Norbam, the girl that had died from a drug overdose?

Yeah. She hasnt come for the past two or three days, though. Maybe she caught a cold or something. Ill introduce her to you later. Shes also a Semani, and I think you would get along with her

Right then, the bus finally arrived. Line F22, bound for East Ballet. Tilarna asked nervously at Nyath, who was taking his pass from his wallet

So uh that Norune girl Yeah? What kind of relationship do you have with her? A- are you interested in that? Whu- well yeah a little

Tilarna replied vaguely and looked down. She didnt think her cover would be blown just with this, but she felt embarrassed at not being able to keep her cool and just ignore him being friends with the victim.

Ah, thats hard see, how should I say it Norune is a good friend, but were not in that kind of relationship, you see? I dont even think I know it for sure but ah, the bus is here. Lets go, lets go!

For some reason, Nyath had turned red, and he hurriedly got on the bus. Even if he said something like that kind of relationship, Tilarna had absolutely no idea what kind of relationship he was even talking about.

Are you an idiot?

Said Kei Matoba, shocked while sitting in his dining room that evening.

Norune is a girl, Nyath is a guy. Within that context, asking him something like what kind of relationship do you have with her would make any teenage boy think something like maybe this girl is actually into me?. For sure, no doubt about it! What an annoying thing you did

Matoba was skillfully serving the red pasta in the frying pan into two separate dishes, and carrying it to the table along with some salad. He then brought some steaming consomm soup, and dinner was complete.

Well I dont get it Get it already! Fucks sake You wouldnt be thinking it wasnt that big of a deal if you were a guy. Sucks for Nyath

Matoba sighed, and took off the checkered apron he was wearing. Then he took a seat, and after whispering that strange itadakimasu spell, he started slurping away the pasta in a most vulgar manner.

1. Salanda means knight in Farbanian

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