I'm Such a Genius!
Ever since Naru gave up on the equation, her condition had only worsened.
She couldn't focus on training or work, and the people around her began to worry in a different way than before.
Hoping to cheer her up a little, I brought her to the festival under the pretense of a patrol...
I checked... the alley.
No problems.
Let's move on to the next area.
No suspicious people here.
Next patrol area is that way.
Nothing unusual on the road either.
...Huh? You want to take a break?
Fruit candy? A shooting game? You think it wouldn't hurt to try one at least once?
...I appreciate the offer, but I'll have to pass, Captain.
I still have work to do. And more importantly, I'm just not in the mood.
Shall we head to the next patrol area?
The plaza's still packed with people.
That's why we need to be extra alert. You never know what might happen—
Hmm?
Naru! It's you!
Ah...!
I-I'm sorry! I really, truly apologize about what happened last time...!
Don't worry about it. These things happen.
Nobody's perfect. If you were, you'd be some sort of deity.
Honestly, it was kinda fun hiking and getting some exercise.
And it's not like nothing good came out of it.
Wait, what do you mean...?
Shortly after you and the Orbital Search Team left, it actually rained.
It didn't last long, so it wasn't a big deal, but still.
We dug through old records just in case, and turns out Vendor Village has flooded before.
Just like you said, Vendor Village wasn't exactly safe either.
Haha! It happened so long ago, no one remembered anymore.
Because of this, we did a full check-up on the dam and replaced old infrastructure too.
Turns out there were a lot of facilities on the verge of collapse. Now we're all set, even if a typhoon comes.
So don't feel too bad. Some good things came out of it.
But... But I still caused so much trouble...
I said it's fine! Cheer up!
Here, it's a gift from us. Enjoy!
Spend some time with your Captain, will ya? Have fun! Haha!
Huh...?
...
N-no! It's not like that! I mean, the Captain and I aren't—!
We'll stop bothering you now! Enjoy your day!
Naru stood clutching the festival snacks, watching the townspeople walk away with smiles and gratitude.
Uh...
What should I do with all this?
The park was relatively empty. Probably because most people were still at the festival in the plaza.
We sat on a bench and started eating the snacks, but Naru still looked gloomy.
...Is it really okay for me to be doing this?
The others are still out on patrol.
So is it okay for a totally useless person like me to just laze around...?
...No, that's not true.
I haven't worked hard at all.
I just... assumed I was a genius and acted like I could do anything...
I just caused trouble for everyone and couldn't do a thing—mmph?!
I stuffed a popsicle into her mouth.
Capdan?! My teef are fweething! (Captain?! My teeth are freezing...!)
One last time.
Huh...?
*Cough* *Cough* Run it again...?
One last time...
...All right. I think that's a good idea.
If the result's wrong again, then that'll prove I'm not a genius.
And maybe then I'll finally be able to let go for good...
The only data I have right now is about NOA. So I'll use that for the equation.
Naru began scribbling formulas into the sand and running the equation.
...The result says there's going to be a serious accident.
But Astro Sanctum said everything was fine.
So I guess I should give up after a—
Let's go check.
...What?
Captain? Wait, where are you going?
...To the location my equation pointed to?
According to Naru's equation, the accident was predicted to occur in the storage area at the back of the festival.
When we got there, what we found was...
Some leftover fireworks, partially burned.
The embers still flickering quietly went out after a short while.
...I knew it.
See, Captain?
This is what my equation does.
Even something as minor as a dying spark shows up as a massive threat in the results.
All it does is cause trouble for people around me.
A totally useless—whoa?!
A sudden gust of wind swept through the fireworks, and just like that, the dead embers flared back to life.
Wh-what the...?! No way!
There must've still been unspent powder left inside!
The lit fireworks sparked, and embers began to spread to the other supplies in the storage area.
No! Wait! There are still more fireworks stored here for another event!
C-Captain! We need to put this out! Now!
I'll keep the flames from spreading!
Hurry, Captain! Please!
With help from nearby members of the Orbital Search Team and NOA Public Security, we managed to put the fire out.
Naru and I, now covered in soot, sat catching our breath in the corner.
That really...
That really could've turned into a major disaster...
Just like my equation predicted...
If I hadn't run the calculation... the festival might have...
...It would have ended in complete chaos.
Ms. Roberta?! What are you doing here...?!
It was almost a major incident.
When something that big almost happens, it's only natural for senior officers to respond.
Ms. Lugh?! You're here too?!
Hmm...?
...Why are you looking at me like that, Ms. Roberta?
You showed up awfully fast for just a cleanup mission...
Lugh, were you worried about Naru sulking these past few days?
...No comment.
And you were patrolling the opposite end of the festival grounds just moments ag—
A-anyway!
That could've been a major disaster. You handled it well, Naru.
Did you really figure that out using your equation?
I... I did, but...
It was probably just luck.
I mean, I did get the rain prediction for Vendor Village completely wrong...!
That doesn't sound like you.
Huh...? What do you mean it doesn't sound like me?
Mistakes are normal for rookies. So is getting scolded.
That's how you learn and grow as a rookie.
Ms. Lugh...!
Isn't your strength that you always smile and try again, no matter what?
So learn from your mistakes. And take a step forward from yesterday.
Looking back doesn't suit you. Keep your head high and march ahead.
Haha, it's rare to see Lugh handing out advice like that.
Even with all the complaints, calling her a handful or a walking disaster, you really do care about Naru, don't you?
...Please, Ms. Roberta.
As a mid-level officer, I was simply providing a currently underperforming team member with a chance to refresh her mindset.
Haha. I'll take that as a yes.
Anyway, Naru. Make sure to write a formal report on your equation later.
A report? On my equation?
Yes. If we're going to bring it to the next meeting, it needs to be in the proper format.
I'll share it with the other team leaders. Let them know something like this exists.
It's not complete yet, but if it can predict disasters our usual methods can't, then it's worth looking into.
My equation...
It's being formally proposed to Polaris?!
Don't get your hopes up. We're just submitting a proposal.
After all, it's still far from perfect.
It shows potential, but lacks stability. You'll need to refine it further.
It might not be perfect disaster prediction, but it could still offer more precise risk analysis than anything we've got.
You did well, our genius Naru.
...No.
Huh?
...What?
...No. Not yet.
Perfect disaster prediction!
And from there, perfect prevention! That's my mission!
The duty of a once-in-a-century genius that'll go down in history!
That's my role as the super genius Naru!
Just wait a little longer! Soon, I'll complete the equation!
And I'll prove I can perfectly predict disasters! Hehe!
A full comeback, huh?
A little praise and she's already flying again.
What's wrong with that? It's better than seeing her all gloomy, isn't it?
Don't you think so too, Lugh? Haha.
...I'll agree to that, partially.
After everything was cleaned up, Naru and I headed back together.
Unlike the gloomy days before, she was practically glowing.
My equation's being proposed to Polaris!
They say geniuses rarely get recognized while they're alive, but I must be different! Maybe it's because I'm a super genius?
I'm so terrified... of my potential, that is! Because there's no telling how far someone like me will go!
...Oh, wait.
There's still one thing I haven't figured out... Hmm...!
I still haven't decided on a name for the equation...
How about the breath of the reborn genius equation? Or the ultra kingdom neo universe hyper equation?
Ahhh! I've got so many good ideas, but I can't decide on one!
Oh, right! And!
Naru turned around to look up at me.
Captain.
Thank you, really.
If you hadn't told me to give the equation one last shot...
I would've given up and regretted it forever.
Well, I wouldn't say it's that big a deal—
Still! I mean, sure, it was my genius that got it done!
I'm so scared...! I can't even fathom how much this world will change with my equation!
I'm a genius... A monster... It's the birth of a historic talent...! Ahhh...!
Yup, that's the Naru I know.
Get your fruit popsicles! Only a few left and on sale!
...Hmm?
Captain! This is an emergency!
My favorite fruit popsicles are almost sold out!
Hurry, Captain!
Naru grabbed my hand and yanked with surprising force.
Wait! Slow down just a little...!
Let's move, Captain!
I'm buying this time, so eat as much as you want! Hehe!
After that, we finished our patrol with popsicles in hand.
We spent the rest watching fireworks bloom across the sky, chatting happily about what to name her equation.
