"First of all, all the perpetrators have been arrested by the police. Also, regarding the video of the assault on the woman, I believe female police officers will review it to confirm the charges against the perpetrators, but rest assured they will be dealt with immediately afterward."

"......I see, I'm really glad to hear that."

If what this person says is true, then this will prevent that video from spreading to the public.

"I just saw that it was on the news, so please check it out. I think that will confirm that what I'm saying is true."

"Huh!? O-Okay, I'll just take a moment."

I hurriedly open my smartphone and check the news section of the search site I often use.

"R-Really? It's even in the news! 'Major Crime Group Emergency Arrest!' Is this it!? I'm so glad, they finally got caught..."

"Actually, I was investigating a different case, but when I caught them, it turned out they had various other crimes, such as assaulting women and illegal possession of firearms."

"I see... um, what kind of punishment will the criminals receive?"

"Ah, sorry, I don't really know much about it either. But I heard from someone who knows about these things that at least a suspended sentence won't be given, and a prison sentence is likely."

"I see... But there's also the possibility that they could be released from prison in just a few years to a few decades..."

...I'm still suffering so much now, and I have to live the rest of my life in pain. And yet, those guys will be able to leave prison once their sentences are over. This is just too cruel.

"I just don't think those guys would ever be violent towards women."

"Huh!? What do you mean?"

"Actually, when I was catching those guys, I saw a girl almost getting assaulted, and I just lost my temper... so, um, I kind of, well, put a curse on all of them. So, um, for a few decades, they won't be able to physically be with women..."

"The curse, huh? I see... Hehe, ahahaha! Ah~ thank you, I feel a bit better now!"

It really serves them right. Oh, come to think of it, I might have genuinely laughed for the first time since that day, not just faked it.

"Um, thank you very much. Thanks to you, I feel like I can move forward a little bit from now on. I truly appreciate you coming all the way out here to teach me."

Thanks to this person, my mood has cleared up just a little bit. Plus, just knowing that those guys won't attack women again and that the video from that time won't spread makes me feel a lot more at ease.

"Oh, no, it's just that I'm doing this because I want to, so don't worry about it. More importantly, this is the main topic. I can erase your memories from that time."

"Wait, you can do that too!?"

"Yes. I have erased all memories of the crimes committed against women and any records related to me from the captured criminals. I've practiced this ability extensively, so I believe I can erase memories to the point where no trauma remains for men."

"Is it true!! Can you really erase those nightmare-like memories?!"

That nightmare I keep dreaming over and over again... the memory of being suddenly taken away by men and being violently assaulted. The nights I've woken up in a panic from that nightmare and couldn't go back to sleep are countless.

I thought I would have to carry this pain for the rest of my life. But if I could really make the hell that happened that day disappear...

"I'll do anything I can! Please... please help me..."

"......Please lift your head. When you wake up, you will have forgotten about the rough treatment and me. Well then, excuse me."

The masked man's right hand touches my head. For just a moment, I flinch at being touched by the man, but he gently places his hand on my head again. It's a man's hand that is kind and warm, unlike those men, like Dad's.

"Um, excuse me! I might forget about you, but I'm really grateful!"

I remembered that day over and over again, and my heart ached so much! I couldn't ask anyone for help, and it was incredibly painful! I was in so much agony that I wished I could kill all the men who assaulted me and die myself!

So, really, thank you so much! Thank you so much for helping me!!

In the fading consciousness, I wondered if I had properly conveyed my gratitude to this person. To the owner of these kind hands who saved me from my despair, how deeply I was thankful from the bottom of my heart. As my consciousness faded away, I prayed that even a little of my gratitude would reach him.

"Hmm. Oh, it's already this late!"

When I woke up, it was already past noon. It seems I fell asleep without realizing it while watching videos online.

......I wonder, I feel really refreshed. It feels like the long-lasting nightmare I've been stuck in has finally come to an end. Wait, what am I even saying?

"Wait, it's summer vacation, and I haven't planned anything at all!?"

What is this completely blank schedule book!? Seriously, this is just too much, isn't it!?

"Hey, Yumi. Sorry to call out of the blue, but do you want to go shopping now? Oh, you heard I haven't been feeling well lately? Nah, I'm actually feeling really good right now! What do you mean I've gone back to how I used to be? I've always been like this, haven't I!? Okay, see you later!"

Oh, come to think of it, Yumi was right; I've been feeling down lately, but why is that? ... If I can't remember, maybe it wasn't such a big deal after all.

Oh, by the way, I ended up declining to go to Grandma's house in Hokkaido with Dad and Mom for some reason. I wonder if there's any way to pretend that never happened. The corn and pumpkin we eat at Grandma's house are really delicious, you know!

I'll tell Yumi that I'm going shopping with her and also ask Mom and Dad. By the way, I've been feeling unwell lately and have missed school a few times, so I might have worried Mom and Dad a lot. But I feel really good now, so I'll let them know I'm okay.

It's a precious summer vacation, so I have to enjoy it to the fullest!