Editing Lie:verse Liars:Chapter 11

　--A little bit of history lesson.


　In the city of Morihama, there have been incidents of "false worlds" that have been appearing without people's knowledge.

　Beginning with the "Awakened" powers of several teenagers, the number of "false worlds" that threaten to collapse the real world if left unchecked is increasing every year.

　Fortunately, the number of these teenagers who have awakened as the "Awakened," who are able to counter these incidents, is increasing, and the balance is somehow maintained.

　However, not all the young people who have become "awakened" are fighting with the same mindset.

　The Awakened, who were united when there were only a few at first, developed their own opinions as their numbers increased, shared their embittered roots as they broke apart, and those with similar values came together to form a community called the clan.

　Caliburn, the countermeasure organization against the False World, was sensitive to this incident, and as a result of discussions with representatives of each clan, a system called "Official Clans" was created to systematically and quickly respond to the ever-increasing number of False World incidents.


　Clans officially recognized by Caliburn are said to have three main benefits.

1. An acquisition of territory

Official clans are exclusively in charge of all "false world" incidents that occur in their respective territories, and are responsible for any incidents regarding their area. This is also the reason why "False World" cases discovered by Caliburn are sent to the Official Clan.

　2. Special support from Caliburn

Official clans receive financial support in the form of clan bonuses, as well as a home base for their activities. The clan is given one property of their choice in their territory, which they are free to use as they wish.

　3. Exclusive agents

There are 13 former "Awakened" called "Agents" who are active in Caliburn. By appointing one of the members as an exclusive agent, requests from each clan are sent directly to Caliburn, and they receive priority support.


There are currently five clans that have received official recognition from Caliburn.

　"Soumori Fuya Soshin Fuya", a clan whose territory is in the East District of Morihama City

　The clan "Shukyoku Period" whose territory is located in the West District of Morihama City.

　"Furafuni", a clan whose territory is located in the South District of Morihama City

　"B.E. Butterfly Effect", a clan whose territory is in the North District of Morihama City

　and "Walhalla," a clan that is under the direct control of Caliburn.

　Each clan has various philosophies and values, sometimes cooperating with each other, and sometimes fighting against one another.

Among them, there is an extremely troublesome clan that is unmanned and hostile toward all other clans.

That is the clan "B.E.". We, Team Ash, belong to this clan.

　As such "B.E." is based in...


"Uh, is this really the hideout of B.E.? Isn’t this a place where all kinds of dangerous delinquents hang out?"

With the building in front of us, Yuragi Kigisu, clinging to my arm, raises a shrill voice.

　We arrived at an abandoned factory on the outskirts of "Kanbinzaka Mikamezaka," the central town of Morihama City's Kita Ward.

　On the iron gate in front of the factory are the words “No Entry Except for Authorized Personnel”. The deserted building within the high walls surrounding the site looks as if it has been abandoned for who knows how many years, and the eeriness increases as the evening sun shines on it, and if you listen carefully you can almost hear crows chirping.

“Sorry about that, it's just our clan master's hobby.”

　It looks pretty bad outside. But the inside is much different.

　There is a security system at the entrance to the building, which can only be opened by registered members of the clan B.E. in the "Cain" app for the "Awakened".

　And when Yuragi stepped into the building, her eyes widened again.

“It's so beautiful, this place looks so different from what it looks like from the outside.”

　Just as Yuragi said, the inside of the building was well taken care of, and is neatly organized, and tidy in all places.

Although the location has been kept in its original appearance to look like the place belonged to a den of delinquents, the clan master, Makagami Homura, doesn't like to see things dirty and messy, so she makes sure that all clan members clean up the area on a regular basis.

　Even though our clan members skip cleaning at their homes and at school, no one skips cleaning the hideout.

　Yuragi was thrown into one of the rooms of the hideout, also known as the "meeting room”.

“Shut up and stay here for a bit.”

　The door of the room was closed with Homura-san's words.

　Incidentally, I was thrown in together with Kigisu.

　The reason is quite simple: Kigisu clung to my arm like glue.

"Hey, can you let go of my arm?"

　When I asked her, she reluctantly shook her head sideways.

　I was worried that she might lose her head by shaking it too much.

“A—aah, fine, I get it. For now, let's sit over there."

　I grab and sit down on an empty chair, Kigisu Yuragi opens her mouth.


“What's going to happen to me?"

“The clan in charge of the area will decide how to deal with the Awakened who misbehave in their territory… Well, I guess this will probably not end well.”

“I'm not sure if this kind of policing is something that Caliburn would judge? Isn't this the kind of crackdown that Caliburn is supposed to be judging instead of the Clan, like in a game where you're supposed to be running things?”

“Caliburn is not in charge of the management of OUR Awakened, but is only supporting and backing them up. The rules and regulations that the Awakened are using now were decided by the clan and among the Awakened, not by Caliburn. Caliburn will not interfere with what the Awakened do unless there is something wrong.”

“Ah, if you put it that way, that may indeed be true.”

Kigisu muttered, as if there was something that came to mind.

“This time, our clan was pissed off at you for breaking the agreement and doing whatever you want in our territory. Homura-San said: “How am I going to make this little bitch pay for what she's done? There is no room for her in Caliburn. It's like she’s questioning our own character.”

“What does it mean when you say "character"?

“B.E. doesn't like to be messed with in the first place, even before it became an official clan. We're going to make an example out of you so that people who come in here won’t do the same thing in the future. That's what I'm talking about.”

"Even if it's not true, I'm in a pretty terrible situation, aren't I?”

“Where did you learn the trickery of entering a false world without applying for confirmation?”

“I'm just copying someone who took me to the false world for the first time.”

Kigisu’s words hit me like a truck.

“I mean... I'd like to ask you a lot of questions about the lies you've been spewing against me, rather than that.”

　Aah, that. I know this one. It's the one that makes snakes come out from under the bushes.
(TL NOTE: snakes come out from under the bushes means to expose a lie)

“What lie?”
“Your name! Why did you call yourself the protagonist of a sex game of all things? I'm so embarrassed because of it!”

“You only gave yourself a code name, and you call me a liar for hiding my true identity under a false name?”

　When I said this, Kigisu's expression fell into a pout.

"...... I see, you're certainly right when you put it that way."

"So you do agree!"

"The reason why you hid your name is because Ruu Haizora was a member of B.E., right?"

“Well, that's about it.”

　The first time I went to a "false world" in another clan's territory, I took a freshly-arrived Awakened without applying or telling anyone about it. 

“But if it had been the people of Soumori Fuya, they would have forgiven me if I had explained the situation to them, don't you think?”

“Well, if it was Kukai Soraumi-san and the others, I suppose they would.”

“You know about Kukai Soraumi and the others, don't you?”

“I know about Kukai and his friends. If you've been an Awakened for a while, you'd at least know them.”

“But you didn't tell anyone.”

“....., it's complicated in a lot of ways. I just thought it would be better to keep things under wraps.”

　Kigisu stares at my face as I answer.

“Hmmm ...... well if that's what you mean, I guess you have your own circumstances.”

"So what? What are the "Awakeneds" who belong to "Fuya Aomori" doing in our territory?”

“I'm not part of "Fuya Aomori" anymore. I quit about a month ago.”

　The unexpected answer came back in a matter-of-fact tone, which surprised me unexpectedly.

“What? You quit? Why did you quit such an excellent clan!　Why?”

　Seeing my reaction, Kigisu turned away from me with a wry look in her eyes.

"Due to personal reasons,"

“I mean, you quit the clan, but you want to continue to be an "awakened"?”

“Yes."

“What have you been doing since you quit "Fuya Aomori"?　Have you joined other clans or teamed up with someone else?”

"I haven't joined anything....... I have been alone this entire time.”

“Then you can't do anything as an Awakened, can you?”

　Since the official clan system was established, there are few opportunities for clan-unaffiliated Awakened, or even solo Awakened, to get involved in the False World cases.

“That’s why I found a suitable false world on the Cain map and snuck into it.”

"What were you going to do if you entered the false world by yourself?　Were you trying to intervene with a Falsw World case?”

　Did she try to help the victim alone as an "Awakened" and keep Caliburn's reward to herself?　No, she shouldn't get the reward from Caliburn even if she ignores her charges and helps the victim. ...... What does she mean by that?

“It's not like that. ...... I simply wanted to practice my 'magic.'”

The word 'magic' reminds me of Kigisu's appearance earlier in the “False World”.

“I'm not sure if it's the you, but were you the one recreating that “magic” in the "false world"?”

“Yes!”

“That was pretty amazing.”

“Right?”

　Kigisu bites her lips happily, her eyes sparkling, and a sense of more praise is welling up in her.

“I also went through a lot of trial and error when it came to making a “disguise”, so I honestly thought what you did there was amazing.”

"No, that wasn’t much really-"

Kigisu starts fidgeting shyly like a character I've seen somewhere before.

"Um... is that really all?"

"Did you really just cause such a huge fuss just because you wanted to use 'magic'?"

"...Honestly, after trying being an Awakened, I wasn't really interested in anything else."

When I listened to Kigisu's words as she looked down and smiled, I felt like I could somehow understand her situation.

Kigisu's ideas are quite different from the common sense and perceptions faced by Caliburn and other third-generation "Awakened", and it may not be much different to call it a heresy.

With that thought, the area around my pocket vibrated.

"Well if you will excuse me, I'd like to leave my seat for a moment."

When I asked, Kigisu's hand tightened.


“I don't want to. If I let go, you'll go away again.”

“It doesn't matter, no matter where I go. Now you know who I am."

“Are you upset about something, ......?”

“No.”

“Are you mad at me?　Are you upset or something?”

“I'm not angry at all.”

“I'm supposed to be the one who's mad at you! Because of what you did!”

“Stop talking nonsense! I didn't do anything against you!”

“You lied!”

“That was just a joke!”

　When I yelled at her, Kigisu became agitated.

"Ah, so... at that time, “We are equal treaties.” that was also a ploy, or rather, it was a joke for Ruu then, I guess?"


　Kigisu's voice became quieter. Together with that reaction, the color of emotion disappears from her face can be seen makes me involuntarily reach for her neck.

"It's true that Kigisu and I and having an 'Equal Treaty' is certainly not a relationship that I should be concerned about. Then, let me make it clear at this time.”

　Then, I say to Kigisu.


"I really want to go to the bathroom."

　I told her urgently.

"You’re gonna leave me here alone?"

“That's right! You're gonna make me piss my pants!”

“Please don’t pee here. I don't like it. That’s disgusting.”

“I don't like it either!　I don't want to shit myself at my age!　Or rather, think of it the other way around!　Do you want me to follow you to the bathroom?　If you want, I'll follow you.”

"Go to the bathroom...... and I’ll see you later."

　And finally, I am released.

“But make sure you come back! Please! I don’t want to be alone!”

　I left the conference room and went out into the hallway, leaving Kigisu shouting so, and found Kon standing alone, having sent a signal to her phone.

　I walked straight out into the hallway as naturally as she followed me.

“What's going on?"

”Homura-san seems to be getting information from Ikuto-san about Kigisu-san as she is sorting out the information. If anything, Ninagahara and Gurobara are on a business trip.”

　What a bother.

“Where's Mashira?”

“She said, 'I'm going to make a phone call. I couldn't wait to see the end of such an interesting show’, so I think she's using it as an alibi.”

“She really is a troublesome woman.”

“I'm sure Mashira-san will be pleased to hear that."

"Umm, Komame-san. This is the men's restroom?”

“Don't worry about it.”

　The woman smiled and bumped her fist against her forehead, then I tossed her out.

After I’ve finished my business, I’ll head to the vending machine inside the hideout and buy a drink.

“I'd like a cup of sweet tea.”

　I didn't want to ask her to buy it herself, so I bought it for her and gave Mashira's drink as well.

　When I returned to the conference room, I found that all the people involved were already there.

　On the top seat was the clan master, Homura-san. Ikuto, the exclusive agent for B.E., is seated nearby. From the look of his laptop, it seems that he is going to compile a report on the circumstances of the incident.

　Also in the room is Ninagahara, one of the team leaders, also known as the "executive" of our clan.

　In the back of the conference room is a group of "awakened" members of our clan, including Mashira, Tanaka, and  Sasamiya.

　And in the center of the room, Kigisu, looked so pale and stiff that I could tell even through her mask.

　Apparently, while I was away, they all came and surrounded her like this, turning her into a stone statue.

　Kon Komame went straight to Mashira and the others. I tried to follow along with her, but my eyes met those of Kigisu, who looked like she was about to start crying, so I turned to her and offered her a glass of water and juice in both hands.

“Which one do you want?”

　Kigisu grabbed my arm.

　Then, shaking and trembling, she looked at me with eyes that seemed to be very bitter and resentful.

“No, I'm not running away. Do you want some water?"

“I'd like some juice.”

　Kigisu finally started to talk. What even is she? Is she some kind of robot that can’t talk unless you touch her?

“Hey, Haizora! You're in the way, so get out!”

　The one who yelled at me was Ninagahara.

　Feeling the same hostility as ever, I obeyed his words and headed toward the gallery, but naturally Kigisu was still attached to my arm.

“No, you stay put!"

　Ninagahara's precise correction causes Kigisu to stop, but inevitably I stop as well.

“Leave them as it is.”

　With a single word from Homura-san, Ninagahara becomes quiet.

　In the end, I am made to stand in the middle of the conference room because I have a girl who has done something wrong attached to my arm.

　I look around at the conference room and think to myself, "This is just like a trial”.

It's totally like a trial.

　The gallery in the back of the conference room is the hearing room.

　Standing in the defendant's seat, shaking and trembling, waiting to hear what the judge has to say, is Kigisu (and me, by the way).

　The judge is the clan master, Homura-san. Ikuto-san next to her is the clerk.

　What would be the role of Ninagahara, who is likely to say some boring things?

　While I was pondering the casting, Homura-san opens her mouth.

“I don't intend to talk about anything else, I don't mean to digress, but if you have an explanation, I'll hear it first. How's it going, Haizora?”

“No, don't ask me. It is this guy who is at fault."

　I pointed at Kigisu, who was still trembling from the situation, clutching at my arm.

“Then let her speak.”

　At that moment, I felt a tug on my arm. I looked over and saw that Kigisu, who was shaking from the look on her face, was trying to say something to me. 

“What is it?” 

I moved my face closer to her, and she whispered softly in my ear.

"Say, ‘There is no right for you guys to say or judge anything’... on my behalf."

"..."

Her reply is kind of unreasonable. I thought she was scared and trembling, but apparently she wasn't.

"Hey, hurry up. Say it with a bang."

"... Huh? I’m gonna say that?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"You know! I'm extremely shy!"

Kigisu's pressure sure is great as she desperately tries to appeal to me in a whisper.

"This the first time I’ve heard of it though?"

"You know because you can read my mind!"

"Don't call people espers out of nowhere."

Well, of course I did know that.

"Hey, Haizora. What are you sneaking around for?”

　Our clan master was annoyed to see us whispering to each other, ignoring her own question.

　I understood the Kigisu's point, however, there is not a single good thing to get into a fight at this point. It would be much better for Kigisu if we proceeded with the conversation in a calm manner.

“Ahhh, you see Kigisu Yuragi is a shy person so she asked me to speak for her. In exchange, she said she would let me touch her boobs later."

　The audience was buzzing, and everyone's eyes were on Kigisu.

　The person in question is banging my arm and shaking her head frantically at me. Even her ears are red.

"The defendant, Kigisu Yuragi, made an unexpected move in this absolute predicament. Using her modest body as a weapon, she deceived an innocent man and turned him into her lawyer. As her defendant, this is my personal opinion, but I feel that she has the potential to be a latent slut ma’am.”

　Ikuto-san's keyboard clatters along with my somewhat obscene way of explaining things. I mean, what kind of sentence is this guy trying to put in the secret society's report?

"So? What did that little slut say, Haizora?"

"'I'm sorry, Teehee☆', it seems."

　Boom-boom-boom!

"...... you've been shaking your head a lot since a while ago, haven't you?"

“You see, Kigisu is a returnee and in the country where she was from, shaking one's head sideways is considered a gesture of affirmation.”

　I explained this to Homura-san, and in my ear, Kigisu desperately appealed in a whisper.

"Don't just talk nonsense!"

"If you don't like it, you can talk to her about it yourself."

"I'm asking you because it's impossible!"

"I don't remember being asked. I was told I could touch your boobs later."

"I didn't say that!"

Homura-san let out a sigh when she saw Kigisu pinching my cheeks.

"Haizora, continue the explanation."

"Don't worry about it. I’ll proceed."

Homura-san opens her mouth and shows a troublesome look to me which urges me to continue.

“When we were deciding on what to do with Kigisu Yuragi, Ninagahara made an interesting suggestion......Ninagahara, do as you please with the rest.”

　With that, he pulls out his phone and plays a movie in this courtroom.

“Then I will take it from here."

　And so it was Ninagahara who came forward.

　Ninagahara walked up to us, looked me in the face, and gave me a glare.

“You're still a womanizer, Haizora.”

"Not as much as Ninagahara-san though.”

　I smile at Ninagahara, both of us are men after all.

“You really are a disgusting son of a bitch. You don't have much ability, but you have a habit of carrying Komame and Hiizumi on your back."

"Noooo, Ninagahara-san. Please don't praise me so much, I'm embarrassed."

It's my style to respond to cheap provocations with a smile.

“So? What is your point, Ninagahara-san?”

　Ninagahara clucked his tongue and glared at Kigisu clinging to my arm.

“She’s suspected of being a spy.”

“A ...... spy?”

“Of course, she’s part of 'Fuya Aomori’ after all.”

　The audience was abuzz.

"I have information that the people of 'Fuya Aomori' are exploring the internal affairs of other clans, even if it is only in a secretive way, and this girl is a member of 'Aomori Fuya’.”

　That does sound like very suspicious information.

“I heard that Kigisu quit "Aomori Fuya" a long time ago.”

“Haizora, are you an idiot? That info is just used as camouflage.”

　He does the "brain-empty bastard" gesture again, in which he points his index finger at his own temple, which is a sign of agitation.

"'Fuya Aomori' ordered Yuragi Kigisu to spy on us and had her quit the clan on paper, and then infiltrate our territory. The reason for this must have been a cover so that even if Kigisu was caught, she could escape by saying, 'She is not a member of our clan, so it has nothing to do with her.”

　Ninagahara's cronies in the audience were shouting in agreement with him.

　Meanwhile, my right hand got pulled forcefully.

“No, I'm not a spy.”

　I don't need you to tell me that.

　I ask Ninagahara, who is getting excited.

"Even if Kigisu is a spy, what are you going to do about it?”

“Naturally, I'll have Fuya Aomori settle this matter.”

“What's the bottom line?”

“Well, we could demand some "false world" cases in exchange for compensation, or we could ask the, to give us a part of their territory.”

“Would such a request be acceptable?”

“The other party is just 'Fuya Aomori' who is just a group of people with a sense of justice. If we can get him to give up their property, we'll have a good chance.”

　At Ninagahara's words, his cronies in the audience cheered again.

“You're thinking is still as shitty as ever, Ninagahara-san.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

　Ninagahara laughed at my sarcasm.

Meanwhile, Kigisu pulls my arm again.

"H-hey, wait a minute. Why are you talking like this?  Isn't this supposed to be a trial of me being judged for my violation?"

"I'm sure you're going to use it as an example. On top of that, Ninagahara said that there's something that's going to be a plus for our clan."

When Ninagahara heard about this incident, he must have made a proposal to Homura-san.

He said he could make it work.

"Is that what you mean by quarreling with 'Aomori Fuya'? Wait, isn't it strange though? The 'Awakened' rescues the victims from the 'False World' and protects the real world from the 'Fake Beasts'. Isn't that like an ally of justice fighting against evil?”

The opponent that the "Awakened" should contend with are the "Fake Beasts".

"That's not to say that not all “Awakened” think the same."

"Eh?"

“People have different reasons for being Awakened. Some people want to make money by solving false world incidents. There are also guys who are aiming for the top rankings by producing results as Awakened. To put it plainly for Kigisu who was in "Fuya Aomori," there is no one in "B.E." who is a true "awakened" with high aspirations like in "Fuya Aomori”.”

With a surprised expression on her face, Kigisu looked at the clan members in the audience.

“When I was in Aomori Fuya, everyone said that B.E. are the ones who does whatever they please and are quarrelsome with other clans, I think I finally understand the reason why. ‘B.E.' is the one clan that does whatever they want, they start fights with other clans, and yet still achieve the best results among all the clans and reigns at the top of the rankings. Isn't that hilarious?"

I suddenly saw Sasamiya-San looking down next to Tanaka. Sasamiya-san looked down and clenched her fists. It seems that Tanaka's words turned out to be correct after all. Now she should be able to move to another clan without any worries.

“In other words, my violation is being taken advantage of. I don't care why I was violating the rules. What will they do to take advantage of the fact that a former awakened of "Fuya Aomori" committed a violation in their territory?”

Hearing Kigisu’s words, I involuntarily turned my attention to her.

She was neither embarrassed nor afraid, she just stared at the scene before her with her cold eyes.

"Yeah. In this case, I think the correct way to say something to Kigisu would be 'You're in the wrong place to have fun, Ojou-chan.'"

　I made a silly joke, but Kigisu's reaction did not change.

“So do you think apologizing will help?”

"I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure they'll take advantage of the fact that I've admitted it.”

“I know, right?”

Kigisu's words are so calm that they sounded like someone else's problem. It may just be that we are looking at the current situation objectively.

I think again. After all, Kigisu is intelligent and her brain is quite fast.

……Well, I wonder what it would be like if she couldn't maintain that state unless she was firmly hugging me.

"Hey, Ruu. If we keep going like this, will that Ninagahara guy's opinion be approved?"

“If Homura-san approves, it will. The only rule of the free and unrestrained clan B.E., where everything is allowed, is that the clan master's word is absolute.”

By the way, the clan master has been watching movies on her smartphone since a while ago. She looks like she's watching a pirated movie, as far as I can hear the leaking sounds.

“That Caliburn guy is ...... not going to help us after all?”

“I'm sure he's not going to be able to help us at all. Ikuto-san is the most dishonest Caliburn agent I know of either way.”

The clownish agent who catches our gaze and waves at us with a smiling face.

“Do you think she the Clan Master will approve of us if we kept it up?”

“She doesn't seem to have any other pleasant ideas. If we keep it up, she'll say, 'Do as you please.'"

Kigisu twitched.

"...In other words, in this place, if we beat that Ninagahara, if we come up with a more useful idea than his, would it turn the whole story upside down?"

"Yes."

"Well then, I'm sure Ruu can do something about it."

Kigisu made a strange assertion.

"Huh? Will I do it?"

"I can't say anything right now. I'm overwhelmingly lacking in information, and above all... I can't speak in front of this many people."

"I guess so."

"But Ruu is different, isn't he? He's a member of 'B.E.' and has the necessary information, and he also knows about the capture target Homura.”

"Don't talk to me as if we’re scamming them."

"And above all, you can read other people's thoughts."

"..."

"If you use those things to your advantage, you could easily turn this situation around, don't you think?"

Kigisu looked at my complexion with a curious expression.

"......Well, if you ask me if it can be done or not, it can be done.”

　The emotions that can be read from Kigisu that were heard from my answer are:

　Expectation, longing.

　Because I had stolen a glimpse of those emotions, I could easily predict the next words that would come out of Kigisu's mouth.

“Make a deal with me."

　I could not understand the meaning of what She just said because the words I had in my mind and the words I heard from my ears were different.

　I couldn't help but listen back to the words that were out of sync with my expectations.

"...... what?　Excuse me?"

“So, make a deal with me. And turn this situation upside down for me."