Lie:verse Liars:Chapter 12

"We need to kick out the fake beasts that are messing with us and make sure that the other clans know that we, B.E. Butterfly Effect, are the strongest clan among the clans that are protecting this world! Especially the pompous "Aomori Fuya"!"

Without any regard for us, Ninagahara and Gurobara shouted at the audience, and Ninagahara's cronies shouted their approval in sync with them.

　Amidst the noise echoing in the conference room, I was staring at Kigisu Yuragi, who was still attached to my arm.

The emotions I see in Kigisu right now are mainly distress, resignation, and craving, a combination that is relatively common in my experience. She is in a situation that she can't handle by herself and wants others to help her.

　That is why I guessed that the words coming out of this girl's mouth were "Please help me."

　--But the words that came out of Kigisu's mouth were, "Let's make a deal."

"What do you mean by making...... a deal?"

"I hate this situation so much and want to do something about it, but I can't do it myself, so I'm offering a deal with Ruu who can do it."

Kigisu says to me with straight eyes and an imposing attitude.

Well, she's still stuck to my arm like glue, I thought, but I put that aside for once.

"Why are you making a deal with me all of a sudden? Isn't there more to ...... the deal than just-?"

　As I said that, I realized I was upset.

　It was just a blatant inducement. I wanted to hear the word "help" from Kigisu's mouth in order to go back to my senses.

　But Kigisu just raised her eyebrows and tilted her head.

"Hm? Is there something wrong with making a deal with me?"

"I don't think there's anything wrong with it. There are things that can change the current situation with just one word...."

"There's no such thing as a magic word."

I thought that you, who wanted to use "magic" in the "False World", would not say that, but I immediately changed my mind.

　......No, no, that's not it. Is that why?

As Ninagahara's voice resounded and his entourage applauded in response, I asked Kigisu again.

"I'll ask you again. So Kigisu doesn't like this situation and she wants to do something about it."

"So I'm asking you to make a deal with me. What were you talking about since a while ago?"

Does she intentionally not want to do it herself?　No, that's. Yeah, that isn't it at all.

　This girl doesn't have it in her senses. She knows how to voice her own thoughts and to give actions to others, but she doesn't understand the situation and circumstances in which it applies to her.

　You don't know when to say it. You don't believe it will change anything. You don't see any possibility that it will change the situation for the better any more than you would act on it.

　That is why voicing your own opinion is not an option.

　I understand that feeling.

　--Because it's the same for me.

"Isn't it normal to ask for help right about now?"

　That's why I said that to Kigisu. I wanted to know what kind of reaction she would have, as she had the same feeling as I did.

　Hearing my words, Kigisu snickered.

"Ruu, are you serious about that? Telling someone to 'help' you won't save you, either."

I know because I've experienced it myself. Kigisu is saying that seriously without any doubt from the bottom of her heart.

"So you are going to make a move and form a plan to fix this situation?"

"Because if you don't, nothing will change."

　I had no intention of saying anything more to her when she said that.

"B.E. is the best clan! To prove it, we will complete more false world incident events than any other clan, score more points, and dominate the top rankings!"

　As Ninagahara's speech echoed through the room, I asked Yuragi,

"What's the price you'll pay for my help?"

"I'll do anything."

"Anything?"

"Anything I can do in the future. I'm proud that I can do a lot of things in spite of my appearance. I'll even do bad things. I can handle money, too. I'll do whatever I can do...... Oh, but you have to take into account that I'm extremely shy."

"You've got to be open about your shortcomings, too."

"I'm a businesswoman, and I don't lie to people with whom I formed a 'treaty of equals' with."

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out that Kigisu is aware of the special nature of the "Treaty of Equality" that I mentioned to her when we first met.

"Anything, right?"

"So that...... thing Ruu was talking about earlier, nevermind, it's nothing......."

"Earlier?"

"Well, so... if Ruu wants to touch my breasts that much, then..."

　Kigisu's ears reddened as she fidgeted.

"No, I don't want that kind of thing."

　When I turn my palm and declare a clear "NO" in front of her, Kigisu starts to make a noise in a whisper.

"What? What do you mean by that?! Are you saying you don't like mine? It's true that it's a little small but!"

"I'm not saying that, I'm saying that I don't have the taste to lay a hand on a woman's body. And, whether you are joking or not, don't try to sell yourself for cheap."

Kigisu was startled by my changed tone of voice.

"Um... are you angry?"

"I don't feel good about doing something like that to you. I just thought that I didn't want you to say such a thing lightly, at least not to someone with whom you have signed a 'treaty of equality' with."

"It's not that I'm fine with...... just anyone, it's just that I thought......I'm okay with Ruu doing it......."

　I hear her say that in such a small voice, but I turn away and pretend I didn't hear it.

"Well, now that I know that Kigisu is prepared to do it, I'll take you up on that deal."

"Really?"

"I'll turn this situation upside down. Just don't complain about anything I do after this."

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"If you're prepared to give up your body once, then there's nothing to be afraid of, right? As long as you believe in me and watch over me until the end, that's fine."

"If you want me to believe you, then don't lie to me as you did before."

"I can't guarantee that, because it's kind of in my nature. But I'll tell you this much. I may talk out of my mouth, but I will never you betray Kigisu."

Kigisu casts her eyes down at those words.

"......that sounds a bit too good to be true."

　I glanced at her for a while. I could feel the shifting feelings of doubt that I constantly feel from Kigisu.

　So I grinned at her as I reached for the right side of her neck again.

"Don't worry, at least I'll make a proper declaration to you before I do that."

Kigisu, who looked up at me with a blank expression, immediately began to giggle happily.

"That's the first time anyone's ever said that to me, huh?"

"It's the first time I've been told that too."

"Hmm, what you said just now seems like a lie."

"Well, what do you think?"

　I lightly tap Kigisu's hand that holds my arm. Kigisu, who understood my intention, fearfully released her hand from my arm, and soon her movements started to become jerky due to nervousness.

　Her eyes told me that she believed in me.

　I believe in you, she said.

"You can say you believe in me with your mouth you know."

　I complained in a whisper, and Kigisu turned away in embarrassment.

　I moved away from Kigisu and went forward in front of Ninagahara, who was making an impassioned speech about his plan to pick a fight with "Fuya Aomori" to his friends in the audience.

"What is Haizora? Do you have any complaints?"

At the same time as Ninagahara, the audience yelled, "You coward!", "Hypocrite!", and "Womanizer!"

"The plan of using this incident to start a fight with 'Aomori Fuya'. That's a good idea, Ninagahara-san. To be honest, I'm kind of impressed."

　My unexpected reaction surprised the people in the audience, who knew of my relationship with Ninagahara, with whom I had fought many times.

　The same was true of Ninagahara, who immediately expressed his suspicion.

"......What the hell are you up to?"

　Considering what had happened between us, it was only natural that Ninagahara would brace himself.

"You're so skeptical, Ninagahara-san. Like always, you say you won't oppose me, even if it's a stern accusation This time I support you 100%. Let's get on with it. It's just that......."

"Just what?"

"your reasoning...... seems a little too weak to me."

"What do you mean by that?"

"This plan is to turn Kigisu into a spy and deprive 'Aomori Fuya' of their profits. In other words, it is an act of 'blackmail' so to speak."

"Are you saying that's wrong?"

"I'm not saying that. I'm saying that the story is too weak to be used as blackmail. Because this is just an accusation. When we "B.E." protested against "Fuya Aomori," if they rejected our protest, that will be the end of it. As a result, our clan cannot make any profit. In fact, we will be looked at even more coldly by other clans than before. Is that really what Ninagaibara-san would want?"

　Ninagahara's gaze unconsciously turns toward Homura-san, who is still watching a movie on her phone.

　In this case, there is no doubt that Ninagahara promised to benefit the clan and suggested that Homura-san should leave it to him. That is why, for Ninagahara, it is an absolute requirement that the proposal must succeed.

"If it as you say......, what would you want me to do?"

"B.E. will not use this one incident to directly protest against 'Aomori Fuya'."

"What? I thought you were going to criticize my work like you always do......"

"We, B.E., will not do anything. It's Kigisu Yuragi that does something about it."

"......what?"

"We're going to use Kigisu to cry out to Aomori Fuya for help."

I continued while Ninagahara gasped.

"'Fuya Aomori' will not necessarily give in to the one-sided accusations from 'B.E.'. But they would definitely give up their own interests in order to save former clan members who came to them for help. Don't you think so?"

I nodded in silent affirmation to Ninagahara.

"It's just as Ninagahara-san said. 'Aomori Fuya' is a hero of justice. Even if they don't succumb to evil, the clan can't abandon people in trouble. you know?"

　The whole conference room was filled with silence, and Ninagahara opened his mouth in trepidation.

"What exactly are you going to do about it?"

"Kigisu will be made to pay a heavy fine as a penalty for this offense."

"A heavy fine? By how much?"

　I held up a finger to Ninagahara.

"A million? What are you talking about, Haizora? That's the same amount of money you can make as an Awakened......"

"Ten million."

"......what did you say?"

"I said 10 million, not 1 million."

　Ninagahara's eyes widened.

"Hah? What the hell are you even talking about? That's not an amount a mere student could pay......"

"No, no, no, Ninagahara-san. What's with your reaction? That's what you're trying to do, isn't it? No matter how much a "Awakened's" fee may be, it's not an amount of money that we students can afford. That's why it's fine. We'll set a huge penalty, and also a deadline, and put Kigisu in a tight corner."

"......What if they can't pay by the deadline?"

"Why don't you just make Kigisu sell her body then?"

　This elicited a scream from the audience.

"What the fuck are you talking about......?"

"What are you surprised at, Ninagahara-san? Why are you so scared? Aren't you the same person who wants to blackmail the heroes of justice, Fuya Aomori, by framing a single high school girl? And you don't have to go through the trouble of making her work in a illegal store or deal with some old man with money, there are many more affordable ways to deal with this."

　I then turn my attention to Ninagahara and the audience.

"Ninagahara-san plus four of your friends over there. How about we fund you in exchange for having fun with Kigisu every day?"

　The unexpected firestorm caused all of Ninagahara's friends, who had just been shouting in the background, to start panicking at once.

"W-wait, why would we...... do that?"

"Well, it's just because! This whole affair was orchestrated by Ninagahara-san and his friends, wasn't it? In order to keep up appearances, it is necessary to make Kigisu pay a fine to B.E. until she sells the fight to Fuya Aomori. However, as a solo "awakened," Kigisu is unable to get involved in the "false world" cases and has no way to earn money. Then, Ninagahara-san and the others have no choice but to do something about it."

"That doesn't mean......"

"It's not that hard, is it? The team SNAKE, led by Ninagahara-san, is an elite team that is just one step away from the top of the rankings. The only thing that would make it any easier is if there were more "false world" incidents. And, above all, Ninagahara-san and his cronies in the audience seem to think it's not a bad idea if they can get Kigisu to play with them."

　At such a random remark, Ninagahara and the others' gazes unconsciously look in that direction.

　There is Kigisu, whose face has been turning blue and clattering since a few minutes ago.

From their point of view, she's just a girl who's trembling at the risk of her own life.

But from my point of view, she is a girl who believes in me and stands tall (but only because she has a shy constitution and when she is left alone, she can only be seen to having as a very disappointing figure).

"Look, Ninagahara-san and the others all have greedy expressions on their faces."

"Wha-who has that kind of expression! Haizora you! Stop fooling around alrea-..."

"Huh? You want to have fun, but it's a waste to pay money? Then what is it? After doing something shady, do you want to make another profit by selling the videos you shot? Now that's what I'm talking about, Ninagahara-san! I never would have thought of something that egregious."

"Listen to what I say, no one would actually do that..."

In this situation, out of nowhere, whispers can be heard from the women in the audience.

"Do they have no shame, Ninagahara-san and the others?"

"You're right, I'm really disgusted. Would you go to such lengths just because you want to be more active?"

　Incidentally, the two people whispering were Kon and Mashira.

"I guess Ninagahara-san is the type of guy who likes to play naughty tricks on younger girls who seem submissive because of his irritation?"

"Well, his cronies have the same look on their faces, too."

　The exquisite whispering heard between Mashira and Kon caused Ninagahara to panic.

"Don't talk nonsense! That's wrong! My type is older women!"

"Th-that's right, we are different!" "That's a false accusation!" "We are innocent!"

　The women's accusations caused Ninagahara and his cronies in the audience to look flustered. They all raise their voices in desperation, but the women's gazes remain cold.

"In other words, Haizora! You're also making leaps out of our plan..."

Ninagahara, who shouted to that extent, noticed something and looked at you and went "hah".

Ahead of his gaze was Homura-san, looking at us with her smartphone in hand. The expression on her face is quite grim.

"No, he's lying, Makagami-san! It's all a false accusation by Haizora! I have no intention of doing such a terrible thing to a girl......"

"What are you going to do with such determination? Aren't we about to give Fuya Aomori a good beating, so you'd better get yourself together."

　Ninagahara snapped at me for smiling like that.

"If that's the case, Haizora! Are you saying you can do it? Huh? There's no way you can do it by yourself..."

"Of course, I can."

　I answered immediately.

"What do you mean......?"

"If I can do it, then I will do it."

　I answered with a straight face. I pulled back my fake smile and stared into Ninagahara's eyes.

"...... Haizora, you're doing all of this because ...... that woman over there is ...... someone you know?"

"That's right."

"That's ...... such a thing ...... you're cooperating with her."

"It doesn’t matter if we know each other or not. I can and will still do it."

　I smile coldly as I place my hand on my right neck and look straight at Ninagahara.

　The emotions I see in his face are confusion, agitation, and conviction.

　This means that Ninagaihara is completely taken in by the situation and believes that my words are sincere.

　That's why I'm going to go all out here.

“On the other hand, can you not do it, Ninagahara-san?”

"T-That's..."

"If you say you can't do it, then I can do it for you. What do you say?"

　Ninagahara almost opened his mouth. But no words came out of it.

　Instead, the words leapt from somewhere else.

"Ninagahara, can you really do it?"

　The voice startled Ninagahara. Because the owner of the voice was Homura-san.

"No,.....I'm ......that......"

"Haizora, you can do it, right?"

"Of course."

"Really?"

"The first thing to do is to make an example to all of the "Awakened" by penalizing those who are stupid enough to trespass into our territory. The second order is to "make good use of this plan to benefit our clan," right? Of course, I can accomplish this plan, and I will do it if I am ordered to. I'll make sure to get good results."

"Then it's settled."

Homura said so.

"W-Wait a minute, Makagami-san!"

"Then, Ninagahara. Do you want to do it instead?"

Ninagahara gulps.

Seeing Homura-san, seeing Kigisu who was trembling and about to cry at any moment, feeling the cold stares from the audience, and seeing his companions averting their eyes from him, Ninagahara lowered his head.

"I...I can't.."

"Then I leave this matter entirely in the hands of Haizora."

The clan master Homura Makagami's decision is made.

The only rule of "B.E." is that the clan master's orders are absolute.

　However, it is not easy to accept.

"I'll do it, but I need a favor instead."

"A favor?"

"I'll take a portion of the profit my clan will get from this. That's it. It's called a commission for our work. We're doing a job that we didn't have to do in the first place, to cover for Ninagahara-san, you won't ask us to do it for free, will you?"

"Well, that's about right."

"Then it's settled, isn't it? I'll take care of it this time."

　Then, with a cough, I immediately opened my mouth.

"So, can I get a couple of things cleared right away?"

"What is it?"

"For now, the fine for Kigisu, 10 million is unrealistic, so let's make it 1 million."

"What? What do you mean just 1 million, you bastard! What you said before is different!"

Naturally, it was Ninagahara who bit the bullet.

"No, not at all, please think about it normally. It is indeed too much to go that far. If she commits suicide because of the debt, it would be a complete disaster and we wouldn't be able to count on it. It's like putting the cart before the horse, and you can't even look at it. In a certain situation, as expected, Caliburn can't keep silent about it.... Is that right, Ikuto-san?"

Ikuto-san, who was suddenly called out by name, straightened his back and cleared his throat.

"Certainly, even I can't overlook a situation where that happens."

"Of course, the reduction in price is a private matter, and the penalties circulated outside will remain as they are. 'B.E.' made a high school girl who violated the rules in their territory bear a debt that she can't pay. What's more, If you can't pay by the due date, then she's going to have to pay you with her body. This is going to be widely spread as a rumor. Caliburn is also going to get a similar report, right Ikuto-san?"

　The clownish agent smirked.

"Caliburn would also like to eliminate the practice of "Awakened" entering the "False World" without applying for entry. From the viewpoint of controlling and preventing the recurrence, there is no reason for me to refuse. However, if there is a problem, I will also have to report the fact that it is Haizora-kun who is in charge of this case, right?"

"It happens all the time, and that would be more credible, wouldn't it?"

"Sure."

"But if you really want the credit, I can give this honor to Ninagahara-san."

"Don't drag me into this!"

　Hearing this, Homura-san smirked.

"I'm sure that will be enough to make an example out of him."

"If Kigisu can't pay the fine on time, I'll induce her to cry to 'Fuya Aomori'."

　Then, Homura-san looked at me.

"If Kigisu can pay the fine, then she won't have to cry to Fuya Aomori."

　Ninagahara then bursts out laughing, as I smile in front of him.

"Well, if by any chance that happens, it can't be helped. However, the order is to benefit our clan, not to pick a fight with Fuya Aomori, so there will be no problem. It's not the purpose of fighting, so there shouldn't be a problem."

"I haven't asked you yet. When is the penalty due?"

"I've been so busy lately that I don't have time to deal with this matter, so please put it off for two months."

"So? How much is the share that Haizora is demanding for this case?"

"I will get 50% of the fine paid by Kigisu. I have to get that much for doing all this dirty work for the clan in my own name, don't I?"

　Hearing this, Homura-san smirked.

"If Haizora secretly gave his share of funds to Yuragi without my knowledge, Yuragi's debt would be half more. If the clan's "Awakened" plays her cards right and handles more "False World" cases, she can make a lot of money in a month, right? Well, if you think about it, that's a fair penalty for violating the rules this time."

　This is where Ninagahara started to make a fuss.

"Wait, Makagami-san! You're going to allow such selfishness from Haizora?!"

"What I did was hypothetical. We will never know if Haizora did it."

"Then I'll keep a tight watch on......"

"Ninagahara."

　The lowered tone of Homura-san's voice instantly caused Ninagahara to completely shut his mouth.

"I've gotten to the good part of the movie. So don't mess with me."

　Homura-san's glare caused beads of sweat to form on Ninagahara's forehead.

"I-I'm very sorry."

　Ninagahara became completely silent as if he was afraid to even breathe.

　Homura-san summed the situation up in the following words.

"As I said before, I will leave this matter entirely in the hands of Haizora. There is no problem with the current arrangement. However, Yuragi will be a member of our clan until the penalty is paid, and Haizora, as a member of Team Ash, will be responsible for collecting the money. If Yuragi disappears without paying the penalty, Haizora will be asked to pay for the loss."

"What do you mean by "pay"?"

"I'll ask you to really pay 10 million. Of course, you won't say you can't do it, will you, Haizora?"

　I shrugged my shoulders at Homura-san, who grinned at me.

"That's a fair price to pay. Understood."

"That's right. Is there anyone who still has a problem with this?"

　Homura-san looked around the meeting room, but there was no one who disagreed with her decision.

"Then the meeting is over. I'm busy because I need to watch the rest of the movie, so I'm leaving."

　Homura-san then left the conference room with Ikuto, and then Ninagahara and his cronies glared at us as they hurriedly left.

　As I watched them leave, I heard applause. I looked over and saw Tanaka and his friends clapping. I gave them a peace sign with a smug look, as they smiled and left the conference room. My eyes met those of Sasamiya, but she turned away and followed Tanaka.

　I looked over at Kigisu and stared at her profile, and the emotions I saw were confusion, conflict, and excitement.

"You were amazing Ruu-kun."

And just like that, Kon and Mashira, who remained until the end, approached us.

"You're amazing, Ruu-kun."

"Your whispering had good timing. Honestly, I was saved."

When I thanked her, Kon smiled.

"I just said what I was thinking at that time."

"Even so, Ruusuke. This time you had a very interesting story, but why did you talk about making her sell her body by shouldering debts?"

　I held up my phone, which I had taken out of my pocket, to Mashira's question.

"The movie that Homura-san had just selected to watch from a pay-per-view movie streaming service was a movie about black market money. I just thought she must be in that kind of mood right now."

　Mashira answered, laughing happily, "I see, I didn't notice that one."

"You don't miss the mood of the other party at the time. That kind of shrewdness is also a rare quality of yours."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"But now Ruu-kun has earned another grudge against Ninagahara-san, hasn't he?"

"That's the way it always is."

　After exchanging a few words with them, I turned my attention back to Kigisu, who had been standing there for a while.

"So, I'm going to take care of her for a while."

"There is no reason for me to oppose what Ruu-kun wants to do."

"Do what you want. It's none of my business."

　I stand in front of the frozen Kigisu.

"Kigisu, it's a deal. You're responsible for paying back the debt."

　Kigisu's hand grabs my arm.

"That's good, but......is this really a deal? I don't think Ruu is getting anything out of this."

As soon as she reattached to my arm like that, Kigisu began to speak more softly and clearly. Yeah, I wonder if she's sometimes more like a weird kind of toy or something?

"Really?"

"That's because it's more of a hassle for you, and if I run away, you'll be ten million in debt. That's a lot of extra work."

"But you won't run away, will you?"

"Of course, I'm not running away, but......"

"Then what's your problem?"

"I don't have a problem with it, but I was wondering why ...... Ruu did it."

　I ask Kigisu, whose confusion and bewilderment are evident.

"Kigisu, what kind of relationship do you think you and I have?"

"We have a treaty of equality."

"I didn't want to see my partner involved in trouble. In other words, I didn't like it, so I lent a hand. That's all."

Kigisu freezes on the spot, startled.

"Could it be that...... you were going to do something about it and help me even if I didn't offer to make a deal with you?"

"Well, I doubt it."

　After hearing my response, Kigisu grinned so much that I could tell even through her mask of how estatic she was.

"Oh, so that was a lie too."

　Damn. I hate kids with good intuition.

"By the way, Ruu-kun. What're the terms of the deal then?"

　The smile on Kon's face made me cringe.

"Ah, erm. In exchange for doing something about the situation just now, I promised 'I will do anything for Ruu'."

"Hey, Kigisu-kun, you should shut up a little!" (TL note: They start calling Yuragi Kigisu as Kigisu-kun here)

　Such a delicate matter needs to be explained in order.

"Wow, you were offered such an interesting deal, Ruu-kun."

"I thought you were a prick, but I didn't realize you had gone that far."

　I was flustered by such a cold reaction from my team members.

"No! I didn't say that at all!"

"That's right, I brought it up....isn't it better for me to say that?"

"Kigisu-kun. You may think you're doing the right thing, by saying you'll do anything for this prick, but if you say it as you mean it, at this time, your words will be misunderstood!"

"Ruu-kun is really good at setting up girls, isn't he?"

"He's so good at doing it that all I can do is laugh."

　As the saying goes, "karma and retribution," I, who had just driven Ninagahara and the others into a corner, was now experiencing the very same state of mind.

　A boy surrounded by girls is helpless.

　And so, for some unknown reason, I was reunited with a girl I had once met who had just become a part of our group, and I was to take care of her with my team.

　　　　　　　　　　　　'　　　　　　　　　　　　End of Episode 3