Kämpfer:Volume 11 Chapter 3

Volume 11, Chapter 3  

    Just now, the president and the others...  

    [It hurts, it hurts!]  

    Mikoto Kondou groaned in pain.  

    She rubbed her leg. Even though she'd just rested, she still needed to rub it. Her left calf

was tied with a blood -soaked bandage, seemingly tied by Shizuku Sangou. Sure enough, the

pain still lingered.  

    [Ah, this is terrible!]  

    Mikoto Kondou complained uncontrollably.  

    [I can't even dodge a falling rock like that. I guess I'm really getting old. I dodged it so

gracefully in the underground labyrinth of Sillia.]  

    [You're only a first -year high school student, so stop saying old all the time!]  

    Accepting Shizuku Sangou's rant, Mikoto Kondou checked her leg again.  

    [I don't know how to treat this injury, but if I were a doctor, I'd advise you to stay still.]  

    [How can this be?] Did becoming a Kämpfer really enhance my physical abilities? How

could I be so seriously injured?  

    [This is good enough!]  

    Shizuku Sangou said, gazing at the ruins before her.  

    The falling concrete struck Mikoto as if it had eyes. She narrowly avoided the danger, but

her left foot was still injured. If it had been an ordinary person, it would have been more

than just a scratch.  

    [Natsuru didn't notice, did he?]  

    [Probably not.]  

    [That's good.]  

    [No need to pretend nothing's wrong.]  

    [I don't want to burden Natsuru any more.]  

    Shizuku Sangou glanced at Mikoto and said,  

    [Isn't it a blessing to have the boy you like worry about you?]  

    [If Natsuru and I were really dating, I might do that, but for now, we're just good friends.]  

    [I'm a little envious of that kind of strength.]  

    [It's really nice to have the president say that.]  

    Then Mikoto Kondou suddenly stood up and called out,  

    [It's okay.], but it was clear she was enduring the pain.  

    [If the ligaments were torn, it wouldn't be a good thing.]  

    Shizuku Sangou frowned and said,  

    [It's okay. I'm still a Kämpfer after all.]  

    Mikoto Kondou looked to the side and complained again:  

    "Natsuru and Akane -chan should be gone."  

    "There seems to be no sound over there."  

    "Can they come to our side?"  

    "It seems not yet." Shizuku Sangou  

    supported Mikoto Kondou while observing the surroundings. This room looked like it

hadn't been used in a long time. Although there were many research instruments around,

there was nothing inside.  

    "Can you see the exit?"  

    Mikoto Kondou asked.  

    "Yes, I do, but I'm not sure if we can reunite with Natsuru and the others."  

    "Let's try."  

    Having the all -powerful student council president by your side was certainly reassuring,

but two people wouldn't be as good as four. The white Kämpfers have also arrived.  

    "Indeed, our splitting up here is exactly what the enemy wants." "  

    Let's go."  

    "Walk?"  

    "It's okay."  

    Shizuku Sangou smiled at her and silently offered her shoulder.  

    "Please hold on to me."  

    "It's okay."  

    "Lying to me won't work."  

    If it's a short walk, it might be fine, but no one knows what's going to happen next. So, I

guess I can only listen to her. Mikoto Kondou thought. She  

    leaned against the taller girl, and she said,  

    "Thank you."  

    "Thank you for last."  

    "When will this end? Why are we fighting?" Shizuku Sangou, supporting Mikoto Kondou,

thought as they walked, gazing at the massive wall behind them.  

    "There seems to be a way out there."  

    After removing the door's hinges, Mikoto Kondou whispered,  

    "Are the enemies out there?"  

    "I'll just have to pray they're gone."  

    Shizuku Sangou opened the door halfway and kicked it. It cracked in two like tofu hitting

the wall.  

    "That Natsuru must have heard it, right?"  

    "Who knows?"  

    Shizuku Sangou said, then cautiously poked her head out to look around. Mikoto Kondou,

who was standing next to her, did the same.  

    No one was around, and the passage to the right was dim. Without the emergency lights, I

wouldn't be able to see anything.  

    "There's actually a light here!" ]  

    [There seems to be a power generation facility.]  

    [Is there someone living here?]  

    [They must have turned on the power when we invaded here, those White Kämpfer guys.]  

    A very easy explanation, Shizuku Sangou's reasoning was as simple and clear as ever.  

    Mikoto Kondou and Shizuku Sangou walked together, and because Shizuku Sangou was

holding her, they walked very slowly.  

    [Sorry to bother you.]  

    [Don't thank me, it's the student council president's job to take care of students in need.]  

    [Yeah, Shizuku Sangou is so handsome. I'm in love with you.]  

    [That's fine.]  

    This road is sometimes winding and sometimes very straight. Mikoto Kondou should be

thankful that her injury hasn't gotten worse.  

    Shizuku Sangou's face didn't show any sign of fatigue. The Kämpfers were indeed very

strong.  

    Her skirt was torn, revealing the bandages that would grow above her knees for Mikoto

Kondou's wraps. No one would see her in this dim underground, so there was no need to be

shy. Shizuku Sangou thought so.  

    [If the bandages are loose, just say something.] 】

    【It's okay... Shizuku Sangou did a great job with the first aid. 】

    When it comes to survival skills, Mikoto Kondou is the better one.  

    She's really good, even better than me.  

    It's just an emergency measure. I think it's a bit bad for you to continue like that.  

    It would be nice if you could disinfect it.  

    If I had alcohol cotton, I'd do it.  

    It's amazing, Shizuku Sangou and I actually thought the same thing!  

    I'm surprised by your sudden jumpiness.  

    Because I sensed it.  

    After she said that, Mikoto Kondou's face flushed red. It seemed like she was really acting

strange.  

    Shizuku Sangou, however, remained very calm.  

    Even if you keep touching me like that, I'm not interested in that.  

    I'm not interested either, but Shizuku Sangou sometimes reveals her true self.  

    Just say what you want to say. Don't beat around the bush. Shizuku Sangou replied with a

tone that seemed both understanding and unclear. As expected, the atmosphere around

them became very subtle.  

    Shizuku Sangou is very popular among the girls.  

    It seems so.  

    Ugh, she said it herself. There's nothing to be modest about .  

    Actually, I received a whole roomful of gifts from the girls at Seitetsu. Why are you asking

that?  

    Because... You're so gentle to me. She finally said it.  

    Do you want me to be a little cold to you?  

    No, no. I think the current Shizuku Sangou is the real you.  

    I'll be a little gentler from now on. I'm  

    a little happy~.  

    Mikoto, stop beating around the bush and just say what you want to say. That's how you

really are.  

    Would you say the same thing to Natsuru?  

    Yes, I definitely would.  

    As they walked deeper into the room, the lights began to dim.  

    It was a very dark and spacious place, with piles of scrap steel stacked up beside the road.  

    Let's take a break here. Shizuku Sangou helped Mikoto Kondou to a corner and slowly sat

her down.  

    It's better to keep your feet on the ground than in the air, right?  

    Yes.

    Mikoto Kondou sighed slightly.  

    I have a feeling that if I were a man, I'd really fall in love with the president.  

    No need for sweet talk. No  

    , I think the president is beautiful, smart, and very gentle. A perfect woman.  

    But Natsuru isn't into me.  

    That's true. She sighed deeply.  

    It was incredible to Mikoto that someone she had always disliked could actually have such

a side to him. It was the first time she realized there were such perfect women in this world.  

    He wasn't just slow, he was just thick -skinned.  

    You could say that.  

    But Shizuku Sangou, you didn't give up.  

    Of course. Her forceful response revealed Shizuku Sangou's unwavering resolve.  

    Giving in wouldn't be like me.  

    Has the situation improved?  

    No, it's still the same as before. I've tried to approach Natsuru time and time again, but

he's always rejected me.  

    It would be great if I could succeed.  

    Of course, if I could succeed, what's wrong with you?  

    Shizuku Sangou looked at Mikoto with a puzzled look.  

    "Mikoto seems too soft when it comes to Natsuru."  

    "Yeah, a little." Mikoto replied softly, though her voice didn't betray any pain.  

    "I've actually been thinking about what Natsuru means to me, and how he's the most

important person in my life."  

    "Aren't you childhood friends?"  

    "But that doesn't mean she's my girlfriend."  

    After a moment's silence, Mikoto spoke  

    . "Actually, I like Natsuru too."  

    "I know."  

    "So that's it. It's not just a romantic liking, but also a friendship. I kept thinking about

Natsuru while treasure hunting overseas. I wasn't imagining Natsuru and I getting married

and starting a family, but rather him going on adventures with me."  

    Mikoto unpacked her thoughts, word for word.  

    "I guess I want an adventure partner, someone to travel the world with me. When we were

little, he and I would always build boats out of foam plastic, chasing prawns and getting lost

in the mountains. We were really close friends back then." "     I really  do like him, so I've

thought about that erotic thing with Natsuru, but I think just being friends with him is good

enough."     Shizuku Sangou was stunned, finding it unbelievable that she'd say such things.

But after a moment, she spoke:  

    "     Is that all that's enough?"     "Yes, I've talked to Natsuru about this, and he's agreed to

stay friends with me."     She seemed to have changed a lot. She must have been in turmoil

just now, but she must have calmed down now. She probably also real ized that being

manipulated by Sakura Kaede like she was just now would only hinder everyone's progress.

It     wasn't Mikoto who sighed softly, but Shizuku Sangou:     "Is a carefree life all by yourself

the life Mikoto fantasized about?"     "It's no t that great."     "Your strength really makes me

feel ashamed. Compared to you, I'm like a child."     "No, no, Shizuku Sangou is more like an

adult." Mikoto smiled her most sincere smile yet.     Shizuku Sangou also relaxed a

little.     [I've thought ab out it too, maybe one day he'll give me a card.]     [Wouldn't it be nice

to just be friends?]     [Friends? Does Natsuru really think so?]  

    Aren't the relationships between companions just like friends?  

    Mikoto Kondou paused and said,  

    "Like me and Shizuku Sangou."  

    Yes.

    Shizuku Sangou replied softly.  

    They're both good companions and friends, aren't they?  

    Right.  

    Actually, I'd like to take an aggressive approach against the Natsuru, just like Shizuku

Sangou does.  

    That's all I know.  

    Mikoto Kondou still couldn't understand Shizuku Sangou's feelings.  

    She didn't even think there was anything wrong with pursuing someone, but I've always

been afraid of doing it.  

    It's simple. Just follow your own ideas.  

    She sounded as if buying candy for a picnic was a matter of course.  

    Mikoto Kondou shook her head and said,  

    "It's not something you normally do. You're so active even in something sexy.  

    Do you want to do it?  

    Honestly, a little bit.  

    Just follow your own ideas, for example.  

    Eh? Shizuku Sangou  

    whispered something into Mikoto Kondou's ear, causing her face to turn red.  

    [Have you ever done something like this before?] [Yes.]     [I did it alone, I  

    guess .]     [It's something you can't show in public, I guess.]     [How bold.]     [Regardless of

whether it's bold or not, I've never done it in front of others.]     [I suddenly don't want to do

those things anymore. I feel like I've lost.] Shizuku San gou's words seemed to have dealt a

heavy blow to Mikoto Kondou.     Shizuku Sangou smiled bitterly and said,     [Does that mean

I won? It feels weird.]     [If I tell Akane -chan about this, she'll be shocked.]     [No, it's

embarrassing.] But the stud ent council president didn't show any shyness at all. Even though

it was just the two of them, it took a lot of courage to say something like that. [As expected

of Shizuku Sangou.] Mikoto Kondou felt a strange sense of admiration.     [Wow, that's

amazing. ] Mikoto Kondou covered her face with both hands. If she didn't, Shizuku Sangou

would probably see her in such an awkward state.     She felt like she couldn't beat Shizuku

Sangou anymore. She didn't want to lose, but there were things Shizuku Sangou was r eally

better at.     She stopped talking, it was really embarrassing. She thought,     "Should I give it a

try?" She     didn't know if it was a good idea, but it would satisfy her desire. She     said,

"Wow, I'll do my best."     Mikoto Kondou made a stra nge decision, patting her face to cheer

herself up.     "Okay, I feel like I'm feeling more energetic." She looked towards Shizuku

Sangou and said, "     Let's go! If we don't hurry, we might not be able to meet up with

Natsuru and the others."     However  ,     the black -haired woman looked away from Mikoto

Kondou.     She agreed to meet up with them, but something's happened. Can you run away

on foot?     "Eh? No, my feet still hurt." "     Really? Then let me protect you." 】     Shizuku

Sangou said as she drew her weapon.     【Please come out. 】     Two shadows then

appeared. One had a very healthy -looking girl with hair that looked like it was painted green.

The other was a girl who wore a poker face no matter who she was talking to.     The former

was Minagawa Hitomi and the other was Nakao Say aka, both from the White Kämpfer

faction. Sayaka held a sword while Hitomi waved and said:     【Good evening, President

】     After Hitomi finished her greeting, Sayaka immediately went into battle without a

word.     Shizuku Sangou stood in front of Mikoto and said:     【Are you two the only ones

here? What's going on?"     【If there's nothing, can't I come to you?" Hitomi said.     【

Because we're splitting up, it's just the two of us. 】 【In     that case, did anyone of you go to

find Natsuru and the others?"     Shizuku Sangou held her short sword across her face,

observing the two's movements without letting up.     【I really want to say you're worthy of

being the president, but I can't tell you anything. 】     【So what do you want to do to

us?"     Don't worry, I won't kill you.     Does that mean you're letting us go? Sakura Kaede     -

sama ordered you to be taken there, saying something about rekindling our old

friendship.     I'll go if I want to, without anyo ne's orders.     You don't have the right to refuse.

Sakura Kaede -sama said we'll capture them alive, no matter how they are captured.     Hitomi

glanced to the side.     "Snap." Sayaka, standing beside her, leaped over, as if understanding

her intention.     The distance between her and Shizuku Sangou closed dramatically. Although

it was dim, the gleam of her swords made it clear she was aiming for Shizuku Sangou's

throat.     Shizuku Sangou held one dagger across her head and hurled the other at Sayaka's

feet.     The daggers missed, but the chains behind them entangled her calves. However,

Sayaka suddenly leaned back, pulling the chains along with her.     Hmm?     Shizuku Sangou

suddenly lost her balance, only slightly, but it was exactly what Hitomi int ended. From her

hands, two balls of light shot out, flying towards Mikoto Kondou.     "Ah!"     "Mikoto

Kondou!" Shizuku Sangou cried anxiously.     Mikoto Kondou landed on the ground behind

her, then slowly sat up and replied,     "It's okay."     She gav e a very forced smile. It seemed

she had blocked the light ball magic with the katana she held in both hands.  

    Even though she couldn't move, she was still injured by the aftermath of the explosion,

leaving a large scorch on her bangs. If she hadn't turned into a Kämpfer, that blow would

have been fatal.  

    After confirming that Mikoto Kondou was safe, Shizuku Sangou retracted the dagger

wrapped around Sayaka and returned to her original position.  

    [Don't move.]  

    [It's okay, cough cough cough.] Shocked, Mikoto Kondou coughed repeatedly.  

    [Ahh—what a pity.] Hitomi smacked her lips.  

    [Sakura Kaede -sama said we just need to catch the president, so Kondou -san, you should

just disappear right here.]  

    [Disappear?]  

    [I mean, just die.] Hitomi said with a terrifying smile.  

    Shizuku Sangou glared at Minagawa with a serious expression.  

    [Minagawa -san.]  

    [What?]  

    [Are you trying to make me angry?]  

    [Oh, does the president get angry sometimes?]  

    [Of course he does.] She raised her dagger.  

    [Right now.]  

    Shizuku Sangou kicked the floor with immense force and leaped up.  

    She leaped onto the ceiling, kicked hard against it, and dived down at breakneck speed.  

    "Nakao!"  

    Hitomi cried anxiously. But Sayaka's sword was entangled in chains, unable to move.  

    "Ah!"  

    Minagawa covered her face with her hands and let out a soft cry of pain. She watched in

anger as Shizuku Sangou, who had adjusted her stance, landed gracefully.  

    "President."  

    Hitomi pressed her hand against the wound, blood still dripping from between her fingers.  

    "You were aiming for my face, weren't you?"  

    "Yes."  

    Shizuku Sangou quickly retracted her dagger, only to see blood dripping onto the ground

from the blade.     "I'll cut your face so hard you'll never see anyone again!"  

    she said     , before leaping up again.     This time, instead of leaping toward the ceiling,

Shizuku Sangou flipped in mid -air and simultaneously hurled two daggers at the two of them.

The chain swords, as if alive, tumbled back and forth, hurtling toward s them.     After landing

on the ground, Shizuku Sangou retrieved one of them and hurled it at Hitomi.     Hitomi's

anxiously aimed light ball to block it exploded upon contact with the tip of the dagger.

Though only for a moment, it robbed Hitomi of h er vision.     Just as Shizuku Sangou had

predicted, she immediately changed direction and attacked Sayaka.     [Let me see how

strong the librarian is.]     [Please go see it at Miyuki -san's!]     [I know how strong Beneath

is.]     Then, Shizuku Sangou's  dagger and Sayaka's sword clashed.     Normally, the longer

sword would have the advantage.     But Shizuku Sangou wasn't at a disadvantage at all.

Instead, it felt like she had the upper hand with her three -dimensional attack, combining the

dagger and th e chain.     [President.]     [Over here.]     Shizuku Sangou, who had momentarily

vanished from Sayaka's sight, reappeared before her.     The hilt of the dagger struck Sayaka's

palm.     [That hurts.]     Then, leaving Sayaka aside, she turned and attack ed Hitomi.     [Don't

attack Mikoto.] Hitomi     smacked her lips once more, then turned her hand, originally aimed

at Mikoto Kondou, toward Shizuku Sangou and launched.     Three balls of light pelted

Shizuku Sangou from three different directions.     The black -haired student council president

ducked her head to avoid one, deflected another with her dagger, and finally, she placed

both hands in front of her head to block the third.     She took a deep breath and shouted,

"Hah!"     Shizuku Sangou swung th e dagger at Minagawa like a whip.     The green -haired

girl's face was filled with fear .     "Aiming for the face again?"     "Aiming for the body!"     The

dagger flew toward Minagawa's chest.     It struck, but the wound was too shallow. Still, it

was a wound, and the pain caused Hitomi to step back a few s teps. The blood now stained

her clothes clearly.     Shizuku Sangou moved a little distance away from Hitomi, but showed

no sign of letting up, as she still had the strength to fight.     During this time, Sayaka had

tried to approach Shizuku Sangou, but e ach time she was repelled by the dagger's attacks.

Not only that, Shizuku Sangou didn't even glance at her position when attacking

her.     Against Hitomi, Shizuku Sangou not only used the dagger's long -range attacks but also

employed physical techniques f or close -range strikes. The dagger once again reached Hitomi,

and she hurriedly took evasive action. Seizing the opportunity, Shizuku Sangou rushed in

front of her and kicked her in the stomach.     The intense pain caused Hitomi to double over,

clutching her stomach with one hand while firing a ball of light at Shizuku Sangou with the

other.     Shizuku Sangou leaned sideways, letting the ball of light fly past her. Then, she

lunged at Hitomi once more.     [Oops.]     [Too slow.]     Shizuku Sangou, faste r than Hitomi's

attack, took advantage of the opportunity and stabbed Hitomi in the side. No, her target was

Hitomi's feet. The chain attached to the back of the dagger entangled Hitomi's feet, and

Shizuku Sangou pulled with force.     [Ah—————— !] Hitomi c ollapsed with a scream, her

back likely bruised, her breathing becoming disordered.     "Hitomi -san!"     Seeing her

companion fall, Sayaka darted forward, just as Shizuku Sangou had predicted. She retracted

her chains and leaped back to her feet.     Shizuku Sangou flew over Sayaka's head, then with

a brilliant somersault landed behind her and thrust her dagger towards her neck.     "Tsk."

Miraculously, Sayaka dodged the blow, half -spinning and swinging her sword at Shizuku

Sangou. But Shizuku Sangou wasn' t foolish enough to wait for her to strike. As Sayaka struck,

she ducked, dodging the blow, and then delivered a spinning kick.     "Puff!"     The kick

landed hard in Sayaka's side, sending her back a few steps and falling to the same spot as

Minagawa     . "Both are student council librarians."  

    [Dismissed.] Shizuku Sangou said coldly.  

    After tying the two with chains, she placed them on either side to prevent them from

escaping. Then, Shizuku Sangou returned to Mikoto Kondou's side.  

    [Sorry, it took a little while.]  

    [I'm fine. Shizuku Sangou, you're really strong.] Mikoto Kondou was deeply impressed, for

in this battle, she had to protect Mikoto Kondou while taking on two Kämpfers alone, and still

win.  

    [It's been a while since I've used my true strength in a fight. I feel like my bones are about

to fall apart.]  

    [You seem to have some strength left.]  

    [Let's stop here today. It's good for both your beauty and your health.] As she spoke, she

checked Mikoto Kondou's injuries to see if they had worsened.  

    [The burns are pretty severe.]  

    [Yes, that was a close call.]  

    [Normally, you'd disinfect the wound first and apply some herbs.]  

    [That's a luxury. There are plenty of herbs in the rainforest.]  

    [But it's underground, right?] Shizuku Sangou  

    urged Mikoto Kondou to stay still as she walked toward the two white Kämpfers, the

dagger appearing once again in her hand.  

    "So, what should we do?"  

    Hitomi said in a voice filled with hatred and fear. "Are you going to kill us?"  

    "Okay." Shizuku Sangou thrust the dagger at Hitomi, but the blade only grazed her face.  

    "This is the price you pay for injuring Mikoto Kondou and attacking us."  

    "Are you going to kill us just for that? Besides, we're both immobilized."  

    "Stabbing an immobilized high school girl might be quite thrilling."  

    Shizuku Sangou raised the dagger, choosing which of the two hearts to pierce.  

    The dagger continued to choose its target, but for Shizuku Sangou, it was no longer

humane. Suddenly, her hand was firmly grasped.  

    "Wait a minute!"  

    It wasn't Hitomi or Sayaka who called out.  

    "Hey, Shizuku Sangou, could you wait a moment?" The  

    voice belonged to Mikoto Kondou. She slowly got up and walked towards Shizuku Sangou.  

    Shizuku Sangou turned around and asked,  

    "Are you going to stop me?"  

    "Yes."  

    "These two guys said you were unnecessary and were going to kill you!?"  

    "But we have no reason to do that."  

    "I don't think there's anything wrong with it." "I  

    don't think Natsuru -san would want to see this."  

    Shizuku Sangou stopped and stared at Mikoto Kondou fiercely, saying,  

    "That's a really cunning way of saying it."  

    "I'm sorry."  

    Mikoto Kondou apologized to Shizuku Sangou, but even so, she was happy because she

knew she couldn't let Shizuku Sangou bear the guilt of murder.  

    "But we can't just let them go like this."  

    "That's what I think too."  

    "What should we do?"  

    Mikoto Kondou looked at the two people on the ground.  

    They were clearly happy to have just escaped the danger of being killed. They looked

relieved, and Sayaka breathed a sigh of relief.  

    "I have something to ask you two!" 】Mikoto Kondou said.  

    【Tell me about the exit here and why you're here. 】

    【That's it, tell me quickly." Shizuku Sangou said to the two of them.  

    A smile appeared on her face, but it wasn't a smile humans could understand; it was more

like a smile closer to that of a demon.  

    Seeing this, Hitomi shuddered and said, "Aren't you going to let us go?"  

    【This is already a great favor." Shizuku Sangou gritted her teeth.  

    【This time it's your turn to help us. We just got here and don't know anything. Can you

tell us!?】

    【Do you think I'll tell you?"  

    【Think? No, I believe you will tell me. I believe you will do anything for the Student

Council President of Star Iron Academy."  

    Shizuku Sangou smiled again.  

    Hitomi's face was filled with fear, her lips trembling as she replied, "Are you still the

Student Council President like this?"  

    【Of course, Student Council President Shizuku Sangou is very loyal to her job. Shizuku

Sangou said, slowly leaning closer to Minagawa's face.  

    "Then, tell me what you think."  

    Seppuku Tiger was crawling across the bed with all its might.  

    As a messenger, a visceral animal couldn't move freely like a normal person, but it could

perform simple actions like sitting down and talking.  

    "Still not back yet." It said in a voice reminiscent of the original Shizuka. "Not back yet"

was, of course, referring to Natsuru.  

    "If you want me to wait, that's fine."  

    It leaped off the bed, but because its legs were too short, it didn't land properly and fell.  

    However, it quickly got back up and took a step. "The problem is that door! It's for humans,

and I can't seem to reach it."  

    As it spoke, it jumped up and tried to reach the doorknob. After several attempts, it finally

landed on it.  

    Turning the knob, it slowly opened the door, and Seppuku Tiger ran out into the hallway.  

    After confirming that no one was around, it ran towards Akane's room, then opened the

door there using the same method.  

    Entering Akane's room, it found it to be much the same as Natsuru's. On the bed sat a

black, visceral animal.  

    [Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.]  

    [What's wrong? Isn't this Seppuku Tiger?]  

    It was Akane's visceral animal, Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.  

    [What are you doing there? Come up here.]  

    [Then I won't hold you back.] With that, the Seppuku Tiger climbed onto the bed and sat

down in front of Seppuku Kuro Rabbit.  

    [Seppuku Kuro Rabbit, how are you doing lately?]  

    [Of course I'm doing very well, but speaking of which, I've been having a lot of troubles

lately.]  

    [Ah, as expected.]  

    "You too? I feel like we're rushing things." Seppuku Kuro Rabbit said this, but she didn't

show any regret at all. But then again, she was just a doll, so her expression wouldn't change

much.  

    "Something must have happened to Natsuru and the others." "  

    That must have happened."  

    "Come to think of it, I think I've been here before, what about you, Seppuku Kuro Rabbit?"  

    "I feel the same way. I feel a strong sense of nostalgia."  

    "It's like this is the hometown where we were born."  

    "That's the feeling."  

    While the conversation might sound frivolous to others, it was a serious matter for the

dolls.  

    "Not only is Akane missing, but Pokey's also forgotten here."  

    "Natsuru is also missing."  

    "Come to think of it, I thought I heard a window breaking just now."  

    "I have a bad feeling."  

    The two visceral dolls looked at each other seriously and said,  

    "Staying here forever isn't a good idea. Let's go look for the others."  

    "Good idea." 】Seppuku Tiger agreed with Black Rabbit's opinion.  

    The two dolls were running down the hallway. However, their intestines were exposed as

they ran. If someone saw them, it would definitely be disgusting. But no one was there at the

moment.  

    They moved to Shizuku Sangou's room and opened the door as usual.  

    Electrocuted Mountain Cat looked down at them from the bed and said:  

    【How unruly!"  

    At this time, Seppuku Tiger looked up at it.  

    【How can you just enter a lady's room like that?"  

    Electrocuted Mountain Cat said, and every hair on its body stood up. It was a sign of

paralysis.  

    【Are there any ladies among the dolls?"  

    Seppuku Black Rabbit, who was standing beside them, complained and sat on the bed.  

    Now the three of them sat in a circle. As expected, this scene was very awkward.  

    【Where is Shizuku Sangou?"  

    Seppuku Black Rabbit asked.  

    【Shizuku -sama has been out and hasn't come back yet. 】

    【What happened? None of the humans are here anymore.  

    Shizuku -sama hasn't come back since dinner. That  

    's been a long time.  

    Indeed.  

    Perhaps he's gotten into some trouble? Seppuku Tiger spoke.  

    If it's Natsuru, then there's no telling.  

    Beneath her transformation, she'll probably cause trouble. Before she transformed, she

must have been hiding somewhere.  

    Shizuku -sama is a very powerful person, so she shouldn't be in trouble.  

    The three people had three different impressions, a little different from reality, but it was

the puppets' perception of them after all. There's  

    another guy, isn't there?  

    Seppuku Kuro Rabbit said.  

    The one Mikoto brought?  

    It's called the Suffocating Dog, isn't it?  

    Seppuku Tiger replied.  

    I don't think I've seen him before, have I?  

    Let's go check him out.  

    Seppuku Kuro Rabbit led them to the next door.  

    Mikoto Kondou's room wasn't much different from theirs; it had originally been a small inn

and hadn't undergone any major renovations. Mikoto Kondou's travel bag was placed in

front of the closet, while Suffocating Dog was on the bed.  

    Climbing onto the bed, Kuro Usagi was stunned:  

    "This guy's already dead."  

    "This series is probably about animals being strangled, right?"  

    Then, after Kuro Usagi, Seppuku Tiger and Electrocuted Mountain Cat climbed up.  

    "Even the tongue's hanging out, this stuffed animal."  

    "The rope around its neck is really scary. Is it planning to hang itself?"  

    "Suffocating means being hanged, right?  

    " "Hello." "Ah, you  

    're talking." This startled Seppuku Kuro Usagi, but Suffocating Dog's expression remained

unchanged.  

    "My name is Suffocating Dog."  

    "You wouldn't tell from the outside."  

    Still, Dog didn't react much to Kuro Usagi's taunting.  

    "Really?"  

    "That's enough greetings." Hey, do you know where Mikoto Kondou went? 】

    【I don't know. 】

    【What a straightforward answer. 】

    【I don't remember anything. I just remember that everyone came up while I was looking

at the ceiling. 】

    【You must have seen something. 】

    【No, and I'm not interested. 】

    【Is your tongue the only skill you have, you slow -witted fellow? 】

    【I wouldn't be happy if you praised me like that. 】 It thinks this is something very

honorable. It seems that the Suffocating Dog is a really thick -skinned guy. 】

    【Um, do you really remember nothing?" 】 It was the seppuku tiger who asked the

question. 】

    【You don't even remember coming here? 】

    【Of course I remember. 】

    【Did you talk to Mikoto Kondou here? 】

    【No. 】 Its tone has been slow since a while ago, and it hasn't changed at all.  

    】 【I think I left the room. 】

    【Did you go for a walk? 】

    【No, I was taken out. 】

    【Huh? The seppuku tiger uttered a questioning sound, frightening even the electrocuted

mountain cat and seppuku rabbit nearby.  

    The man named Sakura Kaede came into the room and took me away, saying, "You must

behave yourself."  

    A voice like Shizuka interrupted,  

    "And then?"  

    She brought me to Mikoto Kondou, and after Sakura Kaede pinched her body, her eyes

shone, and she staggered and fell.  

    Hey, so Mikoto Kondou is being controlled by Sakura Kaede?  

    Haragi cried out in shock.  

    That's exactly how it feels.  

    Idiot, why didn't you tell me about this earlier?  

    Talking is such a hassle. There  

    was absolutely no sense of danger.  

    After hearing what Suffocating Dog said, the one who panicked the most was

Electrocution.  

    What the hell? Shizuku -sama, Shizuku -sama.  

    Didn't you say you weren't worried about her?  

    Even if she's attacked by surprise, Shizuku -sama should have a chance of winning. But

what if she gets a scar on her beautiful face?  

    Electrocution, swaying from side to side, seemed incredibly anxious.  

    Well, our partnership won't be defeated so easily, right?  

    Haragi and Tiger said simultaneously.  

    But this time, the enemy is those white guys. ]  

    [Ah, that's right.]  

    [Miss Kondou, controlled by Sakura Kaede, might also be siding with White Kämpfer.]  

    [By the way, Miss Shizuku Sangou also said Sakura Kaede was suspicious.]  

    Seppuku Tiger and Seppuku Rabbit said in unison, but Suffocating Dog's expression

remained the same.  

    [But what can we do?]  

    Then Seppuku Rabbit's ears twitched as if it had thought of something.  

    [If we intervene in this matter, we'll be targeted by the Mediator.]  

    [But we haven't seen that Mediator yet.]  

    It was Seppuku Tiger who said this.  

    [After we regained consciousness, we were delivered to our respective masters.]  

    [Yes, waiting here isn't a solution.]  

    Seppuku Rabbit said.  

    [No one can argue with me when Akane isn't around.]  

    [It's quite different when Natsuru is here.]  

    [Shizuku -sama and I have always been on the same side.]  

    Suffocating Dog fell silent after Electrocute Mountain Cat's speech.  

    [Then let's act quickly.] I don't know what we dolls can do, but it's better than just waiting

here.  

    [Okay.]  

    [I agree.]  

    [Stray Dog, what about you?]  

    In response to Black Rabbit's question about seppuku, Suffocating Dog untied the rope

around his neck and said,  

    "I'll go with everyone."  

    Then, one after another  

    , they jumped down from the bed. [Let's search this place thoroughly. Natsuru and the

others must be here.]  

    With that, Tiger jumped onto the doorknob and twisted it, and the door opened.  

Translator's Notes

This chapter was translated from the Chinese translation of the original Japanese text.

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