Shiinamachi-senpai's Safe Day:Volume 1 Chapter 3 B-Part

Chapter 3 B-Part - Life and Mind

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• Refers to the hill of Golgotha at Jerusalem, also called the place of the skull.

That night.

Senpai, Shiki and I, the three of us, were gathered in Senpai's room.

"Okay, next up, we must take what action we could."

Senpai looked nervously at me and Shiki.

"Today's event is one those listed in my 'story'. Together with the earlier attack incident, I am sure this is a trial that we must work hard to overcome."

"How was today's event described in the story?"

Shiki asked in her usual tone of indifference.

"From what I heard Senpai said, it was something like the story's real beginning is a path that gradually becomes clear amidst the gap between life and death'."

"Gap between life and death… It means Kaguya's experience? Or something else?"

"Well… I'm actually not too sure either."

I see. So even if something was written in Senpai's story, it didn't necessarily mean it would be Senpai's own experience. It could also be interpreted as: in a particular person's gap between life and death, a path will gradually become clear.

"No matter what, the story's content probably isn't referring to the attack incident in the street."

"I agree. Although that incident was very dangerous, to me or some other person, it probably doesn't count as being in a gap between life and death. More importantly, we didn't see a path gradually becoming clear…"

The earlier situation was dangerous indeed but there was no new information to clear up anything. Instead, the mystery around the assassin was getting harder and harder to understand. The only thing I knew was that the enemy's skills were inferior to my mother's, but still at terrifying level of competence.

Shiki also started thinking about Senpai's story with her chin resting on her hand, occupied with deep thought.

"'The story's true beginning'. According to my guess, these words should mean: what happens today will clearly decide the future direction of Kaguya's story."

Hearing that, Shiinamachi-senpai nodded very calmly.

"Yes… That's why, I've decided to take a bit of a risk tonight."

Hence that was why Senpai decided to hold one of those "Shiinamachi-senpai's Stayover Gatherings" tonight?

Indeed, it was already evening, but so far, nothing special had happened.

Hence, the gathering to be held tonight was very likely where something would happen.

"However, what I'm more afraid of is… If we wrongly suspected Fujisato-san and Kuhou-san, then it's possible they might get caught up in the affair."

"That's true. If neither of them are culprits then they will surely get pulled into tonight's story."

"Hmm, I see…"

I finally understood why Senpai was making a gloomy expression.

Senpai was on good terms with Fujisato and Kuhou, so suspecting them must make Senpai feel very guilty. Not only that, if they turned out not to be culprits, then they also get swept up into the incident.

I hope nothing was going to happen. But since Senpai is a Nightkin and must live according to the plot in her story, then something was definitely going to happen tonight.

When my thoughts came to that, my feelings turned gloomy.

No, how can I get demoralized now?

To protect Senpai, I must protect her heart and soul.

Simply protecting her body was meaningless. Not only must I protect her life, but I must also allow her to live without worry for the rest of her days, that's my proper mission. In other words, suspecting Fujisato and Kuhou was already tormenting Senpai and Senpai was also worrying about them getting exposed to danger if they were not culprits.

Hence, the only thing I could do was to confirm carefully whether Fujisato and Kuhou were suspicious. Once they were confirmed not to be the culprit, I have to take care not to let them come to harm.

For this goal, I must do everything I can.

I took off my glasses and closed my eyes.

My mind became unbelievably calm.

To me, this seemed like an important decision.

In the past, I never got involved with anyone. Instead, I even went as far as to kill people without hesitation. Under professional tutelage, this was the mindset I used to hold. But now, all I want to do is protect my family, friends and the girl I love, that's my current feeling.

Okay. I've already decided how I will be confronting things. Clenching my fist hard, I put on my glasses again.

"Monjirou, it looks like you've increased your motivation substantially."

Shiki seemed to see through my determination from the side, her blue eye staring at me the whole time.

"Yes, I have to protect Senpai and not let her come to any harm. Isn't that why Senpai chose me?"

"Indeed. For a Nightkin, choosing vassals is one of the few freedoms permitted by their story. And through those choices, a Nightkin can enable themselves to attain the content of the story more easily. Hence, Monjirou, do your best."

Few freedoms.

Living alone in this kind of place, Senpai needed to muster her courage just to do something like going out. No matter how long-lived, no matter how unlikely it was to die, her life was bound to the story. That must be quite unhappy.

Precisely because of that, she used one of her few freedoms to choose me. That's why I need to help Senpai feel more reassured and happier. I must find ways to improve her situation.

"Senpai, I've already decided. I will find the culprit who killed us."

"…Yes, Jirou-kun."

I expressed my determination to Senpai and she nodded happily at me in return.

The final result was: Fujisato and Kuhou were still not yet cleared. Faced with these two close friends, I must take action that constitutes betrayal.

However, not suspecting does not necessarily equate to trust.

If one of them was really living in pretense…

Then living under an equally fake mask, I really hoped I could do something for her.

In a certain sense, this was a kind of enlightenment. I finally understood that being honest and open to friends actually needed a great deal of courage. In the past, I never knew that interacting with people was such a burdensome and tough task. In the past, I was treated as a killer and raised under those conditions, completely not knowing how to interact with people. Precisely because of that, I decided to get to know people better on every occasion. This was something I've always kept firmly in mind.

"Senpai, whether or not they are culprits, the best result is that they can maintain their friendship with you henceforth, Senpai. Or rather, I selfishly hope that this would be the happiest result for you and those two. I have decided to take action with this as the goal."

Perhaps I was simply imposing my own views on others, perhaps this was just my own selfish thinking, even to the point of expression my willful delusions.

Hence, I wanted to follow this idea through to the very end. This represented the thoughts of my current self.

"Jirou-kun, thank you…"

Senpai's eyes looked a bit moist and her voice was trembling.

To think that Senpai would be so touched after hearing my determination, to the point of shedding tears.

This was totally unrelated to her identity as a Nightkin, not a human, or the fact that she held wondrous powers…

"Shiinamachi-senpai", this person, always lived in this peaceful manner.

For this, I, Sakuradamon Jirou, must do everything I can. That was it.

"Looks like your motivation is at max. Now let's come up with a plan and strategy."

Shiki suggested, prompting Senpai and I to nod vigorously.

"Okay. So… Let me think… Shiki-san, Jirou-kun, what should we do?"

"The first task is to get a grasp on the situation. First of all, Kaguya, please explain what kind of power is the immortality you passed to Monjirou."

"Oh okay. I understand."

Shiinamachi-senpai took a deep breath and placed her hand on her chest.

"…That power is a special ability belonging to the Nightkin that allows 'immortality' to be imparted to others. It is a gift that holds power over life and transcends death, otherwise known as--Divine Gift Thanatos."

"Thanatos…"

"In Greek mythology, Thanatos is the god resulting from deifying death."

So that was the proper name for the "immortality" I now held.

Gifts had names and this gift was currently inside me. That made it much more easier to understand.

"The main feature of this gift is of course not dying, but… More precisely, it is more like the ability to resurrect from any form of death state."

"Not dying" was completely different from "resurrecting from any form of death state".

The former meant not entering a state of death while the latter referred to rising from a state of death.

In other words, in terms of results, my body would still die. Since a while ago, I was thinking it was "my body being capable of regeneration." Looks like I had to correct this idea.

"Understood. So because Kaguya went to pick up Monjirou who had died from the drug, he was able to resurrect."

"Yes. To make Jirou-kun rise from death, it requires from me… A certain 'ritual'."

Oh I get it now?

Indeed, after my first death and after getting drugged to death by Shiki in the second instance, I saw Shiinamachi-senpai when I woke up.

So the reason I resurrected was that Senpai was carrying out a ritual.

"After completing the ritual, Jirou-kun will recover back to 'a perfect state of living'. No matter how heavy his wounds or how much blood he had lost, or even some kind of severe disease, he can resurrect from all cases and return to perfect health."

"In Freud's psychoanalysis, the word Thanatos is defined as the "death instinct". His theory mentions that humans are driven by an instinct towards death and what opposes this force is the so-called life instinct. If you think about it on this level, it can be seen that it's quite correct as a name for a gift that opposes death."

While listening to Shiki's explanation, I touched my chest with my hand.

Death instinct.

To that someone like me with professional killing skills would obtain this power, it sounded really ironic.

"In other words, if you got killed somewhere that Kagugya cannot reach, you will end up staying dead."

Shiki's blue eye gave off an eerie feeling while it gaze straight at me.

"Yes. If I cannot perform the ritual, Jirou-kun cannot resurrect… If his dead boy is left unattended, hmm… Well, as long as it hasn't disintegrated completely, resurrection is still possible."

"There's no problem even if he turns into a rotting corpse or a pile of bones, is that it?"

Although the hypothetical situations brought up by Shiki were quite unsettling, I was quite curious about how far the dead body could decompose and still resurrect.

"Yes… Indeed. I think so."

I can still resurrect from that? Thanaotos really was resilient, living up to its name as a gift named after a god.

"In other words, resurrection is possible under any circumstance… As long as I make sure I die somewhere that Senpai can find me, is that it?"

"Yes. But it would be best if it's somewhere closer to me… Oh, but as much as possible, don't die, that would be better, right?"

Of course. After all, I don't hope to experience death frequently!

"That time when I drank Shiki's drug and entered a state of suspended animation, I definitely still revived."

"Ah yes. On the verge of death… In other words, in terms of bodily functions, a state where survival is almost guaranteed to end. Even in that type of state, regeneration is possible."

"Shiki, you made me drink something so terrifying back then?"

"Yes. That drug will force the human body into a state of suspended animation. For three days, the body will only function at a minimum level and the flesh will not rot. But unless an antidote is injected, revival is impossible."

She really made me drink something so dangerous.

"No matter what, resurrection cannot happen unless from near death, is that right?"

"Yes… Indeed."

Senpai made an apologetic look, hence I really wanted to cut off the topic here.

"Kaguya, I have a question."

At this time, Shiki raised her hand.

"Suppose he was annihilated without leaving an body, then the ritual cannot be conducted, right?"

"Ah yes. Well… At least the head must remain…"

"Survival is possible even if the head is severed. Okay, then death is permanent if everything above the neck exploded, right?"

"Hmm… Yes."

After listening to Senpai's answer, Shiki's gaze fell upon on.

"Hold on, don't make that 'very good' look, okay?"

"To be able to interpret my facial expressions, I'm impressed, Monjirou."

"Come on, I'm begging you, don't kill me again!"

"I will consider it. Good luck."

She probably thought she had just delivered an awesome pun.

I guess I shouldn't retort in this case.

"Anyway, I've already understood my gift. As long as Senpai remains safe and sound, I am immortal, isn't that right?"

"Yes… Jirou-kun, I'll be relying on you."

Senpai bowed deeply to me and I nodded in response.

She was my savior to begin with. Paying my debts was the correct behavior for me as a person.

"But come to think of it… I'm quite curious what Shiki's gift is."

Her gift was called Satori, hence I originally thought she had the power to read minds but that was not the case. With such a frail and petite body, I really wondered what kind of special power resided in her?

"Oh, hmm… Satori is a very simple power."

Senpai glanced at Shiki and Shiki nodded slightly.

"My gift is the Demonic Gift Satori, this special power will heighten all senses."

Shiki explained while frequently combing her bangs.

"The easiest to understand part is that this ability will increase the sensitivity of senses such as vision, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Hence, I can deduce people's psychology based on visual and audio cues then through scents and odors in the air, I can analyze the situation on scene. Then by touching with my hand, I can get a grasp of an object's characteristics."

I see, so that's why it was called Satori.

Although Shiki could not read people's minds, conversely, she was able to read a greater variety of information.

A human's psychological state will often appear in their eyes, their attitudes and their movements. Sometimes, we are able to tell what happened previously based on odors and scents left in the air at the scene. Some people can guess an object's shape and traits just by touching it so if the tactile sense was sharp enough, doing what Shiki said was possible.

Precisely because of that, Shiki covered her eyes with her bangs, controlling the amount of visual input and her body was dressing in clothing that virtually covered her entire body. Using Satori would gather too much information. Once that information overloaded the senses, it might degrade her body as well.

I recalled the dark computer lab management room.

Sitting there in that room without external stimuli, living peaceful days without any stimulation, that was her everyday life.

"I get it now…"

"Monjirou's pity confirmed. Based on my judgment, if I give him a push here, this could very well develop into sexual harassment behavior."

"Hold on, why did you force the conversation into that direction…"

"…"

Shiki reacted to my scolding by turning her gaze out the window with some annoyance then said:

"After my senses were heightened, many symptoms were left behind which is why I've become afraid of loneliness."

"Is that the backstory you just made up?"

"It's true yo."

She didn't say "it's true" but "it's true yo", that felt even more suspicious.

"Hoho, you don't need to be so worried. Satori is a gift that can be switched on and off freely. People possessing this gift can still live like a normal person, yet heighten a particular sense when required."

This gift's original owner--Shiinamachi-senpai--explained, prompting Shiki to turn her head to a different direction.

Shiki was clearly lying, I see.

"In other words… How should I put it? The weakness of this gift is that it could get dangerous if excessive stimulus is picked up while a particular sense was heightened. Something like that?"

"Yes, that's correct. If there's too bright a light when vision is enhanced, then the eyes will lose function temporarily. Corresponding consequences will occur for the other senses when enhanced as well."

"For example, if touch is enhanced, then injuries will be worse if you get hurt…"

"This gift can enhance the sense of touch but it cannot block the sense of touch."

Getting hurt will feel pain. In other words, Shiki must use this gift with precise timing or else she could suffer a great deal of harm.

"As long as I am present, as soon as those two girls make a weird move during this 'heart-thumping☆group of girls' pajama party, let's wardrobe malfunction' gathering, I will be able to tell immediately."

"Then I'm very relieved. But there won't be any wardrobe malfunctions, right?"

"Rather, your head will fall off."

"That's even more weird!"

Whatever, after all, I won't die. Rather, even if I died, I could still resurrect.

Thinking that, I looked at Shiinamachi-senpai only to see a troubled look on her face.

"What's the matter?"

"Oh nothing… If I had to resurrect Jirou-kun in front of everyone… It's a bit… I think it'll be kind of difficult…"

Why would Senpai find it difficult…? Just as I wondered, instantly, a certain thought flashed through my mind like an electrical current.

Oh right, while I was asleep, it felt like Senpai kissed me.

More precisely, it was while I was dead.

In other words, at the time, I decided on my own to assume it was Senpai's kiss, but it very well could be true.

However, if that really was the case… That's way too much of a shame! Those were my first and second kisses, but I ended up not remembering them at all!

Was the ritual Senpai mentioned a kiss after all?

I really wanted to know…

"Hoo…"

I really couldn't bring myself to ask the blushing Senpai to confirm this.

"Okay, so what's meant by 'Divine Gift' and 'Demonic Gift'?"

"The powers possessed by Nightkin can be divided into different types. Different types of gifts each have their own characteristics. My thinking is… The demons, devils, gods that appear in legends, folklore and fairy tales could very well be Nightkin or their vassals who possessed these gifts."

"According to what I have already confirmed, gifts can be categorized into Divine Gifts, Demonic Gifts, Heroic Gifts, Angelic Gifts and Fallen Angelic Gifts."

My Thanatos was a Divine Gift while Shiki's Satori was a Demonic Gift.

"What's different about the characteristics of different types of gifts?"

"Divine Gifts refer to all sorts of phenomena controlled by gods. Demonic Gifts can confer bodily characteristics that go beyond human knowledge. Heroic Gifts can turn a part of the body into a hero's weapon or defensive gear. Angelic Gifts and Fallen Angelic Gifts can cause 'miracles' to happen. These are the known characteristics that have been confirmed."

I was very surprised to find out that gifts had many types and each had their own features. In other words, when facing off against an enemy who had a gift, the type of gift was a very crucial factor.

To be honest, I had absolutely no idea how to neutralize Divine Gifts, Angelic Gifts and Fallen Angelic Gifts… But what's common between Demonic Gifts and Heroic Gifts seems to be the body, so I should be able to find ways to counter those.

"I get it, so that's how gifts are categorized!"

I also understood that playing to one's strengths was key in a fight against an enemy who possessed a gift. Clearly there was no way to handle things simply using the concept of "I just need to defeat the opponent before I fall under their control."

"So… Senpai, I'd like to confirm one more thing."

"Ah yes, what is it?"

Senpai rubbed her hand on her cheek and turned to me.

"Senpai still holds one final gift. What kind of special ability is it?"

"Oh, it's called… Angelic Gift Sariel."

Shiinamachi-senpai brought up this gift with some hesitation. I was waiting for Senpai to explain this gift's features but she made a troubled look, seeming to be pondering how to phrase her explanation. Hence, Shiki looked up and answered for her.

"Kaguya is not sure about this gift's nature."

"Not sure about its nature? Meaning that she doesn't know what kind of gift it is?"

"Yes. That gift can be categorized as an Angelic Gift but also a Fallen Angelic Gift. As for the miracle this gift can bring about… It seems to be control over souls."

…Indeed, after listening to this explanation, I found it hard too to understand what kind of gift it was.

"I don't understand what kind of power it is… If my memory were intact, perhaps I'd know, but…"

Angelic Gift Sariel?

Indeed, it was still impossible to figure out just form the words "control over souls." Angelic Gifts and Fallen Angelic Gifts could apparently cause miracles but… Wasn't my resurrection itself like a kind of miracle too?

"S-So basically… Senpai no longer has any gifts she can invoke voluntarily, right?"

"Yes, indeed… That is correct."

In other words, we should not place any hope on that gift.

Looks like Shiki and I had better try harder to safeguard Senpai's safety.

I made my decision and clenched my fist hard.

"I also have one question to confirm with you, is that okay?"

Shiki raised her hand and stared straight at me.

"Monjirou, what on earth are you hiding?"

"Hiding…?"

I didn't now what Shiki was asking and could only blink nonstop.

"Yes, I have concluded that you have withheld information about your right shoulder's scar."

In that instant, my right shoulder's scar suddenly felt a pain from its depths.

Shiki's blue eye stared straight at me.

…That's right, by this point, it'd be better to stop withholding things. Just in case the worst situation arose, then even if it meant abandoning everything, I still must protect Shiinamachi-senpai, Fujisato and Kuhou.

However, talking about that still made my current self feel very uncomfortable.

"…"

I closed my eyes temporarily, puzzling over how to say things, then finally picking the right words and phrases, I forced them out of my throat.

"This scar was carved by my mother… In it is hidden the skills harbored deeply in the bloodline of our clan as killers. It's something like secret techniques sealed inside there."

I spoke grimly while Shiki listened very seriously. Senpai kept looking at with a worried look.

"My mother said that using the power sealed in this scar meant being prepared to abandon everything."

"Abandon… everything?"

Senpai's voice trembled a bit. Yes, what I think "everything" meant included the bits and pieces of life I've built up with Senpai as well as the friendships I've established with others. Once I use that power, everything will turn back to blank state like a brand new sheet of paper.

I could imagine myself after using it, which is why my mother told me at the time: "you must hurry to become a person who can make that decision."

"I think… After using this power, I won't be myself anymore. I'll turn back into that killer, no feelings, treating everyone as objects… Rather, a killing machine."

"A killing machine."

Shiki repeated the words I uttered.

"That's how I've always lived in the past. The Sakuradamon Jirou right now is actually recent… The personality cultivated after I tried hard to live every day with my sister and other people like a normal person. If I entrust everything to that 'killing machine's consciousness' again… This personality will surely disappear. The seal will turn me into a creature that lives only for slaughter. This is the truth hidden behind this scar."

Pressing my right shoulder with my left hand, I told the truth.

Because I trusted Senpai and Shiki, I decided to tell them about my final resort.

If I lost my life, Shiinamachi-senpai could still resurrect me.

But if I lost my soul… Nothing can reawaken again.

"Jirou-kun, your soul will vanish…?"

Shiinamachi-senpai's voice kept shaking.

…Probably because she had experienced memory loss before? That's why she felt a deep resonance after hearing about losing one's soul.

That's right, behind this scar was not a power to protect but a force that purely existed for slaughter.

Precisely because of that, my mother told me I must be prepared.

"If that's the case, we should forget about Monjirou's scar and strategize from scratch."

"Yes, indeed. I don't want Jirou-kun to abandon everything."

The two girls' words made me feel gratitude surge from the bottom of my heart.

"…Shiki, thank you. Senpai, thank you very much."

I bowed my head deeply as I heard their sighs which sounded like smiles.

Like this, we spent over two hours to hold a strategy meeting.

What kind of gift does the enemy have? If I really had to go toe to toe with the opponent's killing techniques, I don't know how scary things will get. However, by making good use of the gift and skills possessed by Shiki and me, perhaps it was possible to put up a fight.

A vassal's power was meant to allow the user to transcend the world's laws and natural phenomena.

In other words, gifts were superpowers that were totally not bound to scientific concepts, hence it was impossible for us to predict.

In the most likely event, we would have read the situation at hand and make decisions on the fly when the trouble was already happening.

And through Shiki's judgment, I had to take action to oppose.

For this purpose, we had to overcome a risky factor.

Namely…

"In that case, I'll tell them directly that I am no longer immortal."

Since the culprit already knew that the Senpai survived despite getting killed, they would need to confirm if Senpai still held that gift if they wanted to murder Senpai again.

Hence, we were going to use this fact as bait.

"So, Jirou-kun, Shiki-san… I will be counting on you two."

"Yes, I'll definitely protect you well, Senpai."

"Understood. The risk is admittedly high but according to my judgment, the probability of success is also very high."

Shiki and I nodded vigorously.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

"Wow! So the legendary clock tower looks like this inside!"

Fujisato swept her gaze around the library monitors' office with an impressed look of admiration.

"There's air-conditioning, a heater and you can cook here. It's very convenient."

Kuhou explained proudly as a library monitor.

"What, how can that be possible!? Aren't the library monitors getting too special a treatment?"

In fact, the library monitors had been assigned a wonderful place so there was nothing we could refute.

Initially, the preservation of books could be used as an excuse for air-conditioning and heating but once the electric stove and the microwave oven were added, it was impossible to use that excuse anymore.

However, once you entered Shiinamachi-senpai's room upstairs and noticed that it was essentially a fully functional suite, then having these things here would seem perfectly reasonable.

"Fufu, however… I'm really looking forward to Senpai's legendary room!"

Fujisato giggled with an excited look.

Seeing her like that, Kuhou smiled calmly.

Which of them was the culprit… It was very hard to decide.

However, Senpai's story seemed pretty accurate so something was definitely going to happen tonight.

…If possible, I really hoped I was able to protect them all.

Was I being too selfish in thinking that?

I was only able to make these friends and develop deep friendships with them because I had "a normal human soul".

Till now, I still really didn't want to suspect them.

"Monjirou-senpai, what's the matter? You look kind of unhappy."

My junior was worrying about me with sincerity.

I really wanted to accept her gentle well wishes.

"Nothing… Nothing much, I'm just spacing out."

"Really? Yes, today was quite hot during the daytime, so it could be a light heat stroke. You need to drink more water and don't strain yourself, okay?"

Kuhou provided concrete advice besides worrying. She really knew how to take care of others and it felt like she was the senior instead of me.

"You can sleep earlier tonight, okay? Then we can all enjoy the view of Monjirou's sleeping face together!"

Fujisato joked a bit with me and I knew it was her way of showing her care.

"That would make me feel quite troubled. If I fall asleep, my glasses will run all over the place by themselves!"

"Eh, really!? How does that work?"

"If I sleep first, you'll find out!"

"Oh, but you're just saying that when you're actually planning on staying up desperately, right!? However, if I accidentally fall asleep first, don't you dare peep at my sleeping face or else I'll have you take responsibility for that!"

"Oh I see. Does marrying you work?"

"Eh, you're way too direct!"

Seeing Fujisato go bright red, Kuhou and I laughed together.

The mood was the same as usual.

Precisely because of that, I hoped that this relationship won't break down in the end.

"Party preparations complete. Please come up, everyone."

Shiki poked her head out of the library clock tower management room and called out to us from upstairs.

"Okay! Monjirou, Nagi, let's go!"

"Yes, let's."

Fujisato ascended the staircase with happy footsteps while Kuhou advanced step by step steadily. When they stepped on the wooden stairs, the stairs creaked naturally. Kuhou followed after Fujisato closely and it felt like Kuhou could catch and protect Fujisato even if she took a wrong step.

Following after them, I went up the stairs then looked back at the library monitors' office.

The door was already locked. The lights were off. No one was hiding there.

Unless the enemy could pass through walls or teleport, under such conditions, no one should be able to enter this building. I also heard Senpai mention that her room has a barrier erected so even people with gifts had no way of intruding her room.

In other words, in this instant--

"Fujisato-san and Kuhou-san, welcome."

If Senpai did not open the management room's wooden door personally like right now to invite visitors into the room, no one could invade Senpai's room.

"Great! Shiinamachi-senapi, thanks for having us!"

"Pardon my intrusion, Senpai."

Then the two girls stepped into Senpai's room… Hmm, I really didn't sense any suspicious presences.

Shiki nodded at me lightly unobtrusively, telling me that she did not sense anything special either.

With that, once the door to the clock tower management room was shut--

--A locked room was born and no one else could possible invade from outside.

At the same time, this meant that the culprit could be one of these two girls…

No, there's no problem.

Even if that were true, there would still be no problem.

I kept persuading myself.

Then I stepped into the room--

Click.

I heard Shiki lock the wooden door.

Then everyone chatted nonstop, this continued for a few hours.

"Ooh…"

I'm the only one who was making a strange groan.

Once girls started chatting enthusiastically, I find it impossible to join in as a boy.

The cakes they tried nearby, making DIY jewelry, trivial things that happened in school, etc. Most of the time, it would be Fujisato excitedly bringing up all sorts of topics then the other three girls would smile then share their own thoughts and experiences. Watching them I really couldn't help but smile. But because there wasn't much continuity between their topics, whenever I came to my senses with a start, I noticed that they had already changed topics so most of the time, I was unable to keep up with their pace.

They looked quite happy, this laughing quartet… Even a mild sense of smiling had surfaced on Shiki's face. Seeing this scene, I could help but think: Maybe I shouldn't force a stiff smile in consideration of everyone, instead I should nod quietly and pretend to be a boy who's good at listening? But thoughts aside, I was in fact reaching my limit.

Just at this time, I noticed that everyone's cup was almost empty so I happily walked to the kitchen. The kitchen was some distance from the living room, on the far side of the suite, so they could not see my figure. Finally able to relax, I took this opportunity to stretch.

The tea party was going smoothly. Although it had yet to enter the pajamas party stage, as soon as midnight passed, the girls would probably start changing. At the same time, the dangerous experiment was going to start too. Shiki was frequently checking but Fujisato and Kuhou did not make any suspicious moves.

I somehow got the feeling that things won't end peacefully but somewhere in the depths of my heart, I really hoped that everything conclude here.

With these two feeling smashing and tugging away in my heart and still participate in a casual girls' conversation… I really was unable to accomplish such a delicate mission.

I reorganized my thoughts and opened the fridge. For this party, the fridge was stocked with drinks, cake, pudding, etc that we had just bought. If we didn't finish eating and drinking all this stuff, I'm sure Shiinamachi-senpai won't have to worry about the issue of snacks and junk food for quite a while.

The most popular drink was oolong tea, hence the oolong tea bottle was currenly empty. If I had to hazard a guess, the girls didn't really want to drink high-calorie beverages like cola or orange juice, etc.

Based on that, the next popular drink was probably barley tea.

Deciding that, I took out the bottle of barley tea.

"By the way, Senpai, what's your opinion of Monjirou?"

Probably because she saw me run over to the kitchen, Fujisato discreetly asked Senpai that question in a quiet voice.

Oh Fujisato, I have gone through special training after all so my hearing is actually pretty good. Even if you lower your voice like that, I can still hear you.

Thinking that to myself, I still couldn't help but perk up my ears when I heard others discussing me.

"Eh, I-I of course… think he's a good guy…"

"Hmm? Senpai, do really think he's just a good guy and nothing else?"

Kuhou, you shouldn't force Shiinamachi-senpai any further. Although "just a good guy" feels a bit pathetic, this kind of question is really hard to answer honestly in front of others, right? And the person in question is still in the kitchen, you know?

"I find him… very reliable…"

Senpai's voice grew smaller and smaller. I know that Senpai probably lowered her voice on purpose possibly because she was worried I'd hear her, but I was very curious about what was to come.

"Oh dear, let's stop talking about me. Fujisato-san, Kuhou-san, how do you two feel about Jirou-kun?"

This question piqued my curiosity equally. I regarded these two cute girls as friends but how did they see me? I'm sure any boy in my position would really want to the know the answer, right?

"I think Monjirou is super cute! And he's super amusing!"

Hearing Fujisato's answer, I thought to myself, "what the heck is up with super cute" while unable to suppress a smile on my lips.

Although a girl's definition of "cute" could be quite broad, judging from what Fujisato said, it probably meant that I was not hard to deal with.

On a totally unrelated note, this kind of topic was especially potent when someone happens to overhear others talking about him when he was not supposed to be listening. This has been proven in psychology that this was very suitable for manipulating one person's impression of another.

The more a piece of news was obtained by chance, the more certainty you'll believe in it. This is actually a natural psychological reaction. In other words, right now in my heart, my opinion of Fujisato was rising straight up.

"Monjirou, what's so funny with barley tea in your hand?"

"Ugh!"

I came to my senses to see Shiki already standing behind me without my noticing.

"Nothing. I really want to leave the kitchen but they seem to be chatting about a topic that's not so appropriate for me to appear…"

"You're clearly not going to the washroom, yet delaying your return to your seat. This is very easy to rouse other's suspicions."

"True…"

"If you start making out with me passionately here, then there's a perfectly legitimate reason for not returning to your seat."

"Although that would constitute a reason for me not returning to my seat, the result afterwards will be very tragic."

"If making out passionately won't be accompanied by any problems, you're going to put it into action?"

"Sorry, even if that were the case, I still won't do it."

"Monjirou, you're such a naughty boy."

It's been a long while since I last heard the term "naughty boy." If I remember right, it meant someone mischievous.

"I'm a bit curious about listening further to see what they'll chat about…"

I really wanted to know how everyone felt about me. But more importantly, I wanted them to speak freely without reservation, to build up a deep friendship. This was my greatest wish.

"I can understand. If anyone is mixing fake emotions into this kind of dialogue, I might be able to detect it from their voice."

So Shiki came running here to read things outside of what was being discussed. Currently, she was covering her left ear with her left hand, looking like she was making a "I don't want to listen" kind of gesture but probably making volume adjustments in fact. To avoid disturbing her, I stopped my motion of pouring barley tea into the paper cup.

"Kuhou-san, then what do you think?"

I heard Senpai asking Kuhou with a very interested tone of voice.

"Hmm, I like Senpai quite a bit. I think Monjirou-senpai and I seem particularly drawn together by fate."

"Really?"

"Yes. There are more things in common between us than I thought, so I'm quite interested in him."

"Eh? Meaning that Nagi, you're actually, towards Monjirou…"

"Who knows? If I could develop romantic feelings for Senpai, I think that would be quite happy actually."

Kuhou said these words honestly. Just listening to the words alone, even I felt a little embarrassed but for some reason, her words--

"…I can sense a kind of loneliness in her words together with a kind of resignation feeling towards the world."

Hearing Shiki's comment, I confirmed that my feeling was correct.

Loneliness and resignation.

Although I couldn't see Kuhou's face while she was talking, would her face be filled with sorry actually?

"Oh my, the topic seems to have taken a gloomy turn? Oh right, I'd like to ask Shiinamachi-senpai too."

"Oh okay. Please ask?"

"Yesterday, Monjirou-senpai told us some interesting things. We talked about deductive games, gifts and other topics. When I was listening to Senpai, I thought… Although it's just a game, but why would Senpai still be able to tell everyone that 'the culprit is short in height' after getting murdered?"

Oh, that was the part I wasn't able to explain well. If I said that Senpai actually didn't die, then it would be quite weird for me as the person providing information.

"Oh okay, that's because… Within the story's setting, in the end, I didn't die."

"Haha, I see. Then in real life, Senpai will die like an ordinary person?"

"Yes… I think right now, I probably would die."

The instant Shiinamachi-senpai answered in that manner…

All the lights in the clock tower management room went off, plunging everything into darkness.

"Wah, what's going on, a power failure!?"

I heard Fujisato cry out in a panic but could not hear the other two girls' voices.

"Monjirou."

Next to me, I heard Shiki call out sharply then I felt someone pull my left hand.

"Shiki, this is…"

"I don't think there is any need to ask at the moment."

The current situation was clearly quite suspicious.

As soon as Senpai answered Kuhou that she can die right now, this abnormal situation immediately happened. In other words… Everything had started already?

Probably thanks to her gift, Shiki ran in the darkness without hesitation. My entire view was dark. By chance, I looked at her, only to see--

A faint golden light fluttering in the air, looking like a butterfly.

That was… Shiki's left eye.

The golden left eye normally covered by her bangs was moving currently with the light, as though encouraging me.

I heard some kind of sound.

It sounded like someone stepping hard on the floor.

That was the sound from that time!

"In that case!"

I charged towards the direction Shiki had pulled me then took off my glasses.

Next, I threw a knife at the location of foosteps.

"!"

Separated by darkness, I heard someone suppress their breath on the other side.

Clang!

I heard the sound of a thrown knife getting deflected.

"Wah, what's going on, what on earth is happening!?"

Fujisato cried out in a panic.

At the same time, someone pulled the curtains open.

Outside the window, there happened to be a full moon in the sky, its faint moonlight streaming into the room.

The figures illuminated under the moonlight was…

First of all, it was Shiinamachi-senpai pulling the curtains.

Next to her was Shiki, trying to protect her.

Then--

"Kuhou…"

My junior--Kuhou Nagi--was standing there, a large knife held in each hand.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

"Eh, what's going, what on earth is this?"

Watching this scene, Fujisato immediately hid her head under a seat cushion, curling herself into a ball.

This was the usual reaction to an earthquake but I hoped she could stay still like that the whole time.

That was because I was currently facing off against Kuhou. Kuhou had a large knife in each hand, staring intently at Senpai and me.

"I see. I never expected you to pick up the knives I threw earlier, only to use them in this occasion!"

She raised her left knife up near her throat. Under the moonlight, the blade gleamed brightly. She had apparently used that knife to block the knife I had thrown.

Judging from her words, I knew that Kuhou was the one who attacked Senpai and me during the day.

In other words, Kuhou was the one targeting our lives.

Thud.

Hearing that footstep again, I instantly felt a bad sense of foreboding so I swiftly pounced at Shiinamachi-senpai.

Immediately--

Stab!

Kuhou's knife embedded itself deeply into my chest.

Whether based on the distance or the time, it was way too weird. I can't believe Kuhou could come over to my side instantaneously. Was she able to attack me without any preparatory motions beforehand?

If that was the case, why couldn't I read the trajectory of her movements?

She twisted the blade without hesitation, as though trying to gouge the spot I was stabbed. Just getting stabbed was already painful enough, but after she did that, it felt as though my muscle fibers, bones, blood vessels, internal organs and cells were being sliced to pieces by her knife. I almost fainted on the spot.

"As expected of Monjirou-senpai. To think you were able to predict my movements and swiftly take action to protect Senpai."

"Ugh!"

Although I had fortunately evaded such that she did not hit a critical spot but Kuhou looked like she intended to kill me with one strike, hence she twisted the knife that were stabbed into my chest.

This was a totally logical way of killing. As a former professional killer, I would have done the same. If I were armed the same way as Kuhou, then my next move would be to use the other knife to target the enemy's throat--

Instantly, a golden brightness flashed across the corner of my eye.

"!"

Kuhou gasped. Almost at exactly the same time, Shiki threw something at Kuhou's position.

I only heard the sound of something moving through the air but didn't know what Shiki had thrown. Kuhou immediately jumped backwards as though sensing danger.

Thud.

The sound of footsteps came from an unbelievable location. Near the wooden door entrance.

Kuhou was clearly just by the window just now but now she was suddenly at the door. No matter how fast her movements, even to the point of using the ultimate martial arts technique of Shukuchi, earth reduction, it would still be impossible. I was so certain because once again, I did not see any trajectory of movement at all. In the last while, Kuhou had been moving instantaneously a number of times as though teleporting, disappearing instantly then reappearing instantly.

Could it be that Kuhou's gift was teleportation?

"Yatono Shiki, looks like you are not someone to be underestimated either."

Standing in front of the wooden door, Kuhou said to Shiki.

Then--

"Kuhou Nagi, a trap has already been set where you are standing."

Shiki's voice sounded coldly as she deftly and rapidly lifted her left hand.

Immediately, several lacerations appeared on Kuhou's body while she stood at the entrance. Those lacerations were tearing at Kuhou's clothing in a circular patterns, instantly drawing blood.

"These are… cutting wires?"

"Indeed. I have taken sharp wires of high strength and processed them to become tools I can control freely by will. Using my Satori, I can make the wires move in all sorts of trajectories just by moving my finger according to the sensations on my fingertips."

"I see, that is to say… You have already guessed what my gift is, roughly?"

"I was quite surprised that you were able to evade my sensory perception. But thanks to that fact, I finally understood your gift and I have reached the conclusion that my guess is correct."

Escaping Shiki's sensory perception? To think Kuhou possessed such an ability?

To protect Shiinamachi-senpai, I stood up while pressing my hand to my chest… I watched intently Shiki and Kuhou with my blurry vision. Right now, I was heavily injured and could only count on Shiki.

Perhaps I could try making myself die then have Shiinamachi-senpai resurrect me, then I could enter the fray again. However, faced with Kuhou and her special gift, I don't think I really have the time to die once and have Senpai raise me from death.

While Kuhou was occupied with Shiki, she probably couldn't split her attention to over here. But the instant I died and collapsed, she would most likely do everything she can to kill Shiinamachi-senpai. Even if she might end up killed by Shiki afterwards, I think it was possible that she would still take out Senpai first.

Because she is an assassin.

To accomplish their missions, assassins absolutely do not care for their own safety.

My current self had not undertaken any assassination operations for quite a while and in my injured state, I was totally not up to it. The only thing I was able to do was to continue standing here to protect Shiinamachi-senpai here, preventing Kuhou from taking the worst course of action.

As long as I stayed standing here in vigilance, Kuhou must confront her one-against-two situation. Kuhou now knew that Shiki was in possession of substantial capability and a gift, so I was quite certain she would try to avoid the worst case scenario.

I had actually suffered injuries that were sufficient for death. Left alone, these injuries will cause me to succumb to death in the end. Would Shiki be able to suppress Kuhou before I died? Or was the only thing I could do now make myself die so as to make the most of the tim?

"Jirou-kun…"

I can't let her kill Senpai. I don't want Kuhou to kill Senpai again.

"Kuhou Nagi, do not make a reckless move if you are smart. A large number of Yatono cutting wires have been setup here already."

"Hmph, I will get killed by you if I make a reckless move? I see, judging from these cutting wires appearing suddenly at this spot and the other wires setup on scene… You have come up with countermeasures from the start."

"I wouldn't have figured out your gift if you hadn't attacked Monjirou in the daytime. Since I was unable to capture any enemy movements withy my sensory perception, it must be the result of the enemy using a gift. Reasoning from there, it was naturally very easy to guess the kind of gift you have."

Hearing the sound of wind slicing, I then saw something undulating in the corner of my eye, flashing. Those were probably the "cutting wires" controlled by Shiki.

In the past, I've heard my mother mention about a kind of combat technique using wires as weapons. The user can use wires to setup all kinds of traps, locking the opponent into a barrier. A person using wires as weapons was like a spider. One moment of carelessness and you'd get entangled and devoured by the spider.

I suddenly recalled how I carelessly got poisoned by Shiki earlier. Now I finally understood: Shiki was a person who possessed such techniques.

"Eh, w-what's going on? What on earth's happening? Is everyone playing a fighting game? Or…"

I heard Fujisato's panicking voice. She had looked up from the cushion and was looking around. But under such faint moonlight, most people probably wouldn't see much, right? Assassins like us had professional training for fighting in the dark and could naturally get a grasp on the situation, but Fujisato was just an ordinary person, completely unable to see clearly what was happening in her surroundings.

"Or perhaps… Eh? Monjirou, y-you're hurt?"

But she seemed to be able to get vague glimpse of my injuries as I stood by the window so she asked me in a worried voice.

Fujisato was totally innocent while Kuhou was totally guilty.

So that was the truth.

"Uh… Fujisato… S-Sorry… Could you… please continue to… huddle up and hide…?"

"Eh? I-Is that really okay? Monjirou, are you really okay?"

Under these conditions, I can't believe Fujisato was still inquiring about my condition. What a kind-hearted girl.

On the other hand, the other girl who was originally supposed to be kind-hearted as well, Kuhou, was current immobilized.

She was exchanging glares with Shiki while trying to turn her gaze towards Fujisato.

"Indeed, Fujisato-senpai. You should listen to Monjirou-senpai. Stay still and don't move. We are currently busy handling something difficult to explain."

I was quite surprised to hear what Kuhou said to Fujisato.

Her various merciless acts, including attempts on Senpai's life and trying to maximize the wound on my chest, all this was making me give up on my original impressions of her, leading me to the conclusion that all of Kuhou's previous behavior was an act. However, by trying to keep Fujisato out of this currently, it made her seem more like the Kuhou I used to know.

The Kuhou who had become friends with me and the Kuhou who had murdered Senpai and me, who on earth was the real Kuhou?

"I-I get it… You two… have to explain to me what on earth was going on afterwards, okay!?"

Fujisato crouched down and hid her head under the cushion again, curling her entire self into a ball.

I really felt gratified that I had such understanding friends.

"…Yeah… I… will surely to explain to you…"

It took me so much time to understand the whole story and now I had to explain to Fujisato afterwards.

But no, she's right.

The future… I really hoped there was a future where Kuhou and I could explain the entire incident to Fujisato together.

Although we were currently in a hostile situation, if everything could be resolved without heavily injuring Kuhou… I know this idea is a bit naïve but I sincerely hoped for such a result.

Hence…

"Uh… Shiki! Are you… Okay?"

"Unsure. Although I have gotten a handle on her gift, I am not certain of the area of the gift's effects, neither do I know if it has any restrictions."

"Okay, excellent. I was worried, not knowing how much you knew about it. In that case--"

A smile appeared on Kuhou's face, then immediately--

"Shiki, watch out!"

"!?"

By the time I noticed, Kuhou had already struggled free of those cutting wires entangling her and was now standing before Shiki.

At some unknown point in time, the wounds on her body where the wires were entangled had gotten deeper. Her slender body was bleeding all over, quite a heart wrenching sight. When exactly did she struggle free from the cutting wires? And when did she receive sound grievous wounds? There were no answers for all these questions.

Wait a sec, no way… "When" was the key…?

"I will now take your life."

Kuhou made a thrust with the knife in her hand with rapid speed.

"Sorry, that's impossible."

Shiki instantly fluttered her lab coat.

Kuhou seemed to think it was just a trick from Shiki and continued to thrust the knife forward without hesitation.

However, Shiki was no longer where the blade reached.

From behind the two girls, I could see very clearly that Shiki had swiftly hit the floor while fluttering her lab coat.

"I see, you saw it!"

"My hearing, taste, smell and touch have been maximized in sensitivity."

Hitting the floor, Shiki rolled and performed a flip, the tip of her foot catching Kuhou's leg with perfect timing.

Shiki's foot splendidly hooked Kuhou's joint then used her momentum to rotate, trying to sweep Kuhou to fall.

Kuhou fell down hard on the floor--This did not happen.

Her arms were pulled up, looking like she was suspended from the ceiling. As for her feet, they hanging just slightly above touching the floor.

On a closer look, wires had been wrapped around her wrists at some point in time.

"When exactly… No wait, you deliberately baited me? When I was stabbing at the lab coat with the knife, the wires were already set up all over it… Right?"

"Yes, these are the true skills and power of Yatono."

What an amazing battle.

Most likely, long before Kuhou arrived at this room, Shiki had already setup cutting wires all over the place. While preparing for the party, she was actually setting up and preparing the cutting wires. If Shiki had not understood Kuhou's gift to some extent or setup these wires beforehand, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly as now.

Judging from an assassin's standpoint, Kuhou's movements were like art, every strike calling for absolute lethality. The level of her movements was definitely even higher than the skills I'd learned. Or rather, those were movements devoid of hesitation, something that I absolutely cannot hold a candle to. In other words, she probably had accumulated a lot of "experience" in the past.

In addition, Shiki's movements were also on an expert's level. Those were splendid moves all for countering the strong. Only by fully grasping the concept that "a strong opponent will definitely act in this manner" would it be possible to undertake such crafty actions. She must have fought many strong opponents in the past to reach her current level.

I could hardly hide the shock in my heart, to think that there were so many "specialists" in my midst. Not only that, these specialists all possessed "gifts".

"So this is Demonic Gift Satori? I remember that this gift can sharpen all sensory perceptions, doesn't it? I see, for someone using the cutting wires technique to be able to acquire this kind of gift, it comes as no surprise that you are this powerful."

"Kuhou Nagi, I also understand your gift very well. It is Divine Gift Chronos."

Kuhou simply grinned in the corner of her lips and did not reply. Suspended with her arms from the ceiling, she was completely immobilized. Under such conditions, it was hard to believe she was showing such a composed look on her face.

I remember the name "Chronos".

While looking up the origins of my gift's name--Thanatos--I chanced upon that name, that of a deity in Greek mythology. My Thanatos was the god obtained by deifying "death" whereas Chronos was the god from deifying "time". If my gift was escaping the limits of "death" then Kuhou's gift involved "time"…?

"That is why you are now unable to move, after being tied up totally."

"Yes, well said. Indeed, I am able to use the duration of one second. This is the power conferred to me from the Nightkin I serve, and I am my lord's vassal."

Using the duration of one second.

Instantly, all sorts of questions in my mind were answered.

Although I didn't know what exactly was "using the duration", if time could be stopped for brief instants, then all the culprit's actions could be explained reasonably.

After killing Shiinamachi-senpai and returning to the club showers, Kuhou spent roughly ten minutes to wash off the traces and smell of the blood that had splattered on her. Then she ran into me in front of the school. To kill me, she probably trailed me from behind. If she was able to stop time for one second, then it was possible to enter the clock tower's entrance with me without my noticing at all.

Judging from her physical abilities, running quickly to the back of the clock faceplate before time started flowing again should be very easy.

While I was discovering Shiinamachi-senpai's dead body, she could ascend the stairs in a series of jumps, then there wouldn't be any sounds from the wooden steps' friction. By controlling the instants she landed so that the creaking was only generated within those single seconds, I naturally wouldn't hear any sound.

That thud I heard just before getting stabbed to death was the footstep sound that came when Kuhou's gift released its effects. Had she made a sound prior to that, I would have likely noticed her.

A killer possessing such well-trained skills and even this kind of gift with such versatile applications.

It was a bit cheating for me to acquire immortality as a killer, of course, but Kuhou's power was equally game-breaking.

But never would I have expected my question over lunch, "Do you have a gift, Kuhou?", to be right on the money.

"Monjirou-senpai I am very sorry. I can't believe I stabbed you twice."

Kuhou spoke to me in her usual tone of voice.

"Actually, I really didn't want to kill Shiinamachi-senpai but I cannot refuse the mission given by my lord. I harbor no ill will towards any of you and I don't hate or resent you either. Instead, I actually like you and Senpai very much. Please don't worry about that."

"Don't worry…? You…"

"I have also done rather regrettable things to Shiinamachi-senpai. I was quite surprised to find out she was still alive but it made me feel relieved as well. At he same time, I felt very guilty knowing I would need to kill her again."

"…Kuhou-san, please don't say that. I am one of the Nightkin who have always been targeted and killed. That cannot be helped. Even so, I am very happy that you were willing to be friends with me."

How should I say this…?

There was a sense of total abandonment in Kuhou's words.

Hung from the ceiling by Shiki's cutting wires, she was unable to swing a knife nor was she able to move. If she had a teleporting ability, that might be able to get out of her current situation. However, her gift only allowed her to stop time for brief instances, so there was probably no way for her to struggle free from the wires.

Was everything about to end like this…?

Next, once Kuhou was disarmed and a way was found to persuade here, could this be the end to the whole incident?

Just now, she mentioned the 'mission given by my lord' which really concerned me. Who was the Nightkin behind her? In other words, there was a mastermind controlling everything in the shadows. Must we take care of that person before everything could end?

However, we did survive the attack just now. So, I finally--

Was it okay for me to collapse now…?

Clearly everything was resolved so why this foreboding feeling surfacing in my heart?

Because I was unable to maintain my consciousness any further, I decided to move closer to Senpai as much as possible.

While trying hard to press my right hand on the heavily bleeding wound on my chest, I moved closer to Shiinamachi-senpai's side.

"Jirou-kun…"

Senpai's worried voice made me feel very comfortable. I even felt that it'd be fine even if I died just like that.

My consciousness was growing hazy. Ears and eyes could no longer perform their normal functions. At this rate, I was about to die. I thought over these things in a relaxed manner, treating death as sleep…

Accidentally, I happened to glance in Fujisato's direction, only to discover--

She was no longer there.

"Fuji… sato?"

I spun my muddled head, trying to look for Fujisato but she ended up in front of Kuhou who was suspended from the ceiling.

I really wanted to know when she had made her way there but my mind could not operate normally.

Fujisato stood there with a blank expression, calmly caressing Kuhou's face.

"Ah!"

In that instant, Kuhou suddenly twitched… Then went limp.

What? What just happened?

"--Jirou…!"

I heard someone calling me from afar.

"--Mo… Jirou…!"

What's the matter? This voice… Shiki's?

"--Monjirou! Protect Kaguya!!"

Hearing Shiki's mournful yell, just as her voice finally entered my mind--

My consciousness remained fuzzy but I forced my heavy body to move in a reflexive manner.

I turned around, ignoring the intense pain in my body and swiftly performed a spinning kick backwards.

A right hand grabbed my leg firmly, its grip strength almost like a vise. My eyes turned behind me a moment later, only to see an unbelievable scene.

"Splendid movements, Monjirou. I never thought you'd still be able to kick with your body in that state, it really surprised me!"

"F-Fujisato…?"

A right hand, wearing a golden ring, was holding my leg. Its owner was smiling at me as usual and talking to me as usual too. I really could not believe that Fujisato was the owner of this hand.

"But I was really quite shocked. I thought we were friends… But how could you suddenly kick a cute girl like that? Don't you think it's very mean?"

Her eye brows lowered in a slight frown then in that instant--

Snap!

Her overwhelming strength fractured the lower part of my shin.

"Gahhhhhh!?"

That unbelievable grip strength of her right hand, and that unhesitating motion.

The behavior of the person before my eyes compelled me to suspect if she was really the Fujisato I knew.

But--I see now.

I did not understand Kuhou at all. In the same vein, I did not understand Fujisato at all either.

In my wishful thinking, I hoped to keep my good impressions of them but I enver considered seriously what they were actually thinking.

"Hey."

Fujisato pushed my body in an innocent looking manner.

This action alone was enough to make my body fly backwards at an amazing speed.

"Kyah!"

Together with Shiinamachi-senpai who was behind me, both of us crashed hard into the wall next to the window.

"Guff. S-Senpai?"

"I'm… fine…"

I couldn't forgive myself at all, to think that Senpai's body served as my cushion.

I struggled to let Senpai and I slide slowly to the floor then I looked up at Fujisato.

She was giving off the same vibes as usual without much change in expression, a smile on her lips.

Just at that moment--

"!"

Accompanied by the sound of a brief exhalation, numerous small wires immediately wrapped themselves around Fujisato's body.

However--

"This… hurts a little."

She simply grumbled nonchalantly.

"Uwahhhhhhhhhh!?"

Suddenly, Shiki cried out once then went still.

"Satori is actually quite inconvenient as a type of gift. When controlling the wires, you must heighten your touch and vision so all I need to do is release some electrical currents and you will suffer heavy injury. Oh by the way, the special ability I just used was Demonic Gift Thunder Beast. This gift allows one to raise electrical currents in the body to lightning strike levels, allowing electricity to be released with sparks and thunder."

Fujisato explained her gift openly then walked over to me and Senpai, unconcerned with the wires that had been loosened.

"Kaguya-sama, it looks like you've really lost the majority of your memories and gifts. I originally thought it was just your superb acting… However, seeing you in a desperate fight against merely my vassal, I finally believed that it was all true."

"Fujisato… You…"

With blood flowing out of my mouth, I had difficulty speaking but I couldn't help but ask her.

Why was this girl…

Why was she able to do such cruel things while using her usual smile and voice?

"Monjirou, excuse me but I'm actually a Lord and not human. I was the one who bestowed Chronos to Nagi-chan. However, I've just taken it back, you know?"

Taken it back? So that was how Fujisato was able to get behind me in an instant.

Only after understanding that, I reacted sluggishly with shock at what she just said.

"Lord…? Fujisato, you're Nightkin…?"

"That's right! My story basically says 'must defeat other Nightkin', which is why I've been observing you guys secretly. I tried hard to observe and find out whether Kaguya-sama had really lost her memories or not, whether she had lost the majority of her gifts. No helping it, that's because Kaguya is the Princess of the Night, the lord of lords, in other words, the Princess Kaguya of legend!"

Princess Kaguya. Hearing about The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter in this situation, I didn't feel anything strange or out of place about it, unbelievably.

My Thanatos and Kuhou's Chronos were both gods from mythology while Shiki's Satori was the name of a demon. I finally understood, all Nightkin and their vassals were emulating the plot of some kind of "story".

"I can't believe I can defeat such a high-ranking Nightkin--Looks like my story is apparently developing to a climax! So lately, I've found it very fun the whole time! And I even got to know this Monjirou child and everyone became good friends, yes?"

Fujisato seemed truly happy. This was indeed the her I knew: always chatting with people while showing inquisitive eyes, interested in everything in the world.

At the same time, I also realized why Shiki had failed to discern Fujisato as a Nightkin. Fujisato lived in a world without any pretense. She genuinely believed in herself and spent every day of her life with this attitude. Her gentle side was just as real as the her who had punched us flying just now.

"Fujisato…"

I was filled with remorse and could only call out her name. Affected by the wound in my chest and its bleeding, even my voice had become very hoarse and unclear.

"Yes, Monjirou, what is it?"

Fujisato's tone of voice was very calm, just like listening to a friend's last words. She knelt down in front of the suffering me and cocked her head slightly, listening to me.

"Fuji… sato…"

However, I was unable to speak in complete sentences at this point.

There were many thoughts in my mind and I had many things to say.

But on the verge of death, I wasn't even able to speak anything clearly.

"Monjirou, it's okay. Take your time."

She had already revealed her identity as Nightkin and was now treating me with her usual gentleness. Was she presenting the composure of a sovereign in control of the situation right now because she had already decided to trample us mercilessly later? Or did she really feel sad for me sincerely?

"…I ask you… Fujisato… S-Suppose…"

"Yes. Suppose what?"

"Suppose.. I… you right here…"

"Hmm?"

Fujisato made an incredulous look. It was quite normal for her to do that. After all, I had no ability to fight right now. My breaths were so light they might as well not exist. Shiki had been defeated by Fujisato while Senpai was collapsed behind me in utter exhaustion.

However, even so--

"…If I defeat you here… Are you… still willing to… be friends… with everyone here?"

It was my wishful thinking.

Fujisato stared with her eyes wide open and made a look of surprise then said:

"Pu… Ahahahahaha! Monjirou! You're about to gasp your last breath here and you still think you can fight? Also… You even think you can defeat me? Impossible!"

Fujisato seemed very happy, laughing nonstop.

Rather than looking down on everything, she sincerely found it very amusing, which was why she was laughing madly without reservations.

Hence, how should I say this…? I've always liked Fujisato's laughing face.

"…If I actually manage to do it… It should be… very delightful, right? …Fujisato…"

"Ah…"

Hearing my question, Fujisato stared with her eyes wide again.

Then she relaxed her gaze and looked at me with a tender expression.

"…It's possible. If you really manage it miraculously, then I should be very surprised and I might even feel a bit happy."

Both her voice and expression were very gentle.

However, I could feel a sense of loneliness and despair similar to what I felt from Kuhou earlier.

"…I will surely… surprise you… but I am a man who's… super cute… and super amusing…"

"Eh, you were eavesdropping from the kitchen? Monjirou, you're such a…!"

I spoke, gasping for breath while Fujisato touched my head gently.

Then she stood up, spun a full revolution then bowed forward to look at me.

"So, Monjirou, what are you planning to do? And Kaguya-sama? Including Chronos, I currently hold a total of four gifts! Faced against a Nightkin like that, do you guys really have any chance of winning?"

"Hmm…"

Nightkin were hard to kill to begin with, besides, she currently still had four gifts. One of them could stop time and I was totally powerless against it. Not only were chances of victory minuscule, but it was also what Fujisato had said. Winning would be almost like a miracle.

Hence, I had to resolve myself.

I absolutely must not back down.

I have to use to the last of my strength to do something before dying.

"C-Cough, urghhh!"

So for the first step, I had to vomit out all the blood stuck in the depths of my throat that were hindering me from speaking.

"…Yes, Fujisato, look carefully at me. I will definitely stop your story."

"Fufu… Yes, then you go and do that for me to see, Monjirou."

There was Senpai's story with me as well as the story between me and Fujisato and Kuhou.

I really didn't want anyone to get hurt, that would be totally sad.

"…J-Jirou-kun, you mustn't…!"

Senpai seemed to realize my intentions and she protested from behind me in a feeble voice.

For the first time in my life, I was going to go against Senpai's wishes… And my mother's orders as well.

"…Senpai, I… 'll surely die at this rate… Shiki can no longer fight. But I… really want to protect you."

I heard a sound from behind that was like a gasp.

"I think… The current situation is probably the so-called 'gap between life and death'… So I… want to elucidate a path ahead for you, Senpai…"

Even if I lose my soul and become an emotionless killing machine, as long as I still maintained that Shiinamachi Kaguya was my master, then I'd probably continue to protect her.

Although it was only a mere four months since I transferred to this school…

I've made friends and met my crush, found companions.

I've found people and things that I want to protect even if it meant putting my life, my soul, everything of mine on the line.

I think that's quite fulfilling a life for Sakuradamon Jirou, to be able to attain all this.

Although I do feel quite sorry for my little sister who put in so much to create "my current self"…

"Shiinamachi-senpai… Is today a safe day…?"

"Sob sob…"

Senpai seemed to be crying. Hearing that sad sound, I felt my chest hurt a lot.

I felt so full of guilt for making her cry. But at the same time, the sense of mission also filled my heart… I must allow everyone to spend their days in happiness once more.

Indeed, Shiinamachi-senpai smiling, Shiki expressionlessly playing the fool, Fujisato always happy, Kuhou calm and composed, I wanted them all to exist in that kind of future. I dreamed of a future story that could be so bright--

I think I already felt quite contented to be harboring feelings of gratitude towards everyone.

"…It might take a long time after this… But I hope Senpai can... wait until I recover to become 'my current self' once again…"

"…N-No! Jirou-kun, I-I haven't gotten a chance to tell you yet…!"

Senpai's hand touched my back.

She had not gotten a chance yet. I really wanted to know what Senpai wished to tell me but…

I'd rather not listen to it all, that way… Perhaps this would leave some kind of longing in myself after I lose my soul.

While praying like that to the heavens, I placed my left hand on my right shoulder.

Then with my right hand, I took off the vanity glasses used for helping me to control my thoughts.

I mentally took the plunge and threw my glasses out.

Then my throat gave a vigorous shout just before the death of "my current self".

"Activate, Code: Calvariæ!"

I said it out. To me, those were absolutely forbidden words.

I felt intense pain on my right shoulder… An ominous skull symbol appeared on the skin along with an eerie purple glow. That light was extremely bright and could even be seen clearly under my clothing.

At first, I forgot why I was in a dilemma.

I forgot how to gauge other people's smiles or emotions.

I forgot what I had done and what I wanted to do.

All people and things I treasured. Consciousness. Thoughts. All of this, I totally--

Forgot.

"Sob… Jirou-kun… Capture… Fujisato-san… But please do not kill her…"

Shiinamachi Kaguya--the master I recognized--issued me her orders.

In that very instant…

"Wha…"

By the time Fujisato reacted, "I" had already closed in right before her. "My" hand was holding the throwing knife from Kuhou, about to stab it into Fujisato's chest before she became aware. Immediately noticing something wasn't right, she vanished without trace. Chronos… The special ability to move through space for one second's worth of time.

"I" had already anticipated where she would appear a second later so I swept my fractured right leg towards where she was going to appear. Just as "I" predicted, Fujisato reached out with her left hand, trying to grab the leg I had kicked out.

Likewise, this move was already within "my" predictions which was why I deliberately used the fractured leg to perform a sweeping kick. "I" had predicted her to carelessly use her left hand to grab that broken right leg.

I used that broken leg's side of the knee to support my body. In fact, the right leg's joint did not allow me to finish this motion but because the pain had gone numb, I managed to complete it without hesitation. My right leg made an unnatural cracking sound and snapped in the opposite direction.

"Monjirou, w-what are you doing!?"

Fujisato called out "my" name in her surprise. "I" used my left hand to grab her left wrist while she was holding my right leg.

Then "I" took the opportunity to pull, pulling Fujisato to the floor along with my broken leg.

"Ah!"

Fujisato hit the floor hard on her back and gave out a cry of pain. Then "I" instantly straddled her. Fujisato instantly gave off blue-white light but "I" had already extended wires from myself to attach to the metallic window frame, preventing electrocution.

Before approaching Fujisato, I had already wrapped wires that were fallen on the floor around my leg, because… I already knew she possessed the special ability of Demonic Gift Thunder Beast, which was why I used the wires to ground myself.

Fujisato stopped glowing, probably deciding to stop attacking using electricity.

Recognizing that, "I" used my left hand to hold the knife in a reverse grip, preparing to fight.

"…Aren't you on death's brink just now? Why does it feel like your entire person has changed… !"

Fujisato's eyes flashed with red light then her pupils contracted into a narrow shape.

"Sorry, I'm feeling a little scared… So let me control your body!"

Including Chronos, Fujisato had mentioned that she currently held four gifts and now she was using one of them.

That meant that "I" happened to get a chance to confirm another of her special abilities.

Pretending to be charmed by her crimson eyes, "I" slowly released the force applied to her body--

"Yes, just like this… Get off my body."

Fujisato ordered and exhaled in relief but "I" seized this opening.

"!?"

Using my right hand to grab Fujisato's left arm, "I" pinned her forcefully to the floor.

"Gah… Eh…? Why? Why doesn't my Demonic Gift Gorgon work…?"

Fujisato stared in surprise with her wide-open eyes that were flashing red. According to speculation, it was probably an ability to control the target's mind, thereby controlling their body. In that case, such an ability naturally wasn't going to work on the current "me".

"Nnngh, ooh!"

Straddled by "me", Fujisato twisted under "me", trying to resist. However, "I" had pinned her left arm firmly to the floor, meaning she had lost her freedom. Since a Nightkin's body was structurally the same as a human's, then her bones and joints should be subjected to the same limitations in range of movement. Hence, as long as proper restraining technique was used, it was naturally possible to immobilize her effortlessly.

Right now, Fujisato could only use her right hand.

Shiki's earlier verification was correct. Once the body was immobilized, Chronos couldn't not be used for movement anymore. If that special ability was only making time stop, then of course, movement was impossible when under restraint.

Electricity was not working, neither was mind control. The only thing left needed no explaining.

"Monjirou, don't get too full of yourself…!"

The golden ring glowed brightly and she punched with her right fist to attack "my" chest.

Indeed, she possessed powerful arm strength, enough to twist and break my right leg. It was this power that allowed her to send me flying to the wall with a light shove.

If it was just astounding arm strength, it might not be enough to call a special ability. Strength capable of crushing leg bones, yet being a gift at the same time--In other words, the ring on her right hand was probably the "armament" formed from the gift.

In that case, I was able to use countermeasures from close quarters combat. Right now, "I" had presented the obvious weakness of the "chest" to the enemy. In other words, I was using my body's critical wound as bait.

Fujisato's barehanded chop was approaching "me" with amazing speed. Just as she was almost about to strike "me", "I" pulled her hand towards "myself" then turned "my" body slightly to evade.

"What, I can't believe you dodged it…!?"

This was already who knows how many times Fujisato stared with eyes wide. On the other hand, "I" used my right hand to pin down the base of her right arm while holding the knife.

"!?"

"I" had no idea what extent Fujisato's "armament" occupied her right arm, but apparently, just as "I" predicted, her shoulder was like a normal person's.

With that, I had successfully sealed off all of Fujisato's movements.

"Ooh… I can't believe you even managed to handle my Heroic Gift Perseus…"

Completely immobilized, Fujisato could only look up at "me" with a face filled with surprise.

Were it possible to use multiple gifts at the same time, surely she would have used combination skills already to press her advantage. Hence, "I" deduced that she was only able to use one gift at a time, which was why "I" took the measures that I did. And now "I" was also certain that unlike Kuhou, Fujisato's combat ability and physical power were actually not very high.

No matter what, under such circumstances, everything would be settled by simply taking the knife "I" was holding against her right shoulder and stabbing it into her throat. Even though she was a Nightkin, there was no future but death once her movements were sealed and massive bleeding was induced. Shiinamachi-senpai's earlier words had already proven this fact.

Senpai had said: "If today weren't a safe day, dying on the spot would have been likely."

"Huff… I see now. I didn't expect you to be this strong, Monjirou. Yes… Even knowing you've said you were a professional killer, I think I've underestimated you a bit."

Fujisato looked like she had given up resisting. Relaxing her entire body's strength, she sighed deeply.

"Is this the end of my story? Indeed, today is not my safe day but it wasn't supposed to be my day of death either…"

Although she was saying these things, there was a cheerful look on her face.

This probably served as proof: For the Nightkin, stories were a kind of restraint.

Perhaps because of that, having regrets in her heart, Fujisato was showing a satisfied look now.

"Okay, yes. Monjirou, I will allow you to do with me as you please! I admit defeat…"

At this point, Fujisato looked at "my" face again.

Then her eyes showed shock that could not be suppressed.

"Eh… Monjirou? …N-No way, you… !"

Fujisato kept talking to "me".

However, "I" was unable to make any reply.

Because the current "me" was completely unable to reply.

"It's useless, Fujisato Yuika."

A feeble voice came from the side. Shiki had awakened from the electrical attack earlier.

"His mind is dead. Code: Calvariæ, these keywords… have the ability to instantaneously return Sakuradamon Jirou's superficial personality back to his killer days, resetting all feelings, emotions, transforming him back into a perfect killing machine."

"T-Then Monjirou right now…"

Fujisato kept staring at "me" with her eyes wide open.

However, the current "me" made no response at all.

Suppressing Fujisato Yuika's movements. Now that the goal had been accomplished, this body did not need to respond to her in any way.

"It's like a robot that would do anything to accomplish the mission, even at the cost of life and body."

After fulfilling the assigned task without fail, the only thing left to do was to standby for further orders. However, this body had already reached its absolute limit and was most likely unable to complete the next task or order.

"…If possible, we didn't want to resort to this either. However, Fujisato Yuika, despite knowing clearly that you are Nightkin and knowing that you betrayed him, he still hoped… to live life as before together with you and Kuhou Nagi. It was because he came to understand this point that the ego that constituted "him" disappeared."

"M-Monjirou… How…"

"I" had just heard Fujisato's admission of defeat and now it was confirmed that she had lost all will to fight.

In that case, there was no need to maintain this body's life functions any longer.

In other words, there was no need to maintain the state of the body being controlled by orders--

"…Release Code: Calvariæ… Jirou-kun…"

Just before dying, "I" heard the orders from the master who was holding back her tears--Shiinamachi Kaguya.

Immediately, this body collapsed on top of Fujisato directly, like an unstringed puppet.

--At the same time…

Wonderful, Fujisato was still alive.

I couldn't help but feel a "certain type" of joy.

Translator's Notes and References

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