Part 76: Wrong Path

Here it is

The place we visited seemed to have once been used by the school's former dignitaries.

I was the only one led into the room.

It's a personal matter.

Apparently, Oda-san is left out of the group.

We will sit facing each other.

When I sat on the sofa, two elegantly dressed women brought over snacks and appetizers on plates, along with alcohol and juice.

"Is the alcohol... a good mouthful?"

No

Nodding sincerely, Akira pours apple juice into my glass.

Well, I wasn't planning to drink from it anyway.

"...hehe"

Akira gives a slightly enigmatic smile.

"What's so funny?"

"You're surprisingly calm, you know. I wouldn't think I'm facing a gang boss right now."

"No, I'm nervous inside, really."

"Hmm... well, whatever."

Akira chews on a snack in his hand, then continues.

"I summoned you here for no other reason than... I thought you might have some questions for me."

"Questions?"

"That's right. You've undoubtedly heard a lot of information before coming here. If there are any misunderstandings, I'd like to clear them up now. According to the reports on you, you're quite the skilled assassin."

"Not really that skilled."

I pick up on the compliment and respond with a casual reply.

I instinctively judged that an offhand comment could be dangerous.

"Still, you must have something you'd like to say, right?"

"Then... "

I respond with a casual air, as if hesitating slightly, "It's not exactly a major issue, but if I had to pick one thing..."

"Are you really abducting women?"

Detective Kaito quickly finishes his whiskey and replies,

"Of course it's true."

"Even young girls?"

"Occasionally."

"Why?"

I already knew the woman who had just served us was one of them.

The air in this room is thick with the overwhelming scent of women.

"There are many reasons. But if I must start with a personal one—well, it's a fetish. A few years ago, I caught my wife in bed with another man. Ever since then, I can't be satisfied by just one woman."

Without a hint of shame, the man continued.

"This is also an attempt to reinstate polygamy, as a personal principle."

"Polygamy...?"

"Whenever I hear that, it brings to mind the image of male superiority and female inferiority—but it's just the opposite. Polygyny is actually a rational rule in harsh environments."

"Huh."

I respond, feeling as if I'm listening to a history lecture.

"This is already happening within this community. In the future, the male death rate will skyrocket compared to that of women—thanks to the battles against those monsters."

Akira's tone somehow sounded prophetic.

"In a world like this, the traditional monogamous marriage system is nothing but a disadvantageous institution. Think about it—what happens to the women left behind when men keep dying one after another? Will they raise children alone? In a society that's lost its workforce and might even discriminate against them?"

It didn't look like he was just making excuses to suit his own preferences...

He seems to truly believe that the world is actually heading in this direction.

"Polygamy, in reality, isn't about women being subordinate to men. In our current circumstances, it's actually a system where men serve women."

"You're saying... you're the one leading by example?"

"Yeah. But since I can't suddenly change everyone's mindset, I figured I'd set an example now. That way, my way of thinking will naturally be passed down to the next generation, right?"

………….

……………Hmm. I see, I see.

Oh no!

That's not good, that's not good.

I was about to accept it without question.

"No, no, that's not the point. The real issue is that kidnapping people is wrong in the first place."

"Hmm? According to the story about Oda, you yourself kidnapped a woman, right?"

Ah, you mean Ayaka-chan. Yeah, that was the setup, wasn't it.

"With regard to her... well, she joined me with her own consent. I didn't forcibly take her."

"If that's the case, then we're following the same procedure. We only offer protection to those who admit they can't raise a child on their own. Naturally, they should accept becoming my lover as well."

Ugh.

Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.

This is a real problem.

I can't think of any justification for this situation.

I never expected to be defeated not by force, but by words—this must be the gap in social skills...

I wish he'd just act like a typical shonen manga villain—something along the lines of "Gehahaha! I love young girls! I'm the best! Everyone die, die, die! Hehe!" instead.

"B-But even so..."

I say it desperately, as if throwing a wild, aimless punch.

"T-That girl turned into a 'zombie' and was displayed at the main gate..."

At that, a shadow crossed Makoto's expression.

"...That's right. Just because something is logical doesn't mean it can convince everyone's heart." He had noticed that "she" was troubled, but he didn't know exactly what it was. That's how the tragedy came to be."

A clearly visible expression of deep pain.

"Are you... related to 'her'?"

His mouth hung open in shock.

He had no idea how the conversation had led to that assumption.

"Or perhaps you're an assassin sent by someone connected to 'her'?"

"What... are you talking about?"

"I've long heard rumors about the aviation memorial park—a cult-like group that reveres some strange man....Do you really think we wouldn't be watching over such dangerous people?"

Well then...

That means...

"You've known all along, haven't you?"

"Yeah. Well, I didn't quite understand who you were or what your intentions were when you came here. That's why I wanted to hear your honest opinion."

"Still, you didn't take the sword from me."

"True, I didn't."

Smiling wryly, he pulled a small pistol from the pocket of his coat.

"Just to be safe, I've prepared something like this. But I know full well I'm not the kind of fool who'd cause a scene here. Otherwise, I wouldn't make it back alive. There's no real reason to go that far, is there?"

"Well, that's true."

He replied with a wry smile.

His mind was astonishingly calm.

Even under the view of "The Glasses of the Coward,"

——Status: Calm

remained unchanged.

That doesn't mean I was completely at ease...

"Um... may I ask, what are your intentions going forward?"

"Actually, nothing specific. Maybe I'll show off my skills by killing someone right here and play the ruthless man for a bit... But to be honest, I've also been considering the possibility that you might join me as an ally. You've probably already noticed, but in this world, people who can fight zombies are rare and valuable. It's worth investing in—just like I'm doing right now."

"I'm sorry, but that's simply not possible."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

I understand what you're trying to say. Your thoughts and methods might not be wrong... But I won't support that.

As I speak, I carefully place my sword on the table.

"Still, if the claim that no one has been harmed is true..."

I don't intend to cause you any harm.

That's when I was about to say it.

Click. The door at the back slowly opens, and a young girl appears before us.

"Miss Mitsuya...?"

"What do you mean? I told you not to barge in without permission."

"But Yuzu said I could go ahead..."

"What? Yuzu?...Honestly, you're making things worse."

In an instant, a memory surfaced in my mind.

-- A woman named Yoshida, who lives a little further down the road, still hasn't given up on her elementary school-aged daughter.

-- They called it a "safety fee."

A chill ran down my spine, and a terrible feeling washed over me.

"Um... you're Yoshida-san, right?"

"...Big brother, you know me?"

I turn my gaze toward Akira.

"Is she also... one of my mistresses?"

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a lolicon."

Akira said with a bitter expression.

"Still, every taboo must be broken now, before it's too late. The next generation will likely see more marriages at a young age."

"But..."

"Want to try it yourself? It might not be as bad as you think."

A sudden heat surged through my blood.

"——... You damned heretic."

A muttered curse.

Before I realized it, I had kicked the sofa hard.

From the gun barrel aimed at me by Akira-san, a golden flash——.