Chapter 84: All Set?

After Oda left, only I and the girl in a maid outfit remained in the room.

I thought she might say something, but instead—

………………………

She wasn't making any effort to start a conversation.

Awkward silence.

"Um... don't you have anything to eat around here?"

She then handed me a chocolate confectionery that looked high in calories.

"For the future, I'd recommend carrying emergency snacks at all times. For a 'player,' there's nothing more dangerous than running out of mana."

I see, that makes sense.

"Um... well..."

As I tried to think of what to say next,

"I have a personal request to make."

Her tone, usually indifferent, carried a slight sense of seriousness.

"What is it?"

"Um, that man, Keiji... Can I be allowed to do as I please with him?"

"Do as you please...?"

That's not implying anything lewd, is it?

"Exactly what do you plan to do?"

"I'll kill him."

She said it calmly.

"Why?"

"Because he's my enemy."

Hm.

After briefly reconsidering their previous exchange, I formulate my response.

"Um... Is it that girl named 'Kamizono'?"

When I first arrived here, the 'zombie' I cut down straight away—was definitely named something like that.

"Yes... Kamizono Yuki. She was the only person I ever loved."

LOVE, huh.

I let out a deep sigh.

"In the end, your goal was simply to settle a personal grudge, wasn't it?"

"Yes, well..."

Suzuri says this without the slightest trace of shame.

"Then... my answer is..."

"No."

"Why not?"

"He still has utility value."

Ugh.

I just said "utility value," didn't I?

Sounds like something a villain from a bad movie would say.

"Given that the world has turned out this way... no matter the form, things with value will live, and those without value will die. And he still has 'value.'"

That man, the so-called 'Spirit User,' had no value at all.

"Even setting aside your personal feelings, he must be allowed to live."

"Then... what if that man loses all value?"

"In that case, please do as you wish."

"I see."

The maid-clad girl smiled as if the words were good news,

"Revenge is sweet the longer it cools..."

muttering to herself.

Wooow.

Creepy.

"Please be sure to cooperate properly."

Then, Shuuri gently pinched the ends of her skirt and gave a graceful bow.

"Leave it to me."

▼

With Sutsumi gone and no one else left in the room, I whispered to myself.

"Got it covered—now it's all up to you."

Then came the expected reply:

—So you caught on, did you?

From Akira, just as I'd anticipated.

(You're always pulling sneaky tricks, like eavesdropping and the like.)

—It was just a small experiment, really. I was wondering if, perhaps, there was no free will left in you—even as little as a single crumb of it.

(If you pull off something strange next time, I'll make you dance naked in front of everyone.)

— Please, spare me that. I've at least tried to be someone people fear.

Sigh.

Alone in an empty room, I let out a weary breath.

(Just so you know, Sutori is no pushover.)

— I owe you one on that matter. I suppose I should be grateful.

— Don't say things like that. You can't manipulate me, can you?

There's a reason I call this place the "Society of the Right Way to Live." I still believe there will come a day when we can truly understand each other.

(Sometimes, people who are convinced they're right are the ones who do the cruelest things.)

I admit I've been wrong in many ways.

How should I put it...

There's no sign of remorse in this man at all.

(Just so you know, you should bow down and apologize to Yoshida while you still can.)

—That, too, is one of the many "misunderstandings" lying between us. Yoshida Nori was on the brink of death due to abuse.

(As for words, they can be said however one wishes.)

—Of course, I intend to give the maid girl a chance to clear up the misunderstanding. We never meant to treat Kamioka Yuki harshly.

(Still, the fact remains that she took her own life.)

—Sexual issues... can sometimes lead to such events. You might not understand yet, being still a child.

(Unless you change your mindset, you'll eventually be stabbed in the back.)

—Got it. I'll keep that in mind.

(Always remember she's watching you—never forget that.)

—Understood.

With that, I sever the telepathic connection with Akagi.

I lie down on the bed.

Fuhhhhh—, I let out a long sigh.

All settled, right?

If there were a way to save everyone in this world, I’d gladly do it.

But for now, this is more than enough.

What happens from here onward is their story.

They’ll face their problems in their own way and deal with them accordingly.

Tomorrow… I wonder what I’ll do.

After finishing up the remaining errands, I’ll head back to “Sakagahara High School” the same day.

Yeah, that's good.

This isn't my home.

The bed is soft and comfortable, feels nice to lie on.

But deep down, that's exactly how I feel.