Episode 86: Amamiya-kun and Tsumuri-san

"I heard, 'Warrior'! You really laid the villain flat, didn't you!?"

Laid flat.

"And I heard you even reformed the bad guy! That's amazing, isn't it!"

Reformed.

...Well, I suppose you could say that, though it's a bit of a stretch.

It's a bit of a gray area, really.

Right now, my sister and I are being showered with hospitality from the people at the aviation park—more than we ever imagined—and honestly, we're a bit overwhelmed.

"Amazing! Even though you're so small, you're as strong as Superman, right?"

"O... ooooh..."

While being gently patted on the head by the older girls, Ayane quietly replied.

She looked a bit lackluster.

Apparently, the aftermath of yesterday's battle was still lingering.

As a result, she ended up playing the typical role of a chew toy throughout the whole time.

Still, once she saw the specially made thick steak right in front of her, her mood had completely improved.

"Wow, so delicious! More, more! Keep grilling them, keep grilling!"

Being forward is truly wonderful.

The meat was sliced with Amamiya-kun's "Predator's Meat Cleaver" and boldly grilled using the "Hunter's Meat Grilling Set."

Our bodies, having once completely run out of fuel, required ten times the amount of food that an average person would.

Gulping down a bottle of Routebia (a secret favorite), we hungrily devoured the meat.

Gulp. Chew.

Gulping. Chewing.

Chew... gulp...

"Ah... sorry... I need seconds..."

Amamiya-kun remained cheerful throughout.

"Great! Keep eating as much as you want! Want me to get some sake too?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

I might get drowsy.

So I moved to the seat next to Amamiya-kun and said,

"By the way, about the skill I received recently..."

He seemed to have anticipated the question, replying smoothly.

"You can keep the skills 'Subjugation' and 'Slave Command' for now. If we ever need them, I'll have Hayana contact you."

"Thank you."

To be honest, I had been planning to use 'Subjugation' for a while.

If anyone at 'Sakagahara High' expresses interest, I was considering letting them use 'Subjugation' too.

After all, as Amamiya-kun once said, the benefits of becoming a 'slave' can't be ignored.

"But... um... what about 'Healing Magic'...?"

"Yeah, that's right."

I mentally focus, willing 'Healing Magic' to return to his skill set.

"Restored."

Thanks.

Amamiya let out a long sigh.

"I'm really, honestly... glad I got to meet you, Warrior-san. I can't thank you enough."

"That's fine, but..."

Pausing his meal, he briefly straightened his expression.

"There's one thing I'd like to confirm."

"What is it?"

He let out a soft sigh.

Amid such a celebratory atmosphere, it takes courage to bring up a topic like this.

"Is it really not your doing... that the 'Spirit User' has appeared?"

He didn't flinch.

Rather, he seemed to regard the question as perfectly understandable.

"No. I swear by heaven and earth—I have nothing to do with it."

He stated it firmly.

"Hmm..."

Words can be said however one likes, of course.

"But it's just too suspicious. Your goal with Sutori was revenge, wasn't it? Then wouldn't sending assassins other than me be a natural choice? And if successful, you could even eliminate the 'players' who were under your control."

"I do feel complicated about Yuki... but not as intensely as Tsumuri does. As I said before, I just wanted those people living at that university silenced—after that, I didn't care what happened."

"Hmm...?"

Well, that's fine.

"...What's up?"

"But you're still holding something back, aren't you?"

I stare into his eyes.

Amamiya's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Ah... um... what are you talking about...?"

"Just so you know, I haven't forgotten the time I deceived Ayane-chan. I already knew there was something suspicious about your actions."

"O-oh... oh... uh, meat? Want more meat?"

"If you're going to lie, that's fine. But if I find proof that you're lying, I'll immediately take away all your skills."

Amamiya lowered his head.

"Forgive me. You caught me, huh."

"……And?"

"Probably, what 'Warrior' was thinking was right. That was the final secret."

Huh.

A single sigh.

Just as I thought.

"So 'Slave' really wasn't you after all."

"Ah."

"Then who is it?"

Depending on that reply, a complete break could have been possible.

"Zetsuri."

"...? Her?"

"That's right. I was merely a 'slave.' It was the other way around, really."

"But why?"

"We didn't know how the 'Warrior' would react, so we needed a replacement. If the 'Warrior' had attacked without warning, I was supposed to be the sacrifice, so Zetsuri could take revenge."

Ah, I see. That makes sense.

"Even the weak have their own ways of planning, you know....Of course, I trust 'Warrior' now, completely."

"Then that's good."

"…If you still can't bring yourself to trust me… well, here, please take this. As proof of my trust in you."

Amamiya hands over the "Bakeneko's staff," which he had just returned moments ago.

"Hmm..."

If that’s the case, refusing this could be seen as not trusting you.

"Then, I’ll gladly accept it."

"Looking forward to your continued support."

Amamiya smiles warmly, like a friendly neighborhood vegetable vendor.

"As a side note, I’ll go ahead and reveal a little secret: 'Amamiya' is also a pseudonym derived from the surname 'Sutsumi.' My real name is Sakanaga Ryōhei."

Ah, I see.

Amanomiya Tsumuri and Sakimitsu Ryōhei, right?

"But then one question remains"

What's up?

"Mr. Hallucination, the voice in your head referred to the 'evil slave master' as 'him.'...Satori-san, aren't you a girl? How did you manage to control the voice inside your head?"

...Ah

Ryohei let out a low, chuckling laugh from deep in his throat.

"Nothing at all. I'm not controlling anything."

"Then how?"

"It's simple... He was a guy all along from the very beginning."

………….

…………………….

…………………………Wait, what?

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

At that moment, the maid in the maid outfit... no, the boy,

"Master, I've just returned."

poked his head out suddenly.

"The university crowd seems more than willing to cooperate with us for now. For the time being, we'll handle the exchange of supplies and personnel... Wait, huh?"

For a split second, I locked eyes with Sotatsu.

"Eh, what? What?!"

I instinctively stood up and took a few steps back.

Apparently, that was all it took for Sotatsu to figure it out,

"Oh, caught red-handed, huh?"

and gave a sheepish grin.

"You... you don't look like a guy at all."

"If you're so suspicious, then go ahead and look?"

The maid lifted a portion of her skirt, flashing a provocative smile.

"I-I-I... w-what are you doing...?"

I, on the other hand, stood frozen in place, utterly unable to move.