Episode 238: Rika, the Death Row Inmate

— Mary Sue, perhaps.

Tenko Tsuzuri slightly furrowed her brow, quietly listening.

Indeed, that accurately described one aspect of the so-called "players."

Of course, not everyone is purely self-centered—certainly, I can clearly say "No" to that.

I’ve known for a very long time that this self is insignificant, trivial, and utterly meaningless.

Abuse by my parents, and so on.

Teachers’ lack of understanding, and so on.

Classmates’ sadistic tendencies, and so on.

The resulting loss of a place to belong, and so on.

All of these accumulated over time.

It’s a rather ordinary story.

An unremarkable life, found everywhere, not worth mentioning to anyone in particular.

And yet—

Sakiko Ryōhei and Kamin园 Yuki.

Their lives were effortlessly saved by the sudden appearance of two friends.

While eating a crispy, chewy shrimp tempura manjū, he sank into thought.

—A "player" who resurrects the dead, huh.

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to jump at such news with wild excitement.

But if it were true...

No matter the cost, I have to bring Yuki back to life.

To be honest, part of the reason I asked to join her was because that was my true intention.

Lost in such thoughts, I muttered,

"By the way, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Is your real goal really to find the 'player' who can revive the dead?"

"Eh? No, not at all. We're just searching for someone."

"Wow, unusual. — Lately, anyone passing through this area is mostly trying to bring the dead back to life."

Without thinking, I butted in on the conversation between "her" and Shichireiran.

"Really, that... um..."

Everyone's gaze was directed toward me,

Um... Is there someone who can bring the dead back to life? Completely healthy, just as if they'd never died?

The girl asked tilted her ponytail playfully and tilted her head.

"Well, rumors say that's how it is."

"Have you ever seen someone actually come back to life... or heard anything like that?"

"There is."

Ran nodded casually.

"But I've also heard it's not something you can just bring people back from the dead at will."

For a moment, his heart skipped a beat.

—A person who had died... Kamin园 Yuki... coming back to life...?

Could that really happen? No, in a world where magic exists, it wouldn't be impossible. But...

"What are the necessary conditions for resurrecting the dead?"

"Currently, we don't know."

"Here so close, yet you haven't gathered any information at all?"

"Well, we've sent investigators, of course? If someone could bring back the dead, they'd be an unbeatable ally."

"Then...?"

"Unfortunately, we've come up empty-handed. Everyone."

"Not a single one?"

"Yeah. I think I’ve just gotten influenced by life over there."

"Influenced...?"

"Oh my?...Looks like you two don’t know much about what’s been going on at that amusement park, huh?"

Suzuri briefly glanced at Akita Rinne, who sat beside her.

She should be the one with all the inside info... but instead, she just shook her head.

"I’ve heard it’s not just some ordinary community, that’s all."

Ran briefly glanced at the companions of the "Guardians," engaging in mysterious silent communication.

"What's going on at Maihama...?"

I’m the daughter of a businessman, so I can’t just teach it for free.

Then, my older brother, who was putting all his effort into making monjayaki,

"What's with you, Ran? I've already told you that much——"

"Niyan, just stay quiet. Stay quiet for your whole life."

"O-one... life...?"

I'm not good at subtle, back-and-forth maneuvering.

"...Please state the conditions."

"What needs to be done is extremely simple."

Then she pulled a walkie-talkie out of her pocket with a thud,

"After you arrive over there, please use this walkie-talkie to relay internal information... If there's anything suspicious, just let us know. Then we'll fully back you up from the outside....How's that?"

"Are you telling me to spy?"

"Yeah. If they attack, we'll be the ones they hit first, after all."

I thought I'd be taken advantage of, but surprisingly, it's a fairly honest deal.

Without needing to consult with allies, "she" nods.

"Understood. Let's make a pact."

"Then, I'll tell you—right now, the one running that amusement park is a fugitive named Rika Shizugawa, who escaped during the chaos of the 'End'."

"A prisoner?... What's her crime?"

"She allegedly beat to death a fellow club member during university."

At almost the same time, the faces of everyone except "her" turned pale.

No doubt, each of them had a vague recollection of it.

Since the "End," mob violence and killings carried out as vigilante justice have consistently exposed humanity's darkest, most cruel aspects.

Even someone pleasant when speaking one-on-one can suddenly transform when part of a group... that happens all too often.

If that's been going on even before the "End"...

"Looks like we should take this seriously."

"Yeah."

Ran nodded deeply,

"In the other world, that guy's apparently known as 'Ryuka, the Death Row Prisoner'."

Death Row Prisoner, huh.

It's not a name she'd personally choose, but it's effective at intimidating those around her.

"Reika's taken over that amusement park as her territory and seems to have established some rather odd laws..."

"Laws?"

"Yeah. 'Those who don't enjoy themselves shall not be fed'..."