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#0-3_haizaki_itsuya/ the adult way

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“At this rate, we won’t be able to avoid this becoming a case…”

Of course, Haizaki Itsuya went to work as usual this morning. The janitor room had been tidied and not a single piece of trash was left on the floor. With the watering can on the work desk in hand, he was now ready to start work anytime. He was fully prepared.

“What should I do, I’ve really done it now…”

Haizaki sat down on the steel chair.

“No, this is no time to be sitting…”

He stood up straight away.

“I’ve done it! I’ve done it. I’ve gone and done it now. What do you mean, ‘I will do anything within my power’? Going all, ‘If you feel like it, please rely on me’. I can't believe I said that. Pretending to be all cool-like. That’s right, I just couldn't help but show off a little, huh? Even though that wasn't cool anyway. That’s a bad habit of mine. I declared that so confidently but couldn't get in contact with the section chief in the end…”

Haizaki paced back and forth around the janitor room. From under the work desk, Haizaki’s partner, the weasel-like zingai Olver stuck its head out.

“Man, should I just say it? Go, ‘I’d like to be reinstated into Special Cases’? Would that work out somehow…? Bow my head and go ‘Please, let me be reinstated’. Hmm. I wonder. Reinstated huh. Reinstated. Could I do it is the question. Working on the scene is out of the question; I’ve been branded as useless so I’ll probably be transferred to general affairs or something. General affairs!”

He set the watering can down on the work desk with a bang, and Olver retreated back under the desk.

“Aaah…!”

Haizaki tousled his hair with both hands.

“General affairs section, I’m not suited to that. Coordination and negotiation and stuff. The section chief transferred me there knowing that. It was to make me say ‘I quit’ on my own accord, wasn't it? In other words, I was basically half forced to quit my job. What could I possibly do in this state? Even though I have to do something. I have to protect those kids who have a future. What should I do? I’ve really done it now…”

Haizaki placed both hands on the desk and nodded. He nodded again and again, repeatedly muttering, ‘got it, I understand, I got it.’

“Whatever I do, can’t be helped. If this problem could be solved by worrying I would've solved it long ago. First comes work. I have work to do. That’s right. I’m a respectable salaried worker, so let’s get to work.”

He picked up the watering can once again. At that moment, the cellphone atop his desk started ringing. Haizaki jumped up with an “Owahh!” and clutched his chest.

“Do- d-d-d- don’t scare me like that. What do you want, ugh… What, you venting your anger now? That’s it huh, venting your anger at a cellphone, huh. A call…? Who is it, so early in the morning—”

Haizaki picked up the cellphone in place of the watering can. The number was displayed. It was a cellphone number. He didn't remember seeing it before. It was a number he didn't know. He picked up tentatively.

“...Yes, hello?”

“Ah, Haizaki-kun?”

It was a male voice, and not a young one.

“...Uh…yes…”

“Boku, boku*,” *boku meaning ‘I’

The voice was mocking, and without thinking Haizaki joined in on the bit.

“Bokuboku-san?”

“Huh?”

“That’s not right is it. Eh? Whom am I speaking to…?”

“This is Kudou. You know who I am?”

“Ch-chief…?!”

“Well, you’re in no place to be calling me chief. Not anymore, eh?”

That mocking way of speaking, as if playing the fool—it sure was that man all right.

Kudou.

Chief of management of the Special Cases Countermeasures Office in the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.

Kudou Keiki.

And to Haizaki Itsuya, his former boss.

“I’ve heard all about it, Haizaki-kun~”

An image appeared in his mind; one of Kudou picking out earwax with his left pinky, a faint smile spreading across his long, horse-like face.

“You’ve properly put yourself to work in another job, haven't you?”

“...Ahh, well… yes. Thanks to your help…”

“Working at a middle school, was it? Ya know, I always thought you’d be a, ah you know? A host or something? I thought if you were switching you’d go into that line of work.”

“H-host… huh. No way, I’m not that young anymore…”

“What’re you saying now. If you say you’re not young, then what would that make me? That’s the thing about you, Haizaki-kun. You’ve got a nice attitude and a slick mouth but you’re surprisingly insensitive, huh?”

“...I’m sorry.”

“It’s just a joke. A joke! You try so hard to look cool but you’re weirdly serious at heart, aren’tcha?”

“Is that how you thought of me…”

“That you’re weirdly serious? It is. In a bad way.”

“A bad way…”

“Like I said, I’m joking! Humour’s important, you know. Don't you think so? Hm?”

Kudou was a Toudai graduate and a civil servant, but he was funny without putting on airs, and on top of that, he was aloof. He was not the kind of man to talk roughly to his juniors.

However, he was scary when he got mad. That had been the hottest rumour around. He was a master of behind-the-scenes maneuvers and shady dealings, and he was categorically unforgiving to anyone who intruded on his territory. Single, and uninterested in climbing the corporate ladder, which made him extra vicious by nature.  Those were the rumours he had heard.

An enigma of a man, shrouded in mystery. He was well-mannered and fair-spoken, but he gave off the impression that nothing he said was the truth. From the day he saw his face to the day he quit from Special Cases, Haizaki had never been good at dealing with Kudou.

“Um, Kudou—san. So uh… what did you need from me?”

“Ahh, right, right.”

He heard Kudou’s Nnhuhuh laugh for the first time in a while. Haizaki didn't deal well with that laughter either. Truthfully, it irritated him. Kudou was probably aware that he irritated others. He seemed to do it on purpose.

“What, you say. Of course, I’m not calling to apologize for neglecting our longstanding friendship. I don't exactly have that kind of free time on my hands. And neither do you, right? Your second shot at life. Putting your all into your work and all. You must be pretty busy yourself. Am I mistaken?”

“....About that, well…”

“If that’s the case, Haizaki-kun. Don’t be doing anything unnecessary.”

Abruptly, Kudou’s tone went cold. It was a strange, imperceptible change. Kudou probably still had a smile plastered on his face. However, Haizaki suddenly found it hard to breathe. It was like his eyeballs had been pierced with blades.

“Understood? What happened to her, it was a serious blow. Not just to you, but to us all, you see. You couldn't manage to recover. That can't be helped. I’m not blaming you whatsoever. But you managed to find new employment, and got your life back on track. I applaud you! I’m truly happy for you. Please, do continue to do your best. You have my full support. But you see, Haizaki-kun, could you refrain from sticking your nose in our line of work? It’s not something a good law abiding citizen has any business getting involved in. Of course, you must know that very well yourself.”

“...They’re middle school students.”

Good job talking back. Haizaki wanted to praise himself right then. Praising himself for this much—he found his own softness quite disgusting if he did say so himself. He was still wet behind the ears and surely too naive, but he didn't think he was wrong.

“They’re still just children. We adults have to protect th—”

“I’m saying that isn't your job, Haizaki-kun. Or what—”

Kudou pressed on.

“—do you wish to return to the position of the Otter?”

Haizaki licked his lips. Then he bit down on them.

Which one was this?

Was Kudou seriously proposing his reinstatement? Or was he just messing with him? And what about Haizaki himself? If it could protect the children, he wanted to return to Special Cases. Yes, he’d return. Did he have the resolve for that? Or did he think that was beyond his abilities?

“To be real with you, it’s the same everywhere, and complaining won't get you anywhere, but our budget is getting stretched quite thin. Even if we spend money like tap water, there’s no guarantee someone with the right aptitude will just show up.”

“Are you low on personnel?”

“It’s as busy as it was when you left. If you really insist on returning? Well, if you’re persistent enough, I won't say you’re out of consideration. For now, even if it’s just in the form of  an external ally, any help is somethin, you know?”

“...Please, could you give me a little…”

Those were the only words Haizaki could wring out. As he said those words, Haizaki felt disappointed in his own indecisiveness, but he couldn't bring himself to change his answer.

“...a little time to consider it?”

“Of course.”

From Kudou’s attitude, this was probably within his expectations. Haizaki Itsuya was not such a bold person as to say right then and there, ‘Please, let me go back!’ He’d seen right through him.

“Ah, right. I forgot to say the important thing. Regarding the series of incidents, we can't afford to sit idly by anymore, so we’ve decided to take measures.”

“Eh? Pardon? What do you mean by taking m—”

“As an adult, you wish to protect the children's futures. That’s right, you’re absolutely right. Ah, there’s the time. I’ve got a meeting to get to, so excuuuse me.”

“Wait, chief—”

“Aaaand that’s all.”

Kudou hung up, one-sidedly ending the conversation.

“Freakin-...messin-...with…me….!”

Haizaki shook his phone around with all his might. He wanted to slam it into the floor and smash it into a million pieces.

“It’s not the phone’s fault…”

He managed to hold himself back, and slowly lowered his right hand which gripped the phone.

“Anyway, if you break that, the expenses will be pretty high. The warranty is over, after all. Well, even if it was within the warranty period, you’d still have to pay repair fees huh, of course…”

Haizaki took a deep breath. He tried to calm himself, but couldn't stop the annoyance that came bubbling over.

“But man, that Chief Kudou sure gets on your nerves. He never lets anything throw him off pace. Does that guy ever lose his cool? In the end he's just saying whatever he wants, huh. Take measures, he said. Does that mean this has turned into a case now? What is—”

Someone knocked on the door of the janitor’s room. If they needed something from him, teachers and some students sometimes paid him a visit. Haizaki opened his mouth to respond, ‘Come in,’ but before that, the door flew open with great vigor.

“Eek—” 

Startled, Haizaki dropped his phone.

“Uooh!”

Flustered, Haizaki picked up his phone. The screen wasn't cracked. From what he could see, it wasn't visibly damaged. Relieved, he turned his gaze towards the door, where a young lady stood.

“...Huh?”

She wasn't in her twenties. She was in her teens. Early teens, at that. Was she a student in this school? No, he’d never seen that face before. And she wasn't in uniform anyway, she was in casual clothes. A t-shirt with the words ‘THA ZEN’ printed across the front. Not ‘THE ZEN’. ‘THA ZEN’.

Her hairstyle looked like she’d just rolled out of bed. Well, there was no sign she’d tried to style it, so it could hardly be called a hairstyle. She was wearing headphones. Her eyes, which seemed to be both looking at Haizaki and nothing in particular, seemed sleepy. Or rather, it seemed like she held him in contempt.

The girl stepped in the janitor’s room and closed the door, then removed her headphones and hung them around her neck.

“Gmornin.”

For a moment, Haizaki wasn't sure what the girl had said. Had she been trying to say ‘good morning?’ It would've been better if she raised her volume just a bit.

“Uh—Good… morning… to you— uh. Eh? Who—who might you be?”

The girl moved her lips and uttered something. …n..er…ent? He didn't understand. He didn't catch any of that. Please, just raise your voice a little. He couldn't exactly say that to someone he was meeting for the first time, so Haizaki cupped his hand behind his ear and listened again.

“And who are…?”

The girl rolled her eyes. No, that wasn't it. She looked up, only moving her eyeballs. At the same time, she sighed with a Haah.

He could almost hear her saying what a pain in the ass in her head. Something like ‘what a bother’, or ‘how annoying’. If you were too persistent with middle schoolers, those kinds of words usually came out. Haizaki often consoled himself by saying, well, they’re at their peak of cheekiness, but honestly, that hurt a little.

“Transfer student.”

This time her voice was quite loud. It was low, for a girl, and a bit husky; a voice with quite some character.

“Was pretty sudden, so I didn't have time to get a uniform though.”

“...Transfer student. Ahh, I see.”

Haizaki tilted his head. ‘I see’ my ass! This is the janitor’s room!

“Um, the staff room is—”

“You didn't hear?”

The transfer student pointed to the phone in Haizaki’s hand.

“From Chief Kudou.”

“No? I didn't… hear? …Chief? Kudou—”

Haizaki’s eyes widened.

“Wh-wh-wh-wh-why do you know the Special Cases— the Management section’s Chief’s name…?!”

“You mean, why does a child know that?”

The transfer student walked towards the work desk. She swiped a finger over the surface of the desk quickly, as if checking if it was dirty. She sat down at the desk.

“Why do you think, old man?”

“Old…”

Surrounded by middle school students, he was often called an old man. Truth be told, in the eyes of middle schoolers, Haizaki was an old man. He was aware he was an old man. That being said, to be treated like one so straightforwardly was a little painful.

“...It can’t be, that you’re—related to Special Cases? Or? Something?”

“Special Cases this Special Cases that. I wonder if you can really just say that all willy nilly.”

The transfer student shrugged lightly.

“We usually call ourselves the Flower Shop or whatever, right?”

“That’s…right…”

Somehow he slipped into polite speech. Haizaki cleared his throat.

“You, but…you’re a middle school student…right?”

“Sweet fourteen.”

The transfer student snorted and let out a short laugh, devoid of humour.

“And you’re on duty at the Flower Shop?”

“...I…When I* was employed, children would never be sent on to the scene. Never mind on scene, even in general affairs or information processing, there wasn't a single minor…” *Haizaki switches from the rougher ‘ore’ to the more polite ‘watashi’

“They aren’t that short on hands. It’s just, on this kind of scene we ‘kids’, as you say, have an easier time moving around.”

“Moving—what are you planning on doing, you—”

“Monika.”

“...Eh?”

“Asahi Monika.”

The transfer student wrote five kanji characters in the air with her finger.

“Well, the surname’s just an alias, so it’s random.”

“Monika…san.”

“You’re calling me by my first name? Acting all close, huh?”

“S-sorry.”

“Well, it’s fine.”

“It’s fine…?”

As Haizaki whispered that, Asahi Monika’s gaze relaxed slightly. However, she regained her previous listless expression instantly.

“I can’t talk to you about the job, old man. You’re an outsider after all.”

“...Then, why…”

“Just a greeting, you know.”

Monika got up from the desk and walked towards the door.

Haizaki’s shoulders dropped. ‘That so?’ seemed like the only thing he could say. That said, as an adult, saying that to a middle schooler, even if she was related to Special Cases, was pretty pathetic.

“Ah, and—”

Monika turned around.

“Chief might’ve told you already, but just in case.”

“...What’s the deal?”

An adult saying ‘what’s the deal?’ to a middle school student. What could one make of that? It was almost as bad as saying ‘That so?’, wasn’t it. Haizaki felt utterly depressed.

“If you don't feel like helping out then don't get in the way, old man.”

It might’ve been his imagination, but he felt like she put extra emphasis on the words ‘old man’.

Monika left the janitor’s room.

“Old man’s getting in the way, huh…”

Haizaki placed his phone down. He didn't mean to, but he ended up slamming it onto the table. The screen was facing down, so he lifted it up to check, just in case. He saw a faint crack running down the screen.

“You’re kidding, right….?”

---

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#0-2_shiratama_ryuko/ I'm about to laugh

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—–

She’d lie in wait for him. That morning, she’d made up her mind to do so the moment she opened her eyes.

The problem was where.

After much thinking, Shiratama Ryuuko hid in the shadow of the shoe box. When Otogiri Tobi came by, she’d jump out energetically. She’d done something similar before. That time, she hadn't particularly intended to scare him. She’d just thought, “He’s here!” and poked her head out from the shoe box’s shadow, and Tobi had been startled and stepped back.

That had been kinda fun.

She wanted to give him a real proper scare. What kind of reaction would Tobi have then? Her heart pounded with excitement imagining it. But—

As she held her breath and imagined Tobi’s expressions and behaviors, a thought bothered her.

What kind of human felt such happiness at the thought of scaring a friend?

“What do you think? Chinu…”

At times like these, Ryuuko couldn't help but talk to her well-used pochette.

“Oh no!”

She whipped her head around frantically. Luckily there was nobody around right now. If someone were there they’d think she was a freak.

Ryuuko put both hands on the pochette and sighed out a single “Phew.”

“...Huh?”

Something was strange.

‘Strange’, or rather, the pochette was rustling.

“Chinu…”

Ryuuko unzipped the pochette. Immediately, Chinu’s horns shot out. Her white fur trembled restlessly.

“Does it hurt? It’s okay, come on out.”

As Ryuuko whispered to her, Chinu pushed her body about halfway out of the pochette as if she had been waiting to do so. Her small mouth poked out between her fur and cried out, “Uchuu—”

Ryuuko nodded at Chinu and began walking. It wouldn't be a problem if Chinu were to be seen. Well, most people couldn't see her anyway. Even so, she was still somewhat concerned about attracting attention. Numerous students came and went around the shoe box.

“I don't think scaring Tobi is such a great idea either…”

Kuii.

Chinu cried out, as if to say, “Right?”

“Lying in wait…”

Maybe she was thinking about it the wrong way. She didn't have to lie in wait, she just had to wait for him somewhere.

“Would it be better to wait in the classroom?”

Uyuu. Chinu cried.

“...But for some reason I just can't feel at ease.”

Suddenly, Ryuuko stopped in her tracks.

“Am I speaking too much? I’ll seem like someone who likes to talk to themselves…”

She began walking immediately. Ryuuko walked quickly.

Chinu looked up at Ryuuko. Chinu didn't have anything that resembled eyes. But she really was looking.

When she kept Chinu in the pochette, she could act as if she wasn't there. She couldn't have Chinu looking at her like this. She always ended up being aware of her presence.

Ryuuko came to a halt on the landing of the stairs. By chance, no one was around.

“Chinu—”

She touched the pochette. About three fifths of Chinus body was outside the pochette. Despite that, she filled the inside of the pochette.

“Have you gotten bigger after all? Chinu…”

She’d been smaller in the past.

Back when her grandmother had bought her the pochette there had been plenty of space. It had been roomy.

Was she growing up steadily?

Little by little, bit by bit.

Ryuuko was the same after all. For instance, compared to three years ago when she’d been in fifth grade, her height had changed considerably. She’d grown around fifteen centimeters. But she wasn't quite aware of it herself, and she didn't particularly feel like the scenery she saw every day changed much either.

However, lately Chinu was awfully big.

It was sudden.

She’d suddenly grown bigger.

Recently.

When had it started?

“...”

Ryuuko breathed in.

Unyuu.

Chinu cried.

Some female students were climbing up the stairs. Ryuuko moved to the corner of the landing so as to not get in their way.

Her heart was pounding.

Ryuuko felt strange right then. For some time, she hadn't been thinking of anything. She probably hadn't seen or heard anything either.

She'd been spacing out.

Ryuuko slapped her temple with the palm of her left hand. She couldn't help but do this whenever she tried to remember something. She did this often during tests too. It was a habit from way back.

Why was she spacing out? Since when had her mind gone blank?

When?

That’s right.

Ryuuko had been thinking about something. Chinu. Recently, Chinu was bigger. Had she ever felt that before? Just like how Ryuuko grew taller, Chinu was growing bigger as well. That was undeniable. She’d been smaller in the past. The past. When was ‘the past’?

Lately, she’d grown bigger.

Ryuuko squeezed her eyes shut.

There it was again. It wasn't like she lost consciousness. Saying her consciousness felt faraway wasn't quite right, but it was like a white wall appeared in front of her, and her thoughts wouldn't continue beyond that point. This happened from time to time.

For instance, this happened when she tried to read books her grandfather bought her. She would encounter a difficult passage, and she couldn't understand it no matter how many times she read it. All of a sudden, she would be unable to think of anything. Afterwards, when her grandfather asked her questions, she would surely be unable to answer them, and she’d get scolded. The thought of that scared her desperately.

She’d sometimes blank out in the middle of being questioned by her grandfather too. Why aren't you saying anything? Her grandfather would yell. He’d rap on the table with his fingertips, and Ryuuko would come to her senses. Even when she apologized profusely, her grandfather wouldn't forgive her. Once he was angered, his mood wouldn't improve that easily. Thanks to that, even her grandmother would become cold.

A good for nothing child.

Whenever that happened, Ryuuko would reflect on herself.

I am a good for nothing child.

There are so many bad things about me.

A bad child.

Me, good for nothing.

I am a good for nothing child.

That’s why.

So that must be why—

And then Ryuuko would blank out again.

Kii. Chinu cried out. Did that happen first, or was it the stimulus of the footsteps and presence of someone walking up the stairs? She didn't really know.

“Ah.”

Ryuuko ran to the edge of the landing. Two male students were climbing up the stairs side by side. Both of them were in the same class as Ryuuko. The boy carrying a backpack on his back looked up at Ryuuko with upturned eyes. Otogiri Tobi’s eyes widened slightly.

“Good morning, Tobi!”

Ryuuko raised both hands in the air. It was an unconscious action.

Tobi furrowed his brows like “Eh?” and Ryuuko not only thought, “Wahh…”, but also said it out loud. 

Ryuuko was striking a strange pose indeed. This looked like she was cheering in jubilation. Though it was true her heart leapt at seeing Tobi, it wasn't to the point of cheering hooray. She put both hands down.

“Ah…”

Tobi quickly dipped his head.

“Good morning.”

“G-good morning!”

She’d said good morning just now. She’d accidentally said it again, how embarrassing.

Beside Tobi, the boy with the long bangs was dumbfounded. Of course she’d been aware that he was there, but honestly Ryuuko hadn't paid him much attention. Thinking of it now, that was quite rude.

 “Um, good morning to you too, Asamiya-kun!”

After bowing to Asamiya Shinobu, Ryuuko realized she’d just said good morning three times. Her embarrassment boiled over, and her whole body felt hot.

“...Fuah! I, really, I…”

“H—”

Tobi covered his mouth with his right elbow and looked down.

Asamiya-kun even burst out laughing.

“You sure are a funny one, O-Ryuu.”

The backpack on Tobi’s back too, laughed with a fuhaha.

On Ryuuko’s end, she found it upsetting for her embarrassment to be made fun of. She wanted to protest, but with Asamiya-kun here she couldn't talk to Baku.

Besides, seeing Tobi’s shoulders shaking as he tried to stifle his laughter, she somehow felt like none of that mattered anymore. Involuntarily, her face relaxed, and now even Ryuuko felt like laughing. She tried to hold it back, but it was no use.

“Fufu…”

Somehow she managed to hold back a stifled laugh. However, perhaps triggered by Ryuuko’s laugh, Tobi burst out a “Fu…” Ryuuko felt like screaming. Tobi had been trying so hard to hold it in. This was bad. She was getting pulled along.

“Hey man, what the hell…”

Asamiya clutched his stomach and began laughing loudly.

Ryuuko covered her face with both hands. She wasn't even sure in what way she was laughing right now. Baku grumbled, flabbergasted.

“This is beyond funny, it’s straight up weird now, you guys…”

---

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[italiantnea]

#0/ The dispersed and accumulated solutions are unknown not a piece of cake

i feel no pity sorrow too is unthinkable

it is the path i follow though i barely progress forward

in the end, is it nothing more than a path without a path

— “Work #1”, S

#0-1_otogiri_tobi/ I don’t know who you are

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—–

The teacher with the black-rimmed glasses who always stood in front of the school gate called out to the students. What he wore was, as usual, an awfully tight-fitting suit.

“Asamiyaa”

On this morning, he detained one of Tobi’s classmates.

“Those bangs, aren't they too long? Go cut them. It’s bad for your eyes. Sensei’s eyesight got bad from that, you know?”

“Yagi-sensei also had long bangs in the past?”

“Who’re you calling Yagi? Well, yeah. It was long. I didn't have this hairstyle in the past, after all. Well, that’s obvious.”

“Yagi-sensei, you mean you used to break school rules?”

“Like I said, it’s Yagarashima-sensei, not Yagi! The school I attended was one in the countryside with about thirty students in the entire school, so there weren’t really school rule-like school rules…”

“I’ll cut it next time…”

“Make sure you do, Asamiya! It’s bad for your eyes!”

As soon as Asamiya went by, Yagarashima-sensei with his black-rimmed glasses immediately zeroed in on another student.

“Oi, Takagii. You don't look well. You ok?”

“I got low air pressure, so”

“What’re you talking about, low air pressure. If you’re going with that, it’s low blood pressure, isn't it?”

“Yagi-sensei, mornin!”

As another female student passed by and waved her hand in greeting, Yagarashima-sensei jumped up with enough force to dislodge his glasses.

“You there, Miyoshii! It’s not ‘mornin’, it’s ‘good morning’!”

Tobi hadn't noticed until now, but Yagarashima sensei seemed to be quite looked down upon by students. To put it in a better way, they were quite friendly with him.

As Tobi greeted him while passing by, Yagarashima-sensei’s face broke into a broad smile with an “oh!”.

“Good morning, Otogiri!”

He seemed awfully happy, or rather, he wore an expression that couldn't help but make him think he was smiling from the bottom of his heart. Caught off guard, Tobi bowed his head slightly without thinking.

The backpack Tobi carried on his back laughed with a small “heh.”

“He’s not a bad guy, is he?”

“...I never thought he was a bad person though?”

As Tobi responded in a low voice, Baku replied nastily, “Is that so?”

“Ah, but you know…”

He sure was cheeky for a damn backpack.

“I’m starving, damnit.”

“Haven't you been saying that all morning?”

Tobi had to lower his voice so the students walking towards the school wouldn't hear him.

“I’ll say it as many times as it takes!”

Baku didn't have to take the same care. Tobi was the only one who could hear the backpack’s voice.

That was the conclusion he’d made all by himself, but in reality, that hadn't been true.

But to the majority of people, Baku did not talk or go wild on his own. He was just a backpack.

“Tobi, you eat breakfast lunch and dinner every day, don't you? I gotta eat something too, or I’ll get hungry. I finally realized that recently.”

“If only you’d never realized that…”

Tobi sighed and patted his stomach. He’d eaten a proper breakfast at the facility. Today, he’d even had a second helping of rice for once. Even so, he didn't feel quite satiated.

“Nng…”

Baku writhed around as he grumbled.

Had their surroundings caught his eye? It was the same for Tobi.

On the shoulder of the boy walking slightly ahead of him, clung something that looked like an extremely flat gecko. And ahead of that, what looked like tiny teru-teru bozu with hands and feet dangled from a girl’s hair, spinning around and around.

“Hey, Tobi—”

“No, you can't.” Tobi told Baku flatly before he could finish his sentence.

“What the hell. I didn't even say anything.”

Baku seemed dissatisfied, but he really couldn't. Of course he couldn't.

Tobi saw right through what Baku was thinking. Is it ok if I eat that flat gecko, or the spinning teru-teru bozu? That was what Baku had been trying to ask Tobi.

For the sake of argument, if those things happened to be some mutant gecko or mystery animal that resembled teru-teru bozu, if Baku really insisted, Tobi would not stop him. However, that was not the case. Those strange things were not reptiles or teru-teru bozu shaped organisms.

Zingai.

That was what they were called.

Tobi sighed once again and lowered his head, trying to keep the zingai out of his field of vision. What would happen if he ate the zingai? Did Baku not know? There was no way he didn't know. He had to know.

Because Baku had eaten before.

He’d actually eaten a classmate’s zingai.

Kon Chiami, and Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji. Baku had devoured their zingai. And what had happened after that?

“You know, even I’m not thinking of just gobbling them up indiscriminately…”

Baku grumbled, trying to defend himself.

“But, you know… aren't there a lot? Hmm? Is it just my imagination?”

Tobi ignored him. But he thought the same. There really were a lot.

There had always been a number of people with zingai, within reason. He hadn't counted them specifically, but if the elementary school students and middle school students made up a hundred people, among them a handful of people were accompanied by zingai. Those handful of people didn't seem to be aware of their own zingai, but anyway, it was probably around two or three percent of people. In that case, it wasn't strange if there were one or two, or several in his class.

To Tobi, being able to see zingai was normal. That was why even though there were several zingai in his classroom, he wasn't particularly surprised. Even after getting to middle school, he didn't find it particularly strange. Of course there would be this number of zingai around. He felt like it was natural for them to be there.

Aren't there kind of a lot?

He’d never had such a thought before.

After going through the door of the front entrance, Tobi stopped in his tracks. In front of him to the left, near the shoe box, the flat gecko-like zingai was clinging to the back of the girl changing her shoes. Tobi began walking right away.

“What’s wrong?” Baku asked.

Tobi feigned calmness without responding. Internally, he was a bit shaken. He wanted to confirm that zingai he’d just seen. But he’d gone too far ahead, he couldn't see it from here.

It’d been very flat, a thin flimsy gecko-shaped zingai. Around five centimeters in size, and he thought it looked whitish. That had been a third year student’s shoe box. It had been a third year female student.

Had he not actually caught sight of that flat gecko-like zingai?

Maybe the color and size were a bit off. He couldn't remember it clearly, but that flat gecko-like zingai had been clinging on the shoulder of a male student.

No way, he thought.

It was just a coincidence.

By chance, two people had similar zingai. That had to be it.

Asamiya had finished putting on his indoor shoes and was leaving the shoe box.

“Good morning.”

When Tobi spoke to him, Asamiya said “Eh?” and pitched forward for a moment. Then he turned around with great vigor and pushed back his long bangs.

“...Good morning, Otogiri.”

Asamiya was staring in surprise. He seemed to have spooked him.

“Just now—”

Tobi took the indoor shoes out from his own shoe box.

“Asamiya, you got picked on, huh? By Yagarashima-sensei.”

“Ahh… well yeah. Mm. It happens a lot.”

“‘It’s bad for your eyesight’ he said?”

“Yeah that. He says that every time.”

“I see.”

Tobi changed into his indoor shoes and put his outdoor shoes in the box. 

Walking out of the shoebox area and into the hallway, he found himself a bit disappointed.

“Ain't here huh, that O-Ryuu,” Baku muttered. That confirmed it for him.

Ryuuko might be there. Tobi had thought so. Of course, it wasn't like he’d been looking forward to it. It was that Ryuuko they were talking about. There was a possibility of her hiding in the shadows of the shoebox and suddenly jumping out, and it would be a disaster if he didn't brace himself for that. He could've been spooked like Asamiya just now.

Come to think of it, why had Asamiya been so surprised?

Asamiya was beside Tobi, and somehow they ended up walking side by side.

As Tobi tried to say Asamiya’s name, Asamiya too, said “Say, Otogiri,”. Their voices clashed together slightly.

“Ah… eh, it’s fine, Otogiri, you go first.”

“No.”

Tobi shook his head. It wasn't anything important anyway.

“What about me?”

“...Right. Otogiri you… how to say it. Were you always this type of person? How do I put it… like… friendly¹?”

“Friendly?” ¹ he uses the english loanword “friendly”

Tobi furrowed his brows. He knew the meaning of the word. But it wasn't a word he used often.

“Nobody’s ever called me that.”

“Figures.”

Asamiya let out a small laugh. It wasn't like being laughed at made him mad, but it didn't feel great. Maybe it showed on his face, but Asamiya apologized with a “Hey, sorry.” As he said those words, he was still laughing slightly.

“That’s fine…”

Tobi was strangely annoyed, if he did say so himself. That being said, he didn't think he was mad. Even though he wasn't mad, he was annoyed. That was strange. It was a contradiction.

Anyhow, it was weird.

 Tobi glanced behind him. Beyond that hallway was the infirmary. Why had Tobi turned around? That, he didn't know himself. But it was on his mind after all. As he walked, he looked behind him once more. He stopped.

Someone was looking at Tobi.

He wasn't in uniform. From the way he was dressed, he wasn't a student.

In the hallway leading to the infirmary stood a single lone man.

Judging from the build, it was probably a man. He was quite large. He was wearing a brimless hat and a mask. It was a strange mask. It was painted with a drawing of what looked like baring teeth. His eyes were unique as well. That man’s eyes were clearly looking at Tobi. Even so, they seemed to be looking at nothing in particular. They were right there, yet nowhere at all. Those eyes were real, yet seemed fake.

“Otogiri?”

When Asamiya spoke to him, Tobi replied, “Yeah?” halfheartedly. In the approximately one second he took to look at Asamiya’s face, his gaze left that man.

When he looked back, he was gone.

“Tobi…”

Baku’s backpack body stirred restlessly. He wanted to say something. But Tobi couldn't talk with him here. Asamiya was with him.

As Tobi began walking again, Asamiya followed. He seemed puzzled, but he didn't ask any questions. On his end, Tobi was thankful for that. If he asked he wouldn't have been able to give a good answer.

Who was that man? That hadn't been a child. It was an adult. Was he affiliated with the school? That would be strange. Such a huge man prowling around school would definitely be viewed with suspicion under normal circumstances. Why wasn't anyone making a big deal out of it? It was like no one had noticed the man. Had Tobi been the only one to witness him? Was that possible?

It wasn't his eyes playing tricks. Tobi had without a doubt seen that man. Tobi could recall him clearly. Though he’d only taken one look at him, he remembered him in detail.

The man was wearing a dark flight jacket-like blouson. His hands were large. He wore boots.

But had Tobi been looking at the man’s large hands? Had he really been wearing boots even though he was in the school building?

Even so, he remembered.

Perhaps this wasn't the first time he had met this man.

At some time, some place, it was possible he had seen him before.

It was possible Tobi knew this man.

---

prev: cover/contents/illustrations //next: 0-2

t/n: ok lots of things about the chapter quote. First of all the first two lines are made of two separate clauses smushed together without punctuation. The third line has a single comma for some reason? But yeah yeah stylistic choices. I’ve made the executive decision to transcribe it in all lowercase, I think it’s fitting. The word used for “sorrow” is 悲しさ (level of sadness) and not 悲しみ (the feeling of sadness). So more like ‘(I) don't think about how sad (I am)’. Lastly, to walk ‘a path without a path’ means to forge onward into unknown territory. The pronoun used is ‘boku’. ‘S’ you are so pretentious. If that even is your real name.

[italiantnea]

Hello! Are you planning on translating the second novel?

Hi! Sorry about the radio silence. I am, I've just been busy with midterms the past few weeks. I'll probably start soon but I honestly have no estimate for when it might get done😅 Sorry about the wildly unpredictable upload schedule.

[italiantnea]

book 2!

a few notes on the character names:

Otogiri- Otogiri is composed of the characters "younger brother" (弟) and "cut" (切). There's a species of plant with this name (Otogirisou / Hypericum erectum). The legend behind the name has a few variations, the gist of which says that this plant was used by a falconer as an herb to cure his falcon's wounds. When the falconer's younger brother leaked this secret, the older brother cut him down and killed him in a fit of rage. This plant has symbolic meanings of resentment, grudges, and superstition. I also find it to be a pretty on the nose name because. You know. Tobi's literally a younger brother who's been cut off from his older brother.

Tobi- Tobi is written with the character for 'fly' (飛). It's also a homophone for 'kite' (a bird of prey) (鳶). Possible allusion to the falconry in the legend? Who knows.

Seki- Seki is written with the character meaning 'lagoon' (潟) t/n: a fun fact is that a lot of people mistake this kanji with 瀉, meaning (bowel) evacuation, used in words like 'diarrhea' and 'laxative'. this is completely irrelevant, i just think it's funny because seki's a piece of shit

Shiratama Ryuuko- Shiratama = "white jewel" (/jade/bead/ball etc), Ryuuko = "dragon's child". A pretty mystical sounding name

edit: shiratama is also a kind of white dango made with rice flour ←Shiratama's double bun hairstyle is also called 'o-dango'

Haizaki Itsuya- Haizaki = "ash/grey" + "cape/peninsula", Itsuya = "evade/idleness"+"to be" (archaic) idk it's a pretty normal name ig

Asahi Monika- Asahi = "shallow" + "crimson", Monika = "sprout" + "sun" + "flower"

Shizukudani Rukana- Shizukudani = "water drop" + "valley", and Rukana is written in katakana

next: 0-1

[italiantnea]

just gonna add these for completion's sake

translation under cut im not cleaning that

Otogiri Tobi A second year middle school student chasing after his older brother who went missing. The talking backpack "Baku" is his partner.

Shiratama Ryuuko Tobi's classmate. Puts her pet (?) Chinuraasha in her bag and brings it with her.

Haizaki Itsuya The janitor in Tobi's school. His real identity is...

Dhole*-senpai A member of "Dahlia 4". Pursuing an enemy called "Sullivan" with her zingai partner. * a kind of animal. sounds identical to 'doll'. Dahlia 4 members use animal names as aliases

Otogiri Seki Tobi's older brother. He's currently missing but...

Hitosume*-sama * lit. 'one eye' Appeared before Tobi in his childhood; a being whose true identity is unknown. Left Baku behind.

next: 0

[italiantnea]

e-book bonus/

"before he flies away"

prev: 3-5

Otogiri Tobi always finishes his lunch in a flash and gets out of the classroom.

There weren't any other students who did that, so that was kind of awesome, thought Shiratama Ryuuko.

She did have a proper reason to be curious about him. But even supposing she didn't, Ryuuko would probably have taken notice of Otogiri Tobi anyway.

It was clear that Otogiri Tobi didn't care about Ryuuko. Ryuuko had never even met eyes with Otogiri Tobi.

It wasn't just Ryuuko, Otogiri Tobi didn't seem to pay anyone any mind.

Everyone got along as if they’d laid down their roots in the floor of this classroom, but Otogiri Tobi was different. Just like his namesake*, he seemed like he would fly away with the slightest breeze. * Tobi (飛) means "fly"

And then, he’d be carried away like a dandelion seed, not to be seen again. If she lost sight of him, it was possible they would never meet again.

Even if she didn't have a proper reason, before she knew it, Ryuuko had started keeping track of Otogiri Tobi.

Be that as it may, sooner or later they would be in different classes, graduate from school, and she’d lose sight of him. If that happened, they would probably never meet again.

She couldn't help but think that was a little sad.

She should try speaking to him. If she didn't have a proper reason, would Ryuuko have made up her mind to do so?

At any rate, capturing Otogiri Tobi was quite hard. He was present in class, but outside of that he was sometimes there, sometimes not. When he was in his seat, it was as if he erected an invisible barrier around him, like he found everything to be a bother; he was quite hard to approach.

She’d tried to chase after him after he left the classroom, but she lost him in an instant. It wasn't like he shook her off. He was just incredibly quick. As soon as she lost sight of him once, she had no clue where he could be. And before she knew it he was back in the classroom.

Otogiri Tobi was here and gone like a ghost.

She had to work out a strategy.

It was no use chasing after him. In that case, she had to lay in wait for him. But as soon as school let out he would go home. Even when he was on cleaning duty, he’d finish up quickly, and like a magic trick, he’d be gone in a flash.

On one such day, Otogiri Tobi was called by their homeroom teacher Harimoto-sensei. After class, he went to the staff room. Ryuuko steeled her resolve. This was a perfect opportunity. She couldn't let him escape—

-----

prev: 3-5

[italiantnea]

#3-5_otogiri_tobi/ someday, the end of the world

prev: 3-4 // next: e-book bonus

-----

“Otogiri…”

The teacher with black-rimmed glasses in front of the school gate called out. Tobi stopped.

“Good morning, Yagarashima-sensei.”

“...O-oh hey. What, Otogiri?”

“I have to use this backpack—”

Tobi gestured to Baku on his back.

“It has to be this one. I’m sorry about making sensei unhappy all the time.”

“I’m not particularly unhappy about it…”

“Is that so. Well, thanks for the hard work every morning.”

“Y-yeah. I mean, it’s my job so…”

Tobi bowed his head slightly to the staff before entering the school gates.

“Hmm…”Baku hummed.

“Is this what they call a change of heart?”

“...I just felt like it.”

Around the shoe box, Shiratama was waiting. Tobi changed his shoes and walked to the classroom with Shiratama. Shiratama seemed like she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. It was the same for Tobi. He caught sight of Asamiya’s figure in the classroom, and felt relieved. Shiratama probably felt the same.

In the morning homeroom period, their homeroom teacher Harimoto talked about Kon. Kon was absent today as well, and it would take a little while longer before she recovered. That was all. He didn't talk about Takatomo.

Murahama and Shimomaeda, who’d been close to Kon, joined a group of other girls and boys. Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, was messing around energetically, making the students in that group laugh. Asamiya had an unpleasant look on his face.

He demolished his lunch in seconds, leaving just the Koppe-pan. Tobi shouldered Baku and left the classroom with the bread in hand.

Entry into the courtyard was still off limits. As he tried to go outside through the front entrance, it started raining. It couldn't be helped. Tobi squatted in front of the shoe box and ate his bread.

“The world turns, huh?” Baku grumbled.

Tobi finished his Koppe-pan in a flash.

“What was that?”

“Just a feeling, you know. Don't you get it? At least get this much.”

What Baku was trying to say was probably this:

Such things had happened to Takatomo and Kon, yet other people were already quickly getting back to their ordinary lives. If Tobi were to disappear today, it would have no effect on the revolution of the Earth. It would keep on turning without fail. The world turned. One by one, everyone continued living their lives as usual.

Beyond the transparent glass door of the entrance, thin drops of rain fell. He couldn't hear the sound of the rain.

As meal time ended and lunch break began, someone approached the shoe box. That someone squatted beside Tobi.

The two of them gazed at the rain.

“Did you look it up?”

Tobi asked the girl beside him without looking at her.

“On your phone… like on the internet?”

“About the zingai?”

The girl asked in return. When Tobi nodded, she replied, “A little.”

“Did you find out anything?”

“Ghosts or spirits, yokai, fairies— apparently their true form is actually zingai. And also, the strange phenomena spoken of in urban legends—those have to do with zingai as well.”

“So a bit of everything.”

Tobi laughed dryly. The girl laughed too. Tobi looked beside him. Shiratama looked at Tobi as well.

“So me and Chinu are on the same level as monsters?”

Baku let out a “Tch” as if he were clicking his tongue. Shiratama stroked him, as if to say, “Now, now.”

“There are some people who want to connect everything and anything to zingai. At the end of the day, only the people that can see zingai can see them, after all.”

“Like Tobi and O-Ryuu? At least that part seems correct.”

“Those who can't see are the majority, so there’s a lot of people who aren't taking it seriously too. Like the occult—”

“Baku is part of the occult?”

As Tobi muttered, Baku went wild. Even though he had no legs, it was like he was trying to kick him. That, or he was trying to hit him. Once again, Shiratama stroked Baku, pacifying him.

“I haven't tried SNS before. Maybe I’ll try signing up next time.”

“Well, I don't have a smartphone.”

“It’s convenient to have one.”

“Is that the sort of thing it is?”

“Well, you can stay in contact no matter where you go.”

Even in the facility, it was not rare for residents to have smartphones. Those who messaged or called friends all night long would get a warning issued from the staff.

“If anything happens—”

Shiratama looked outside.

“We can talk. Anytime…”

“Mm…”

Tobi nodded halfheartedly.

“Keh!”

Baku seemed like he wanted to say something. If he had something to say he could just say it.

“Ah, that’s right.”

Shiratama pulled her phone out of her skirt pocket. She tapped the screen and launched an app. Tobi looked at the screen.

“You can look at maps like these, too. You can zoom in and out. And you can change the direction in any way you like.”

“Ahh, that’s amazing.”

“You’d never get lost again.”

“Um, Shiratama, are you trying to sell it to me…?”

“I wouldn't dream of it!”

The strangely old fashioned words suddenly came out of Shiratama, and Tobi felt like bursting out laughing. Shiratama looked stupefied.

“So the map,” Tobi murmured.

“And you can contact people.”

Shiratama fiddled with her phone and repeated her words from earlier.

“...Do you find me persistent?”

Tobi shook his head.

“Not at all.”

The rain was growing stronger. It looked like it was about to thunder.

“There was something on my mind—”

Shiratama spoke, then hesitated. When Tobi prompted, “What?”, Shiratama turned off her phone screen and took a breath.

“It’s about the voice.”

There was one part that came to mind. Tobi felt a little caught on it as well.

“You mean, the one that said “Aren't you weird?”, that voice?”

Takatomo and Kon had heard something akin to auditory hallucinations. As their mental health crumbled, it was possible for such things to arise. But it hadn't just been Takatomo. It wasn't just Kon either. Both of them had heard a similar voice. Shiratama looked down and bit her bottom lip lightly.

“I just don't think it was a trick of the ears or a hallucination…”

Baku let out a “Haah…” as if sighing.

Takatomo hadn't regained consciousness. And what about Kon? Her future was unclear. But it was settled, for now. Wasn't that it?

The world continued turning.

If it hadn't been a hallucination, then whose voice had it been?

In the afternoon classroom, you could hear the sound of rain even without straining your ears. From time to time, lightning flashed in the distant sky. A second later, thunder rumbled, and Masamune would say something, making people laugh. Then, the teacher would warn them to be quiet.

Tobi checked in on the nearby Asamiya frequently. Asamiya had textbooks and notes open on his desk. But mostly, he just looked downwards. It was like he carried an invisible boulder on his back, and was trying his best to bear its weight. That was what it looked like.

Whenever Masamune spoke, Asamiya would lift his face slightly. He would turn and glance at Masamune. After that, Asamiya would shake his head, or heave a deep breath. Tobi couldn't hear what, but sometimes he would mutter something under his breath.

Right after fifth period ended, there was a particularly loud clap of thunder, and Masamune fell from his chair with an “Uhyaa!” year 2 class 3 roared with laughter, and even the departing teacher laughed.

“It’s not me!”

It was sudden. Asamiya stood up and glared at Masamune.

The laughter stopped all at once. Masamune sat on his ass, his mouth dropping open.

“You’re the one who’s weird!”

Who was the ‘you’ Asamiya was talking to? Of course, it was Masamune, wasn't it?

With the say no evil monkey that resembled a tarsier with tree bark-like skin on his head, Masamune was indeed weird. But that was because Tobi could see that zingai. Disregarding the zingai, Masamune was just a simple class clown.

“I’m not weird!”

Asamiya’s shout sounded like a howl.

“I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! Stop it…! I’m not weird, I’m not weird at all! It’s not me, you’re the ones that are weird! It’s not me! I’m not weird! I’m not weird! I’m not! I’m not weird, I’m not weird, I’m not weird! I am not weird…!”

“....Uh, objectively speaking, I think you really are being weird right now though?”

Masamune smiled tightly, and taking that as a joke, some of their classmates laughed reservedly. Asamiya started hitting both sides of his head with his hands.

“Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up! Who are you! I’m not weird! You’re the ones that’re weird, you’re weird, not me!”

“A-asamiya-kun…!”

Shiratama ran up to Asamiya.

“Tobi—”

At almost the exact same moment, Baku called out to him. Tobi noticed it. When had it happened? He wasn't sure, but he noticed in that moment. It was the say no evil monkey.

Right now, that unsettling zingai sat plopped on Masamune’s head. But it was no longer the say no evil monkey.

Its pose with the covered mouth resembled the ‘say no evil’ from Nikko Tosho-gu’s three wise monkeys, so that’s what Tobi had called it. But that was no longer the case. It wasn't covering its mouth. To be exact, normally there would have been a mouth there. But it was missing that part. There was nothing there. It had eyes like a tarsier’s. Ears and a nose too. But no mouth. Was it missing one from the very beginning? Or had it disappeared? Whichever it was, that zingai had kept its nonexistent mouth covered. Why had it stopped making that pose?

Asamiya pushed Shiratama aside.

“—...”

Shiratama crashed into a nearby desk and staggered. Asamiya’s upper body lurched forward with great momentum, then immediately bent backwards. He repeated the movement.

“UUUUUuuuAAAAAAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaaAAaaa…!”

The students were distressed. Some ran away, frightened. It was a panic. Of course, Tobi was shocked as well. Asamiya. What had happened to him? He was screaming that he hadn't gone weird. As if he were being told “You are weird”, and was arguing against it.

Who had told Asamiya such a thing?

At the very least, Tobi could not hear it. Could Asamiya hear it? Only Asamiya.

Tobi saw him. It was Masamune. Masaki Shuuji covered his mouth with both hands.

In place of his zingai, Masamune assumed the pose of the ‘say no evil’ monkey.

“....That bastard!” Baku spat.

Masamune’s eyes were narrowed, his shoulders shaking. What was so delightful about this? He was laughing. Masamune seemed ready to burst out laughing, desperately trying to keep it together.

Tobi grabbed Baku from where he hung on his desk. If Tobi left him behind, Baku would surely never forgive him. Tobi darted in between the desks, chairs, and other classmates. Masamune noticed him and widened his eyes. Tobi leapt at Masamune. He heard the voice.

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s your fault) (You’re to blame) (It’s you) (You are)

“—Nngah…”

Tobi clutched his head and crouched down. It wasn't just Tobi. Shiratama screamed, “Gyah…!” A voice. It was the voice. Voice? Was this a voice?

(It’s you) (Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re the one to blame)

Countless voices, like a jumbled up mixture of solids and liquids—like metal that was heated until it melted into sludge—gushed directly into his head.

(Isn't it weird?) (You are) (You’re weird) (You are) (You are)

“...Tobi! Tobi?!”

Baku shouted for him. 

On Masamune’s head, the mouthless tarsier with the bark-like skin—that zingai—even though it had no mouth, the spot where its mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled.

(Weird) (Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You’ve gone weird)

Was it weird? Weird. Wasn't it weird? He felt like he was going weird.

Was it that guy?

That’s right. Masamune’s zingai. That was it. The voice was that zingai.

“Tobi, use me to…!”

Me to? What? Use Baku to- I see. Tobi hurled Baku, aiming at Masamune.

“—Uahh…?!”

Masamune dodged it by a hair's breadth. He avoided it. Masamune cast a contemptuous look at Baku, who’d crashed into the lockers at the back of the classroom, and ran. Was he planning on getting out of the classroom? Tobi picked up Baku and chased after him. As he opened the door Masamune had slammed with all his might and stepped into the hallway, Shiratama’s call stopped him.

“Tobi-kun, wait! I’m coming too…!”

“Shiratama, go report this to Haizaki!”

Tobi said without turning around, and ran down the hallway. What would come of reporting it to Haizaki? He didn't know. He’d just said it in the spur of the moment. It was better if Shiratama didn't come along. It was dangerous.

Baku yelled, enraged.

“Where did he run off to, that bastard!”

“As if I would know!”

Masamune was not that tall, but he was pretty quick on his feet. Even as he closed some of the distance between them on the stairs, it didn't seem like it would be that easy to catch up to him. Masamune was heading towards the shoe rack. Wasn't he going to change his shoes? He charged towards the glass door of the front entrance. He did so with a force like he was planning on ramming his body through it. Masamune pushed open the glass door and ran outside. Tobi, too, chased after him in his indoor shoes.

The rain was strong. Tobi was soaked in an instant. As Masamune ran, he ranted and raved about something. The sound got lost in the rain, so he couldn't hear it well, but it sounded something like, “You’re wrong”, “It wasn't me”, “It wasn't my fault”. That seemed to be what he was saying.

“—For real, this guy is awful! He’s the worst…!”

Baku hurled abuse. It poured as if someone had flipped a bucket over.

Masamune crossed the crosswalk at a red light, and cars honked their horns at him. Masamune started and stopped for a moment, then immediately continued across the road. Tobi had no choice but to slow his pace a bit. Several cars were coming and going on the road. Picking out the gaps between cars coming from both left and right, Tobi got to the other side of the crosswalk as well. He’d gotten away from him again.

He should just leave him be. It was pouring after all. And he was out of breath. To be honest, this was tough. Did he really have to go to these lengths to chase after Masamune?

Zingai. It was because zingai were involved. Tobi had Baku. He could see zingai.

Baku had eaten Kon’s zingai. Because of that, Kon had fallen into heart desolation, or whatever it was called. That was the mess Baku had made, so Tobi was responsible as well. But at the bottom of it all, weren't they just getting what they deserved?

Kon had a complicated, problematic relationship with her mother. Even if that were the cause, if Kon’s zingai hadn't done bad things, this wouldn't have become such a big deal. Takatomo wouldn't have jumped off the roof either.

And then, there was that voice. That was the work of zingai as well. Masaki Shuuji. Masamune’s zingai had gone after Kon and Takatomo and tormented them with that voice. If it hadn't done that, the series of tragedies probably wouldn't have occurred.

If he let them be, Masamune’s zingai would do it again. In fact, it already was. It had made Asamiya hear that voice.

It’s better to just eat it.

Eat that zingai.

Masamune headed towards Asakawa. Was he going to cross the bridge? No. the river bank. Masamune ran down the bank of Asakawa river. What was colloquially known as Asakawa den. On the flood plain of Asakawa river was a tent village. Around where the tent village came to an end, Masamune went down to the river bank. The weeds were overgrown here; just ahead, various trees, taller than a person, grew densely.

Without stopping, Masamune turned his head.

Right now, Masamune didn't have Masaki Shuuji’s face. Two oversized eyes. Round ears that looked like they had sharp hearing. His nose was protruded, and he had no mouth. It was a tarsier. Was Masamune wearing a mask of a tarsier with tree bark-like skin? There was no way that was it. And crucially, the zingai sat atop his head was gone.

“Did he fuse with the zingai…?!”

It was probably as Baku said. Only Masamune’s head had become identical to the zingai’s. From the neck down, he was still Masamune.

“Masaki…!”

Even though it was useless, Tobi tried shouting Masamune’s name. Masamune was trying to push his way into the thicket. He was probably going to keep going like that. Something unexpected happened. Masamune turned back around.

(What’s with you?) (What is it with you?) (What are you?) (What?) (What are you?)

“—Aah…”

Without thinking, Tobi covered his ears. That action meant nothing. Masamune did not have a mouth. The spot where his mouth should have been squirmed and wriggled. It was like there were hundreds, thousands of maggots gushing forth. But it was decidedly not a mouth. This voice was not a sound.

(What are you?) (Who are you?) (You’re) (Who are you?) (What?)

His brain. Tobi’s brain was shaking. The voice vibrated minutely, shaking his brain.

(You don't even know) (You don't even know anything) (I’m not at fault) (It wasn't my fault)

(Isn't it weird?) (It’s weird) (You are) (Yours) (It’s you)

(Not me) (You) (Weird) (It’s weird) (You’re the one who’s weird)

“—...Tobi! Tobi! Oi, Tobi?! Tobiii…!”

Baku kept yelling Tobi’s name. He cowered in the thick, wet grass.

Masamune turned and vanished into the undergrowth. Tobi’s brain was still shaking. Was that even possible? At any rate, it felt very unpleasant. But he had to eat him.

Tobi stood up. He pushed his way through the drenched leaves and branches of the jungle-like thicket, searching for Masamune. He seemed to be facing the riverbank. That, he understood, somehow. Where was he? He couldn't see him, but he was there. Just ahead.

Brushing past the whip-like branches, there was a river beach up ahead. Though he called it a beach, it wasn't made of sand or pebbles. It was mud. Looking downstream, he saw a railroad bridge. Right beside that was a pedestrian bridge. Asakawa river was murky, and flowing as quickly as usual.

Masamune was submerged up to his knees in the Asakawa river. His back was facing towards Tobi.

Tobi stepped into the muddy ground. It was terribly slushy. He was going to eat him.

Eat?

Eat. him. Why?

“...I’m hungry,” Baku moaned.

“I’m just…so hungry, I can't bear it. It’s the same for you, isn't it, Tobi…?”

His cells, all the cells in his body were completely hollow. They were empty. He had to fill them somehow. If he didn't, he couldn't keep on living. If he didn't eat, he would die. It was for the sake of survival. To keep on living, he would eat. That thing, that zingai, he had to eat it.

Baku was starving. The one who was starving was Baku, but Tobi could feel that hunger so starkly he could almost hold it in his hands. Tobi was not starving. He had absolutely no desire to eat that thing. Could he really say that with certainty? No one could go on living without eating, could they?

What was so bad about eating to survive?

So he had eaten Kon Chiami’s zingai. Was he going to eat again?

If he ate that zingai, what would happen?

If he ate that zingai, which hat fused itself to a human’s head?

What would become of Masaki Shuuji?

“What are you doing over there, Masaki?”

Tobi stopped at the edge of the water.

He couldn't let him eat.

He could not allow Baku to eat that zingai.

“You should come back. It’s raining, so it’s dangerous.”

(—abandoned)

The voice. It reverberated not in his eardrums, but in his brain. That voice,

(You abandoned him. That day… your brother…)

(He wasn't like you, was he? Slender, and smart, and athletic. Good at games, and drawing, and everything else. Nii-chan was a kind person, huh? And you?)

(You..always doing things that got you scolded by your parents, and nii-chan always covering your back. A hopeless, lousy little brother. Well, you were still his brother after all.)

(Always sticking to him and crying, nii-chan, nii-chan, nii-chan; he must have found you annoying, huh? Sometimes nii-chan would be cold to you, and you’d whine and cry and make a fuss, and your parents would get mad and say, that’s enough—)

What?

What was this—whose story was this?

(You went camping a lot with your family. That day was the last time you went camping, huh? A river. There was a river. A river, near the campsite. It was nii-chan who suggested it, huh? Shuu, let’s go swimming. Shuu! Shuu, for Shuuji. You’re the second son, so Shuuji¹, huh? But you were scared, so nii-chan went off swimming on his own. You sat on the riverbank, stacking rocks—)

¹ the ‘ji’ (二) character in ‘Shuuji’ means ‘two’

Nii-chan? Brother?

(Having swam away from the shore, nii-chan suddenly yelled, ‘Shuu, help me!’—)

Whose brother? Masaki Shuuji’s?

(And you… you didn't go to help him, did you?)

(I mean, it’s scary! You couldn't swim that well anyway! There was no way you could’ve saved him!)

(That’s right! That’s right, that’s why you… you looked on silently, did you?)

(Nii-chan…he was drowning… bobbing in and out of the water… it was a river after all; it had a current, and it swept him along… as the river water went down his throat, he screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!” and—)

(—you just watched, didn't you? You just listened, while your brother’s voice begged you to save him.)

(If I don't help him now, nii-chan will die!)

(You thought that, didn't you? Even though you understood that… you didn't do anything, did you?)

(Nii-chan was thoroughly swept away, you couldn't see him anymore—)

(And what did you do after that? That’s right! Right after that, you went to your parents)

(Crying, telling your parents, “he disappeared”, “Nii-chan, he disappeared…”)

(Am I wrong? Huh? That can't be it, right? That wasn't it, was it? That couldn't have been it, could it?)

(Nii-chan screamed again and again, “Shuu, help me!”... He begged for your help—)

(Despite that, you ignored him, didn't you? And on top of that, you lied)

(Nii-chan… you abandoned him)

(That’s right. You, you abandoned your brother) (You watched him die before your eyes) (You let him die)

“...‘You’—”

Tobi wiped his face with his hand. The rain was still coming down strong. Somewhere off, thunder rumbled.

(It was me)

The voice spoke.

(I) (Me) (I did) (I) (I did) (It was me) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

(I abandoned my brother, and watched him die. To be able to do such a thing, I—)

(Aren't I weird?)

(No) (...Wrong) (It wasn't m-) (No) (It wasn't me) (I’m not at fault) (I’m)

(It wasn't my fault!) (Who is it?) (Saying it’s my fault, that I was at fault, who’s blaming me?)

(Someone is blaming me) (I can hear it) (That voice, blaming me) (—it’s just my imagination)

(But my parents think so) (I know) (Why wasn't it you?)

(If only you died instead of your brother) (—that must be what they’re thinking)

(I’m not smart like nii-chan. And I’m bad at drawing, and can't seem to grow taller…)

(I don't do as I'm told) (I'm a liar) (I abandoned my brother) (I let him die) (I killed him)

(Even though nii-chan said, “Shuu, help me”) (—I didn't do anything in the end)

(If I just get our parents right away) (They wouldn't have made it in time anyway!) (Isn't this guy terrible?)

(Nii-chan was drowning) (It looked painful…) (I pretended not to see) (This guy is just unbelievable)

“That’s enough…!”

He didn't want to hear any more. He didn't want to know this.

“It wasn't on purpose, was it! Masaki, it wasn't your f—”

(Not me) (It wasn't my fault) (I’m not to blame) (I’m not crazy) (I’m)

(I remember it well) (At nii-chan’s memorial service, I cried, and cried, and cried—)

(Everyone laughed, saying my face looked terrible!) (Even my parents laughed!)

(Nii-chan said that a lot too!) (“Shuu is so funny”) (I made him laugh all the time)

(Am I funny?) (Hey, nii-chan?) (Am I funny?) (You’re funny) (I’m funny)

(Laugh) (Please laugh) (I’m funny, aren't I?) (Laugh) (Because I’m funny)

(Aren't I funny?) (Let me make you laugh) (I’ll make you laugh) (So, laugh!)

Masamune. Masamune was changing. No, he’d already changed. Masamune’s head was already that of a mouthless tarsier with tree bark-like skin. In other words, it had been zingai-fied. But until just now, it had just been his neck and above. Now it wasn't just his head.

(This is me) (Someone wrote that on SNS) (“Look for your true self!”) (“Search for yourself!”) (“Try to find your own self!”) (I’ve found myself!)

(The me who is funny) (The one that makes everyone laugh) (The me who abandoned my brother) (Isn't it weird?) (I’m) (I did) (I) (I’m) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I) (I—)

The tree bark-like skin spread, down Masamune’s shoulders, even his chest. The entirety of that skin pulsed and squirmed.

(Takatomo) (I thought you understood me) (She—) (That girl)

(I talked to her about it) (About my brother) (She comforted me) (She liked me, didn't she?) (Even so—!) (“I’m not going to go out with you, Masamune”) (She turned me down with a laugh!)

(Takatomo) (Even so, I was worried about her, wasn't I?) (Because she became strange) (But—)

(She) (“Hah? What?”) (What is with her!) (—Isn't it weird?)

(It’s weird) (It’s her fault isn't it?) (If she’d gone out with me)

(She’s the one to blame) (Takatomo) (Eat shit) (Man, that feels good) (She got what she deserved!)

Masamune was undergoing transfiguration quickly. If this continued, the transformation would cover Masamune’s whole body. Masamune would become a zingai.

(But I couldn't have imagined she’d jump, could I?) (That Kon) (That’s right) (It’s her fault, isn't it?)

(Asamiya) (What’re you so pissed about) (Laugh) (Laugh!) (I’ll make you laugh)

(Even though I’d gone to all the trouble of reading the room and making everyone laugh) (Laugh) (—Laugh already!)

It was no longer just a voice that shook his brain. That voice reverberated in Tobi’s brain all the same, but at the same time, another voice rang out.

(I’m) “I’m” (I’m trying to make you laugh!) “Laugh!” (You happy-go-lucky idiots!)

At this point, Masamune’s body had zingai-fied, from his head to his feet and hands. That strangely plump belly was pimply and bubbly, quivering and squirming, finally ripping apart. From there, it spread.

“Laugh!” (Laugh!) “Idiots” (Laugh!) “Laugh!” (“Laugh for the rest of your lives!”)

Was that a mouth? It was lined with tiny teeth. It was unmistakably a mouth.

“(“Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

The mouth, the mouth that opened on Masamune’s stomach like a gaping wound, laughed. It laughed hard.

“...Stop it!”

Tobi wanted to sit down. Baku was saying something. Keep it together, Tobi. or something like that. Keep it together? How was he supposed to do that? He didn't know. Masamune—the zingai—advanced towards him, splashing through the river water. Tobi couldn't understand anything anymore.

“Tobiiiiii…!”

Baku flopped around on Tobi’s back like a big fish that had just been reeled in. forced by Baku to jump to the side, Tobi ended up rolling in the mud. He was covered in mud, but thanks to that, they managed to dodge the charging zingai by a hair’s breadth.

“Eat, Tobi! We’re eating him!”

Baku forced him to his feet violently, forcefully.

“(“Uahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”)”

Masamune—the zingai— opened that large, horrifying mouth on his stomach, and with a laugh that shook Tobi’s brain, the air, even the rain, prepared to charge again. Tobi’s head trembled.

“But if you eat that…!”

“If we don’t eat it, we’re gonna get eaten…!”

Was Baku insistent on eating that zingai no matter what? That meant eating Masaki Shuuji, who’d gone into this state due to losing his brother, along with it. Tobi gripped Baku’s strap tightly with both hands.

“No, you can’t…!”

Tobi tried to run. It was hard to find a good foothold on the muddy ground, but that didn't matter. Even if he couldn't run like he wanted to, he just had to run. More important than escaping, he had to get away from here, away from Masamune. Baku wanted to eat. Tobi could understand that feeling as well. He felt it so deeply it hurt. But if he let Baku eat, Tobi would definitely regret it. Masamune chased after him.

(Don’t) “Don’t” (Don't) “Ignore me!” (Otogiri!) “Otogiri Tobiiiiiii…!”

His foot caught in the mud. Tobi plunged　into the muddy ground head first. He couldn't see because of the mud, but Masamune seemed to have leapt at him. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Baku tried to sink his teeth into Masamune. Masamune jumped away briefly. Just as he thought that was what he was doing, he grabbed onto Tobi’s right ankle.

“Fuoh—”

Tobi was thrown. He flew in the air, through the rain. It was the river. He was falling into the river.

Right after landing in the water, something became entangled with Tobi. Was it Masamune? They were in the water, in the middle of the river. What was going on? Tobi flailed furiously. Baku, too, was fighting back. Somehow, they shook off Masamune, but even though he was heading towards the river bank, he wasn't moving forward at all. The water level was around Tobi’s chest. He could touch the ground with his feet, but decided to swim. It was no use. They were getting swept downstream. Ultimately, Masamune’s hand closed around his ankle once more.

“Ugua—...”

At one point Tobi was pulled to the bottom of the river. He gulped down lots of water; frankly he had no idea how he didn't end up drowning.

When he came to, he was in a spot where the water was less than knee deep. Had he gotten here on his own? Or had he been swept here? It was under the railroad bridge. Right at this moment, a train was passing through. He could see the pedestrian bridge. Someone was on the pedestrian bridge. They leaned against the railing, looking this way. It wasn't just one person. There were two.

“—Tobii!”

Baku called to him, and Tobi turned around.

It was no longer a voice. A roar that drowned out even the noise of the train passing overhead pierced his ears, and instantly Tobi’s brain felt like it was boiling. More than half of Masamune’s body had become his mouth. That was how widely the mouth on his abdomen opened. Masamune leapt on him. He was trying to eat Tobi and Baku. Did he want to eat that badly? He wanted to eat. He wanted to eat so badly, he just couldn't help it.

Because if you didn't eat, life couldn't continue existing.

You sustained this life, through eating.

Eat. If you didn't eat, you would just be eaten.

Unfortunately, Tobi was choking from swallowing so much water. His head felt fuzzy; he was in no condition to be eating. In this state, he would get eaten before he could eat.

“Sorry I’m late…!”

From beside him, something, someone, rushed over. If they hadn't knocked Masamune away, they would surely have been eaten.

Haizaki. It was the janitor Haizaki. Haizaki, clad in work clothes, landed in front of Tobi.

One of the people on the bridge just now had been Haizaki. So that meant he’d gotten here all the way from there in a mere few seconds. Was that possible? It didn't seem humanly possible.

And something was strange with his right foot.

Haizaki’s right foot was dark. His left foot was in work clothes and, well, normal. But his right foot was covered tightly in some kind of leather or pelt.

“Tobi-kun…!”

He heard Shiratama’s voice. Haizaki hadn't been the only one on the pedestrian bridge. The other person had been Shiratama. The bank. Shiratama ran down the riverbank between the pedestrian bridge and the railroad bridge. She looked like she was going to tumble over. He couldn't stand looking at her. No, this was no time to be watching over Shiratama doing something dangerous. The voice, no—that sound that could no longer be called a voice—a soul-grinding shriek, descended on them.

“—Ughh…”

Tobi almost lost consciousness. Was Haizaki just fine? It didn't seem like it. He hunched forward and somehow endured it.

Masamune was no longer Masamune. The mouthless tarsier with the bubbling skin, no, the zingai with a huge mouth on its abdomen, screamed. It screamed, again, and again. As it screamed, the zingai hurled blame. At people close to him. At the surrounding people. And above all, at himself. It could no longer form words. It was pure, naked animosity. It was hatred, and fear, and resentment. And under it all, a whirlpool of guilt. Haizaki yelled as if he were being squeezed.

“Where is that zingai’s master…?!”

“He’s inside it!” Baku answered.

“Wha—” Haizaki broke off.

“Did the zingai take over its master and go on a rampage? Or did it devour the master…?”

The zingai that had been Masamune continued to emanate a sorrowful fear, cloaked in hostility. Stop it. Please, stop it. I'm begging you, please. Shiratama was crouched halfway down the riverbank. Don't try to get up. Don't come. Shiratama, just stay there. You shouldn't come over here. Tobi grabbed Haizaki’s shoulder.

“What should we do?!”

“W-well—”

Haizaki shook his head slightly. His eyes were narrowed into slits, like thin pieces of thread, and his jaw was shaking. That expression told him everything. It was too late. There was no saving Masamune. Abruptly, Haizaki opened his eyes wide and brushed away Tobi’s hand.

“You get back. I’ll do this.”

I. Not ‘watashi’. Haizaki had used ‘ore’ for himself. At that moment, Tobi understood. Haizaki was going to take care of the zingai, along with Masaki Shuuji. Could he do it? Using what method? There was no way for Tobi to know. If Haizaki said he was going to do it, he had no choice but to leave it to him. Was he okay with that? Really?

Baku started going wild on Tobi’s back. It was a strange way of going wild.

Immediately, Tobi grabbed Baku’s strap and tried to hold him down. But it was no use at all. He let go of the strap. He had no choice but to do so. What would've happened if he hadn't let go? He wondered what would've happened. He couldn't even begin to make a guess.

Baku broke away from Tobi’s back and pushed Haizaki aside. He didn't even wonder if that was Baku. No matter what form he took, Tobi understood. Baku was Baku. That wasn't to say he wasn't surprised. If he said that, that would be a huge lie.

Baku turned his back to Tobi and Haizaki, and stood on two legs. He had two arms as well. His hands were quite large. They had four fingers. He wore a long mantle-like thing, made of material similar to that of Baku—of the backpack. Were those real clothes? Or did they just look like clothes? His head was like a cylinder. As he turned, he could see that on that cylindrical head was nothing but a mouth.

“I’ll be the one to do it…!”

“Go, Baku”

Those words came out of Tobi’s mouth, and he nodded. Baku didn't nod back.

The zingai that used to be Masamune charged. Rather than intercepting the attack, Baku struck first. With incredible force, he jumped up and grabbed the zingai’s head all of a sudden. At that moment, Tobi noticed. Baku’s cylindrical head had nothing but a mouth, but on the backs of his huge hands, he had eyeballs.

“I’ll peel it off…!”

Baku put both feet on the shoulders of the zingai that used to be Masamune. Could it be he was trying to forcefully pull it off like it was a costume? It was like pulling a dynamometer. Was it even something that could be pulled off?

“NnununununununununununuuuuuuuaaaaaAAAAAAaa…!”

The zingai didn't just stay quiet. It twisted its body violently, waving both hands around, trying to shake free from Baku. There was a huge splash. Along with Baku, the zingai collapsed into the river.

(Not at fault!) (I am!) (You are!) (It’s not my fault!) (It’s yours!)

That voice shook Tobi’s brain. Haizaki glanced at Tobi, then looked back at the zingai straight away.

“Otogiri-kun, that’s…?!”

Tobi didn't respond. Baku was Baku. That was all he could say.

“Baku…!”

Shiratama had finally reached the shore. She was soaked, and maybe because she’d fallen, she was muddy all over. Chinu clung to her right shoulder.

“Do your best, Baku…!”

Shiratama understood that that was Baku. This was incredibly reassuring to him. Tobi spoke to Baku in his heart. For you too right, Baku?

Ever since his brother had disappeared, Tobi had been with Baku. They’d had nothing but each other. 

There were people who’d reached out a hand to Tobi. But Baku’s voice hadn't reached their ears. Even though Baku was Tobi’s precious partner. Baku was not a mere backpack. Even if he tried to explain that, it would've been no use. There was no way they would understand.

Shiratama was different. She understood that Tobi and Baku were inseparably bonded together. Because, just like how Tobi had Baku, Shiratama had Chinu.

Baku and the zingai grappled in the middle of the muddy stream. Unlike Shiratama, Tobi did not shout his support for Baku.  There was no need for that. Because Tobi was fighting as well. This was no figure of speech. Both Tobi and Baku were battling with their lives on the line. In the event that Baku was defeated, what would happen? Whether it was heart desolation or whatever, Tobi and Baku would perish right here.

Haizaki yelled.

“Aaah!”

Baku gripped the zingai’s head tightly with those eyeballed hands, not letting go. His right foot was on the zingai’s left shoulder, his left foot pressing against its chest. Right under that was the zingai’s mouth. The zingai’s abdominal mouth was snapping at Baku. Tear that zingai off Masamune before you get eaten. Just a bit. Just a tiny bit more. The zingai was considerably stretched. Thanks to that, it didn't look like a tarsier anymore. Its round eyes had become tall ovals. This was the limit. It couldn't stretch any more.

“URUuAAAAaAAAAAAaAAAaAAaAAAAAAAaaaa…!”

Baku raised a battle cry.

All at once, he tore it off.

After all that effort, tearing it off only took one moment.

The zingai had been reduced to a state resembling a lifeless, overstretched costume.

“Hahha! How’s that, Tobii…! Uhii—”

Holding the stretched zingai in his hands, Baku energetically dove into the Asakawa river. Was Masamune alright in the middle of the zingai? Something other than Baku and the zingai was flowing out. Was it a human? It was Masamune, wasn't it?

“We have to help him…!”

Trying to get to the river, Shiratama was stopped by Haizaki with a “Leave it to me!” Haizaki leapt into the air. With no run up; what incredible jump power. Was it because of that right foot? Haizaki reached Masamune’s side in a single jump and caught him in his arms.

Perhaps relieved, Shiratama let out a “Hya…”, and sank to the floor right there.

Holding the costume-like zingai, Baku splashed his way through the river.

“Wasn't that great, Tobi?!”

Tobi had Baku. Shiratama Ryuuko had Chinu. And Masaki Shuuji had that zingai.

“Yeah.”

As Tobi responded, Baku raised the costume-like zingai like he was going to throw it. His cylindrical head seemed to split open sideways; his mouth opened, wider and wider.

Baku did not eat the costume-like zingai whole, he chewed many times. But he almost ate it whole. Baku had eaten Masamune’s zingai.

Tobi saw it through, from start to finish. He didn't look away, or even blink. As Baku ate the zingai, Tobi felt his stomach swell as well. They’d eaten it. They’d gone and eaten it.

“Baku.”

When Tobi signaled with his left hand Baku went back to being a backpack. Tobi gripped the strap and hung it on his left shoulder, carrying Baku on his back.

Haizaki carried Masamune in his arms bridal style and climbed up from the river. Both his right leg and left leg were clad in work clothes. Twined around Haizaki’s neck was a weasel-like creature. Was that him? Haizaki’s zingai. It had probably been merged with Haizaki’s right foot until just now. Haizaki too, was the same as Tobi and Shiratama.

“Ryuuko.”

Tobi no longer felt any hesitation calling Shiratama like this.

Shiratama turned her face towards Tobi.

She looked like she was crying.

Or was it because of this unending rain?

“You’ll catch a cold.”

As Tobi said that, she nodded slightly. Then, her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, and the sides of her lips pulled upwards somewhat.

“No, Tobi-kun… Tobi’s the one who will.”

—A long time ago he’d once asked his brother.

“Hey, Onii-chan. Why does the rain stop?”

Tobi clung to the window and looked out at the scenery outside. It had been raining since the morning, but the window was slightly open. His brother stood by the window, smoking.

“Because there’s nothing that never ends.”

That was how his brother responded.

“Will everything end?”

“Anything with a form will eventually perish. There’s nothing on this earth that doesn't have a form. Everything and anything will end someday.”

“Me, and Onii-chan too?”

His brother looked down and stroked his head.

Tobi remembered the scent of his brother’s cigarette smoke.

By the next morning, that rain which had come down so intensely had stopped completely. When he went to school carrying Baku as usual, Shiratama was waiting for him at the shoe box. Asamiya was in the classroom. He didn't seem to be feeling well, but when Tobi and Shiratama greeted him, he returned the greeting brusquely. According to the homeroom teacher Harimoto, Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, wasn't feeling well and would be absent for a while. He probably wouldn't be able to come to school for a while, would he? He might never be able to come again. 

Takatomo Miyuki. Kon Chiami. Masaki Shuuji. Year 2 class 3 had gained three empty seats in a short period of time. Despite that, their classmates remained composed. The teachers, too, continued class like usual. In the middle of class, Baku hummed an off-key tune, and Shiratama looked down, her shoulders shaking. Tobi lightly pushed Baku, who was hanging on his desk.

During lunch break, he paid the janitor’s room a visit along with Ryuuko. Haizaki looked haggard; his work clothed appearance was somewhat disheveled.

“Hey, you two. I’m glad you look well. About Masaki-kun, you can just leave that to me, okay?”

“You sure don’t look okay, though.”

As Tobi spoke his thoughts straightforwardly, Haizaki let out a dry laugh and shook his head.

“For some reason or another, I ended up pulling an all-nighter, you see. Before I could stay up two, three days with no sleep, but the age gets to you, you know? Basically, I’m just sleep deprived, I’m really fine.”

“Sleep is important,” Shiratama said simply. Haizaki scrunched up his tired face exaggeratedly.

“Even though I’m the one who should be in the position to worry about you two. This is all the wrong way around.”

Then, Haizaki called, “Olver.”

From under the big work table, a small weasel-like animal emerged, climbing up his body swiftly.

“I don't think this is your first time seeing him, but this is my zingai, Olver.”

Olver stood on Haizaki’s left shoulder and twitched his nose. Baku stretched up from Tobi’s back and said, “Heehh….”, as if appraising him. Ryuuko bowed her head politely.

“Hello, Olver.”

Haizaki dipped his chin slightly, and Olver scampered under the work table once more.

“As for me—I’d like, as much as possible, for you to spend your school life not worrying about anything unnecessary. For the sake of that, I will do anything within my power. I won't ask you to trust me. But that’s what I intend to do. If you feel like it, please rely on me.”

After school, as he shouldered Baku and tried to leave the classroom, Ryuuko’s call stopped him.

“Shall we walk home together?”

It was a strange, creepy-crawly tickly feeling. He had no reason to refuse, so Tobi nodded.

The two of them walked down the bank of Asakawa river. As they approached the bridge that spanned Asakawa river, Tobi began to want to climb onto the railing.

“Aren't you climbing up?”  Ryuuko said, touching the railing.

Tobi climbed up the railing lightly.

“Good grief, I say…” Baku grumbled.

Ryuuko laughed and brought Chinu out from the pochette, letting her ride on her right shoulder.

Further downstream, he could see the railroad bridge. For a moment, he thought back on what had happened yesterday.

They continued onward leisurely, Tobi on top of the railing, and Ryuuko on the footpath.

“Anything and everything—”

Why he said such a thing, Tobi himself didn't know.

“will end someday, huh?”

Ryuuko stopped and looked up at Tobi. Tobi stopped as well.

“I think about it too, from time to time.”

Ryuuko pressed her hands to the middle of her chest.

“For instance, about the moment this life ends. Somehow it becomes quite painful, and I can't stand it. If only it would never end, for ever and ever.”

Tobi turned his body to face the road and sat down on the railing. Ryuuko put both hands on the railing.

He’d thought about it suddenly before.

Hadn't his brother known? He’d foreseen his separation from Tobi. There was nothing without a form, and anything with a form perished. The brothers’ time living together would be lost as well. His brother had readied himself for that, hadn't he?

If he ever gained anything precious, it would disappear, just like his brother.

He only had Baku.

As long as Tobi didn't let go, he could be with Baku. That was how it should've been.

He’d been wrong.

Someday, Baku too, could get eaten. Like how Baku had eaten Kon and Masamune’s zingai, someone else’s zingai could eat Baku.

That was fine. Well, it wasn't really that fine. That time would come whenever it did. If Baku got eaten, Tobi wouldn't be unharmed anyway.

Something important must have broken inside Takatomo. She’d been driven to the edge and flung herself from that roof. And then, Takatomo’s parents would lose their daughter. He wished that wouldn't happen. Tobi could do nothing except pray that Takatomo would get better.

Kon Chiami and Masaki Shuuji both had their zingai eaten by Baku. It seemed like neither of them had been aware of their zingai. Even so, their zingai had always been nestled close to them. They had been an irreplaceable part of the two. A part of them had hurt and injured other people.

So it couldn't be helped.

He had no choice but to do what he’d done.

“Tobi.”

“Mm.”

“If Tobi…”

“If I?”

“If, just a little bit, you regret what you’ve done”

Regret.

Tobi repeated those words within his chest.

I regret.

I regret it.

“Please share that regret with me.”

Her eyes were fixed on someplace far off.

A strong wind blew.

Her black hair fluttered in the wind, exposing her bare face.

“If you get sad or lonely thinking about the end of things, I want you to tell me.”

“That kind of thing—”

Tobi hung his head.

“Tell you, and then what?”

“I don't know.”

She bit her lip tightly. Tobi stole a sideways look at that expression.

“I just want you to tell me.”

He didn't regret it at all.

That wasn't it. He felt just a little bit guilty about not regretting it.

He wasn't sad. He wasn't lonely either.

Just what was he supposed to talk to her about, he wondered.

Did he have something he wanted to talk about, or didn't he?

Right now, he didn't even know that yet.

“I've thought about it before but—”

Tobi looked up at the sky.

“Ryuuko, you’re a strange person, huh?”

“You’re saying that?” Baku sneered nastily. He heard the sound of her laugh. Tobi sighed at the pale-colored sky. Then, he laughed softly.

To be continued.

-----

prev: 3-4 // next: e-book bonus

misc: end of book one yayyyy (well actually there's a bonus but shhh) thank you for reading, it's been a fun ride. sorry i couldnt be arsed to translate the author's note, you can find it somewhere im sure

[italiantnea]

#3-4_kon_chiami/ the closed off girl’s unheard voice

prev: 3-3 // next: 3-5

-----

Who was it again?

I forgot already.

I talked about someone to Mama.

“You know XX-chan, she said she bought the plushie from XX.”

Was that what I said?

In truth, when I said that, I had a little hope that maybe I could buy it too.

Just a little, okay?

I already knew, anyway.

“Chia-chan? Mama’s always telling you, aren't I? XX-chan is XX-chan, and Chia-chan is Chia-chan, right? Other people are other people, aren't they? And you’re you, aren't you?”

Mama was angry; Chia-chan understood that. Chia-chan was Chia-chan after all. She wouldn't mention it anymore. If she did, Mama would get mad. We shouldn't compare with other people’s children, she’d say. Chia-chan is Chia-chan. Other people’s children were different.

Mama’s precious Chia-chan. Chia-chan was special. She, and she alone. Chia-chan was precious. More important than anything, and anyone; Mama’s child.

“What should we do this summer vacation, Chia-chan? Apparently XX-chan’s family is going to Hawai’i. XX-chan’s Mama said they went to Saipan for New Years, didn't she? Papa can't take time off work. Papa’s always like that. I saw XX at the class reunion for the first time in a while, and they said they were building a house. A detached house. You wouldn't want to live in an apartment forever, huh? So what should we do for summer vacation?”

Chia-chan was fine with anywhere. For summer break, and winter break, and spring break. They should just do what Mama wanted to do. Piano too, and ballet, and English conversational classes, and swimming, and cram school; those were all decided by Mama as well. If Chia-chan said she didn't want to go, Mama would surely become furious.

“Whose sake do you think this is for? Chia-chan? It’s for your own sake, isn't it?”

Chia-chan had wanted to try calligraphy. Who was it again? Someone had trained it, and gotten good penmanship, and I’d been envious, and asked Mama about it, but she’d gotten angry.

“ XX-chan is XX-chan, and Chia-chan is Chia-chan, right? Other people are other people, aren't they? And you’re you, aren't you? Mama’s always telling you, aren't I? Why don't you understand? Chia-chan!”

I’m at fault, for not understanding.

Other people are other people, and I am myself.

The things Mama decided were for Chia-chan’s sake.

Chia-chan was precious to Mama after all.

Because Chia-chan was Mama’s special girl.

But you know, Mama, Chia-chan’s crap at piano and ballet, anyway. I just get scolded by Mama all the time, anyway. English isn't fun at all. Swimming is just tiring, and a huge pain. Mama had snapped and yelled, “Then just quit! What a waste of money!”, so I’d quit in the end after all. I was scared of Mama getting angry if my grades dropped, so I’d gone to cram school, but it wasn't like I really wanted to go, though.

“It’s alright. Because Chia-chan is Chia-chan. Chia-chan should just be Chia-chan. Mama loves Chia-chan just as she is. Ok? Understand, Chia-chan?”

When did it start again?

She would definitely get mad at me.

Somehow, whenever I got called “Chia-chan” by Mama, you know? My whole body would get uncomfortable. It became hard to breathe, you know? It would feel bad, you know? I don't want to make Mama mad, so I would never say it, though. After all, Mama loves the phrase “Chia-chan”, and she loves “Chia-chan” as well. But you know, that might just be the case, you see.

That the one Mama loves is not me, but Mama’s beloved “Chia-chan”. ¹

Whether it’s piano, or ballet, or English conversational classes, or swimming. I’m glad I didn't quit. Because Mama wanted me to do them. If I didn't do as Mama said, I would no longer be “Chia-chan”; she would hate me. Wanting something was not allowed. “Chia-chan” would not make Mama angry.

After getting to middle school, a lot of kids had smartphones, and I wanted one as well. I wanted it, wanted it, wanted it so bad. I couldn't stand it, but I was scared of making Mama mad if I asked for one. So I went all out pestering Papa about it, and got him to buy one.

After that, Mama and Papa had a huge fight. Mama screamed late into the night.

“You haven't even bought a single ring for me, and you get your daughter anything she asks for! What am I to you? How much do you think I’ve sacrificed for you and our daughter!”

I pretended I couldn't hear it. Ah ah ah ah ah aah ah aaah I can't hear anything I can't hear I can't hear I can't hear ah ah aah I can't hear I can't hear I can not hear ah ah ah—

Mama is scary when she gets angry. I can't make her angry. When she isn't angry she’s kind. Everyone praises Mama. Mama gives off a friendly outward appearance—no, impression. When “Chia-chan” was in elementary school, she frequented PTA events. She has loads of friends too. Papa’s parents, grandpa and grandma, also side with Mama more than Papa. And Mama is willing to love “Chia-chan”, anyway. She is “Chia-chan’s” mother after all.

Maybe I’m to blame. Maybe it’s all my fault. I don't have as friendly of an impression as Mama—I mean, I’m not a kind person, after all. If I don't get into the zone, I can't even smile. I always compare myself with the kids around me. And I don't have that many friends either. I was secretly venting my dark thoughts in SNS too. If I didn't, it was so painful, so painful, so painful, so painful, I couldn't bear it.

If I keep this up, I’ll no longer be “Chia-chan”, and Mama might come to hate me.

Even though I was trying so hard. I told my friends they could “tell me anything”. I was willing to accept anything that came my way. If there was something I wanted, I would endure it. I was doing as Mama told, as much as possible. I was being careful so Mama wouldn't get mad—so I wouldn't make her mad. And even though my skin crawled when Mama called me “Chia-chan”, I still responded, “Yes, Mama?” with a smile. I was doing my best.

When I vented, there were people encouraging me on SNS, and I was pretty encouraged by them too. They would say I wasn't at fault, but it really was my fault, after all.

(Isn't it weird?)

Sometimes I hear a voice.

Weird?

Who?

(It’s you)

Me?

(It’s your fault)

That must be it, huh?

If only I could stay myself, and remain the “Chia-chan” that Mama loved so much. I know. I know that Nagisa, and Yoriko, and Miyuki too, they don't really like me that much. After looking at SNS, I understood that people had hidden sides to them. After all, Mama was like that too. I wasn't really “Chia-chan” either. It would be nice if I could become Mama’s beloved “Chia-chan”, but I can't be anyone but myself; Chiami is Chiami after all.

I’m working so hard, so why doesn't anyone like me?

“Look for your true self!”

Someone wrote that on SNS.

“Search for yourself!”, “Try to find your own self!”

To do that, they said, I just had to ask myself. What am I? Who am I? What do I want to do? What do I want to become? What do I want?

“Chia-chan”

Mama, please don't call me “Chia-chan”. But I don't want Mama to hate me. Mama, please keep liking me. Because I love you, Mama. Nagisa too, and Yoriko, and Miyuki, please keep liking me. Please like me more. I’m lonely, and anxious, so everyone, please like me. Please don't hate me. Mama, that’s not me. I’m not “Chia-chan”.

I am Chiami. Chiami is Chiami. Does Mama hate Chiami?

Please don't hate her. Please keep liking me. Please love Chiami.

If everyone won't love me, then I hate everyone.

-----

prev: 3-3 // next: 3-5

¹ you can't tell in English, but this is the first time in the chapter Chiami uses a first person pronoun. Before this point, the pronouns are either omitted or she uses “Chia-chan”. From this point onward, the text distinguishes between ‘I’ and “Chia-chan”

[italiantnea]

#3-3_otogiri_tobi/ eat! ¹

¹ this uses the command form, so read that as forcefully urging someone to eat

prev: 3-2 // next: 3-4

-----

They weren't allowed to see the patient, so they couldn't stay long. When they left the hospital they bid farewell to Asamiya. Tobi and Shiratama walked down the twilight road back.

“O-Ryuu.”

Baku was the one to break the silence.

“That was… Long story short, what was that?”

“How should I explain it—”

Shiratama frowned and bit her bottom lip. She was thinking. They just so happened to be passing by the children’s park. There was no one there. There were benches.

“Wanna sit down?” Tobi asked.

Shiratama nodded.

The two of them sat down on the bench of the children’s park.

“It happened quite a long time ago.”

Shiratama brought Chinu out from the pochette and held her gently with both hands.

“At the time, I was in fourth grade, so it was four years ago. My grandfather got severely ill, and was hospitalized. So my grandmother brought me along to pay him a visit—”

Shiratama’s grandfather had a fondness for kendo and jiu jitsu, so he was quite a strict person. Before he was hospitalized, Shiratama hadn't known a thing about his illness. Shiratama had never seen her grandfather lying down. Seeing him sleeping in the bed of the hospital room was somehow so scary she couldn't bear it. Shiratama couldn't step foot into her grandfather’s hospital room. In the end, only her grandmother had entered the room, and Shiratama had waited outside.

At that time, Shiratama already had the pochette that hid Chinu. Of course, she understood that other people couldn't see Chinu. Shiratama had taken Chinu out of the pochette and let her ride on her shoulder. She couldn't feel at ease staying put, so she walked slowly down the hallway.

There were rooms on either side of the hallway. There were also rooms that had their doors wide open so you could see inside. The patients on that floor were mostly ones with serious illnesses. There were people barely hanging on to life with the help of medical equipment too.

What if her grandfather became one of them? But the surgery had gone well. Her grandmother had said that he would only get better. Her grandfather wouldn't become like these people, would he? The thought reassured her a bit. On the other hand, Shiratama felt a pang of self-reproach. To use these poor, seriously ill people for her reassurance; it was a terrible thing to do. Maybe she was a bad person.

Shiratama stopped in front of one room. It was a four person room. A woman and a small girl had come to visit. The woman was only around thirty years old.

The woman addressed the patient as “Papa”. It seemed like the patient was her husband. If only Papa would wake up soon. We want to play with him more, don't we? Hey, Papa. But no matter how much the woman and little girl called, there was no answer. Her husband seemed to be unconscious.

Unable to bear it, Shiratama had prayed for that stranger to recover and wake up.

“—thinking back on it now, it might have been something like compensation for comforting myself with people suffering under illness… Some kind of atonement. I may have just wanted to put myself at ease. But—”

At that moment, Chinu had let out a voice. Hana. Kayoko. That voice repeated those two names. It was clearly not Chinu’s voice. It was a human, a man’s voice.

The man’s voice spoke of the time his daughter was born. He’d given Hana a bath. In the beginning he’d been shaking all over. He’d taken Hana to the zoo. Rather than elephants and giraffes, Hana had spent all the time looking at the sheep. Ahh, he couldn't forget the college-aged Kayoko’s smile when they’d met for the first time. He’d liked people before, but Kayoko was the first time he felt like he loved someone. It’s unbelievable isn't it? To think I’d get this sick. I might die, you know? Of course, everyone dies someday, but I’d thought it was a distant future. After Hana became an adult, I’d grow old with Kayoko. It was over in a blink of an eye, huh? I’d imagined a future where we laughed like that. Before that happens, am I going to die?

Kayoko. Hana. I can't bear not seeing you. I want to see Hana grow up. I want to celebrate Hana’s birthday every year with Kayoko. I don't need anything else. As long as I can live on by their side. It’s too early, isn't it? Can’t I do that? Am I going to die? I don't want to. I can’t die. I can't do that. I don't want to die……

 “—I heard his voice. It agonized, thinking about his wife and daughter, about how he didn't want to die. Even though I shouldn't have been able to hear it. After all, that person was unconscious. He was asleep. In a coma. The voice that definitely shouldn't have been audible, somehow came through Chinu…”

“Hmmm…” Baku hummed, then thought for a moment and spoke.

“So that Chinu has some kind of special ability? Even though she’s so small. They say you can't judge people by their appearance but she isn't a person, huh? Hey wait? Does that mean that I have one too? An incredible special ability or something…?”

“Baku’s uselessly good at running his mouth, isn't he,” Tobi said half-exasperatedly.

“Oh that!” Baku laughed, satisfied.

“Ahahaha— wait, no! That’s not the kinda special ability I'm talking about. There’s gotta be more. Like firing off rockets or being as strong as a demon, something cool.”

“Not really, isn't a talking backpack cool enough?”

“As if that were enough. I’m telling you, I must’ve just not gotten serious yet. When I peel off this skin², I’ll show you something amazing!”

“That’s kinda gross, I don't want you to peel off your skin…”

“It's just a metaphor! At least understand that much!”

² ‘Peel off a layer of skin’- overcome harsh training or hardship and become stronger.

Tobi looked beside him at Shiratama, who was looking down. After finishing the story of her grandfather’s hospitalization, she stayed silent.

If Chinu didn't have such an ability, Shiratama wouldn't have heard that unfamiliar patient’s voice. He’d been about to pass on, leaving his wife and daughter behind. He’d been barely hanging on, but realized himself there was little hope. He’d despaired and cried out in grief.

Tobi wouldn't want to hear that. Hear it and then what? He was a total stranger with no relation at all. There was nothing he could do for him anyway. It couldn't be helped.

“...Did Shiratama-san suggest we pay a visit so we could hear Takatomo-san’s voice?”

To Shiratama, Takatomo Miyuki was not a total stranger with no relation. She was a classmate. Seemed like she’d been in the same class in first year too. She’d talk with her even when she didn't need anything from her, and Shiratama was a feast to her eyes. Takatomo’s voice had said so. It was a closeness incomparable to that with an unknown patient.

“I thought, if we could hear it,” Shiratama replied hesitantly.

“If we were able to hear it, then we had to listen. Because that might be something only Chinu… only I can do—”

The next day, Asamiya was late. For some reason Tobi had been apprehensive that he wasn't coming to school, so he was a little relieved.

It wasn't just Asamiya, there were other things on Tobi’s mind.

It seemed like Kon Chiami really was friends with Murahama Nagisa and Shimomaeda Yoriko. Outside of class time, the three of them often did things together. Before, it hadn't been three of them, but four, including Takatomo.

On top of the loss, or perhaps theft, of her possessions, Takatomo had repeatedly heard strange voices.

Losing things that didn't seem likely to be stolen, hearing voices that shouldn't have been heard. Weren't those delusions or hallucinations, or something of the sort? Maybe Takatomo hadn't been in a normal state of mind.

However, Chinu had a special ability. The mysterious power to transmit the voices that shouldn't have been audible, to speak in place of those who couldn't.

And Kon Chiami, whom Takatomo suspected of being the culprit, had a bat-like, flying squirrel-like weird thing with her.

For once, Tobi took his time eating lunch. His seat was by the window, third from the front. In the first seat of the neighboring row sat Kon Chiami. Even now, the aforementioned weird thing that was neither a bat nor a flying squirrel, clung to her back tightly, unmoving.

“I know, Tobi. What you’re thinking right now,” Baku said without lowering his voice.

“Does that thing stay like that, never leaving Kon-chan’s side? Or does it have the ability to go off and do things on its own? If, for instance, that thing was an ill-mannered thief, then—”

Though talking wasn't forbidden during lunch time, it was so quiet you could hear school announcements clearly. Tobi and Shiratama were probably the only ones who lended an ear to Baku’s solo recital.

“Stealing the key to the roof from the staff room, that kinda thing shouldn't be possible. It wouldn't’ve been hard for that thing to sneak it into Takatomo’s desk drawer, though.”

“Sensei.”

Suddenly, Asamiya raised his hand.

Their homeroom teacher Harimoto, who was eating lunch at the teacher’s desk, stopped and said “Hm?”, half-rising from his chair.

“What’s wrong, Asamiya? Hey, you haven't eaten at all. Are you feeling unwell? You okay?”

“I’m not okay.”

Asamiya put both hands on his desk and stood up. His long bangs hid his expression, but he seemed to be terribly angry.

“There’s no way I could be okay. Why’re you just eating like usual? Are you fine with not investigating? After Miyu’s—Takatomo’s been hospitalized after what happened.”

“Well, investigate, you say…”

Harimoto hummed and hawed, touching his face with his hand excessively.

“Hey, hey!”

Masamune stumbled towards Asamiya and tried to sling an arm around his shoulders.

“Chill out, okay? Asamiya—”

“Don't touch me!”

Asamiya brushed away Masamune’s hand roughly. With an “Uwah?!”, Masamune flew back exaggeratedly and spun in circles. Many people laughed upon seeing this act. Seeming irritated, Asamiya pressed in towards Masamune.

“Wahh!”

Masamune stepped back.

“Stop it already!”

The one who cried out was Kon Chiami. Kon’s face scrunched up in an instant.

“Miyuki wouldn't be happy if you were fighting! Miyuki hates seeing people arguing. Don't do something that would make her sad at such a time, please…”

Was she crying? Tobi suddenly had doubts. Kon’s behavior was exaggerated and deliberate. Weren't those crocodile tears? Asamiya seemed to sense something was off too.

“Acting like you were friends. Kon, you weren't getting along that well with Takatomo that well lately, were you? Takatomo was avoiding you, wasn't she?”

“How terrible!” “How could you say such a thing!”

Defending Kon, Murahama Nagisa and Shimomeda Yoriko began reproaching Asamiya. All at once, the classroom descended into chaos. Even as the homeroom teacher Harimoto scolded, “Hey stop, stop it!”, there was no end to it.

As if breaking down in tears, Kon sank into her chair. Murahama and Shimomaeda, and a few other girls aside from that, rushed over to her side. There were also students that criticized Asamiya roughly. Asamiya stayed quiet without rebuttal, but his eyes glared through the gaps between his bangs.

“Don't get so heated, guys! Asamiya has a point to make. Right?”

Ever persistent, Masamune pressed closer to Asamiya. At that moment, Asamiya’s patience ran out. He pushed Masamune aside and ran out the classroom.

“Asamiya!”

Harimoto chased frantically after Asamiya. With an “Oi oiii!”, Masamune followed after him. Masamune soon returned with a troubled, or rather, funny expression, and shrugged his shoulders dramatically. Though not all of them, several students laughed.

Maybe it was because of the say no evil monkey on his head, but it looked strange to Tobi. When he looked at her, Shiratama had an appalled look on her face. He was a little relieved, because she wasn't laughing.

Harimoto and Asamiya still didn't return, and lunch time ended just like that. Tobi shouldered Baku and was just about to leave the classroom.

“Otogiri-kun.”

Shiratama’s call stopped him. As Tobi met her eyes, her gaze shifted towards something else. Tobi followed her gaze.

Kon sat in her seat, draped over her desk. Around her were Murahama and Shimomaeda, saying something to her. Was Kon still crying? Perhaps she was stricken. Or maybe she was acting like it.

It was gone.

That weird thing was not clinging to her back.

“Tobi!”

Baku went wild. As if pulled along by him, Tobi looked around the vicinity of his own seat. On that desk, a meal sat untouched. It was Asamiya’s seat. Something darted in the shadows of the desk. There was no mistake. He’d clearly seen it.

Tobi approached Asamiya’s seat. There was nothing abnormal about the desk or the chair.

“It must be inside.”

He didn't need Baku to tell him. Without looking in the drawer, he suddenly stuck his hand in. His fingers brushed against fur. Without hesitation, he closed his fist around it, and the thing went wild in his hands. Its torso was warm, hot even. Between its forelimbs and hindlimbs, there was a thin, rubbery membrane. It writhed and wriggled its limbs, struggling furiously.

He pulled it out of the desk drawer. It was Kon Chiami’s bat-like, flying squirrel-like weird thing. It had a face like a human baby, and a long tongue darted in and out of its tiny mouth.

Several classmates looked at Tobi suspiciously. Then again, no one paid attention to his right hand. Nobody noticed the weird thing that Tobi had caught. They couldn't see it.

Kon was still being comforted by Murahama and Shimomaeda. Tobi met Shiratama’s gaze. Her eyes were very wide. She seemed rather surprised. Tobi himself was shocked as well. He’d gone and caught that weird thing. What now?

“...Tobi! For now, get to a place without people—”

Urged by Baku, Tobi went out to the hallway. Shiratama followed as well, holding the pochette that hid Chinu. With no destination in mind, Tobi descended down the stairs in big steps. Around the shoe box, there was no one around. At the outdoor shoe area, Tobi faced Shiratama.

“O-otogiri-kun, that thing…”

“I don't know. It’s just a guess but… it was in Asamiya’s desk, so it seems like it was trying to steal something. What is with this guy…”

Tobi gripped the weird thing tightly in his hands. He felt like if he didn't, it would escape. To be honest, he really didn't want to keep holding it. It was gross.

“Oi, don’t let it go, Tobi!”

Baku raised his voice.

“If you let go, that thing’s definitely gonna do something bad again. Looks like Kon Chiami wasn't aware of it herself either. That thing could be the root of all evil.”

“...So you mean—”

Shiratama hugged the pochette containing Chinu close to her chest.

“Disregarding Kon-san’s own intentions, it went off and stole things, and as a result, Takatomo-san became paranoid…is that it?”

“Well, could be that she’s just unaware of it, but she really wished for it in her heart. Whichever it is, this guy’s different from me and Chinu. Tobi and O-Ryuu have a proper awareness of our existence. Whether we can talk is something else, but we’re able to come to a mutual understanding. That’s not true for Kon Chiami. Us and them, we’re only alike on the surface.”

“...If I ask Chinu to stay, she’ll do so. Baku also listens to Otogiri-kun’s wishes, doesn't he?”

“I dunno about that…”

As Tobi murmured noncommittally, Baku let out an aggrieved “Aah?!”

“I don't do as I’m told all of the time, but I listen most of the time, don't I!”

“Maybe this guy—”

Shiratama glanced at the weird thing that would not calm down at all.

“and Kon-san don't have that kind of a relationship…”

“Whether it’s Takatomo or Murahama or Shimomaeda, if this guy was the one who nabbed their stuff, then that means it’s causing harm to others. As a result of that, Takatomo even jumped.”

Shiratama repeated what Baku had just said.

“The root of all evil.”

“If that’s the case, then the same thing might happen again…”

The weird thing Tobi held had been rummaging through Asamiya’s desk drawer.

Asamiya had criticized Kon to her face. It was possible that weird thing had been trying to retaliate. Just like Baku said, when Kon felt hostility to someone, the weird thing would attack them and steal things of its own volition. Was that how it worked?

Maybe they were incompatible, or there was some misunderstanding, but Kon didn't like Takatomo.

If Kon didn't have her weird thing, that would be the end of the story. Because the weird thing had done something strange, Takatomo had been driven to the edge. Distressed, she’d jumped off the roof of the school building. Without that weird thing, Kon and Takatomo might have eventually fought and parted ways, and that would've been the end of it.

This weird thing, struggling endlessly in Tobi’s hand, had brought about a grave and serious situation.

It was beyond a doubt, the root of all evil.

“...Otogiri-kun?”

Shiratama tilted her body diagonally and peered up at Tobi’s face.

Tobi didn't respond. There was something else he had to do right now. But what exactly was he supposed to do? Even if there was a solution, could Tobi really pull it off?

“Leave it to me, Tobi.”

I see.

Even if he couldn't do it himself, Tobi had Baku.

“I will eat this guy.”

Tobi was carrying Baku with the strap on his left shoulder. He shot his head out from above his shoulder. Baku had been a backpack ever since he met him, so that was just a metaphor. Backpacks didn't have heads to stick out. But he had a mouth.

Baku’s zipper opened. Not all the way. About a third, maybe around halfway at most. That was enough. Baku opened his mouth. It was like the zips were teeth. No, they really were teeth. From Baku’s mouth, a tongue shot out. It was robust, and much larger than Tobi’s own tongue.

Tobi understood exactly what Baku was trying to do. If Baku wanted to do so, he should. No, he ought to. Tobi understood exactly how Baku felt.

This weird thing trying to escape from his hands was the root of all evil.

If it weren't for this thing, such terrible things wouldn't have happened. It was better if it didn't exist. That said, he couldn't make it so that something had never existed in the first place. Then at the very least, he had to make it disappear.

On top of that, he was somehow terribly, terribly hungry.

Tobi heard a sound. Was it footsteps? Shiratama was saying something. Something or other about Haizaki-san. But he didn't care. Tobi was starving. It wasn't like his stomach was empty. This was probably Baku’s hunger. So this was how hungry he was. He was so hungry, it was like all the cells in his body had been emptied. He couldn't bear it a second longer.

“—Wait…!”

Someone was trying to stop him. Seemed like it was the janitor Haizaki. As if he cared.

It was too late.

Tobi loosened his hands. In that instant, Baku’s tongue wrapped around the weird thing. Right before that, the weird thing let out a “Giii!” The cry, like nails on glass, cut off abruptly.

Closing the teeth of his zipper—his mouth—Baku chewed vigorously.

He swallowed with a gulp.

“Aah!”

Before he knew it, the work clothes-clad Haizaki had appeared before him. Haizaki put both hands to his own forehead.

“What have you done! Otogiri-kun, what—what did you feed that zingai?!!”

Shiratama’s eyes were wide. Baku burped. The one who’d gobbled down the weird thing was Baku, yet Tobi’s stomach felt a little bloated as well.

“‘What’, you say. Eh? Jin…gai?”

“Ahh, I see…”

Haizaki grimaced and shook his head.

“‘Zingai’ are what we call those beings, like the one you carry on your back. There’s other names for them, but in this country we mostly call them zingai. The vast majority of people don't know about them. It’s not like they really need to know. They can't see them anyway—”

“Haizaki-san can see them, right?”

Shiratama opened her pochette. Chinu poked her head out from within, and Haizaki looked daunted.

“...You got me. You really got me. I’m just a janitor employed by this school, nothing more, nothing less. That being said, I can't just pretend I didn't see anything. I can see them, but that's not important right now. Otogiri-kun, what did your zingai just eat?!”

“Man, what a noisy bastard you are.”

Baku let out a sigh. Uurp. Another burp.

“I’m free to eat whatever I like, aren't I? Even if it’s a zingai or whatever you called it.”

“Just like I thought…”

Haizaki turned pale and trembled. Contrasting that, he grabbed Tobi’s shoulders fiercely and shook him.

“Whose? Whose zingai was it! That incident—I didn't wish for that to happen, but were zingai involved?! Whose did you eat—was it a student from year 2 class 3?!”

He was terribly forceful. Haizaki seemed pretty agitated. Tobi felt overwhelmed.

“...It was.”

“This is bad! We have to hurry!”

Haizaki took off running. What was bad? He wanted an explanation. But Haizaki was gone.

“We should go too!” Shiratama called to him.

Somehow, Tobi felt reluctant.

Baku had eaten Kon’s zingai, or whatever it was called. To tell the truth, he’d intended to do good. He couldn't leave that zingai be. That’s why he’d eaten it. It was fine to eat it.

Baku had eaten a zingai. According to Haizaki, Baku was a zingai as well. A zingai had eaten another zingai.

Tobi remembered that intense hunger.

Baku had—no, it wasn't just Baku. Tobi had wanted to eat it as well. He’d wanted to eat, so he had.

Tobi didn't want to return to the classroom. But Shiratama was pulling him along. He couldn't bring himself to shake off her hand.

The two of them hurried to year 2 class 3’s classroom. There was some kind of ruckus going on. A crowd had gathered in front of the classroom. Tobi and Shiratama pushed and shoved past students from other classes, and entered the classroom.

Kon Chiami had collapsed on the floor. Haizaki squatted beside her, feeling around the vicinity of her neck. It seemed like he was checking her pulse.

“No way…”

Looking like she was about to collapse, Shiratama held onto a nearby desk. Tobi was no more dismayed than Shiratama. Or rather, he wasn't really sure whether he felt shaken or not.

What had Tobi done? The one who’d eaten Kon’s zingai was Baku. Baku had done it. It had nothing to do with him. He didn't really think so.

Baku had eaten Kon’s zingai. That had to be why she’d collapsed.

Why was Baku silent? Say something. Was he not going to say anything? Tobi wasn't, either.

Haizaki was contacting someone with his cellphone. Maybe he was calling an ambulance.

Tobi just watched. There was nothing he could do but watch.

The next day, Asamiya came to school. In the morning homeroom period, their homeroom teacher Harimoto talked about what happened to Kon.

She was fine, he said. Her life was not in danger, and there wasn't anything seriously wrong with her body. But, just to recuperate, she was taking time off school for a while.

During lunch break, Haizaki came to the classroom and called Tobi and Shiratama over. He brought them to the janitor’s room.

The janitor’s room had a small kitchen and a large work table. Haizaki brought out folding chairs, and Tobi and Shiratama sat down in them. Haizaki leaned against the work table.

“—The bond between zingai and their master isn't something that you could sever, even if you wanted to. It’s something that runs very deep. If for some reason, they lost their zingai, the master would…in many cases, they would fall into a state known as heart desolation³. Medically speaking, its cause is unclear, so it’s not an official disease name though.”

“Can it be cured…?” Shiratama asked in a small voice.

Haizaki had a grave look on his face, and hummed in a low voice.

“You can get better, is what I’d like to say, but it varies case-by-case, I guess. From severe to comparatively light, there’s a personal difference between each case, you see. ‘A drop in mental activity’ is how it’s described, but the ability to think, to feel, to move with intention— those abilities decline. It doesn't seem to worsen after the initial onset.”

“That’s good news,” Baku said sardonically. He’d been pretty quiet since yesterday. Maybe he’d become disheartened, in his own way.

“And Kon?”

Tobi asked shortly, and Haizaki cast his eyes down and sighed.

“I escorted her all the way to the hospital but… yeah. It doesn't seem to be a severe case. It doesn't look like she’ll be bedridden, and she was able to give vague answers as well. Seems like she’s in her home right now. I don't think it’s that severe of a case.”

‘So, you can be at ease.’  That, he didn't say. Even if it didn't worsen, there was no guarantee her condition would improve. It was possible Kon would remain like that for the rest of her life.

Shiratama was expressionless. Where was she looking, he wondered. Her gaze wasn't fixed on any spot in particular. It was like a doll version of Shiratama was sat on the folding chair. Without thinking, Tobi sought out signs that she was breathing. Her chest was rising and falling slightly. Obviously it was. She was still breathing.

“It isn't Otogiri-kun’s fault.”

Haizaki said that, and nodded. It was like he was trying to convince himself.

“It was just a stroke of bad luck. No…no matter if it was bad luck or not, Otogiri-kun may have prevented the next tragedy from happening. Once a zingai become aggressive to humans, it’s hard for them to go back.”

“...You mean, don't worry about it?”

“I guess so. You shouldn't beat yourself up over it. It might not be easy, but I’d like you to carry on with your life as usual. If anything happens, you can talk to me. I’m but a mere janitor, but I can give you some advice.”

“A mere janitor?”

“Yeah.”

Haizaki met Tobi’s gaze. He didn't avert his eyes. He didn't even blink.

“It seems like you guys didn't know about zingai. People like that are the majority, I think. But truthfully, if you look it up on the internet, you can get all sorts of information. Whether each piece of information is true or false, I can't say. I’m just a janitor who knows a little about zingai, after all. I don't want to give you any unreliable information.”

“...You’re being all roundabout and wishy-washy, though.”

“Honestly, I don't really understand it myself.”

Haizaki’s gaze suddenly became clouded.

“As you can see, I’ve grown old, and I’m wiser than you middle school students. I wish I could say I can conduct myself like a proper upstanding adult, but…I think I’d like to do whatever I can, within my power.”

“That way of talking sure feels adult-like.”

“I understand that’s not a compliment.”

Haizaki tried to laugh. Midway, his adult-like face distorted in an ugly way, and crumbled.

“I’m truly sorry…”

Was he hurting somewhere? That was what his expression made him suspect.

Baku was staying silent, and Shiratama still seemed out of it. What was Tobi supposed to do? It was no use just sitting here. That much was clear.

After school, Tobi got out of the classroom before anyone else. But without leaving school, he watched Shiratama change her shoes at the shoe box.

Tobi began tailing Shiratama. Baku didn't say anything. It was like he was just a normal backpack.

From the school, Shiratama walked about twelve or thirteen minutes, before stopping in front of an apartment. It was ten or eleven stories tall, and not particularly new or old. Shiratama hesitated on whether to enter or not.

Tobi approached Shiratama. It seemed like she hadn't noticed him at all.

“Shiratama-san.”

He didn't want to scare her. That was why he’d called out her name, but Shiratama cried out a small “..Yah!” and turned around quickly.

“To-to-tobi-kun?! Ah. I meant, Otogiri-kun…”

“I don't really mind either way though…”

“You don't?”

“Eh? Is that bad?”

“...I thought calling someone by their given name all of a sudden would be a little overly familiar. The name Otogiri has its charm as well, but I think Tobi is a wonderful name, so I’ve kind of been secretly calling you that in my head.”

“Ahh.. is that so. Hm…”

Even though it wasn't itchy, Tobi scratched the tip of his nose.

“...If you’re that…how’d you say it. If that’s the case…how about you just call me what you want?”

“‘Tobi’? Ah—”

Shiratama waved both hands in front of her face as if trying to erase something.

“I-I definitely don't mean to be as bold as to call you without honorifics…”

“It’s fine if you do though. Baku’s just been calling me Tobi the entire time anyway.”

“I’ve known you for a long time, after all.”

Finally, Baku cut into the conversation.

“But if O-Ryuu wants to go that far, then that can't be helped, I guess.”

“...Shiratama-san isn't going that far, is she?”

“If O-Ryuu insists on saying it no matter what, then I might even grant special permission.”

“Why is Baku the one…”

“Thank you so much!”

Shiratama’s eyes lit up and she bowed her head. What was she so happy about, he wondered. It was well outside Tobi’s area of understanding. But it seemed like Shiratama was feeling happier, so he supposed it was fine.

“For now, I’m fine with either Otogiri or Tobi, so…”

“Tobi?”

“...Like I said, that’s fine.”

“Then please, call me by Ryuuko as well!”

“...No, that’s a bit…”

“Is that so…”

Shiratama’s expression changed completely, turning dejected.

“As expected, it hasn't been that long since we started talking with each other, so we aren't at that sort of relationship yet, are we…”

“Oi!”

Baku immediately twisted around. Tobi felt bad for the disappointed Shiratama, but he just had an opposition to calling her Ryuuko.

“...Um, can I practice and do it after getting used to it?”

“Practice?”

Shiratama cocked her head. Had Tobi said something strange?

Maybe he had. Practice. What kind of practice? Secretly pulling up the image of Shiratama’s face in his mind when he was alone, and trying to call her Ryuuko, or something? Just thinking about it made him embarrassed.

“Well…after I’ve prepared myself mentally, something…like that?”

“Then at least stop calling me with ‘-san’, and please just call me Shiratama.”

Shiratama’s gaze was strangely serious. Was this so important to her?

“...That’s fine. If Shiratama-san doesn't mind.”

“I do not mind. That’s it. When one day you’re prepared to call me by Ryuuko, then I shall call you by Tobi-kun.”

“What kind of deal is that…”

“I suppose it’s a promise, rather than a deal?”

He didn't care about the promise or whatever it was, but would the day ever come where his heart was prepared for that? He couldn't imagine it, at least, not at this point in time.

“...I mean, what is Shiratama doing here in the first place?”

“Huh? And why is Tobi-kun here?”

“Tobi, that guy. He was following you, O-Ryuu.”

Baku laughed with a kekeke.

“Isn't it gross? He’s not even a stalker.”

“That’s not true—well, it is but…”

This was awkward. Tobi looked the other way.

“When school let out, I thought…Shiratama might try to go to Kon’s house alone… I just felt so.”

“Why?”

Shiratama’s eyelids opened as wide as they would go, then blinked twice,

“...You were spot on. I just couldn't help being concerned about Kon. Kon had told me once before, where she lived, and I’d remembered it, so… Of course, I don't know if I’ll be able to see her or not…”

“Her voice—”

As those words came out of Tobi’s mouth, Shiratama bit her lip hard.

It seemed like Tobi’s prediction was right on the mark.

“Kon’s voice, which we shouldn't be able to hear. Did you want to hear it?”

Shiratama nodded silently.

The two of them paid a visit to Kon Chiami’s home.

They didn't even know the apartment’s room number, but they were able to find out by checking the mailbox. Kon’s mother was delighted by a visit from classmates. It seemed like she wanted them to come see her daughter, and she welcomed them in.

Kon’s home was on the sixth floor. When the elevator came down, a woman who looked to be Kon’s mother was waiting for them. Tobi was taken by surprise. It was because Kon’s mother donned quite elaborate makeup, and wore what looked like formal clothes. The scent of perfume was impressively strong. On top of that, she was so cheerful, it felt out of place.

Tobi and Shiratama were led to the living room. Kon’s mother sat them down on a leather sofa, and went to prepare sweets and milk tea. Shiratama didn't hold back; he thought he heard her say “Please, don’t go to the trouble”, but those words didn't seem to reach Kon’s mother’s ears.

Various fragrances mixed together intricately, filling the air. It was a strangely luxurious living room, which made him feel ill at ease. He shied away from Kon’s mother’s rapid-fire shower of questions about school and friendships, too. Tobi couldn't answer most of them anyway, and Shiratama was struggling as well.

“That’s right.”

At that, Kon’s mother got a photo frame that was hanging on the wall and showed it to them.

It was a photo of a couple and a young girl smiling at a beach somewhere. It was a family photo they’d taken in Hawai’i, Kon’s mother informed them. Apparently they’d traveled to Guam and Cebu island, to Barcelona, London, and Paris as well.

“...She sure seems fond of bragging,” Baku grumbled.

Was that it? Tobi wondered. Rather than bragging, it seemed like Kon’s mother was being urged on by something, even to the point of pain.

“Excuse me, how is Chiami-san?”

Unable to bear it any longer, Shiratama cut into her story, and they were finally led to Kon Chiami’s room. She opened the door without knocking, and let Shiratama and Tobi into her daughter’s room.

White and pink made up the vast majority of the room.

Clad in frilly nightclothes, Kon rose from the bed.

“Chia-chan.”

Even when her mother called out to her, there was no response.

“Chia-chan. Chia-chan? Can’t you hear me?”

Her mother approached the bed and pressed her hands on Kon’s face, clutching it between both hands.

“Chia-chan! It’s Mama! Your Mama! Chia-chan! Chia-chan!”

“...Mama.”

Kon sounded out, staring vacantly at her mother before her.

“Mama. The one here right now. Mama.”

“That’s right. Mama has always been here, hasn't she? Your friends have come to see you, Chia-chan. Shiratama-san and Otogiri-kun. I’ve heard Shiratama-san’s name from you before, Chia-chan. Right? You told me before, remember? Isn't it great, Chia-chan?”

“Mm.”

Kon just let out a noise. Her head didn't move in the slightest. Her mother smiled at her.

“That’s right. Do you want something to drink? Are you thirsty? Or hungry? I’ll bring you something, okay? Mama knows all the things Chia-chan loves to eat, alright? Wait here. Alright, Chia-chan?”

Kon didn't respond. Her mother left the room eagerly.

This room had large windows. Though the lace curtains were closed, the rays of sun coming from the window dyed the white and pink of the furniture and walls orange.

Kon’s hair was braided and tied up. She hadn't worn that sort of hairstyle to school. Her mother had probably changed her into those nightclothes, as well as combed and tied her hair.

Shiratama brought Chinu out from the pochette. Without a moment’s pause, Chinu began to speak.

“Chiami is Chiami.”

But it wasn't Chinu’s voice.

Kon faced forward. Most likely, she wasn't looking anywhere in particular. Her face was just facing forward. Her mouth didn't move at all.

“Chiami is Chiami. Mama—”

That was a voice they shouldn't have been able to hear.

Without a doubt, the girl was right here.

Nevertheless, it was her voice, which shouldn't have rung out.

“Chiami is Chiami.”

-----

prev: 3-2 // next: 3-4

³ ‘heart desolation’ is the term q-talations uses in the kara no kioku manga. Literally, the words 虚心症  translate to ‘hollow heart disorder’. unrelated, but 虚心 is also an adjective that means ‘open-minded’, someone who doesn't harbor any preconceived notions in their heart.

Misc- you might remember, but 'Tobi just watched. There was nothing he could do but watch.' is a line that appeared in chapter 1.4 when Tobi watched Takatomo jump. What does it mean? Boy sure sees a lot of traumatic shit, ig

also if you're as annoyed as i am about seeing 'the weird thing' in italics all the time, i'll have you know the book puts emphasis marks on the phrase every single time it's mentioned. yes i find it obnoxious as well.

there's no exclamation mark in the original chapter title. 'eat' by itself sounds neutral so i added it in an attempt to convey the urging tone of the verb ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

sorry for the wait. this chapter is long as hell. And i'm an engineering student, so you can imagine the state im in🫠 btw, i just noticed that tumblr post editor has been eating all of my paragraph breaks, so i've gone back and edited those in. sorry about that! enjoy your newly sectioned, slightly easier to read story.

[italiantnea]

i don’t normally send asks or interact with people, but i just wanted to say thank you so so much for translating htel

and thank YOU for reading <3

[italiantnea]

#3-2_takatomo_miyuki/ the inaudible voice, collected

prev: 3-1 // next: 3-3

-----

“What happened today?” mom asks me. Before that, dad asked me every day. It was a habit from when I was quite young. From before I could remember. After getting to middle school, I started replying, “it was normal.”

“‘Normal’?”, mom says, unsatisfied. “Wasn't there something good, something that made you mad, anything?”

If something good did happen then something bad happened as well, but all of that was included in, well, normal?

That’s pretty much how I felt, every day.

“Then, was today a good day for you, Miyu?” mom tries to confirm.

It’s a pain, so I reply, “It was a good day.”

But, when did it start again?

As the words “It was a good day” come out of my mouth, my chest aches, and it becomes hard to breathe.

I mean, it hadn't been a good day at all.

When did it all start to go wrong?

When I first felt something was weird—

That’s right.

“Hey, did you take my mechanical pencil by mistake?”

As Nagisa said that, I remember thinking, ‘Eh?’

Murahama Nagisa had been in my class in first year, and we got along well after second year too. Just in case, I checked in my desk drawer and pencil case, but Nagisa’s mechanical pencil was nowhere to be found. “Hm, I liked that one though…” Nagisa muttered, and I remember feeling off at her unwillingness to accept it.

After that, things got a little strained between us.

Nagisa, Shimomaeda Yoriko, Kon Chiami and me; the four of us were fairly often together. At the end of the day, it was just fairly often, though. I don't deal well with moving in a group. The feeling of always having to be with a fixed group… how’d you put it. I felt a little suffocated at times. If there was someone outside the group I got along with or found interesting, I wanted to talk with them normally. And I did that, often.

After the incident with the mechanical pencil, Nagisa became high-strung. Even though she hadn't been that kind of person. She would be strangely nervous, or feel unwell in the mornings, and go to the infirmary. Yoriko and Chiami were mostly worried about Nagisa. I was worried, but I guess I didn't say much about it? Everyone had days where they felt unwell or were in a bad mood. Rather than reading too much into it or imposing your kindness on them, wasn't it better to leave them be?

In truth, after a while, Nagisa went back to the regular old Nagisa. Nagisa did.

Next, Yoriko started acting on edge.

I’d gotten to know Yoriko after starting second year, so we weren't well acquainted. Apparently Yoriko and Nagisa had gone to the same kindergarten and primary school. Yoriko would jokingly say, “Besties! We might be besties?” But I didn't get along well with Yoriko. I didn't hate her, but I didn't particularly like her that much. It was just, you know? Yoriko would use coarse language, so I was scared of her sometimes.

“Naw, seriously, it’s gone. I forgot it again. That’s weird, man. I forget it this often? Ain’t I forgetting it a bit too much?”

Countless times, I’d hear her say something like that while rummaging through her desk.

“...I mean, seriously, didn't it get stolen? Someone stole it. I’ve lost one too. Seriously, not funny. I mean, I lose things a bunch though. But f’real though, this is not a joke. Mama’s gonna be mad at me again. What a shock…”

Nagisa and Chiami would laugh and pacify Yoriko, but I didn't feel like getting close. Yoriko was a messy person, and she forgot things a lot. To say someone had stolen it, or whatever. Even if it was in the heat of the moment, there’s things you can and can't say. That truly was not something to joke about.

I just thought, “It’s kind of weird…”

Yoriko’s complexion looked unwell. Her skin was chapped. She would say her stomach hurt and not come out of the toilet, and leave school early.

It was weird… wasn't it?

It was just a feeling, but somehow I knew. Something was off.

I mean, no matter what happened, Chiami was the same as usual.

Every day, Chiami was cheerful. In the mornings, during break time, during lunch break, after school… without fail she would speak to Nagisa and Yoriko and chat about something—I’d sometimes be present for that part though—she’d laugh at anything, and text us frequently, and when you didn't respond the next day she’d laugh and say “Eeeh, why didn't you respond…” She didn't seem to be mad, but to me it felt like a subtle pressure.

Though…it wasn't like I hated her. I didn't think she was a bad kid. I mean, it was just a little difficult to be around her. Chiami and Nagisa got along well, so I just went with the flow and hung out with them. I was already friends with Nagisa anyway; if that hadn't been the case I might not have become friends with Chiami.

I don't think Chiami is a bad kid.

No matter if it was Nagisa, or Yoriko, or me, if anything happened, the first one to notice was Chiami. She had a sharp eye, or, well, she was nice, I thought.

 “Tell me anything” was Chiami’s catchphrase. But I felt somewhat uneasy about that stuff. I’d tell her if I wanted to tell her anyway. If I didn't say that meant I didn't want to say, so I wanted them to leave it.

 Nagisa and Yoriko were also bombarded with Chiami’s “Tell me anything.” ...Weren't they annoyed?

But in the end, the two of them may have really ‘told her anything’. Unlike me.

I didn't say a thing.

My phone disappeared. It was a hand-me-down from mom. An old i-Phone. When I got to school in the morning, I checked my messages and the weather forecast once. Then I put it in my bag. When I tried to find it during lunch break, it was gone. I was frantic. It couldn't have disappeared. As I looked for it, Chiami asked, “What’s wrong?”, and I replied, “It’s nothing.”

“Really?” Chiami didn't seem satisfied with that, as if she already knew. The fact that my i-Phone had disappeared.

Then came Chiami’s habitual line.

“You can tell me anything.”

I didn't find my i-Phone. When I told mom, the i-Phone apparently had a location tracking feature, and we tried to use that to find it. However, maybe the power wasn't on; we couldn't find it after all.

Mom tried to contact the school. I didn't want it to become a big deal, so I stopped her.

“You’ll be without a smartphone for a while. You alright with that?” mom said.

I stood strong.

“It’s no big deal.”

The i-Phone was the beginning of it all.

I lost my belongings every few days.

An eraser, or a notebook, or a mechanical pencil.

I didn't tell anyone. Not Nagisa, or Yoriko, and of course, not Chiami either.

I had other people I got along with. I’d talk with the beautiful and cool Kihomi, the smart Kuze would teach me all kinds of things, and Rindou Takaya, who’d declared he wanted to become an entertainer, was pretty fun too. Masamune, who got carried away easily, had gotten the wrong idea after we talked a lot in first year, and confessed to me. I turned him down with a bad taste in my mouth, but now when he messes with me I can reply normally. Shiratama-san was in the same class as me in first year, and just looking at her was a feast for the eyes. She’d sometimes come talk to me even when she didn't need anything from me. I had lots of people to talk to.

But I didn't say anything.

When my pouch disappeared, I was pretty panicked though. That pouch contained stuff for that time of the month. I’d be in trouble if I didn't have it. More than just trouble. What should I do? Borrow from someone? No way. I’d have to go to the infirmary.

The second time I lost my pouch, the thought came suddenly to my head. Had it been the same with Yoriko? Yoriko had looked furious after all. Losing menstrual products was terrible. Should I ask Yoriko? After all this time. Yoriko would definitely “tell anything” to Chiami. It’d be bad if she passed the word on to Chiami.

I was suspicious. Wasn't it Chiami? Wasn't Chiami the one who was stealing things? Stealing my things, and secretly hiding them somewhere.

—For what reason?

I mean, how’d she even do it? It wasn't impossible to do it while changing classrooms I guess. I was being careful too. I’d started putting distance between me and Chiami. Even so, there were a lot of times where Nagisa, Yoriko, Chiami, and I were together. I was keeping an eye on Chiami.

Chiami probably wasn't stealing things. It wasn't the work of Chiami. She had no reason to do that either. She wasn't a bad kid. To be suspicious of a friend… was there something wrong with me?

But it was true that things were going missing.

When Masamune asked me, “Something up?”, I snapped.

“Hah? What?”

It was after that. As I walked down the school hallway alone, I heard a voice.

(Isn’t it weird?)

Who was it?

I was alone. There was no one around me. Were my ears playing tricks on me? Was I imagining it?

(It’s weird)

I heard it right by my ear. A small voice. It was a whisper. Without thinking, I asked, “Who?”

I wondered if there was someone nearby. As expected, there was no one. Near me, there was no one.

Far away, someone was laughing. At the front of year 2 class 3’s classroom, Masamune was making the class laugh.

“...Who?”

Who was speaking?

(It’s you.)

Even when I plugged my ears, (You’ve gone weird) said the voice. What was this voice? Whose was it? I didn't want to hear it. Even though there was no one around. Even though I was all alone.

“Who’s saying that? Who? ‘You’? Me? Who? What’s going on…”

I ran down the hallway. I rushed into the restroom and entered a stall. Even though I didn't use it, I flushed the toilet. I can't hear it. I shouldn't have been hearing it. I couldn't hear a voice at all. See? I can't hear it. I can't hear anything. At that moment, I couldn't hear anything.

At that moment.

When I went to change my shoes at the shoe box, there was only one indoor shoe left.

Again? I think. (Isn't it weird?) the voice says. Was it weird? I also thought so. Maybe I was going weird. (That’s right) the voice says.

(You’re weird.)

Nobody was to blame. It was my fault. I was to blame. I mean, I was hearing voices that shouldn't have been there. (You’re weird) the voice says. This was weird. I was weird. I’d gone weird. Was I weird? Was I?

I wasn't lying. They really were gone. My things were going missing. Who was doing it? Whose work was it? I didn't know who, but someone was doing it. (Isn't it because you’ve gone weird?) the voice says.

(You’re weird) “Weird.” (It’s your fault.) “My fault?”

Who was saying that?

This voice?

Who?

(The one to blame is—)

It whispers by my ear.

“Me?”

This voice was mine?

“—Me.”

“Is it my fault……?”

I was tired. I didn't tell anyone though. If I let my guard down, Chiami would say, “Tell me anything.” There was no way I could tell her, was there? “Thanks.”, “Mm.”, “Right.” I would answer halfheartedly. Thanks to that I was tired.

I couldn't do it anymore.

I was at my limit.

Whenever something bad happened, I’d go to a high place. Before I’d moved, the roof of our apartment had been a place I liked. Other than that, the roof of the department store in front of the train station. I liked ferris wheels too. The big ferris wheel at the amusement park I’d visited during summer break in primary school. When I said that at school, Masamune had said “Eeeh, I’m afraid of heights.” What was there to be afraid of? I didn't understand. I’d gone to the roof of the department store alone countless times. Looking through the gaps of the fence, I wasn't the tiniest bit scared. Even so, I didn't have the courage to climb up the fence. If someone saw me they would think I was weird. They might try to stop me. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. I just wanted to feel better.

It was in the middle of class. I didn't hear the voice. It was quiet. The teacher was saying something. But it was quiet. Too quiet. I became uneasy. I looked in my desk drawer. At times like these, things would disappear. My fingers brushed against something. Something hard. I closed my hands around it. A key? I took it out of my desk and sure enough, it was a key. ‘Roof’ was written on the key tag.

What was this? The key to the roof? Why was something like this here? In my desk?

The roof. I liked high places. The key. The door to the roof was locked. I knew that. I’d talked to my friends about wanting to go on to the roof. I’d tried to go on to the roof too. But the entrance to the roof had been locked. The key. The key to the roof was right here.

I stood up. I see. I thought.

“Hm? What’s wrong, Takatomo? —Takatomo…?”

The teacher was saying something. That wasn't the point. I could go. This was telling me to go. I had to go.

“Takatomo-san.”

Another voice calls out to me. I confirmed whose voice it was. Shiratama-san. Shiratama-san was approaching. I began to tremble.

“D-don't come!”

As I yelled, many voices closed in on me. Shut up. Stop it. I clutched my head in my hands. The voices didn't stop.

“I can't do it anymore……!”

I had to run. I had to get away from here, or I would break. Maybe I had already broken. Maybe I’d broken a long time ago. I didn't want to think that I’d broken. I ran. In truth, I’d been scrambling to get away for a long time.

I gripped the key to the roof tightly and ran all over the place. When it seemed like someone had spotted me, I took off in a run. I hid in the restrooms and in the storage cabinets under the stairs too. I was stalling. I didn't know what to do. In that case, I just had to do that.

And so I did.

I climbed up the stairs, stuck the key in the keyhole and turned. The door opened, and I finally came to the place I was supposed to come. The wind felt good. The fact it felt good made me happy. I felt like I was about to cry.

I walked from one corner of the roof to another, taking deep breaths. Around the perimeter were low walls. I climbed on top of them, and stretched once.

“What happened today?” I felt like mom was asking me. I couldn't answer. Then, my mother presses on. “Was today a good day for you, Miyu?”

“Not at all.”

I shake my head.

“It wasn't a good day. I’m sorry, mom.”

I’m sorry for telling lies all the time. I'm sorry for not being a good girl. I have to apologize to dad as well. I want to apologize to Shiratama-san too. Even though you tried to stop me. Sorry.

As I gazed down to the courtyard, there were people there. Otogiri-kun, from my class, and the janitor Haizaki-san.

Oh well. I can’t do it anymore.

I leaned my body forward. I wasn't scared. That was a lie. I was actually a little scared. I closed my eyes. Immediately, there was a loud sound.

-----

prev: 3-1 // next: 3-3

[italiantnea]

#3/ Us, on the other side I'd be there for you

And then the Yark thinks of all the children he’s eaten. And as if to gain some smidgen of forgiveness, he finds it hardly unjust to be eaten in his turn.

-The Yark, Bertrand Santini

#3-1_otogiri_tobi/ the door, open

prev: 2-3 // next: 3-2

-----

He wasn't scared, and he didn't particularly feel sick. Otogiri Tobi’s heart was just pounding extremely quickly.

“Don’t look.” Baku said.

Don't look, Tobi. he said.

It might not have been “Don’t look”, but “You don't have to look.”

Why, he wondered.

Tobi couldn't tear his eyes away from the girl lying face down in the courtyard. The girl lay in a pool of blood. That pool of blood was gaining more ground by the second. Her fingers, arms, and legs twitched and spasmed.

“Don’t!”

Someone covered Tobi’s eyes.

It was the janitor Haizaki.

“You shouldn’t look! Don’t look, Otogiri-kun…!”

He only had hazy memories of what happened after that.

Ambulances came, if he recalled correctly. Police, too. The police asked him lots of questions. He thought he responded honestly to everything he was asked. It seemed like class was suspended for the afternoon. Right as Tobi got out of the school, all the students were leaving the school. 

A facility staff member had come to pick him up by car. He didn't want that, but he bore with it and rode the staff’s car back to the facility.

The school was closed for a couple of days. After that, they headed into the weekend. Tobi read the books lying around the facility, zoned out, talked with Baku about whatever, and dozed off. He didn't feel like going outside.

What had happened to Takatomo flashed in his head from time to time. But Tobi hadn’t known her that well. Actually, he hadn't known her at all. He hadn’t even known her full name, ‘Takatomo Miyuki’, until he heard it from a police officer. There was no point in thinking about someone he didn't even know. He didn't even have material to think about in the first place.

Why had Takatomo jumped?

Tobi had no way of knowing.

On Monday morning, as Tobi left the facility, he was told by a staff member that he didn't have to force himself to go to school. Tobi ignored them.

“You alright with that?” Baku asked.

“With what?” Tobi asked back.

Baku didn't respond.

The teacher with the black-rimmed glasses stood at the school gate. He usually gave a baleful look at him, but this morning when he spotted Tobi, he pushed his glasses and looked down.

“Everything’s messed up…” Baku muttered.

Tobi changed his shoes at the shoe box and headed to the classroom. Something felt missing, or rather, he felt a little let down.

He realized just as he walked into the classroom.

It was because Shiratama hadn't been waiting for him.

Class 3 of year 2 was quiet. It wasn't like everyone was silent. There were students talking amongst themselves too. But their voices were noticeably quieter than usual. Everyone talked reservedly. There was no laughter to be heard. No one was laughing.

Shiratama was sitting at her seat. When she saw Tobi, she stood up. Then, for some reason, she bowed.

“Good morning.”

“...Good morning.”

He felt the gazes of his classmates. A good half of the students in class were looking at Tobi.

“You’re a witness after all,” Baku said with a half-smile.

I see.

So it’s about that.

Apparently Takatomo Miyuki was in critical condition.

During the morning homeroom period, their homeroom teacher Harry, a.k.a Harimoto had explained.

“She’s getting treated at the hospital, but she hasn't regained consciousness yet.”

Instead of his familiar red tracksuit, Harimoto wore a white shirt and black slacks. Tobi didn't know the reason why. He didn't have the slightest clue.

“Everyone must be worried. If we find out anything else, sensei will pass on the news. There seem to be strange rumors going around, but please don't believe them. Alright?”

What were these strange rumors?

Tobi didn't know.

It was all things he didn't understand.

This world was composed of things Tobi didn't know.

Aside from Tobi, there were thirty five students enrolled in class 3 of year 2. Among those thirty five people, was the female student Shizukudani, who practiced infirmary schooling. Tobi had never seen her once. So in reality, it was thirty four people. Between those thirty four people and Tobi, there existed something like a transparent membrane. That thin yet unbreakable membrane had almost completely separated Tobi from those thirty four people.

Tobi missed that membrane terribly.

If that membrane were intact, he wouldn't have been worrying about his classmates like this. Likewise, his classmates wouldn't be paying attention to Tobi either.

Even though they were in class, students' eyes flitted towards Tobi. There also were students who casually checked in on him while pretending to look out the window.

Without realizing, Tobi was looking around the classroom too. As he did so, his eyes would meet with someone else, and it got quite awkward.

Shiratama seemed to be deep in thought; her gaze was often downcast. Her skin had always been pale, but her complexion seemed especially bad. Was she not feeling well? Maybe she hadn't been sleeping much.

Had Shiratama been friendly with Takatomo? Tobi didn't know.

During the break between second and third period, a girl started crying. Until then, she had been talking about something with two other girls in hushed voices, and before long she began sobbing.

“Chiami…”

The two girls looked visibly upset.

On the sobbing girl’s back clung a weird thing that resembled a bat, or perhaps a flying squirrel.

Kon Chiami was the one crying.

Shiratama tried to approach Kon Chiami, but stopped halfway.

Eventually the two girls took Kon Chiami out the classroom. The three of them didn't return until after the bell rang. The teacher did not scold them.

After third period ended, Masamune, a.k.a Masaki Shuuji, with the tarsier-like weird thing in the ‘say no evil’ pose riding on his head, stood in front of the blackboard and cleared his throat.

“Um, you know. I get it but, like, what do you think of this atmosphere? I get it, you know? I get it and all but, even if we’re all bummed out, that’s not gonna change anything…like. I‘m not saying it’s better to be all happy or anything. But like, could we be a bit more normal?”

The reactions among their classmates was dull. About eighty percent were confused, and the remaining twenty percent were antagonistic. That was how it looked to Tobi.

“—Pwease excuse bme!”

Masamune put both hands on the teacher’s podium and scrunched up his brows. He looked like he was about to cry.

“I said something unnecessary. I‘m sowwy…”

A few laughs came. To be messing around in this kind of situation; Tobi was rather impressed, but there seemed to be those who were offended as well.

 “Stop messing around, seriously,” A male student spat in a low voice.

That wasn't it. The boy kicked the floor. Although he just let the sole of his shoe rub against the floor, some sound came out.

Tobi was sitting close to the boy’s seat, so he was a bit startled. Baku, who was hanging on his desk, also shuddered a bit and let out an “Oh…”

The boy’s bangs were long enough to cover his eyes. If he recalled correctly, he was called Asamiya. Tobi thought he was called Asamiya. Asamiya something. Shinobu. Right. Asamiya Shinobu.

Masamune looked at Asamiya, but turned his gaze away from him right away. ‘Stop messing around, seriously.’ Had Asamiya’s words not reached him?

But that ‘say no evil’ monkey on Masamune’s head stared at Asamiya with those tarsier-like eyes.

Maybe that was just what it seemed like. Or maybe Tobi was overthinking it. Disregarding the monkey, Kon Chiami was definitely side-eying Asamiya. The weird thing on her back, too, turned its human infant-like face towards Asamiya.

Suddenly the question came into Tobi’s head.

Why had Takatomo Miyuki jumped?

Lunch time went by in the blink of an eye, and Tobi shouldered Baku and walked out the classroom. The weather wasn't bad today. But the courtyard was sealed off. It was the scene of the incident, after all. Even if he didn't go through the courtyard, he could climb to the roof if he just went outside. He considered that briefly, but didn't feel like doing it. He didn't want to go to the roof. It was all because Takatomo had jumped. A single girl, and a classmate at that, had jumped from the school building’s roof. Why had she jumped?

Tobi paced around in the hallway, walking quickly. There was no aim to it; he felt sick just staying still.

Now, of all times, Baku wasn't saying anything. He stayed silent sullenly. That pissed Tobi off a bit. A Baku who stayed quiet was just a backpack.

He couldn't go to the roof. It was because Takatomo had jumped.

It was Takatomo’s fault. Was Takatomo at fault?

He didn't think so. Takatomo probably hadn't jumped because she wanted to. What would happen if you jumped? She should've been able to imagine. You wouldn't be fine. You would be severely injured.

You could end up dying.

Tobi didn't understand. He didn't understand Takatomo’s feelings at all. He had no way of understanding.

Soon, meal time came to an end. Students began to come and go in the hallway, and Tobi started looking for a place without people. It was like he was on the run for a place to hide. He looked like an idiot.

For some reason Baku wasn't talking.

Maybe he was just a normal backpack. Maybe he’d just been a backpack all along.

The thought crossed Tobi’s mind. Of course, that couldn't have been true.

Say something already, Baku.

If he said that, Tobi would lose. Would he lose? Just what was he losing at?

There was nobody around the hallway of the third floor of the special classroom building. For some reason he felt tired, so Tobi sat down.

The special classroom building was three stories tall. Tobi sat in the stairway. This stairway led to the roof. If you didn't climb up from the outer wall like Tobi, you’d have to use these stairs to get to the roof.

Takatomo should've used these stairs to get to the roof, too. Beyond the stairs was a door. Takatomo had somehow opened the locked door.

The key to the roof had been missing.

The janitor, Haizaki, had said so.

Takatomo had probably taken the key. In the staff room, near the principal’s desk, if he recalled correctly, hung lots of keys. Had Takatomo swiped the key to the roof from there? It was quite a conspicuous spot; it seemed pretty difficult.

Anyway, Takatomo had probably used that key to unlock the lock. She’d opened the door, and gone on the roof. Then, she’d jumped off.

Tobi had stared intently at Takatomo’s form after she landed in the courtyard. Despite that, he couldn't remember any details. Takatomo had been facing downwards. But what about her face? Had her face been downturned? Or had it faced to the side? Had her arms and legs been bent? Or had they been straight?

As he closed his eyes and thought back, his heart went into a frenzy. His chest began to hurt.

No, don't think back on it.

It was like Tobi’s heart was trying to drive him back.

“...What the hell.”

He heard footsteps. Someone was coming up the stairs, from the second floor to the third. Tobi was sitting on the stairs from the third floor to the roof. He let out a sigh.

Tobi tried to stand up.

“Ah.”

The one climbing up the stairs was Shiratama. Upon seeing Tobi, Shiratama’s face broke into a smile.

“So you were here, Otogiri-kun.”

“Well…”

Tobi hung his head and sat on the steps once again. For the time being, Shiratama stood in front of Tobi. Neither of them said a word. After a while, Shiratama sat down beside Tobi.

“Were you looking for Tobi, O-Ryuu?” Baku asked.

Shiratama nodded.

“Yes. I wanted to talk to him.”

“That’d be dull, talking to this guy. Unlike me, Tobi sucks at communication after all.”

“No way. He’s not dull at all.”

Shiratama fiddled with the pochette on her lap.

“I‘ve never once felt dull while talking with Otogiri-kun.”

“It’s only been a little while though…”

As Tobi chose his words, he stared at Shiratama’s fingers which held the pochette. Her fingernails were cut neatly. None of the white parts could be seen.

“It hasn't been that long since we started talking.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

After that, Shiratama muttered, “How strange.”

What was strange? Tobi tried to ask, but for some reason he couldn't.

In the end, he barely talked to Shiratama. It wasn't like they were completely silent. But they didn't talk enough for it to qualify as conversation. Even though people passed by with a look that said, ‘What’re these two doing?’, Shiratama didn't seem to mind. To be honest, Tobi minded, a little. But then he felt if Shiratama didn't have a problem with it, then it was fine, and gradually stopped caring.

Until class started for the afternoon, the two of them stayed on the steps of the special classroom building. Now and then they would give a bland answer or two, but other than that they just sat side by side.

He didn't dislike it. He found it strange how it didn't get awkward even when they were silent.

In the middle of fifth period, Asamiya Shinobu with the long bangs suddenly raised his hand.

“What’s wrong, Asamiya?” the teacher noticed, and called out.

Asamiya had his right hand raised, but both elbows were on his desk and his head drooped. He wasn't saying anything.

The classroom rose in a clamor, then shortly went quiet again. Finally, Asamiya spoke.

“I don't feel well.”

“I see. It’s better you don't force yourself. Who’s the health committee member in this class?”

“Me.”

“Kon. Take Asamiya to the infirmary.”

“Alri~ght.”

As Kon stood up, there was a loud noise. It didn't come from Kon. It was the sound of Asamiya standing up. Asamiya shoved his chair back and rushed towards the exit.

Kon chased after Asamiya frantically.

“Asamiya-kun!”

“Don’t come!”

Asamiya pulled open the door and glared at Kon. He looked terribly menacing. Kon stepped back with a start.

“I‘ll be fine on my own, so…”

Asamiya weakly added what sounded like an excuse, and ran out the classroom.

“Scary…” someone said in a small voice.

Voices rose up here and there like a chain reaction.

“Quiet down!”

The teacher clapped his hands together.

“We’re in the middle of class. Kon, return to your seat.”

“But…”

Kon looked back and forth from the door to Asamiya’s empty seat. Was she worried about Asamiya?

For some reason, Tobi turned his gaze towards Masamune. He had both hands clasped in front of his mouth. It may have been a coincidence, but it was a pose that resembled the ‘speak no evil’ monkey on his head.

Kon returned to her seat, and the teacher resumed the lesson.

Is that alright? Tobi thought. Was it alright to leave Asamiya be? Did Asamiya really get to the infirmary by himself?

His gaze met Shiratama’s several times. Her brows were a bit furrowed, and her lips pulled slightly tight. When their eyes met around the end of the class, Shiratama moved her lips like she was trying to say something. He couldn't clearly make out what she was trying to say.

When the bell rang signaling the end of the fifth period, Tobi stood up before the teacher announced the end of class. Right before he got out of the classroom, he noticed that he’d forgotten Baku.

“Oi, Tobi! Hey! You!” Baku shouted.

Tobi ignored him and left the classroom. He hurried down the hallway in long strides. Where was he trying to go? For the time being he headed towards the restroom, but he didn't have any business there. That wasn't Tobi’s destination.

He stopped outside the infirmary. Even though he’d walked here on his own two feet, he thought, “Here?”

It was here.

The infirmary.

He just couldn't stop thinking about Asamiya. Was he at the infirmary, or wasn't he? He wanted to check.

Check, and then what? There wasn't really anything for him to do. He’d never talked to Asamiya. He didn't feel like he wanted to talk to him either.

Something was weird. Tobi was doing something weird. It was strange, if he did say so himself.

No, he hadn't put it into action yet. He could still change his mind. He just had to turn back.

“Otogiri-kun!”

If Shiratama hadn't run up panting, Tobi would definitely have turned back. Shiratama ran to his side and bent forward, clutching her chest.

“...I... I was also… concerned about….A…Asamiya-kun…”

“That doesn't mean you had to run here at full speed…”

“Ugh… Otogiri-kun, you were super fast. I -I tried to catch up and…”

Shiratama produced a handkerchief from her skirt pocket and wiped her face.

“I ended up getting sweaty.”

“Was it necessary to chase after me…”

“Now that you mention it, for some reason, yes.”

“Um…”

Tobi hesitated. Without a moment’s delay, Shiratama said “Hm?” and pressed her face close. Tobi leaned back a bit, but didn't step back. Somehow he kept his feet planted.

“I… how to put it. I don't really have any common ground with Asamiya…”

“I get along pretty well with him.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“We were in the same class in first year. We got along well enough to make small talk from time to time.”

“Small talk…”

“‘It’s sunny today’ or ‘It gets pretty hot around this time, huh’ or ‘It’s getting cold, huh?’”

“That’s getting along well?”

“I can’t talk about the weather with someone I get along badly with.”

“...Is that so.”

“Am I wrong?”

“Who knows. I don't really understand socializing anyway. Shiratama-san is probably more correct…”

“I‘m correct?”

“Probably.”

“To hear Otogiri-kun affirm my opinion. That makes me kind of happy.”

Shiratama ducked her head bashfully, and put her handkerchief in her pocket.

Shiratama entered the infirmary with an “Excuse me.” Tobi had never used the infirmary before, but he knew there was a white-robed school nurse.

The school nurse wasn't there.

Was she there in her place?

A bespectacled female student sat on a chair with a backrest with her legs crossed.

“Huh?”

As the student looked at Shiratama, her eyes blinked from behind her glasses.

“If it isn't Shiratama Dango.”¹

“Shizukudani-san.”

Shiratama looked unsurprised, and said hello with a slight bow.

¹ Shiratama’s double bun hairstyle is called ‘o-dango’. Shiratama is also a kind of white dango

He’d completely forgotten.

One of their classmates did infirmary schooling. Shiratama had been the one to tell Tobi that. So naturally, Shiratama had expected that student to be in the infirmary.

“You sure are stupidly polite as usual, Shiratama Dango.”

Shizikudani looked down her nose and laughed. She put her elbows on the desk and twirled a pen with one hand. Considering how she’d stopped going to school, and after that started infirmary schooling, she seemed quite relaxed.

“Wait, ‘Shiratama Dango’ is…”

As Tobi hissed under his breath, Shizukudani stopped twirling the pen.

“You. What was your name again. Class 3’s super oddball, aren't you? Ah, Shiratama Dango, you don't have to tell me. I wanna remember on my own. I think I can remember on my own. Mm… right. I got it. That’s right. Otogiri Tobi. I got it right, didn't I?”

“...That’s right…”

“From now on I‘m calling you Tobi-tobi.”

“Eh…?”

“Obi-obi or Giri-giri or Tobi-tobi. Which would you prefer?”

“...Well, Tobi-tobi I guess.”

“Then, Tobi-tobi it is.”

“What’s with this person…”

“I‘m Shizukudani~ I‘m called ‘Ruka-chin’. My full name is Shizukudani Rukana. You can call me Ruka-chin, but that weirdly pisses me off, so if you really call me that I'll beat you up. Nice to meet ya.”

Shizukudani stabbed her pen through the air with an “Ay!” Tobi didn't want to be beaten up or stabbed. It seemed best to avoid calling her Ruka-chin. Not that he wanted to use such a friendly way of calling her.

He looked around the infirmary briefly. There was one bench without a backrest. One round table, on top of which sat a laptop. Two chairs. The beds were partitioned by curtains, and there were three in total. Among them, only the one in front of them had the curtains closed.

“Shizukudani-san, did Asamiya-kun come to the infirmary?”

As Shiratama asked, Shizukudani pointed at the bed with the closed curtain with her pen.

“He’s there. Resting. He wasn't feeling well or something.”

Shiratama gazed up at the ceiling and closed her eyes. She put both hands to her chest and breathed a sigh.

“....Thank goodness.”

“Hm?”

Shizukudani tilted her head and looked at Tobi. Why was she looking at him? Tobi looked away.

The curtain opened, and Asamiya’s face poked out.

“Shiratama-san…Otogiri too. What’d you come here for?”

Rather than his physical condition, Asamiya’s mood seemed to be terrible. He glared at them with upturned eyes, and Shiratama seemed crestfallen.

“Asamiya—”

Tobi got till here, then hesitated. Should he add -kun, or -san? Asamiya had just called him ‘Otogiri’, so maybe he didn't need to add anything.

“Your hair.”

“...Eh?”

“Your bangs. They’re long.”

“Yeah…”

“In the morning, the teacher in front of the gate with the black-rimmed glasses—”

“Yagarashima-sensei?”

“I don't know his name. Doesn't that teacher give you warnings?”

“He does, sometimes.”

“I thought so.”

“Mn.”

“That’s all.”

As he finished talking, Tobi wondered what he was trying to say. Tobi didn't even know himself, so Asamiya must be even more confused.

“...Seriously, what'd you come here for? Shiratama aside, Otogiri, you’ve never talked to me have you?”

“That’s true…”

“Actually, not just me, I‘ve practically never seen Otogiri talk to anybody.”

“Yeah…” Tobi let out a hum without thinking.

If he were in Asamiya’s position, he would probably feel pretty strange.

“Um!”

Had a lifeboat come to save him? Shiratama cut in quite fiercely.

“How are you feeling, Asamiya-kun? Does it hurt somewhere?”

“...It’s not really that…”

Asamiya sat up in bed. He wasn't wearing shoes. He’d taken them off and left them on the floor. Tobi widened his eyes.

There was something under the bed. Had Asamiya not noticed it? Even though it was right by his feet. Maybe it hadn't entered his field of vision. If he lowered his gaze he should definitely have been able to see it. It wasn't small. It had to be about the size of a human torso. It had considerable size.

Its form resembled a human torso as well. The thing had arms. However, it wasn't two. Four arms sprung from it. It had a head as well. It was bald. He couldn't quite make out its features. It looked a bit like a human, a bit like some mysterious creature. It had not one pair of eyes, but two. It had four eyes.

Tobi searched Shiratama’s expression allusively. Shiratama glanced at Tobi and smiled slightly. Was that smile trying to tell him something?

Tobi had heard about Shizukudani from Shiratama. The owner of year 2 class 3’s empty seat. She did infirmary schooling. She’d been in the same class as Shiratama in first year.

And she’d had a weird thing with her.

Tobi’s Baku.

Shiratama’s Chinu, a.k.a. Chinurasha, hidden in her bag.

Masamune’s ‘say no evil’ monkey.

Kon Chiami’s thing, which resembled a bat, or a flying squirrel.

Compared to those, Shizukudani’s weird thing was pretty weird. It was no exaggeration to call it grotesque. It was practically a monster. Its appearance was ghastly, and its movements were disturbing too.

Shizukudani’s monster wiggled its four arms, its fingers squirming restlessly, and began moving across the floor with a horrifying smoothness. On top of that, it seemed to be able to climb up walls. It was like a bug. It would be quite horrifying if there were a bug of that size. What’s more, it looked slightly human-like. It was nightmarish.

Shikuzudani’s monster crawled along the walls and into the corner of the ceiling, and curled its four arms inwards dexterously. Its four eyes flitted around, looking here and there.

“It’s a bit weird, isn't it.” Asamiya said in a dark tone.

Shikuzudani’s monster? Tobi thought for a second. But Asamiya seemed to be talking about something else.

“Our class. It’s weird. I couldn't stand it anymore…”

“Weird?”

Shizukudani asked no one in particular, twirling her pen. After asking the question, she answered it herself with an “Ah, I see.”

“The incident, huh? The jumping incident. If the class were all right, that sorta thing wouldn't have happened. Of course. It’s terrible, huh. Ruka-chin is in the infirmary division, so I don't know a thing about the situation though.”

Asamiya clicked his tongue and shook his head, seeming annoyed.

“If you don't understand then don't say anything.”

“How scary.”

Shizukudani shuddered and hugged her own shoulders. It seemed like a deliberate shudder.

“Stop it, that kind of thing. It’s scary. Ruka-chin had stopped going to school. I‘ve finally gotten to be able to do infirmary schooling, you know?”

“As if I care. Miyu’s unconscious and in critical condition, you know. We don't even know if she can be saved…”

This time, Asamiya shuddered. Unlike Shizukudani, he really seemed to shiver uncontrollably.

“Sorryyy.”

Shizukudani clasped her hands together. It didn't seem like a sincere apology.

“Who’s Miyu though? Who? Ah, Takatomo-san? Takatomo Miyuki, was it. Her name. So, ‘Miyu’? Eh? Are you dating?”

“Of course not. ….No. Our houses were close by, so we’re childhood friends. But we didn't talk much after middle school. It’s just, our parents know each other and…”

“A relationship based on familial connection, right?”

As Shiratama nodded, seemingly satisfied with that explanation, Asamiya said, “Like I said!”, raising his voice.

“We're not in a relationship. How many times do I have to say…”

“Asamiya, you're pretty emotionally unstable, aren't you?”

Shizukudani chuckled. The monster-bearing owner of the empty seat didn't seem to have a great personality.

“But it’s true that that class² has a problem. Ruka-chin is in attendance at the infirmary five days a week, so I have a pretty good grasp of the situation. There’s a good number of them, class 3 kids who come here going ‘my stomach hurts’ or whatever. That kinda thing, usually the problem is mental, isn't it? About that, not to brag or anything but I‘m pretty well informed. Just as a related party, ok?”

“...Miyu too?” Asamiya probed.

Shizukudani immediately responded “Yes”, in English for some reason.

² written as ‘year 2 class 3’, pronounced as ‘that class’

“Recently, she’s come several times. Rested a bit, took some medicine. Aside from her, from the top of my mind, Yoshizawa-kun? The hot guy. And a while ago, Murahama-san and Shimomaeda-san came a lot. Ah, not together, mind you. Separately.”

From hearing their names, Yoshizawa was the only one whose face Tobi could recall. ‘The hot guy’, Shizukudani had said. He was a refreshing and sweet-looking handsome guy.

“Murahama, Shimomaeda…”

Asamiya muttered and bit the thumb of his right hand.

“They’re both girls who’re friendly with Kon. Just a while ago, Miyu was hanging out with her too.”

Tobi and Shiratama exchanged a look.

Kon Chiami always had a bat-like, flying squirrel-like weird thing clinging to her back.

So, what did that mean?

He had no way of concretely explaining it, but he was caught up on that.

Shiratama lowered her gaze and spoke.

“Kon-san seemed to be quite shocked though…”

Indeed, between second and third period, Kon had openly cried in front of everyone. The two girls who comforted her were probably Murahama and Shimomaeda.

“None of that matters, though.”

Asamiya held his head in both hands and ran his fingers through his hair.

“...No matter who cries and shouts, It’s not like Miyu’s gonna get better. We don't even know if she has any hope of getting better. Not knowing… It's terrible, isn't it. I‘m so scared… I can't sleep. I end up just thinking about bad things. Being unconscious… I wonder what that feels like. Is she unable to hear sounds? Can she even dream? Or can she not feel the slightest thing? Miyu’s in the hospital… all alone, isn't she lonely? Unable to move, and in pain, too. Why didn't I notice anything? No… that’s not true. To be honest, I was thinking, that Miyu was acting strange. I wondered if something was wrong. But I hadn't talked to her in ages, if I suddenly talked to her, that might’ve been creepy. So… I didn't do anything. To think such a thing would happen…”

Shizukudani looked out the window and twirled her pen. Her monster stayed in the corner of the ceiling, unmoving.

The bell rang.

Asamiya raised his head and looked up at Tobi and Shiratama with dull eyes.

“Don't you have to go? Sixth period’s starting, isn't it?”

“That’s… true.”

Shiratama hugged the pochette containing Chinu. Was she hesitating?

“You skipping?” he ventured.

Horrified, Shiratama shook her head, her long hair swaying.

“I‘m not skipping class. It’s not that… Asamiya-kun.”

“What.”

Asamiya reached for the curtain.

“I want to lie down for a bit. If you’re going to class, then hurry up and go.”

“Do you want to pay her a—”

“...Huh?”

“A visit? At the hospital Takatomo-san is staying in. Otogiri-kun too, If you’d like.”

“Eh?”

He was completely caught off guard.

Shiratama looked at Tobi with a terribly earnest gaze. Could it be this was a request? If he wasn't mistaken, she seemed to be pleading with him. He couldn't help but feel that way.

A visit?

To the hospital?

Takatomo’s?

Why?

Even if they went, it wasn't like she had a little illness or broken bones. Takatomo was in critical condition. They said she was unconscious. In other words, visitors wouldn't be allowed, would they? But Shiratama had to have known all that too. In spite of that, she’d suggested they pay her a visit for some reason. It seemed like Shiratama wanted to bring Tobi along.

“...Well, I‘m fine with that.”

After school, Tobi, along with Asamiya and Shiratama, headed towards the hospital Takatomo Miyuki was staying at. Walking to the hospital took fifteen minutes.

Asamiya negotiated with general reception, but Takatomo was in the ICU, and as expected, they weren't accepting visitors. Even family members could only see her face for a limited amount of time.

“I see, right…”

Asamiya crashed down on the bench of the waiting room. Tobi and Shiratama didn't sit down.

“Coming here on a whim is all well and good but there’s no way we’d be able to see her…”

“Takatomo-san is in the intensive care unit, isn't she? Shall we go?”

Had Shiratama not given up yet? Why hadn't she given up? Tobi couldn't understand. Asamiya seemed confused as well.

“We can't go inside anyway, I don't think it’ll work…”

“Just in case.”

Shiratama seemed intent on going.

“O-Ryuu is surprisingly pushy, huh.” Baku muttered.

Shiratama glanced at Baku and opened her mouth in a slight smile.

Checking the floor plan of the hospital which hung on the wall, they found out the ICU was on the third floor of that building. They could get to the third floor simply by taking the elevator, but before the ICU was a locked door. To go beyond that point, they needed hospital staff to unlock it with an ID card, or use the intercom to ask them to open it from the inside.

“That’s why I told you…”

Asamiya seemed more sad than angry.

On their way back, they noticed a small waiting room. A woman sitting there on a bench called out to Asamiya.

“Shinobu-kun?”

The woman seemed to be Takatomo’s mother. She grew teary eyed as Asamiya approached.

“You came all the way here? I'm sorry, Shinobu-kun. Miyu isn't in a state to see anyone…”

“No, I was prepared to not be able to see her… but I just couldn't stay put… ”

In a choked voice, Asamiya introduced Shiratama and Tobi to Takatomo’s mother as classmates. Takatomo’s mother kept ducking her head, thanking them for coming.

To be honest, Tobi couldn't stand it anymore.

He found Takatomo’s mother pitiful. Tobi himself didn't even know what feelings he held towards Takatomo. Was he supposed to talk to her mother? Tobi had witnessed the precise moment Takatomo had jumped. He hadn't been able to stop her. He hadn't tried to stop her. Should he apologize to Takatomo’s mother for that? He had to apologize. Did he feel bad? He felt peculiar about it.

The human known as Otogiri Tobi didn't particularly feel any guilt. Maybe his heart was cold.

Why was such a cold-hearted person here right now?

At the hospital Takatomo was hospitalized in.

Shiratama gently tugged on Tobi’s sleeve.

Asamiya was talking with Takatomo’s mother. It seemed that Shiratama wanted to leave. Tobi nodded.

After going with Shiratama, they somehow ended up going back to the ICU. Of course, the door was still closed.

“We can’t go in, can we?” Tobi said.

Without answering, Shiratama opened her pochette.

A small fluffy animal emerged from the pochette. It had two horns on its head. Without saying, it was Chinu, a.k.a. Chinurasha.

Chinu jumped from the pochette to Shiratama’s arm. She wasn't slow, but it was an unsteady movement. Even so, Chinu climbed up Shiratama’s arm and finally onto her shoulder. Chinu faced them, looking pleased for some reason.

“Yo.”

As Baku casually greeted her, Chinu cocked her head and let out an “Uyuu—” Not to imitate Chinu, but Tobi cocked his head as well.

“...Eh? What?”

“Chinu.”

Shiratama pulled her head inwards and rubbed her cheek against Chinu. Chinu didn't even tremble.

Tobi opened his mouth, but was held back by Baku.

“Shh. Stay quiet, Tobi.”

What?

He wanted to protest, but even Baku wouldn't say something like that without reason. Tobi stared steadily at Shiratama and Chinu.

Chinu’s round eyes were vacant.

She appeared to be asleep.

“Can’t you reach it here? How about it? Chinu…”

Shiratama whispered to Chinu.

Can’t reach what?

Chinu’s tiny mouth moved.

“Why”

He heard it clearly. It was a voice. It wasn't a cry. It was different from Chinu’s voice.

It wasn't Shiratama’s voice either. Of course, nor was it Tobi’s or Baku’s.

“Why? My. —my…”

It wasn't a male voice. It was a girl’s voice. Tobi got chills.

“...wh— eh? Whose…”

“I … why… the key… I mean… the key was…”

Was it Chinu? Chinu wasn't moving her mouth like a human did when they talked. But she opened and closed her mouth just the slightest bit. So was Chinu the one talking?

Why was Chinu talking?

Was this Chinu’s voice?

“The key… the key…to the roof…in my desk…the key…”

It sounded like a young woman's voice.

The key.

The key, to the roof?

In her desk?

“Ah—”

Tobi shivered. It wasn't like he remembered that voice. Even within his class, there were extremely few faces he could assign names to. He wouldn't remember a voice unless it was special. Then, could it be? Tobi wondered internally. The girl’s voice was coming from Chinu’s mouth. Was that possible? It didn't make any sense. It was crazy.

Wasn't that Takatomo Miyuki’s voice? he thought.

“It seems like we reached it, somehow,” Shiratama said.

“Takatomo-san’s voice.”

It was a voice that shouldn't have been audible.

A voice that shouldn't have rang out.

The girl was severely injured and unconscious. She was getting treatment on the bed of the ICU.

“I can’t do it anymore…”

The words that came out of Chinu rang in Tobi’s ears.

That day, Takatomo had run out of year 2 class 3’s classroom and never returned. Right before that, the girl had shouted.

“I can't do it anymore.”

-----

prev: 2-3 // next: 3-2

Misc-

Shizukudani refers to herself as ‘Ruka-chin’ in third person (generally considered childish)

Takatomo uses ‘atashi’

the rest is just my own rambling

Chapter quote- ‘The Yark’ is a children’s story about a monster called the Yark who eats children, specifically good children. He befriends a child who shows him kindness, but leaves her after struggling between his love for her and the desire to eat her. Later he gains immunity to eating naughty children, and is excited to test out his unlimited appetite, which upsets the child. The Yark claims it’s in a monster’s nature to eat children, and the child laments that in order to live, you have to kill and eat other living beings. Later, the Yark tries to eat but finds he can no longer bear to eat children as every child reminds him of his dear friend. He ends up transforming into a guardian figure for children at night.

Let me tell you it was a doozy to find the official English translation of this quote. (the original is in French, but I thought it would be best to find the English version instead of trying to translate it again from the Japanese version) The only free transcript I could find online was an 11 part reading of the book by a primary school teacher on youtube. Yeah I ended up listening to the whole thing. Missed the quote the first time round too, had to go back a second time-_- But it was a lovely story. Very fitting for the themes of this novel.

[italiantnea]

#2-3_kawauso/ a name I couldn't call

prev: 2-2 // next: 3-1

-----

—......Why?

The first thing that came to his mind was a question. Well, it couldn't be called the ‘first’ thing. It wasn't like he’d just been born on this earth. Anyhow, he thought, why?

Was he not dead? He’d just thought he was definitely dead.

Why wasn't he dead?

Well good, he wasn't dead. That’s right. He hadn't died.

He’d just experienced something that felt like dying. It wouldn't have been strange if he’d died. What had happened?

What was it…

He didn't really know, but there was light.

He could see light.

It wasn't bright. But at his feet, there was light.

Was he sitting? That seemed to be the case. Seemed like he was sat in a chair. He couldn't move. It felt like he was tied to the chair. Why a chair?

Oh right. He remembered.

The car.

He’d been run over by a car. A minivan. It had been a white minivan.

He’d been tailing a young man. He’d spotted him and fled. He’d tried to secure him, and the man had used a long cord-shaped, earthworm-like, tapeworm-like—

“...Zin…gai…”

That hadn't been a mere cord, or a long earthworm, or a mutant tapeworm.

It was an illusion with substance. A phantom body, it was called.

Another name for it was zingai¹.

It was a zingai.

¹ 人外=literally ‘human’+‘outside’, an inhuman being

That man had brought it along. It was the man’s zingai.

Speaking of zingai—

He looked to his right leg.

It was gone.

Or should he say, he was gone.

Olver, who’d melded with his right leg, was gone.

The Otter nodded and muttered, “Ok, ok.” English? He thought. Or is ‘ok’ not English? If it isn't English then what language is it? I guess it’s English.

Whatever had happened, he was still alive. He didn't know where he was, but it was a dark place. There was light. Probably from an electric light. The floor was made of concrete, and it was cracked here and there. He was definitely indoors. He was tied to a chair. Was it a factory? That, or an abandoned factory. Or it could be a warehouse.

Footsteps came.

The Otter raised his head. He strained his eyes, blinked, breathed in and out, and eventually he could see.

Someone was there. They were approaching. They stopped in front of the Otter. It was a woman. She had a short hairstyle. Or was it a man? Their figure was hard to make out. An oversized hoodie. Track pants. They weren't large; they were quite slender.

“...You awake?”

 From the voice, it seemed like they were female. 

The woman bent forward slightly and peered at the Otter’s face.

“Hey, I’m asking you a question. You’re awake, aren't you?”

The Otter tried to jerk his head up and down. The woman turned.

“Hey! He’s awake!”

The Otter and the woman weren't the only ones here. It seemed the woman had companions. It seemed she was summoning those companions.

The Otter confirmed his surroundings. Some kind of old machinery lay on its side. Rebar pillars and beams. The roof was corrugated iron. Here and there, shingles were missing. Was this an abandoned factory after all? Some distance away, a lantern like the type you used when camping was set down. That was the only source of light. The surroundings were dark.

If it was nighttime now, it must have been more than half a day since he’d been hit by the minivan. Thinking of it now, he seemed to have had a dream before he woke up. Had that been a dream? Or had it been something else. The Otter had woken up many times. But his head had felt fuzzy, and he’d fallen back asleep straight away. He’d probably lost consciousness.

At the edge of the lantern’s light, the minivan was parked. It was probably the minivan that had hit him. The backseat’s sliding door was open.

From there, a man stepped out. Military-style jacket. Denim pants. From the jacket’s sleeve, a long, earthworm-like, tapeworm-like—a zingai dangled out.

The young man walked, dragging his zingai.

“Ibe-kun,” the woman called out to the young man.

Was that his name? Ibe. it was probably his name. 

The woman asked Ibe, “What about Hideyoshi-san?”

Ibe shook his head.

Hideyoshi. It didn't seem to be the woman’s name, nor Ibe’s given name. Meaning, there was one more person. Hideyoshi, as he was called, was probably in the car.

Was this a three person group?

Ibe, with the tapeworm zingai. The woman and Hideyoshi might have been riding in the minivan. The Otter had been run over just as he ran into the road. Had that been a coincidence? Who knows. He couldn't remember the moment he got hit clearly anyway, so he couldn't comment on it. But these people had taken the Otter to this abandoned factory by car. The severity of his injuries was unclear, but it was probably not just a scrape. Despite that, they had restrained him here instead of taking him to a hospital. That was not a common-sense procedure.

Ibe came next to the woman.

“You’re from the flower shop, aren't you.”

The Otter didn't answer. Ibe’s tapeworm zingai slithered forward on the concrete and approached the Otter’s foot.

“I know all about it. When an incident or accident involving zingai happens, you guys’ll set out and sniff around, won't you? All sneaky, like hungry stray dogs.”

This was the first time he’d looked properly at the tapeworm zingai. Its long body had a diameter of about one centimeter. From its rounded tip, what looked like a single snail’s antenna sprung out.

He thought of crushing it underfoot, but his ankles were tightly bound to the chair. Thanks to that, he could hardly move anything except his tiptoes.

“You guys are the pawns for that organization, aren't you?”

Ibe’s face pressed closer. The Otter didn't meet his gaze. He stared at Ibe’s tapeworm zingai.

“Yeah? I know, you know. That you’re the pawns for that organization. All the politicians, megacorporations, and mass media in the world. That organization’s hands can extend anywhere.”

“...You’re a classic conspiracy theorist, huh.”

The Otter couldn't help but let out an inappropriate laugh. Ibe grabbed his shoulder.

“Ough...”

The pain was dizzying.

“It’s no use, iiidiot.”

“We know the truth. Sullivan told us everything. Do you understand? I guess that organization’s pawns wouldn't understand. We, we’re awake now.”

He gasped. He continued breathing in, and quietly breathed out. He shouldn't have appeared to be shaken.

—Sullivan.

Ibe’s gang were connected with Sullivan.

Dhole-senpai and the Otter. It wasn't just their Dahlia 4 duo. The flower shop, flower house, special countermeasures, or the Special Cases Countermeasures Office, that the police spoke of, had multiple active divisions. Many of them, while handling special cases in their regular missions, were also searching for a character called Sullivan.

Something was slithering up the Otter’s left leg. It was the tapeworm zingai. Like a snake climbing a tree, the tapeworm zingai made its way up the Otter’s left leg.

“We understand it all. About you guys trying to find Sullivan too. We’ve seen right through everything.”

The Otter shook his left leg. He wanted to shake off the tapeworm zingai, but he was tied to the chair so he couldn't.

“I guess you guys aren't like stray dogs are you? You’re kept by that organization. I bet they feed you well. Considering that, you don't look that fat, huh? Oi.”

Ibe grabbed the Otter’s jaw with his right hand.

“Say something, florist. You guys belong under the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, don't you? What about your superiors? What kinda guys are they? How many are there like you? Just how much do you know about Sullivan?”

“Ibe-kun.”

The woman sighed. Ibe turned his head,

“Hah?”

“Rather than asking it all at once, isn't it better to ask them one by one?”

“...It’s fine. We’re gonna make this guy spit out everything he knows anyway.”

“Even so, there’s a way to go about doing it.”

“Then you do it, Yuki.”

“Eeh, what a pain.”

“The hell? Stop messing around…”

“I'm not messing around.”

“I’m a civil servant.”

The Otter spoke as he felt the tapeworm zingai was about to reach his neck.

Ibe applied force with the hand that gripped his jaw.

“What’d you say?”

“I’m just a run-of-the-mill civil servant. They said I was part of a ‘special position’ though. What do you mean, ‘that organization’? You mean the nation? The Japanese government?”

“Don't get carried away.”

Ibe licked his lips repeatedly. His lips were peeling. The tapeworm zingai poked at the back of the Otter’s neck. It probably hadn't broken the skin yet. The manner of death of the old woman from the apartment and the young man under the overpass flashed in his head. The tapeworm zingai was trying to use its antenna-like part to open a hole in the Otter’s neck. No doubt it would propagate through his blood vessels, all the way to his heart.

“Listen up. If you keep running that cheeky mouth of yours I’ll kill you in seconds.”

Ibe let go of his jaw. He seemed to be quite worked up. He clenched and unclenched his fists, and crossed his arms, seeming like he was trying to restrain himself.

“Don't you know? The government’s already under that organization’s thumb. They’re like its headquarters. Of course they are. Civil servant? That means you're definitely a pawn of that organization.”

“...Organization. Organization, huh.”

The Otter tried to compose himself as well, but he couldn't remain calm. To be honest, he was scared. He was so unbearably scared he couldn't feel the pain in his body.

It’d be better not to carelessly anger Ibe. Or did he just not want to anger him? Maybe the feeling of not wanting to die had won. The Otter himself didn't know.

“I don't have any idea about that…‘organization’ you’re talking about. That might be because I'm just an underling.”

“...You’re a zingai user, aren't you.”

“...I’m not familiar with that phrasing.”

“Ones who are the master of a zingai, and can see zingai. Those are called zingai seers. Aside from that, you can utilize zingai freely. That’s why you're a zingai user. You're the same as us.”

Ibe’s tapeworm zingai pushed its antenna against the back of the Otter’s neck. It felt like it could eat through his skin at any moment.

The Otter glanced at the woman Ibe had called Yuki. ‘the same as us’, Ibe had said. Was Yuki a master to a zingai as well? He wondered where Yuki’s zingai was.

“...It seems like we’re the same. A zingai user, huh. That’s right. Mm. We’re the same.”

“So?”

“...Eh?”

“Where’s your zingai?”

“My…”

His voice couldn't come out properly. The Otter tried to swallow some saliva. It was no use; his mouth was completely dry.

“...zingai? My—ahh…”

The Otter looked around as if to search for Olver.

“Where is it? It’s not here, my zingai. Huh? That’s weird… it’s gone. I was so sure it’d always be with me… but it’s gone. Where did it go…”

“For a zingai to disappear and the master be completely fine, is that even possible?” Ibe muttered.

The Otter could answer that question. Though there were always exceptions, a master who had lost their zingai would not be unharmed. But did he have the obligation to kindly tell them that? No way, like hell he did.

Suddenly, there was a loud noise. It was the sound of the door opening. It seemed like a door somewhere in the abandoned factory had swung open with great vigor.

Ibe and Yuki looked to the left.

“Wha—”

Ibe tried to say something. Before he could finish, he was attacked. It was a wolf. A wolf rushed in and leapt on Ibe ferociously. The wolf knocked him over and pinned him down in one fell swoop.

“...!”

Together with the chair he was tied to, the Otter collapsed to the ground. It was all or nothing. The tapeworm zingai could open up a hole in his neck and kill him in the blink of an eye. He managed not to lose his nerve thanks to senpai. The wolf. Of course, that was not a wolf. Garm. It was Garm. Senpai's Garm. Senpai had come for him.

Naturally, the concrete floor was hard. The impact reverberated through his entire body. Right after that, the weasel-like Olver ran soundlessly and poked his head between the Otter’s neck and the ground. What was Olver trying to do? He couldn't see, but he understood. It was the tapeworm zingai that was trying to invade his body. Olver bit into the tapeworm zingai and ripped it away.

Olver, who’d come out from between the floor and Otter’s neck, went berserk grappling with the tapeworm zingai.

“Ibe-kun…!”

Yuki kicked at Garm. It was a soccer kick. She missed; just before the kick landed, Garm leapt away from Ibe.

While Yuki helped Ibe get up, the tape or whatever it was tying the Otter to the chair began to tear apart.

“...Senpai.”

The black pantsuit, white pumps-clad Dhole-senpai was right by his side. She was squatting, cutting the tape or whatever it was away with a knife.

Senpai had let Garm rush in first. 

She’d diverted their attention over there, and come to rescue the Otter herself. So that was it.

When the tape or whatever was all cut away, senpai took off without so much as sparing him a glance. How excessively cold she was. A word or two would have been nice. Well, she was senpai. She was generally acknowledged to be the ace of the Special Cases Countermeasures Office’s active divisions. The intimidating Dhole-senpai who could quiet even a crying child was referring to her.

The tapeworm zingai shook free from Olver and ran.

“Olver!”

The Otter opened his eyes wide and yelled.

“Garm!”

Senpai too, called for the werewolf-like Garm.

Olver rushed over and coiled around the Otter’s leg. Garm was even more daring. He jumped and embraced senpai. Every time he saw that, the Otter thought, That must be nice. I’m kind of jealous. If he said something like that, senpai would look at him in disdain. It felt like he would be subject to scathing verbal abuse. That was why he didn't say it though.

Garm hugged senpai close to his chest. Was that action even supposed to be described in such a romantic way?

Garm’s chest and abdomen ripped open. It seemed to suck senpai in, and she entered inside him.

Or rather, this phrasing may have been more appropriate.

The wolf had eaten senpai.

Garm hadn't opened his mouth wide like the wolf from the fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. his entire body split in two down the middle, and it ate senpai as if that were his mouth. Senpai was swallowed whole.

The bond between a zingai and its master was something special. Masters and zingai were paired one-to-one. Without exaggeration, there were no replacements. They made a completely unique combo. To use an idiom, she was the apple of his eye; he loved her so much he could have eaten her. Was that why Garm had eaten senpai?

There was no way that was true.

Senpai had not let Garm eat her, but had gone inside him. It was that, the thing that came up in the New Testament: a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Well it was the opposite. Senpai wasn't a sheep in the first place though.

What appeared was Dhole-senpai, who was not a sheep, in wolf’s clothing.

How to put it? Senpai had become a werewolf.

“—Kuh…!”

The Otter kicked off the ground with Olver’s right leg, and used the recoil to leap up. He landed with Olver’s right leg, and though he supported his body with his own left leg, he was quite uneasy. But so what if he was injured? Senpai was watching him. Was senpai watching him or not? It was a little unclear.

“Deathworm…!”

Ibe shouted. Was that his zingai’s name? Deathworm. He had quite the good naming sense. Deathworm, a.k.a. The tapeworm zingai, probably wanted to fulfill the expectations of its master. Instantly, it coiled around the Otter’s senpai-turned-wolf-woman. But it was meaningless.

Senpai, who was wearing a wolf’s skin—Garm’s skin—was dangerous to say the least.

She was fast, or rather, sharp, and violently strong.

Mercilessly ferocious, and savage to the point of cruelty.

Senpai bent backwards with the force of a backflip. Just like that, she dodged Deathworm, but she wasn't done. In the next instant, she leaned forward and sank her teeth into Deathworm. In one bite, she devoured the half of its body with the antenna on the end. Another bite or two, and she demolished the rest of it.

“Aah…”

Ibe collapsed.

For a zingai to disappear and the master be completely fine, is that even possible?

Just now, Ibe had asked that question. He ended up experiencing the answer firsthand.

After losing their zingai, the master would enter a state of shock. Their brain activity would drop dramatically, or stop completely. Their senses would be dulled, or numbed. Worst case scenario, they would fall into a coma, and they wouldn't recover for a very long time, possibly forever.

“She-she ate…”

Pulling Ibe back, Yuki fell on her butt.

“—Omen, come…!”

Was she driven by desperation? Had she meant to say ‘Amen’? It didn't seem that way. Just where had they been hiding? White things, about twenty centimeters long, fell from above. Were they dolls? Not Dhole like Dhole-senpai, but dolls. There was no way they were just dolls. They were zingai shaped like dolls. It seemed like they’d been hiding above the beams or something. Not just several, but several dozen white dolls rained down on them. They were huge in number. Omen. Were they all Yuki’s zingai?

“Sure is a rare type you’ve got…!”

The Otter kicked the ground with Olver’s right leg and jumped down. Everything except his right leg which had melded with Olver couldn't be put to use, so he could do little aside from take shelter. It was frustrating, but he had to put his feelings aside. The least he could do was get out of senpai’s way.

He just had to leave the rest to senpai.

 Senpai, wearing Garm’s skin, ignored those things called Omen and went for Yuki.

Those white dolls didn't appear to be dangerous. Then again, a skilled hawk might hide its talons. If all the white dolls were Yuki’s zingai, there might be no choice but to take them out all at once. If that were the case, it would take time.

Senpai chose the quick way: ignore the zingai and take care of the master. A master without a zingai would not come out unscathed; aside from extremely rare cases, a zingai without a master couldn't even continue existing. If you couldn't eliminate the zingai, you just had to do something about the master.

However, if its master lost consciousness, a zingai wouldn't even be fazed. Then, what should you do?

It was simple.

If the master died, the zingai would be annihilated.

In other words, you had no choice but to kill the master—the human.

Fortunately, the Otter was yet to take a human life with his own hands. If the time came where he had no choice to do it, he would, without a question. That was his intention. But could he really do it? Would he be able to kill without hesitation?

Senpai was different. She wasn't an inexperienced softie like the Otter. If it was necessary, she would do it. Senpai could easily pull off what the Otter couldn't.

In reality, it had happened right in front of him. To take care of the dreadful zingai that harmed people, that couldn't be left unchecked, senpai had murdered its master, the human, right before the Otter’s eyes.

She was going to do it again. Senpai was probably going to kill Yuki.

“Senpai…!”

It wasn't like the Otter was trying to stop senpai. Senpai herself wasn't doing it because she wanted to, either. It was their job. To carry out their mission, they had no choice but to do what they had to. The Otter wasn't trying to change her mind. He was giving her a warning.

The car. Someone jumped out from the driver’s seat of the minivan. He was wearing a black jacket, and skinny black pants. He wore a black cap and had a beard. He was quite skinny; a man that was reminiscent of a spider. He was older than Ibe and Yuki, around his thirties. Yuki had asked Ibe, “What about Hideyoshi-san?” Hideyoshi. Was this spidery man Hideyoshi?

Both Ibe and Yuki were zingai users. Hideyoshi was not. Was that possible? Well, it was unlikely.

Zingai.

Was that Hideyoshi’s zingai?

Following Hideyoshi out of the white minivan came a flabby lump of meat that was humanoid, but spherical in form. Had that lump of meat been in the backseat? It slid out through the open sliding door. That was how it appeared.

Its appearance was strange, and it was big. It wasn't particularly tall, but it was still around the height of an adult man. Its width and breadth was far above average. The Otter had seen an image on TV of a man so fat he couldn't get up from his bed. This was worse than that.

Senpai noticing the meat lump and Hideyoshi, or the meat lump springing into the air with a boing; he didn't know which happened first.

Hideyoshi was holding something black in his hands. He readied it as soon as he got out of the car. That something was a handgun.

Senpai’s attention was on the gun. The same could be said for the Otter.

They were used to zingai. If you were talking animals, they’d fought with lion and brown bear zingai before. But zingai didn't use guns. This was Japan. Cases of zingai masters arming themselves with firearms were rare as well. Up till now, the Otter had never had a gun pointed at him before. What about senpai? He didn't know, but at least during the time she’d been paired with him, she shouldn't have. Even if she was senpai, there was no way she wouldn't get nervous at the sight of a gun.

Hideyoshi gripped the gun with one hand and held it sideways. It was quite the showy posture. He wasn't a trained professional. It was painfully obvious he was an amateur. Was that a real handgun? Maybe it was a model. That was possible. This was Japan after all. If you knew the channel, getting your hands on one was just a matter of money, but it wasn't something you could buy just anywhere. Was it a bluff?

Hideyoshi pulled the trigger.

“Bang!”

It wasn't the gun. It was his mouth.

Hideyoshi had said it with his mouth. He’d imitated the sound of a gun.

Of course, senpai hadn't been shot. Fucking around like that. The Otter was pissed. If Hideyoshi had been right beside him, he probably would've punched him. But had that really been just a practical joke?

“—..."

The Otter was speechless. It was the meat lump.

The meat lump dropped downwards, aiming for senpai. He couldn't believe it. Could you say that it had fattened up in its brief time in the air? It was clearly bigger than before.

Even fatness had its limits. What an enormous lump of meat it was. Still, this wasn't like senpai.

To think that senpai hadn't dodged.

It was all because of the gun. Because she’d turned her attention to the gun, her reaction was slowed. Her attention had been thoroughly diverted.

The meat lump completely squashed senpai.

She disappeared from view.

Senpai.

She’d been pinned beneath the lump of meat.

He had to help. He had to help senpai. The Otter tried to kick off the ground with Olver’s right leg. He’d been careless. Until that moment, he hadn't noticed it at all. It was Omen, Yuki’s zingai, the white dolls. They closed in. They began to swarm the Otter.

“Ah…!”

The white dolls jumped not at Olver’s right leg, but at his flesh left leg, his body, and his arms. In the blink of an eye, Omen had dragged him to the ground.

“Uahahaha-”

Grating laughter rang out. Hideyoshi. The spidery man was coming. Or rather, he was already here. His hollow-cheeked bearded face looked down at the Otter. He aimed his gun at him. At his head, between the eyebrows. The gun was still held sideways.

“You fucking ate Ibe’s zingai. That’s the end of the torture. We’re soldiers who offered up their souls to Sullivan’s ideals after all. The organizations dogs are the enemy. And we’ll kill the enemy. You’re dying too.”

No, it wasn't a model gun. It was real. He was going to be shot. Even with that grip, there was no discounting the distance he was at. There was no way he was going to miss. On top of that, Hideyoshi used his left hand to support the right hand gripping the gun. Like that, he pulled the trigger.

He was desperate. The Otter used all the strength he could muster to twist his neck to the left.

He wanted to praise himself for not closing his eyes and resigning himself in such an extreme situation. He was just a little bit proud of himself for trying to survive.

The Otter felt a strong impact on the right side of his head. His right eye burned terribly, but he wasn't hit directly. The bullet had not hit him. That was undeniable.

“Aah?! You bastard…!”

Hideyoshi flipped out, immediately reaching to fire the next bullet. It might it this time. If he was hit, the Otter would probably sustain life-threatening injuries. It was possible he could be hit in the head and die instantly.

“UAAAAAAAAAAAAH…!”

There was a beast-like roar. From that, the Otter understood. It was senpai. There was no mistaking that sound. It was senpai’s voice.

“Wha-...”

Hideyoshi looked to the side. He didn't mean to withdraw the gun, but the mouth of the gun turned away from the Otter.

“Olveeeer….!”

The Otter opened his eyes as wide as he could. He didn't think a thing about what he should do, or how. He entrusted it all to Olver.

The Olver melded with his leg jumped up the Otter’s body, shaking off Omen, the white dolls, and blowing Hideyoshi away with them.

The Otter spun. Not vertically or horizontally, but diagonally through the air. As he spun through the air, he caught a glimpse of the majestic figure of senpai wearing Garm’s skin lifting the meat lump zingai in the air—the wolf-woman, Dhole-senpai.

The Otter tumbled to the ground. Senpai was flinging the meat lump zingai in Hideyoshi’s direction. Hideyoshi jumped to the side, dodging the meat lump zingai just in time. It would have been funny for a master to be crushed to death by his own zingai though.

Hideyoshi barely managed to get up and yelled.

“Go, Fat Man…!”

Fat Man bounced and rushed to attack senpai again. Senpai faced it without running. She grasped Fat Man and snapped at it. Senpai and Fat Man rolled around, entangled together.

Senpai bit off chunks of meat. With all her strength, she tore the meat off the meat lump zingai. No blood came out. Even as meat scattered around, splintered, and collapsed in on itself, even more meat came out. It was meat. The meat lump zingai was just like a cluster of meat personified. Even so, the meat lump zingai expressed discomfort. It twisted its body, its meat, around, and tried to push senpai away. It couldn't. Senpai wouldn't let it.

Senpai had the upper hand.

But that didn't mean he could stand idly by and wait for the fight to conclude. Sorry about this, Olver. Just one last stretch. The Otter cheered on Olver’s right leg and stood up. He scolded his flesh and bone left leg, which hurt so much he could hardly put any force on it. The bones seemed to be broken. That didn't matter. He’d steeled his resolve.

The Otter pivoted on Olver’s right leg and rushed at him.

He would kill him.

Hideyoshi.

From now on, the Otter would kill people.

Call it murder or whatever you want, but it was the mission. He had to do it. More than that, he had to lend senpai his strength, if just a little. The Otter wanted to stay the kouhai who let their senpai handle all the dirty work. But he couldn't stay like this forever. He had to become a kouhai who could bear senpai’s burdens with her.

Hideyoshi knelt on one knee, watching over senpai and Fat Man’s tussle. He wasn't aware of it himself, but the Otter seemed to have let out something like a war cry. Thanks to that, he was spotted.

“—ah?!”

Hideyoshi shot immediately. He fired many shots in the Otter’s direction. He felt a strong impact like he’d just taken a baseball bat to the guts, and staggered, but he didn't stop. He tried to keep running. It was like his posture wasn't steady, and he couldn't run like he wanted to. And what of it? He was already covered in wounds and unsteady anyway. After that, his left arm was hit as well. It’s fine. The Otter decided to think. If it’s the arm, that’s fine.

“The bullets—”

Hideyoshi pulled the trigger, but no more bullets came out. It was right after that. Finally. The Otter caught Hideyoshi.

He grabbed Hideyoshi’s neck with his right hand, and pressed him to the ground.

That’s not it.

I have to kill this guy.

Then it was not his flesh and blood right hand, but Olver’s turn to shine.

“T…”

Hideyoshi was trying to say something, but his neck was constricted and he couldn't speak.

That’s good. Good.

Die.

Let’s keep my body weight on him like this. I’ll crush his throat. You’re dying.

Die.

He had intended to kill him, but what had happened?

—Goh.

He heard a loud noise. It wasn't Hideyoshi. Had something else shoved the Otter away? Had he been punched?

The Otter was on his hands and knees. Or was he lying on his back? He couldn't even discern if he was facing up or down.

Someone was there.

He was standing right nearby.

It was a large man.

He wore long boots, and had what seemed to be gloved hands.

The large man was wearing a mask. A mask with a bared teeth design drawn on it.

Did he have a shaved head? Or was he wearing a hat?

Hollow eyes stared down at the Otter.

“...Sullivan’s—”

Someone spoke. Was it Hideyoshi? Maybe Hideyoshi said that. Sullivan.

Sullivan’s.

Sullivan’s what?

The masked man lifted one leg. It seemed like he was going to step on the Otter with his long boots. It seemed like it would be painful. It probably wouldn't just be painful. The one who was about to be stepped on by the masked man was the Otter, but for some reason, he felt like that wasn't somebody else’s business. He felt his consciousness fading.

Was this the end?

It’s ending like this? I’m sorry, senpai.

If I apologize, would you get mad? Stop apologizing for everything, you’d say. But still, I’m sorry. Truly—

“NGAAAAAAAAAH…!”

Senpai.

Why did senpai’s voice…

Of course, it was because of senpai.

Senpai had rushed over and knocked the masked man flying.

Whenever her unreliable kouhai fell into a tight situation, she would come save him without fail. That was senpai.

“Who gave you the right…! You beat up my cute little kouhai, you pieces of shits….!”

When the time came, she would stand in the enemy’s way and have her kouhai’s back, hurling abuse defiantly. The Special Cases Countermeasures Office active force’s ace. Dahlia 4’s Dhole. Senpai, who wore Garm’s skin. The horrifying and beautiful wolf-woman. How about it? Isn't my senpai amazing? She’s awesome isn't she. She’s more awesome than anyone.

The Otter laughed. Well, he tried to laugh. His voice wouldn't come out. Maybe because of the pain or something, he couldn't move his body. He couldn't really see anything either. This might be bad. Aren't I dying? It was possible the Otter was on the verge of death. Even so, he wanted to laugh. He wanted to at least die laughing.

This wasn't the time to be laughing. The Otter couldn't understand that this wasn't a situation you could laugh in.

—Why?

Senpai suddenly shed Garm’s skin.

Why?

Garm picked up the Otter and carried him on his back.

What is this guy doing?

“I’ll leave the rest to you.”

That was what Senpai told him. Her voice was quiet, and her tone dull. Senpai didn't look at the Otter. But they were words aimed at the Otter. That, he understood.

Leave to him?

The rest?

What was that?

What did she mean?

Garm took off running. It seemed like Garm was carrying the Otter away from this abandoned factory. What’re you doing? What’re you doing for me? Stop it. The Otter tried to resist. Please stop. Let me down. I said no, Garm. Why’re you doing this? He wanted to stop Garm even if he had to use brute force. He would if he could. But the Otter was wandering the boundary of life and death. The surroundings were dark. Was this the darkness of the night? Or had he lost consciousness already? He called for senpai in the darkness. Again, and again, and again, and again, he called senpai’s name.

The Otter knew senpai’s real name.

Shima Touko.

He’d once tried to call senpai by her real name to tease her.

Touko-san, he’d called, and without missing a beat, senpai had shot back, What, Haizaki Itsuya?

How can you remain unbothered? Haizaki had protested, and senpai had let out a laugh through her nose. I mean, it’s just my name. I don't think anything of being called by it.

Senpai.

Dhole-senpai.

Shima Touko-senpai.

Touko-san.

Suddenly, the Otter was thrown into the darkness.

Garm, who was supposed to be carrying the Otter, was nowhere to be found. Where was this? He had no idea. But it seemed to be thick grass. Was a river flowing nearby? He could hear the faint sound of water. The Otter was alone.

Garm was gone.

He’d disappeared, suddenly.

Senpai’s zingai, Garm, had been eliminated without a trace.

What did that mean? The Otter didn't understand.

It was fine if he didn't understand right now.

He didn't want to be sure.

-----

prev: 2-2 // next: 3-1

[italiantnea]

#2-2_kawauso/ I didn’t know a thing about you

prev: 2-1 // next: 2-3

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He awoke to the alarm of his cellphone.

“...ngah”

Chakachakachaka, what an annoying sound.

As the Otter thought that, he grabbed the phone from beside his pillow and turned off the alarm. It was ok. The alarm would ring a bunch of times. He’d set them. It was fine. As he made excuses in his head, he rolled up the comforter and hugged it like a body pillow.

Huh?

Wasn't that different from the alarm sound?

Well, whatever.

Good night.

At that moment, the phone rang with a chakachakachaka again.

“...the hell?”

Shall we ignore it?

The same moment the insolent thought entered his head, pain pierced his left ear.

“Ow! Hey, Olver, you…”

He knew it was Olver’s work right away. The Otter lived by himself in this one-room apartment. The one who was biting the lonely man’s ear could be none other than Olver.

“...Ok, got it. I got it…”

He grabbed the phone once again. When he lifted his heavy eyelids and stared at the screen, he saw the word ‘senpai’ displayed on it.

“Wuh, oh! It wasn't an alarm! A ph-ph-phone call— Crap…”

The Otter jumped up and answered the phone.

“Y-yes, helloelloello. Good morning, this is the Otter…”

“Isn't that too many ellos?”

“E-e-excuse me, I-I-I just woke up…”

“I’m not really criticizing you. Actually, stop apologizing for everything. You apologize too much.”

“I-I’m sorry— Aah, I apologized again…”

“Maybe you won't get it till I stretch your tongue out and tie it into knots?”

“Scaaary! Tying my tongue into knots, that’s too horrifying!”

“I’m not seriously gonna do it.”

“If it was senpai we were talking about, you’d do anything wouldn't you…”

“Just what exactly do you think of me?”

“Of course, I think you’re a great senpai. I respect you. Seriously, respect ¹. This feeling might be to the extent of worship…”

¹ he says this in English

“I’m not really the kind of person to be worshipped, but I won't do such a fun torture so casually.”

“‘Fun torture’ is a pretty extreme interpretation…”

“That’s enough nonsense. A victim has been found.”

“Eeeh, again?!”

“U-u-understood. I’ll set out right now! As fast as I can!”

The Otter got dressed at light speed—well, light speed was saying too much—sonic speed—no, sonic speed was also an exaggeration. Anyway he got dressed at full speed.

It wasn't because his name had the word ‘grey’² in it or anything, but somehow most of the suits the Otter owned were grey. Today’s suit of choice was grey again, and his shirt was navy blue. Before the mirror, he tied a patterned tie that wasn't too flashy.

² the ‘hai’ in Haizaki means ash/grey

“Nice, nice. Ah, socks, socks. Ah, my hair’s sticking up…”

 As he walked out into the parking lot with Olver riding on his shoulder, he noticed that dawn hadn't broken yet. He must've seen the time on his phone, but he hadn't comprehended it.

“That’s the kind of thing it is…”

The Otter drove his car out. Midway, he picked up senpai and Garm, and they headed to the scene. Senpai wore her usual black pantsuit and white pumps, and her hair was slightly damp. Had she just gotten out of the shower? The thought inadvertently popped into his head, and he felt strangely tingly.

Speaking of which, did senpai have a boyfriend?

If he asked he would probably get kicked. He really couldn't ask.

It was senpai, so he also had a feeling she might unexpectedly answer.

Without hesitation, like “Yeah I do?”

He wondered if she had one. Of course, it wouldn't be strange for her to have had one or two lovers. He could accept it too if she didn't have one. She had a rough temper…that wasn't the right way to put it, but she was quite an intense, fierce person. There was work too, and she had Garm. Well, if the other person couldn't see Garm then that wouldn't be a problem.

The Otter himself had dated an ordinary girl who couldn't see Olver. Despite his current state, he’d had quite the reputation in his youth. It wasn't like he wasn't young right now, but there were quite the circumstances that came with being in this line of work.

This wasn't the time to get hung up on romance. Where did he have the time to waste this?

So senpai had to be single too, right? No matter how you looked at it she was a workaholic. She had to be single. She was a free spirit anyway. He wanted her to be single. That’s it. He’d prefer if she was single.

Senpai was probably single.

After all, she was senpai.

 If, for instance, he confirmed that senpai had a lover who lived with her, the Otter would probably be bummed out. He would certainly be bummed out.

How to put it? If an idol you supported suddenly got married, as a fan you couldn't help but despair. Something like that? Was senpai his idol? Was the Otter senpai’s fan?

Senpai used her phone silently. Maybe she was contacting her lover. No, no. there was no way senpai was doing something like that.

Was there really no way?

The Otter only knew the Dhole-senpai of Dahlia 4. Only the face she put on for work. She didn't talk about private things. He didn't even know her place of birth or family structure. Some time ago he’d lightheartedly asked about her birthday, and she’d snapped, “I’m not telling you?” Had she snapped?

He was curious about so much. Once it piqued his curiosity, he was so curious he just couldn't help it.

Thanks to that his driving was a little bit sloppier than usual, but senpai didn't say anything about it. He’d almost prefer it if she got mad.

This time the scene was under an overpass, less than 2 kilometers away from the apartment complex where the old woman had died unnaturally. Police were nearby and warning tape had been set up. The otter parked the car in front of that.

Under this stretch of overpasses, there were parking lots, bicycle parking lots, and parks. The victim had been found on a pedestrian and bicycle lane between the parking lot and the bicycle parking lot. Apparently a passing man had found the victim with his back leaned against the graffitied concrete bridge pier and called the police, sensing something was wrong. The blue-jacketed stern detective Kogure was at the scene.

“There is one. That wound,” Detective Kogure told them as he scratched at his hairline.

As he saw that mannerism, the Otter let out an “Ah.” without thinking.

“...Yes? What?”

“No, it’s nothing,” the Otter panickedly glossed over it, and detective Kogure didn't press it any further.

The victim sat in the same state he’d been found in. A closely shaved head. A baggy hoodie and cargo pants. Scuffed sneakers. He looked to be in his twenties. Probably around 20. Lying limply by his knees, the backs of his hands and fingers were tattooed.

The shaven young man was hunched over, head drooping. His head tilted slightly to the left, and on the right side of his neck was the aforementioned wound; a two or three millimeter diameter hole.

Senpai, as well as Garm, squatted down and observed the young man’s body carefully.

It reeked of alcohol. A can of chuhai³ lay tipped over beside the thigh of the corpse. Some of its contents had spilled out and dampened the road. Had the young man been drinking before his death?

³ a kind of low content alcoholic drink

“Just now.”

Senpai kept her gaze on the young man as she spoke.

“What was that?”

“Eh? ‘Just now’—”

“Didn't you try to say something to Kogure-san?”

“No, not really say something, more like it just crossed my mind…”

“Shoot.”

“But it seriously doesn't matter, I mean, it’s really no big deal…”

“Say it. I’m curious.”

“...I’ve always thought that detective reminded me of someone. I didn't know who, but it came to me just now. It’s Columbo.”

“Columbo?”

“Wasn't there something like that? It’s a bit old though. A drama? Or was it a movie? Detective Columbo. From America.”⁴

“Kogure-san doesn't look like a foreigner, does he?”

“He just reminds me, somehow. It’s the vibe. The vibes? The vibes. I’ve never properly watched Columbo anyway…”

“You’ve never watched it and you’re saying they look similar…”

“That’s why I didn't want to say it… if it were an obvious resemblance I’d say it to him. I’d even go as far as asking, ‘Don't you get told you look like detective Columbo?’”

“This is more pointless than I could’ve imagined. Don't bring this up again. Columbo or whatever.”

“I’m sorry…”

He ended up apologizing again.

Would the day ever arrive where he didn't have to apologize to senpai? It would probably never come. Surely he would never be able to raise his head in front of her. She got angry at him at every opportunity, and each time he would apologize. However many years, however many decades from now. Until the Otter left this earth. From the Otter’s perspective, forever.

The young man’s body didn't seem to have any wounds aside from the aforementioned hole.

The victim had just sat there until his heart stopped. There were few, if any signs of struggle before he died.

The old woman in the apartment room she lived in, and this young man under the overpass, had died quietly.

On that topic, six days ago, a forty six year old male office worker had died slumped against a vending machine, less than 1 kilometer away from here.

Fifteen days ago, in an apartment not far from the building with the vending machines, a thirty two year old woman had died unnaturally. She’d been crouched on the balcony of her home. The one who discovered her was a male acquaintance who was being investigated on suspicions of involvement in her death.

All four of them had had a two, three diameter hole on their neck.

As of now, the cause of death was still unknown. Howerever, the hole-like wounds showed signs of vital reaction. In other words, the wounds had been inflicted while they were still alive, not after they died. Considering that, there was little bleeding.

It was conjectured that someone had pierced the victims with some kind of thin tool. After that, something had probably happened that stopped the victims’ hearts. Of course, when the heart was no longer pumping, the bleeding stopped. After the victims had died, someone had taken out the tool.

The police hadn't ruled if it was an incident or an accident. The matter of the holes hadn't been made public, so there was little coverage in the press.

As of now.

If similar deaths continued happening in the future, he didn't know what would happen.

After confirming the victim, senpai questioned detective Kogure about this and that. Information about who first discovered the body, and the background of the victim. There was still much that was unknown, so detective Kogure promised to summarize everything in a report later.

“You reckon it’s one of your cases after all?”

Detective Kogure asked senpai as he scratched at his hairline. Was that a habit? It was probably a habit. The Otter didn't even know if Columbo was a movie or a drama series, but he’d seen it countless times on TV. If he recalled correctly, the main character Columbo would press or scratch at his forehead just like detective Kogure. That wispy, slightly disheveled hairstyle was similar to Columbo too.

“I hope that isn't the case.”

Senpai replied curtly, and detective Kogure shrugged with a wry smile. His face looked a little like him as well. Or maybe it didn't.

When they returned to the car after leaving the scene, day had broken. Senpai started talking with the boss on the phone, so the Otter went off in search of a convenience store to buy coffee. Before walking for even three minutes he found one.

Senpai, who seemed very much like she’d love black coffee, only drank chilled cups of cafe au lait or paper cartons of coffee milk. She insisted it wasn't like she couldn't drink it, but he was a bit doubtful about that. The Otter mostly took his coffee black. Even when he craved sugary coffee now and then, he went with the adult-like black coffee. Especially in front of senpai.

Other than the coffee, he briskly picked out some sweet bread, onigiri, and packaged chocolate. He exited the store, and even though the way back was to the right, he looked to the left for some reason.

At that moment, if he hadn't turned his gaze to the left, he might not have caught sight of the target. The Otter was in the middle of shopping, not searching. So this was nothing but a coincidence.

About twenty meters ahead of him, a man was walking. He was medium height. Probably male. He wore a military-style jacket and denim underneath. Black haired. He looked young.

Even though it was barely daybreak, the man was just walking. It would've been fine to ignore him. But a cord-like thing dangled out from his sleeve, and he walked while dragging it along. What was that?

The Otter glanced to his own left shoulder. Olver’s face was scrunched up, and he bared tiny fangs. That cord-like thing was not something normal. It seemed like Olver felt it too.

The man didn't turn around. He kept walking. He didn't seem to have noticed he’d been seen by the Otter.

The Otter began following the man. While he continued on walking as if to say, ‘Welp, let’s head home after finishing up the shopping!’, he called senpai on his phone. She was in the middle of a call, so he left a message. He turned the phone on silent mode, and stuck it into his pocket while still holding it in his hand. Before long, a returning call came.

The Otter picked up the phone.

“Are you trailing that suspicious man?”

“Yes.”

The Otter covered his mouth with his hand and replied in a quiet voice. Senpai lowered her voice as well.

“Understood. I’m coming soon.”

“If you could.”

“If he spots you, apprehend him. Don't let him escape.”

“Roger that.”

The Otter hung up and put his phone in his pocket.

The man was walking on a street along the overpass.

Eventually he turned a corner. Beyond the turn were low-rise apartments and residential buildings.

This road was completely straight, and visibility was too high. The Otter kept at a distance. He ducked into an alley and poked half his face out, checking for the man’s movements.

The man looked like he was turning around, so the Otter pulled his face back. Had he been spotted?

He waited a bit, and furtively stuck his head out. The man was gone. The Otter wanted to run out of the alley in a panic. No, calm down. Take a deep breath, and walk out of the alley slowly. Hurry, but be careful not to let out any footsteps, and finally, proceed until you confirm the man’s whereabouts. To his left was a vacant lot. It seemed like the buildings had just been torn down.

Beyond the vacant lot stood apartment buildings. Just within the grounds, the man stood there. He was holding his phone to his ear. He looked over.

Sure enough, he was young. Probably in his twenties. He may have been around high school age.

The man took off.

The Otter ran after him. Had he screwed up? Senpai was going to be mad at him again.

The man ran out the apartment grounds and into the street, then turned right. He seemed to be talking to someone on the phone, but he couldn't hear.

The Otter entered the street as well. The man was running about fifty meters ahead of him. He was quite fast. But he wasn't at the speed of short-distance sprinters. If the Otter chased after him at full speed, he could catch up to him.

But he was concerned about that cord-like thing the man was dragging along. What was that?

The man ran across a crosswalk, ignoring the red light. It was a wide, two lane road. When the Otter reached it, the light was still red. A truck was driving by. By the timing he would barely just make it, but the Otter didn't stop and crossed the road. The truck honked at him, and blood ran cold.

The man entered a narrow alley right beside the pedestrian traffic light. The Otter stepped into the narrow alley right as the man rushed into the alley to the right. If he’d waited for the truck just now, he would certainly have lost sight of the man.

“Nice job, me…!”

He patted himself on the back and raised his spirits. The alley the man ran into was between small workshops and old apartments. It was lined with steel drums and trash bins, making the already narrow alley even narrower.

The man glanced over at the Otter and knocked over a steel drum. It made a shrill noise, and the knocked over steel drum now blocked the path. Had it come to this? The Otter widened his eyes.

“—Olver!”

Olver, who’d been clinging to his left shoulder, descended down his back almost instantly and coiled himself around his right leg. Olver became one with his right leg.

The Otter’s right leg, which had melded with Olver, or perhaps Olver, who had melded with his right leg, stomped on the ground, and though it was a simple phenomenon, something outrageous occurred.

The Otter flew.

It wasn't like he flew away. But it was higher than the high jump world record. The force was comparable to a pole vault. What’s more, the Otter leapt to an unbelievable height, so easily it looked like a joke.

“Ueeeh…”

The man forgot about running and stopped in his tracks.

The Otter had leapt up between the workshops and old apartments. The man looked up at him, gaping. As he looked at him, the Otter soared over the man.

The Otter’s right leg was Olver’s head. Olver’s mouth was positioned at his tiptoes. His left leg was flesh and blood. If he used it to take the shock of a huge jump, the outcome would be disastrous. That was why the Otter landed on his right leg. He was behind the man. He pivoted on his right leg and spun around.

“It’s no use running…!”

The Otter grabbed the man’s collar with his right hand.

“Guah—”

Strangled, the man fell backwards.

It was then.

Something touched the back of his neck. Was it that thing? The Otter immediately reached towards his neck with his left hand. There it was. It was that. The cord-like thing that dangled from the man’s sleeve. As he grasped it and tried to pull it off, it slipped away. It wrapped itself around the Otter’s left wrist and began to tighten.

“While I was—”

The Otter’s delivered a knee to the man’s left side. The man groaned, but the thing wrapping itself around his wrist did not weaken.

“Taking it easy on you…!”

This time he kicked the man’s right side with the right leg that had melded with Olver.

“Agah…!” the man yelled.

He, or rather, his leg felt the man’s ribs break, and the cord-like thing around the Otter’s wrist fell away. Without delay, his now free left hand grabbed the man’s hair. He pressed the man against the outer wall of an apartment, and used his right hand to twist the man’s right arm.

Inside the sleeve was nothing. That cord-like thing was nowhere to be seen.

This was bad.

When he felt that, he’d already let go of the man and leapt up. Leaping vertically without a run-up, Olver’s right leg could handle up to 3 meters. 

The cord threw itself in the air. It had gotten away from the man and tried to attack the Otter, but was evaded and danced wildly.

But what the hell, is that for real?

Rather than a snake, it looked more like an excessively long earthworm. It was a bit like a tapeworm too. Of course, neither an earthworm nor a tapeworm would dance through the air like that. It was horrifyingly energetic. Way too vigorous. It was quite revolting.

And above all, it was dangerous.

Wasn't it this guy’s work? The Otter suspected so.

In just half a month four people had died unnaturally. All of them had had a hole-like wound. Perhaps that horribly energetic earthworm-like, tapeworm-like thing had done it. Gone inside the victims bodies through the hole-like wounds and stopped their hearts.

Pulled by gravity, the Otter body began to descend. He tried to use Olver’s right leg to stomp on the man, but he dodged.

He landed on Olver’s right leg, and jumped again. Not upwards, but forwards. Annoying as that was, it was better to retreat for now. That earthworm or tapeworm must’ve been committing the murders. It was something that had the ability to kill people. The Otter didn't want to die, and he couldn't afford to get killed either.

He rushed out of the alley into a lane without a sidewalk. In that lane, a car barreled towards him. A white minivan. It was close.

“Wait, don't run ov—”

His lower body exploded. That was what the impact felt like. The Otter tried to avoid the minivan, but he didn't make it in time. The minivan slammed into him, and he spun around many times in the air. The moment he hit the ground, his vision was pitch black.

Am I dead?

He seriously thought that, but it seemed like he was still alive.

“Uuugh…”

This groan. Was it himself?

It seemed to be his own voice.

The Otter lay face down. His vision was hazy, and warped in disarray. More so than painful, this was bad. He couldn't feel his body. He didn't think the feeling was completely gone, but most of it was.

“He’s moving, huh,” someone said.

Who was it? It was a man’s voice.

“We’re carrying him.”

“Like this? He’s still alive though. What do we do?”

It wasn't just one person. There were several.

Shit.

This is bad. What is?

What is bad?

He didn't know. He felt like he was falling.

His consciousness was falling into pitch blackness.

Senpai—

-----

prev: 2-1 // next: 2-3

⁴ for your reference, Columbo looks like this:

[italiantnea]

#2/ The bygone days of Dahlia Oh, Dahlia

“And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend.”

-The Little Prince, Saint-Exupéry

#2-1_kawauso¹/ the story of senpai and I 

¹ kawauso (川獺) = otter

prev: 1-4 // next: 2-2

-----

The Otter tried not to step down on the accelerator pedal all at once. It was the same with the brakes. No matter if it was accelerating or decelerating, he did it like strangling someone with a piece of floss.²

² very slowly

That was how he was taught. The Otter had gotten his regular motor vehicle driver's license as soon as he turned eighteen. He remembered being praised by the instructor. Are you really just starting out? He’d asked. Haizaki-kun, you have great sense. You’re good at this. By the way, Haizaki was the Otter’s real name.

Rather than good, wasn't he just cautious? That was what the Otter thought. He tried not to push himself if necessary. He didn't get speeding tickets because of his job, so he’d hurry when the time came to hurry. But he would never do anything reckless. Smooth driving, without a single wasted effort. That was his philosophy.

The Otter pulled the black sedan up beside the pedestrian walkway. He stopped for the purpose of stopping. That was how he stopped.

As he soaked in the sense of achievement, someone started pulling on the rear door handle to their heart’s content. GAN. GAGAGAGAGA- It was a hell of a noise. They were pulling with reckless abandon. He wasn't particularly surprised. This happened all the time.

“No, senpai, the lock…”

As soon as he unlocked the lock, the rear door immediately opened. From there, a large dog, or rather, a wolf-like animal slipped in swiftly, but the Otter remained unperturbed.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't an animal.

Garm³, as that one was called, sat down in the inner seat. Its body was quite big, so it only just fit. Without a pause, a beautiful, well proportioned woman got in and slammed the door with all her might.

Before he was urged, “Go, quickly”, the Otter started the car.

Senpai pushed back her long hair and let out a laugh.

“So you get it, otter.”

“Because I was educated by senpai.”

“Hah, you still have a long way to go. Anyway—”

Senpai may have been trying to give him some harsh advice, but her cellphone was ringing. Senpai started talking to someone on the phone.

“Dahlia 4. Yes. I’ve just met up with the Otter. Yes. Right. Yes. Mm. Yes. Right. Hah? Yes. Right…”

The one on the line was probably senpai and the Otter’s boss. Dahlia 4 was a secret codename. A division name. A squad name? Or rather, the name for their duo.

Senpai and the Otter were the only members of Dahlia 4. Garm, and the weasel-like Olver who’d settled down in the passenger seat, weren't counted as personnel. As you could see, neither Garm nor Olver was a person.

Dahlia 4 was a two person group. The fourth squad from the unit named Dahlia. So, Dahlia 4.

Of course, otter was a codename too. Of course, the Otter was not an otter named Haizaki. He was a proper human.

The Otter glanced at the backseat in the rearview mirror. Senpai was just removing the phone from her ear. It seemed like the phone call was over. Senpai’s dreadfully finely crafted face was distorted.

Even with her face distorted like that, the Otter’s senpai was not ugly.

When he’d first met senpai, the Otter had wondered, “hasn't this already been fixed?” No matter how you looked at it it didn't seem like fraud levels of heavy makeup. If that were the case, it would be strange if she hadn't had a load of plastic surgery. Her features didn't have a single dull spot. Despite having the wolf-like Garm with her, senpai’s face was of the feline family. It was a cat-face of the highest tier. Her figure too: her head was small and her limbs were long; she looked like a fashion model from overseas. It was hard to imagine she was human just like him. Was she a different species? Maybe she was an alien.

As expected, he was used to it— was what he wanted to say, but as soon as he let his guard down, he couldn't help but think. Uoh, what’s with this person? Is this what they call a ‘beauty’? ‘Way too beautiful’ or whatever, was a catchphrase they used a lot on TV and in magazines, but those were all a scam. The real thing was right here. As far as the Otter knew, it existed here and nowhere else.

“Senpai, what did the division head say?”

“Nothing much.”

Senpai handled the cell phone in her right hand with her thumb while she scratched the end of her left brow with her left pinky. Even if she wasn't bare-faced, her makeup was light. She said she didn't even do her eyebrows. And that was the end result. Rather than calling it the end result, wasn't it more like a natural product? He wasn't sure what she thought herself, but she was a beast in the looks department.

Noticing his gaze from the rearview mirror, senpai raised one eyebrow and menaced, “Huh?”

“...Dōru-senpai, you’re a bit like a Yankee⁴ sometimes, huh?”

Senpai’s codename was Dōru. It was pronounced Dōru, but it wasn't ‘doll’ as in marionette. It was ‘dhole’. There was an animal with that name. A mammal in the canine family. Another name for it was ‘red wolf’.

“Heh,” Dhole-senpai laughed.

“That’s where my roots are from after all.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m kidding. Obviously not.”

“It’s not ‘obviously not’, is it? The ‘Dahlia’s prized ace, Dhole-senpai: former yankee’ theory. It has a pretty believable ring to it.”

“Like hell it does. What part of me is Yankee? I meet zero of the requirements. I’ll break your ass in four if you keep saying shit.”

“...Your expression, it’s scary.”

“Hah? What part of it. Ass in four, you hear? Just imagine it, it’s fancy isn't it? It’s an expression overflowing with humor, isn't it?”

“Splitting my bottom into four, that kinda stuff’s all horror and splatter…”

The Otter’s black sedan crossed the bridge below the highway and entered a piece of reclaimed land which resembled a rectangular floating island.

There were many public multifamily residential buildings on this reclaimed land. They were danchi.⁵ other than that, schools. There were parks and sports fields prepared as well. On the side facing the sea were wharfs, and it was lined with warehouses.

⁵ a type of Japanese apartment complex

Beyond the apartment complexes, residential skyscrapers shot out of the ground. The dreary apartment complexes and the sparkling skyscrapers were separated by a canal, and even though they were the same place in name, the two sides were like different worlds.

The Otter turned right at the intersection. On the left side was building number 22 of the apartment complex, and beyond that was building number 24. There were several patrol cars parked there, as well as one ambulance.

“There’s quite a few people gathered, isn't there.”

The Otter stepped gently on the brakes and parked the car at the side of the road. As he turned on the hazard lights and turned to ask, “What should we do?”, senpai was already opening the door.

Senpai hadn't said, “Let’s go” or anything, but well, that was normal. As the Otter turned off the hazards and took off his seatbelt, senpai and Garm were no longer in the backseat.

“Shall we go then?”

The Otter called out to Olver and got out of the car. Olver immediately climbed onto his back. The Otter’s left shoulder was where Olver usually perched. Olver’s body was about the size of a 500ml bottle, and he had a tail on top of that. But he didn't weigh enough to be considered heavy.

The black pantsuit-clad Dhole-senpai, accompanied by Garm, was trying to push through the crowd. The Otter’s senpai didn't just have long legs, she walked quickly as well. Her shoes were white sneakers, as usual. Forget high heels, he’d never even seen her wearing pumps or loafers. That style was certainly suited to her.

“Yes, move it, move it.”

 Senpai pushed forward through what looked like the residents of the area, no matter age and gender. There were people with faces that said, “Eh, what’s with this person?”, but no one was frozen in fear at the sight of Garm.

It was because they couldn't see Garm. It wasn't just Garm. Olver, who clung to the Otter’s left shoulder, was the same. Ordinary humans could not see Garm, nor Olver.

As he followed after senpai, the Otter noticed that he wasn't wearing a tie. The Otter was wearing a grey suit. Inside, a pink shirt. Without a tie, he gave off an informal impression. After all, given that she was his senpai, as a kouhai he wanted to show up at the scene feeling as proper as possible. He tried to keep that in mind at all times, but he forgot it quite often.

This is exactly one of those times. While he admonished himself, he thought, can't be helped, I guess, and instantly changed his mind. The Otter didn't dislike this personality of his.

Beyond the crowd was a police officer with a lighted baton. Senpai showed her ID and passed through, but when the Otter tried to slip past as well, he was held back firmly.

“Ah, what’s with you? No, no. Don't enter on your own.”

“...Excuse me, for what it’s worth, I am this kind of person.”

The Otter ended up having to show his ID as well. As he caught up to senpai, he was scolded.

“What are you doing? How embarrassing.”

“I’m sorry…”

Before entering building number 24, the Otter turned and surveyed the crowd. At first glance, it looked like a good half of them were over sixty. It seemed like the residents of this apartment complex had an aging population in the first place. There were two or three men and women in their thirties and forties, but there were young people here and there. There were ones wearing street style fashion and ones with flashy dyed hair. As a whole, they seemed like an ill-bred bunch. Well, judging people from their appearance wasn't that great either, huh.

“Not there, huh.”

The Otter muttered, and prepared to follow after senpai. Before that, just in case, he checked once again. It wasn't there after all.

Ordinary humans couldn't see it. They couldn't confirm the target the Otter was dealing with.

“If it were there, senpai would've spotted it long ago though…”

The Otter entered building number 24. The room with the problem was on the third floor. Room number 305. He entered without taking off his shoes. The musty, kind of salty smell of other people’s furniture hit the Otter’s nose. Senpai was already inside. Of course, it wasn't just senpai. There were several police officers in uniform, as well as police detectives in nylon jackets.

Rather than dirty, it was cluttered. There were so many things that weren't tidied up. It may have been impossible to tidy them up at that point.

A kotatsu was set up in the middle of the living room. It wasn't the sort of season that required heating. Did they leave it out year round? In front of the kotatsu, right before the television, was a legless chair. An old woman, seemingly a resident of this apartment, sat in that chair.

The old woman wore a knit cap on her white hair. She seemed about to topple over on the kotatsu; her back was mostly bent. She was quite small in stature.

The police detective in the navy blue jacket was glaring at him. He had a stern face like those you saw in illustrations.

“Hello.”

The Otter bowed his head. He’d met that detective at another scene before. His name was Kogure (小暮), or Kogure (木暮). Anyway, it was ‘Kogure’.

Senpai closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, then squatted down beside the old woman. Garm stood right behind senpai.

Ultimately, Garm only resembled a wolf. Its shoulders were excessively burly, and it could walk on its two hind legs too. It looked more like a werewolf than a wolf. A werewolf who was trying to shift into a human. One in the middle of that process. A wolf-like human. A slightly human-like wolf. The ghost of a werewolf. A phantom. But it wasn't an illusion. Garm really existed.

The Otter observed the old woman. She looked to be on her last legs; practically a corpse. Apparently her friend in the neighborhood hadn't seen her in a while and getting worried, they’d paid her a visit. But there had been no answer. Then, after twists and turns, the friend had entered the room, and the old woman had already been in this state.

“How does it look?” Detective Kogure asked senpai as he scratched at his hairline.

Senpai didn't answer. She fixed her gaze on the old woman’s body.

Kogure crossed his arms and sighed. It was quite a showy sigh. That was his performance style. Or rather than style, it was his personality.

“...What is that?”

A younger, suit-clad detective asked the older detective beside him.

“It’s the flower shop.”

The older detective spat, replying shortly. The younger detective looked plainly displeased.

“Ah, those guys you mentioned?...”

He didn't have to hate it that much. As the Otter of Dahlia 4, he couldn't help but think that way. But it wasn't like he couldn't understand how the police felt.

When an incident or accident was deemed a special case, outsiders such as the flower shop— as people like the Otter were called— would come butting in.

The police had to provide all the information they had, but that wasn't the case for the flower shop. What exactly was a special case? A good half of the police officers didn't know. All they knew was that the flower shop was an organization set up in the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office.

The Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office was in charge of collecting, analyzing, and investigating information regarding important policies of the Cabinet. Of course, it went without saying that the Cabinet was the highest administrative body run by the Prime Minister and other Cabinet Ministers. CIRO, a.k.a. the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office, was an intelligence agency that assisted the Cabinet; the flower shop was part of that.

In other words, the flower shop belonged somewhere far above this country.

Of course, ‘the flower shop’ was not its official name. It had a fine name called the Special Cases Countermeasures Office. Whether it was fine or not may have been up for debate.

The vice chief, second-in-command to the chief that controlled the Special Cases Countermeasures Office, was a transfer from the National Police Agency, so they had considerably deep ties with the police. However, below-executive level police officers didn't seem to think much of the flower shop.

Well, it couldn't be helped. If the Otter were a police officer, he probably wouldn't think kindly of a strange bunch who showed up from time to time to invade the crime scene, either.

“Otter.”

Senpai beckoned while still staring at the old woman.

“Yes.”

The Otter knelt beside senpai, and looked closely at the old woman once more. On the Otter’s left shoulder, Olver let out a sniffing sound.

The old woman was facing downwards. She was in her seventies. Or maybe her eighties? Most women around that age had short hair; this woman did, too. The hair at the nape of her neck was short. The back of her neck was exposed.

There was a wound on the back of her neck.

Rather than a scar, it looked more like a hole.

A small, darkened hole, two or three millimeters in diameter.

“...It’s the same, huh.”

As the Otter spoke, senpai nodded immediately.

“Yeah—”

She still wasn't taking her eyes off the old woman.

“Looks like it.”

-----

prev: 1-4 // next: 2-2

³ Garm/Garmr- a wolf or dog from Norse mythology. (In the same vein I tried to google Orubā, and that turned up the name ‘Olver’. No clear reference to anything weasel related as far as I can see. It’s the name of a character from ‘A Wheel in Time’, as well as some other historical people)

⁴ ‘Yankee’ is a slang term for Americans in general

[italiantnea]

#1-4_otogiri_tobi/ you’ll end up unable to move

prev: 1-3 // next: 2-1

-----

It had been a while.

His brother showed up in a dream.

It was somewhere he didn't know.

He didn't think he knew it.

The ceilings and walls were pure white, and it was awfully bright. But there were no windows. Was it a room? Or a hallway?

Tobi was running.

Even when he fell, he got up right away and continued running.

He had to run. He had to escape. Something was chasing after him. Something. Something. What was it?

He couldn't turn around. He didn't have the time for that. He had to escape. Anyway, he had to run away as fast as he could.

“I‘ve caught you!”

Suddenly, something scooped him up and lifted him in the air.

Something.

Something.

What was it?

Tobi tried to escape. He tried as hard as he could to shake his brother off, but it didn't work at all.

“I've caught you.”

“I've caught you~”

“Tobi.”

“I've caught you!”

The one who had caught Tobi was his brother. His brother laughed as he gripped him tightly. His brother was way bigger than Tobi. Tobi was too small. Tobi was still a child. Even as he struggled with all his might, his brother’s arms that gripped his upper body didn't yield an inch. Even so, Tobi had to run. Tobi had to do something and escape. That was all he understood.

His arms were sealed, so Tobi furiously twisted his body. He kicked his legs around. He headbutted his brother in the chin.

“Ow. That hurt. Ouch,” His brother repeated, but he was still laughing.

What strength he had. To think he was this strong.

Or was Tobi weak? Was he too powerless?

His brother was wearing white clothes.

“Let me go.”

His pure white clothes were stained red.

“No.”

“Let me go!”

Whose blood was it?

“No~”

Was it Tobi’s blood?

“Let me go, please.”

It was his brother’s blood.

“ I‘ve caught you, you see.”

His brother was laughing.

“I can't do that, Tobi. I won't let go.”

At some point, Tobi started crying. He had to get away, so why was his brother stopping him? Why wouldn't he understand? It was weird, something was wrong. Onii-chan?

Why?

“Shh—”

Why have you caught me and refused to let go?

“Be quiet.”

Let go.

Hey, Onii-chan.

“Behave.”

This wasn’t like Onii-chan.

“Be quiet.”

Onii-chan wouldn't do something like this.

“It’s okay.”

Was it?

“It’s okay, so—”

He cried a lot.

“Everything’s okay.”

He cried, and struggled a lot, and he was tired.

“It’s okay.”

His brother whispered again and again.

“Everything’s okay.”

He continued whispering, never letting go ofTobi.

His brother stroked his back.

“It’s okay…”

Tobi stopped struggling.

His brother kept repeating.

It’s okay.

It’s okay.

Everything’s okay.

Again and again.

He dreamed of his brother.

It was someplace he didn't know, or perhaps someplace he knew but had forgotten about, and Tobi was there, and his brother was there too.

When he opened his eyes he was in his bed at the facility.

The sky that peaked through the gap in the curtains was still dark. He felt a pang in his forehead.

It was because he’d headbutted his brother.

“No—”

That had been a dream.

Tobi touched his forehead with his right hand. It didn't hurt at all.

“......Onii-chan”

Tobi didn't know his mother or father. He’d been born, so he must have had parents. But he had no memory of them. Tobi had only ever known his brother. His brother, who’d left him behind and disappeared that day.

No.

That wasn't it.

The two of them had been running away. Someone, something, had been chasing them. His brother had been shot. He’d been hurt. Tobi had still been young. He couldn't run anymore. That’s why, he’d had no choice. His brother must have been heartbroken too. He’d hidden Tobi away, and his brother had acted as bait— that’s right. He’d hidden Tobi so he wouldn't be found, and tried to lure away the terrifying pursuers with guns. His brother had gone off on his own. It had been for Tobi’s sake. He’d been thinking of Tobi.

“Hide here.”

That’s what his brother had told him.

“Stay here until I say it’s alright. Understand, Tobi? Promise me. Do not make a sound, under any circumstances.”

Tobi had promised his brother. Despite that, he hadn't kept his word. Before his brother had returned, he’d run out from that place. Even though he had to wait, Tobi had broken his promise.

He’d betrayed his brother.

After changing his shoes at the shoebox and climbing up the stairs to the classroom, he was poked in the back.

“U—”

When he turned around in surprise, Shiratama was there. Shiratama had that pochette which hid Chinurasha on her shoulder. She was smiling.

“Good morning, Otogiri-kun.”

“Good morning. Eh? What…?”

“‘What’?”

“Didn’t you poke me? Just now—”

“Poke?”

Shiratama poked the air with her right index finger.

“Yes, I did. Ah, is poking forbidden?”

“...No, it’s not forbidden.”

“Was it unpleasant?”

“It wasn’t really unpleasant or…”

“Would you prefer if I never did that again?”

He didn't want to be suddenly poked and frightened again. Then again, ordering ‘Never do that again’ was a bit awkward.

“Well… if you do it suddenly, it’s a little… you know. Especially on the stairs. It might be a bit dangerous…”

“Otogiri-kun would be fine,” Shiratama said with mysterious confidence.

“...Eh? Why?”

“You were amazing on the horizontal bar after all. You have exceptional athletic skills. You wouldn't lose a step on the stairs. I forgot to ask you yesterday, but do you do any sports?”

“I don't… do any sports.”

“None?”

“Nothing outside of physical education, I guess.”

“Not even once?”

“...I said, no.”

“When I was in elementary school, I wanted to join the track and field club. Also, I took dance lessons. But my athletic ability wasn’t that—”

What was she talking about in the middle of the stairs so early in the morning?

He didn't want to listen to Shiratama. He didn't really think that, but to be honest, he was bothered by the attention. They were looked at with a gaze that seemed to say, ‘What’re they talking about on the stairs?’ so he was quite uncomfortable.

It was fine if it wasn't here. If it was someplace without people around, just Tobi and Shiratama, then there would be no problem. He didn't mean he preferred it if it were just the two of them. Of course, Baku, and also Chinurasha, were fine.

 The thought came suddenly.

But was he fine with not looking for his brother?

At that moment, his chest throbbed and he started sweating. It wasn't like he wasn't searching for him. He’d been searching with every opportunity. He just hadn't found him. He didn't have any decent leads either. On top of that, he was at school. There was no way to search for his brother even if he wanted to.

“—Otogiri-kun?”

Shiratama tilted her head. She peered into Tobi’s face with upturned eyes.

“Is something the matter?”

Tobi shook his head.

“Not really.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s nothing.”

Tobi started climbing up the stairs.

His body, or rather, his heart, trembled as if it had been shocked. It had been a long time since he’d felt this feeling. He hadn't experienced this in years. Before that he had, quite often.

He had to search for his brother. If he just thought that, he wouldn't become like this.

When the anxiety consumed him, it would get terrible.

Was his brother okay? Was he safe?

Maybe it was pointless even if he searched for him.

His brother was gone.

He was nowhere to be found on this earth.

It wouldn't work, no matter how hard he searched.

It must be because Tobi hadn't kept his promise.

He started talking with Shiratama. For Tobi, that was the biggest change. Though, there were other things that changed as well.

Before, when he was in class, he wouldn't have looked around like this. Who was doing what, and where, none of that had mattered. Tobi had only been interested in the whereabouts of himself and Baku, and his brother.

They just went to the same school. They happened to be in the same class, and in the same classroom. Even if they were classmates, that’s all these people were.

Even though they were all second year middle school students just the same, they lived in completely different worlds. That was howTobi felt. They had almost no points in common. Even if it wasn't zero, it was extremely few.

Unintentionally, he turned his gaze towards Shiratama.

Shiratama was serious. Most of the time she looked at the teacher or the blackboard, or looked down at her desk to take notes. She listened intently to the teacher’s words, and sometimes pondered. There were also times where she nodded.

The pochette was hanging on Shiratama’s desk. How was Chinurasha doing, in that pochette? In class, Baku seemed quite bored. What about Chinu?

Baku had always been with him. He was an existence that felt natural to be there, so he had never given much thought to Baku’s existence.

But Tobi had met Chinu.

Chinu didn't talk like Baku did. She was different from Baku.

Baku appeared to ordinary people like a ‘normal backpack’, but Chinu didn't seem to be visible at all.

Baku’s voice was something only Tobi could hear. That should’ve been it. An exception had appeared.

Shiratama.

Chinu’s cries were something only Tobi and Shiratama could hear.

Baku and Chinu weren't the same. However, they were similar.

Tobi and Shiratama weren't similar at all. You could tell that just by looking at them; just where did they resemble each other? Did the two of them have any point in common?

Tobi looked behind him diagonally. Masamune, a.k.a. Masaki Shuuji, had his short hair neatly set today again. The creature sat on his head with the ‘say no evil pose’—that weird thing which resembled a tarsier with tree bark-like skin—just what was it?

Tobi and Shiratama were the only ones who could see it. Most likely, Masamune himself didn't notice it either.

Or was Masamune pretending not to notice it?

He had a weird thing on his head, but nobody said anything about it. It seemed like nobody could see it. Thus, he decided to pretend it didn't exist. ‘You may not be able to see it, but it’s there, a weird thing.’ If he confessed something like this, nobody would believe him. If that were the case, then Masamune would be the same as Tobi and Shiratama.

Maybe Masamune could hear Baku’s voice as well. That possibility couldn't be ruled out. Sometimes when Baku spoke in class, nobody else seemed to hear it, so Masamune also pretended not to hear it.

Shiratama too, despite having noticed Baku, had feigned ignorance until recently. Masamune might be the same.

Tobi looked up at the ceiling. Then, he turned his gaze diagonally to the front.

Two seats in front of him in the neighboring row, sat Kon Chiami. At first glance, the creature that clung to her back seemed to be one that existed somewhere, if not around here. A bat, or a flying squirrel. But of course, it was neither of those.

That, too, was a weird thing.

Tobi and Shiratama were the only ones who could see it.

What about Masamune?

What about Kon Chiami herself?

His head was starting to feel heavy.

Until now, Tobi had thought only he was special. He could see things that couldn't be seen, and hear voices that couldn't be heard. Otogiri Tobi was not normal.

Shiratama seemed to have thought the same, too. She was different from other people. Shiratama Ryuuko was not normal.

That had been wrong.

It wasn't just Tobi, or just Shiratama.

Not just one person, but two.

Was it only these two? Was it just Tobi and Shiratama, as expected?

If there were two people, then it wouldn't be strange if there were three people, or four.

For instance, Masamune or Kon Chiami?

What about Shizukudani who practiced infirmary schooling?

In other grades, other classes, there were people who had weird things with them. He’d never counted them properly so he didn't know the exact number, but there should’ve been more than ten people just in this middle school.

So there were those with weird things with them, but couldn't see or hear them, and those like Tobi and Shiratama, who could see and hear them? Or maybe, everyone could actually see and hear them. Were they just pretending not to see and hear them to feign normalcy?

Tobi pressed his right hand to the back of his neck and sighed. He wouldn’t get a clear answer just mulling over it like this. It was best to ask them directly.

Ask Masamune and Kon?

How should he go about asking them? Tobi had never talked with either of them. What about Shiratama?

Shiratama was well mannered and amiable. Somehow she gave off the impression that she got along with her classmates. He should get Shiratama to ask the question. Tobi, requesting Shiratama to ask the two of them for him? That was bothersome in its own right. He was very much reluctant to do so.

He was tired.

Times like these were perfect for taking a doze. Tobi prepared to lay down on his desk. It was at that moment.

Kon Chiami’s weird thing looked over.

Tobi almost muttered gross without thinking. That thing really wasn’t a bat or flying squirrel after all. Its face was different. It had huge dark eyes and round pupils. A small nose. It was a baby. It had a body like a bat or flying squirrel, but the face of a human baby.

“Tobi…”

Baku broke off.

A clatter came from behind. Tobi turned around. Someone had stood up. It was the female student on the last seat of the window row.

“Hm?”

The teacher called out to the student.

“What’s wrong, Takatomo?”

Takatomo was probably the student’s surname. Takatomo faced downwards. Was she feeling unwell? Her breathing was rough, like she’d just been running. Not just that, she was also shaking.

“Takatomo…?”

The teacher called out again.

Takatomo tried to reply, but she couldn't form the words properly.

“Takatomo-san.”

Shiratama stood up. Worried, she was probably trying to approach Takatomo.

“Don—”

Takatomo snapped her head up quickly. Her complexion looked terrible. The area under her eyes was darkened.

“Don't come…!”

“...Oh damn,” a boy said in a small voice. Several others blurted out the same, and the classroom went into an uproar.

Instead of screaming at them to shut up and stop it, Takatomo held her head in her hands.

“Oi, be quiet!”

The teacher yelled. But the class didn't quiet down.

“I can’t do it anymore….!”

Takatomo shrieked and took off with a force that knocked over her desk and chair. It happened in the blink of an eye. Takatomo violently opened the door and ran out. The teacher ran after her in a panic. Several students also tried to leave the classroom. They were promptly driven back by the teacher, and they returned.

“Seriously, what was that? Isn’t that bad?”

“Scary, scary.”

“She said she couldn't do it or something.”

“Nah, we’re the ones who can't deal anymore…”

Saying this or that, the students rose in a clamor. “That’s crazy,” or “That’s scary,” they said, but for some reason many were laughing.

Tobi met Shiratama’s eyes.

Shiratama’s brows were furrowed, her lips pursed. She seemed quite perplexed; perhaps she was worried about Takatomo.

The girl in the seat beside Shiratama said something to her. They were talking about something. Was that girl a friend of hers? Unlike Tobi, Shiratama had classmates she was on friendly terms with. That was the case, right? It was stranger not to have any. Tobi was the weird one.

Eventually the teacher returned. With a brief explanation that Takatomo didn't feel well, class began again. Class 3 of year 2 did not settle down. As soon as class ended, everyone started gossiping about Takatomo.

Soon, the homeroom teacher Harimoto-sensei came in. Harimoto, with his hedgehog-like slicked back hair, looked downcast. It seemed like the problem hadn't been resolved yet.

Harimoto was surrounded by several students and talking to them about something. Among them were Shiratama and Kon Chiami as well.

“Takatomo is probably fine. Everyone please continue with your classes as usual, and tell sensei if anything comes up.”

Nobody thought Takatomo was fine, did they? But aside from Shiratama, Kon Chiami, and some of the girls, nobody was seriously concerned about Takatomo. That’s what Tobi thought. Among both boys and girls, were ones who found it amusing, and ones who were quickly losing interest. One of the two.

As lunchtime rolled around, Takatomo was still nowhere to be seen.

She’d left notes and textbooks open on her desk. Tobi was terribly curious about that. Even though he didn't even know Takatomo’s given name.

Today too, he devoured everything except the bread almost instantly. Tobi held the koppe-pan in one hand and shouldered Baku, leaving the classroom quickly.

“Ah, Otogiri-kun.”

Just as he was checking his route up the roof in the courtyard, the janitor Haizaki passed by.

“What’re you doing? Wait, it’s still meal time isn’t it?”

Tobi clicked his tongue.

“Haizaki-san again…”

“Naw, what do you mean ‘again’? Generally speaking I‘m always wandering around school. No, not just wandering. I do have a lot to do. This is my job, you see.”

Haizaki looked back and forth from the top of the school building to Tobi.

“You weren’t about to climb up to the roof, were you? Eh…? Were you climbing up the walls and stuff? All this time? If that were it, you would've been able to get to the roof without a key but, Eeehh…? Otogiri-kun, are you good at free climbing or something? Like bouldering?”

“...Nah, not really.”

“You’re not denying you climbed up the walls? So it’s true? You were getting to the roof by climbing in from the outside? If that were the case it wouldn't be that strange, but did I guess right? Eh…? Isn't that amazing?”

“I don't think it’s that amazing…”

“You know, sorry to disappoint you while you’re being so humble, but  I'm not praising you, ok? To be honest,  I'm impressed, but that’s not a good thing to do. It’s dangerous, ok? What would you do if you fell? You might not get off with just an injury, you know. The school building’s three stories tall, it’s a pretty considerable height, you see.”

“Well, I‘ve never fallen even once, so.”

“Could it be, Otogiri-kun, that you do a lot of dangerous stuff like that? Well, I myself was raised in the snowy regions, so I‘ve jumped down from roofs too. But there was snow to act as a cushion, you see.”

“That kinda seems fun.”

“Yep. That's right, it is fun. It sure was fun… There was a thrill to it. But that too, could’ve turned into a huge tragedy with one misstep. Thinking back on it now, I can't help but shudder—”

Haizaki suddenly snapped his fingers with a “That’s right!”

“Otogiri-kun, I wanted to ask you something. Otogiri-kun, weren't you ever with somebody else on the roof?”

“On the roof?”

Tobi shook his head.

“I don't think I have.  I've only been there during lunch break though.”

“I see. Right? I patrol around the roof once a week, but there aren't really any traces of people getting in. Otogiri-kun was getting in, though…”

“You’re sure asking some pretty weird things,” Baku grumbled suspiciously.

“No, you see that’s…”

Haizaki began, then widened his eyes with an “Ah—”

A small “ah” also escaped from Tobi’s mouth.

“Did that guy just answer me, just now?”

It was Baku.

Haizaki was looking not at Tobi, but at Baku.

Now he turned away from Baku like ‘oh crap’, and turned his gaze towards Tobi.

But it was too late.

“You can hear it… right? Haizaki san. Baku’s voice.”

“Wha—”

Haizaki looked in the wrong direction.

“-at…? Are you? Referring to? I wonder…? Mm? What was that…?”

“Like I said, Baku’s voice.”

“Baku? Ah.. that? By Baku, you mean, that thing? Uhh… you know, there’s something like that, right? An animal… called ‘Baku’?” ¹

¹ Baku (獏) - tapir

“No.”

Tobi tried to shake his head.

“Not that.”

“Heeh, not that…?”

Haizaki took the towel draped on his neck and wiped the tip of his nose and his forehead repeatedly.

“Well, just, what was it. So like I was saying, yeah, the roof, you see? The key, you see, it’s hung on the wall of the staff room, but anyone could just take it if they wanted to though…”

“What’re you talking about all of a sudden…”

“The key, the key. The one to the roof, you see. I don't know when but it disappeared. It’s strange, huh? Even though it should’ve been there yesterday. Somehow, it can't be found anywhere. This morning I was looking for a student too and I couldn't find them. It’s, you know. Ah, right. You know, from Otogiri-kun’s class, Takatomo-san. She’s gone, isn't she? Can't find her anywhere. Doesn't seem like she left the school, though. Mm. How’d you say it. It’s weird, huh… ”

“I think it’s a futile effort to try to hide it now,” Baku said sardonically.

Tobi was convinced as well.

Haizaki could hear Baku’s voice.

It wasn't just Shiratama.

Haizaki could, as well.

What did this mean?

Tobi felt a little dizzy. He looked up at the sky. The weather was great today. It was a color you wouldn't get even by watering down blue paint.

There was something that looked like a figure on the roof of the special classroom building. Tobi sucked in a breath.

It wasn't something like a figure.

It was a figure.

“...What’s that?” Baku muttered.

“Eh—”

Haizaki looked up at the roof. There was no doubt about it. Haizaki had reacted to Baku’s voice. No, that wasn't the point.

There was a person on the roof of the special classroom building.

It was a student from this school. They were wearing the uniform. It was a female student.

Her skirt fluttered in the wind.

She was at the edge of the roof.

She stood on top of the low walls surrounding the edge of the roof, the parapets.

He could see the girl’s face. It was ashen. The girl looked at Tobi. It was a look that just confirmed Tobi’s existence. There was no meaning other than that. That was how lifeless it was.

He didn't know what really happened.

It all went by in a flash.

The girl’s body lurched forwards. Even though there was nothing there. The girl was standing on the parapets. If she fell forward, something disastrous would happen. There was nothing to catch her. She would fall down.

Tobi just watched. There was nothing he could do but watch. I have to do something. Tobi wasn't sure if he thought that or not.

The girl fell.

“Wai—”

Haizaki let out a strange sound.

Tobi was silent. Baku shuddered.

The girl was falling.

In a moment, her head faced downwards.

In that position, the girl crashed down in the courtyard.

-----

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