Chapter 82 Chapter 82 No, you don't understand.

While Hyuga Hajime was still speechless at Komaeda Nagito's remarks, Ohma Shokichi was already fanning the flames.

The purple-haired boy cheerfully chimed in, "Hehe, I wouldn't know either. If it were me, I'd only fantasize about suddenly ruling the world one day and leading my own forces to fight against the robot army."

Tsukino and Chiya thought for a moment: "Fantasy? Five million falling from the sky and never having to worry about food or drink again?"

Hajime Hinata said helplessly, "You guys don't actually need to answer this topic so seriously."

Wangma Xiaoji complained, "Seriously! Kohinata, don't spoil the fun at a time like this! Just join us normally. Look, you've ruined our formation! Sigh, what is Kohinata dreaming about?"

"My...fantasy...?"

Hajime Hinata was slightly taken aback by the question.

If we were to pinpoint a long-held fantasy he might have had, it would undoubtedly be the day he suddenly discovers he possesses extraordinary talent in a certain area, is successfully discovered by Hope's Peak, and ultimately becomes one of those "Ultimate" individuals who can be considered hope.

Yes, this... is a fantasy.

Although he was unwilling to accept it, and for a time refused to admit it, Hajime Hinata knew very well that he didn't have any exceptionally outstanding talent that set him apart from others. Later, Hope's Peak offered him an opportunity, but the idea of ​​human experimentation was still too horrifying, and Hajime Hinata couldn't help but hesitate.

And then...

After getting to know Chiaki Nanami and gradually becoming friends with this amazing girl, Hajime Hinata gradually stopped being as obsessed with things like "talent" and "Ultimate High School Level".

How long has it been since he thought about those things as often as he used to?

But at a time like this, suddenly asking him to reveal his true fantasies...

Hinata Hajime couldn't think of a suitable answer right away, but it seems that Ohma Kokichi wasn't really determined to wait for an answer.

Before Hyuga Hajime spoke again, Ohma Shokichi had already brought the topic back to the issue of "fratricide".

“Komaeda’s conjecture makes a lot of sense!” the purple-haired boy affirmed at first, then changed the subject, “But where is the actual evidence?”

"That's true, there isn't one at the moment."

Komaeda Nagito looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry, my useless scum has wasted Wang Ma's time with my reasoning. Indeed, the weapon, the photo in the box, the obsession with killing... none of these really point to anything here being related to infighting. So, this is indeed just a guess without conclusive evidence."

"I think so too. And as a guess, I find the idea of ​​them killing each other a bit far-fetched. It's strange enough that Hope's Peak students would be locked up and forced to play a game of self-destruction, isn't it? Even if the BR Act were to be adopted, that should be something for the third-year middle school students." (*)

Wang Ma Xiaoji said excitedly.

"Hey, but if we're just talking about guesses, I have one too! It's definitely more reliable than what Komaeda just said!"

He then stated his thoughts with a serious expression: "I think these people may have been brainwashed into joining some cult, and then they are holding dark rituals in the deserted old school buildings."

"The words on the blackboard were left by victims of the cult's bloody rituals out of resentment. And those photos are actually hinting at the sacrifices in the cult's rituals! After all, people who have been brainwashed have lost their humanity, and they should be capable of doing something like harming their loved ones."

"...This conjecture isn't much better either."

"Wang Ma has depicted a very desperate situation."

"Um, is that how it is?"

"Don't trust people in places like this!"

However, at least for now, there is no evidence to fully prove the current speculations. Therefore, it is more important to communicate about things that have already happened and can be confirmed, rather than speculating.

Afterwards, the four of them, who had finally reunited, exchanged information they knew in more detail.

This includes, but is not limited to, why each person came to this old school building, and the "Kamukura Izuru" that Hinata Hajime once heard in his mind, a mixture of many voices.

But it's hard to say exactly what happened, or how much they concealed or deceived.

After a conversation, each person had their own focus.

Hyuga Hajime: "So, Tsukino, you, and Ohma really did come to investigate this recent ghost story because they heard about it?"

Nagito Komaeda: "So, this Hinata-kun didn't come here with you guys as planned, and it was just a coincidence that we met here... Hmm, but he seems to be quite familiar with paranormal events, and the mention of 'Kamukura Izuru' that I heard is really intriguing..."

"Haha, no, it's nothing. Don't mind my pointless ramblings."

Tsukino and Qianye: "..."

Tsukino and Chiya were still thinking about the information they had just received. Just as he was thinking about the "Kamizuku Ichiryu" that he cared about most, a familiar purple head suddenly appeared in his field of vision.

"Hey, hey—come back to reality!"

Wang Ma Xiaoji, who was sitting on a classroom chair, suddenly jumped up and hopped over to Tsukino and Chiya.

After confirming that Tsukino and Chiya's gazes met his, the purple-haired boy continued with satisfaction.

"Don't you and Kozuki have anything to say? Everyone is taking turns to share their thoughts, but you haven't said anything. The atmosphere has gotten a bit cold."

Tsukino and Chiya lowered their eyes: "Because I don't have anything to say for the moment." Besides, there's no such thing as having to speak in order. But as long as Ohma Kokichi is having fun, he won't argue or undermine him in a place like this.

"Oh... so this is what it means for Kozuki to give up her turn to speak."

Wang Ma Xiaoji nodded as if he understood.

"Well then, it's my turn. Kozuki doesn't have anything to say, but I do have something I want to ask."

"Kozuki and..."

The purple-haired boy's gaze fell on the liquid splattered on Tsukino and Chiya's clothes, his eyes narrowing slightly.

What are these pink things?

Tsukino and Chiya went to the shopping center after school today, then had dinner with Ohma Kokichi, and then went to the old school building. Therefore, he was still wearing his preparatory course uniform.

Even with the light from flashlights, the classroom was still generally dim. As a result, the almost completely dried liquid stains on Tsukino and Chiya's black uniforms were not noticeable and required close inspection to be seen.

Tsukino and Chiya subconsciously followed Ohma Kokichi's gaze and looked down.

Then, Tsukino and Chiya, who are usually decisive and straightforward in answering questions, hesitated for once: "It's blood... I guess."

This was accidentally picked up after fighting the strange creature on the first floor. The pink liquid here also came from the wound on the stomach of that oddly shaped creature, but even though it got on their clothes, it didn't cause any real harm, so Tsukino and Chiya didn't pay much attention to it.

This matter didn't even concern Tsukino and Chiya as much as Komaeda Nagito's attitude.

Forcing the strange creature on the first floor to leave wasn't actually that difficult.

Tsukino and Chiya realized this once they actually faced it. This strange battle relied entirely on instinct and didn't actually involve much technique. People like Tsukino and Chiya, who had trained in physical combat for some time, could easily defeat it.

What's more troublesome are the strange and unreasonable special abilities that the supernatural usually possess—for example, the strips of cloth that seemed to indicate "physics no longer exists," the illusions that could pierce flesh directly from within the body, the noise that appeared directly in the mind and caused mental pollution, and so on.

However, perhaps due to good luck, after realizing that it was at a disadvantage, the strange creature that had been constantly muttering "kill" and "I'm going to kill" backed down, and its words changed to "No," "Leave first," "Kill later," and "Kill others first."

...They're quite pragmatic.

After the strange figure on the first floor disappeared, Tsukino and Chiya looked at Komaeda Nagito, who had been watching for a long time. However, before he could say anything, the white-haired boy took the lead and showed an attitude of "I understand, I understand everything".

The boy, with hair as white as flames, had an unusual glint in his eyes: "Even now, supernatural events are not truly believed to exist in this world. In other words, these things must be kept secret from the public..."

At this point, Komaeda Nagito's voice suddenly stopped. Then, he gave a refreshing smile: "Don't worry, I understand."

Tsukino and Chiya: "Um..." I don't think you understand.

Never mind, it's not important.

At least later, Tsukino and Chiya felt that Komaeda Nagito was easier to communicate with than before, and the arrogance they could still sense seemed to have disappeared.

It doesn't seem like a bad thing after all, so let's leave it at that?

Let's return to the present.

Wang Ma Xiaoji's eyes widened as he stared at the liquid that had stained Tsukino and Chiya's clothes, as if he had seen something very novel: "Tsukino and you are injured? The blood is pink, are you going to die?"

There were quite a few flaws in what they said, but Tsukino and Chiya still answered them one by one seriously: "No. It's strange blood. You won't die."

However, could the fact that the blood is pink be a clue? Tsukino and Chiya were skeptical, as this aspect didn't provide any clear information at the moment.

The information exchange is almost complete. There are no other clues in this classroom, and the strange thing on the second floor has also retreated. The next step is to continue the investigation in this school building.

So the group quickly left the classroom together, preparing to continue exploring other parts of the old school building.

but--

"We did just go up one floor, right?"

With the strange creature wielding a chainsaw gone, investigating the second floor became much easier. Although the classroom doors were locked, with Wang Ma Xiaoji, a lock-picking expert, it wasn't a problem.

However, this floor doesn't seem to have anything special about it.

After searching the second floor without finding any useful clues, they continued up the stairs, intending to check the situation on the third floor.

That's how it should have been, but things have turned out a bit unexpectedly.

"So why...did we go straight to the fifth floor?"

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Author's note: (*) The BR Act is a setting in Battle Royale and is not important.

Koma-san: I totally understand!

Qianye: I don't think you understand.

I'll be busy all day tomorrow and won't have time to write, so don't wait for an update, everyone. I'll post a leave notice later. [Hands clasped in prayer]