Chapter 85. Early Spring in the Village.

"Why?"

Why do we...?

"The idea of ​​them killing each other is complete nonsense."

"Companions killing each other... How could that be possible?"

"What are you doing?"

"I don't want to die..."

"Go to hell! Go to hell! Go to hell!"

"..."

Under the influence of the possession, Hyuga Hajime's face became so grotesque that it was unrecognizable as his original appearance. His voice also changed constantly, sometimes high-pitched and sometimes rough, sometimes sounding confused and uneasy, sometimes like he was trying to remain calm, and sometimes filled with a chilling madness.

Although the emotional changes in these voices were too different, upon closer listening, Tsukino and Chiya, who were watching from the side, could still recognize and confirm that it was indeed Hinata Hajime's voice. It was just that the voice was distorted along with the distorted emotions, which caused the large difference from Hinata's usual calm voice.

This scene looks like...

"Kohinata's current state looks like a scene of some kind of split personality."

Wangma Xiaoji curiously circled around Hyuga Hajime.

Under normal circumstances, Hyuga Hajime would have helplessly stopped or complained about his behavior long ago, but now, in his possessed state, Hyuga Hajime is ignoring it... Of course, it's also possible that he genuinely didn't hear what Ohma Shokichi had just said.

"Is this really okay?"

Seeing the unusual behavior that Hyuga Hajime was exhibiting, Ohma Kokichi, Tsukino, and Chiya didn't seem particularly anxious or flustered. Therefore, Komaeda Nagito felt that there was no need for him to panic. After all, he was just an outsider and certainly didn't know as much about this as Ohma and Tsukino.

So Komaeda Nagito chose to continue satisfying his curiosity and thirst for knowledge at this time.

"Ah, let me clarify beforehand, I'm not questioning Ohma-kun and Tsukino Kazuki's decision."

Komaeda Nagito smiled and waved his hand, saying...

"In terms of understanding these kinds of situations, I'm certainly no match for Ohma-kun and Tsukino Kazuki. It's just that because I don't know the inside story, I'm still somewhat at a loss when faced with this situation..."

"so."

While seemingly at a loss, Komaeda Nagito, who appeared completely unfazed, re-examined Hinata Hajime, who was still possessed.

"Given Hinata's current state, what should we do? Should we just continue observing him like this? Or is it simply that the time hasn't come yet to awaken him?"

Tsukino and Chiya glanced at Ohma Kokichi; if he didn't answer, they would have to explain it themselves.

However, it's clear that Wang Ma Xiaoji isn't the type to be quiet and reserved. In fact, he seems eager to generate interesting topics and make the situation escalate in unexpected ways.

"Hehe, is that what Komaeda thinks? Actually, it's half right and half wrong."

Wang Ma Xiaoji smiled brightly.

"That's right, Kozuki and I do know about Kohinata's current possession situation. But it's easy to tell, since it was Kozuki and I who pointed out that Kohinata is possessed."

Komaeda Nagito: "Hmm? What about the incorrect one? I'd like to hear the details."

Tsukino and Chiya: "Hmm..." It's started again, as expected.

"As for the mistakes."

Wang Ma Xiaoji raised a finger, pointing it out kindly and patiently like a helpful classmate.

However, both of them knew that when Wang Ma Xiaoji became friendly, he was probably up to something.

"Komaeda seems to be overly optimistic about the situation. Actually, the reason why Kozuki and I are so indifferent is not because we know how to save Kohinata in her current state, nor because we know that Kohinata will be safe and sound even if we do nothing."

Following his train of thought, Komaeda Nagito immediately understood what Ohma Kichi was trying to say: "So, Ohma-kun is saying... that Hinata-kun is actually beyond saving, or rather, beyond saving no matter what you do, which is why you and Tsukino Kazuki are in such an indifferent state, is that right?"

Upon hearing this, Ouma Kokichi leaned back in shock: "Komaeda, you're really going too far! It's not fun when someone else says something like this! Especially since you described it so casually, it completely ruined the surprise I was hoping to build up!"

Is this really something that will bring surprises...?

Tsukino and Chiya silently complained in their hearts, and then they saw that Komaeda Nagito had actually apologized because of Ohma Kichichi's words.

"I'm so sorry, I've ruined Wang Ma's plans without permission."

Even though he apologized, judging from his actions, Komaeda Nagito didn't seem very sincere... but that's to be expected, isn't it? Because...

"That's true, but isn't it just that Ohma is lying? I think Hyuga-kun should be fine?"

"How could that be? I never expected Komaeda to think of me like that. It makes me really sad," Ouma Kokichi said, feeling wronged. "I hate lying the most, and this involves my last Hinata. How could I lie? Right, Kozuki no Kazu?"

Tsukino and Chiya, who hadn't done anything but were suddenly being stared at by two pairs of eyes, were speechless.

Tsukino and Chiya calmly replied, "Well, Ohma is right, Hinata is beyond saving."

Komaeda Nagito blinked in surprise at the sight, but then stopped asking questions and just laughed a few times as if he had accepted the situation: "Ahahaha, since Tsukino Kazuki has said so... well, there's nothing we can do about it."

There's no way out! I can still salvage this!

If Hajime Hinata were still conscious and had overheard the three of them having such an open and aboveboard conversation, he would definitely have protested.

However, he couldn't hear it, so the other three reached a strange consensus in this bizarre way.

But anyway...

After answering that question, the conversation between the three temporarily came to an end.

Hajime Hyuga should indeed be out of danger.

Tsukino and Chiya hadn't witnessed many cases of humans being possessed by supernatural beings. After all, the conditions for possession were quite demanding—the more spiritual a person was, the easier it was for them to be possessed.

However, perhaps highly inspired people are drawn to each other. In a series of events he had experienced, Yashiki Kazuo had encountered people being possessed by strange entities more than once, and he himself had even been possessed.

Therefore, based on what Tsukino and Chiya had seen and heard before, if it was a possession by an ordinary monster that was not of the same level as the dolls, there shouldn't be a big problem.

Possession does not last long, and after the possession ends, the possessed person will fall into a coma for a period of time, but this will not affect their physical or mental health.

Just like what happened to Hyuga Hajime after he was possessed during the "Bag Man" incident... He was unconscious then, lay in the infirmary for a while, and then woke up, back to his lively self. If he hadn't fallen so hard, he might have woken up even faster...

There is currently no effective way to interrupt or terminate this possession state. Shouting loudly to try to bring the person back might have some effect... but not much.

So it's best to wait and see how things develop.

...Ah, it's over.

Tsukino and Chiya snapped out of their daze.

The information revealed by Hyuga Hajime after being possessed this time officially confirms Komaeda Nagito's "fratricide" theory, which initially seemed absurd but became increasingly plausible as the investigation progressed.

...This development is quite subtle.

However, aside from that, the thing attached to Hyuga Hajime didn't reveal any other information. The words spoken by Hyuga Hajime almost all revolved around "fratricide," but they didn't provide any information such as "how this fratricide unfolded" or "who the mastermind was."

It's a little bit of a pity.

"So."

Standing closest to Hyuga Hajime, Komaeda Nagito instinctively reached out and caught him as he collapsed into a deep sleep.

"Hyuga-kun has fainted... What should we do next?"

*******

Hajime Hinata is still asleep.

This situation is somewhat unexpected.

The next day, Tsukino and Chiya arrived at the classroom. After helping Hinata get a leave of absence, he looked at the empty seat on his right and thought to himself.

After Hyuga Hajime fell into a coma yesterday, the remaining three discussed the matter briefly and decided to temporarily end the investigation and leave the old school building.

Infighting, the undergraduate student council... and the Asuka Izuru. Information regarding these matters will require further investigation after leaving the old school building.

And Hyuga...

After what happened yesterday, Tsukino and Chiya sent Hinata Hajime to someone they could trust... well, his aunt.

By seniority, she should be considered an aunt. She was Tsukino and Chiya's father's senior in school, but she looked so young and cute that Chiya found it difficult to call her "aunt."

She worked as a teacher in the infirmary of a middle school, so although they weren't her students, Tsukino and Chiya also called her "teacher."

According to the examination, there was nothing wrong with Hyuga Hajime's physical condition, but he just couldn't wake up.

However, it's good to be able to confirm that he doesn't have any other problems for the time being.

Because in this way, at least once they have officially dealt with the matter of the old school building, and as long as the anomaly that was the culprit disappears, then no matter what state Hyuga Hajime is in, he will eventually be able to return to normal.

This is the illogical rule of the strange world: as long as the culprit is dealt with and the person is neither dead nor insane nor crippled, the previous anomalies will always disappear.

And now...

It was during class time, but Tsukino and Chiya noticed their phones vibrating twice in their desk drawers. One of them lowered his head slightly and, taking advantage of his back seat, started looking at his phone.

It seems he wasn't the only one who didn't pay attention in class.

It was a message from Wang Ma Xiao Ji.

Tsukino and Chiya opened the messages, scrolling through them rapidly with their fingers. Finally, their gaze settled on a name in a series of messages sent by Ouma Kokichi.

——Murasame early spring.