Chapter 38. I'd like to ask about some relationship issues. ...
"Is this... already over?"
Hinata Hajime, who had only recently started cramming on strange occurrences, subconsciously asked the other two people in the classroom.
The intense, unpleasant feeling brought on by the mark, along with the strange sensation of it suddenly turning into tiny specks and disappearing, vanished as well. Hyuga Hajime, ignoring the sweat beading on his face, immediately looked at Tsukino and Chiya's hands.
“Oh, it’s back to normal.” Wangma Xiaoji leaned forward, staring curiously at the black-haired boy’s hands. “Doesn’t this prove that the anomaly has indeed disappeared?”
"I'm fine." Perhaps because they deliberately softened their voices, Tsukino and Chiya's voices sounded slightly gentler than usual.
As if to show others that their hands were not only outwardly restored but also functioning normally, Tsukino and Chiya deftly untied their hair ties in a few quick movements, then shook their heads slightly, letting their long hair fall down their backs.
“This is still here.” He casually twirled one of the hair ties around his finger. “Right. If you really want to confirm something, the best way is definitely…”
Before Tsukino and Chiya could finish speaking, Hyuga Hajime, who had just recovered from the double shock of "seeing the strange true form" and "the pain brought by the mark," had already rolled up his sleeves.
Just like Tsukino and Chiya's hands were restored to their original unharmed state, the marks on Hyuga Hajime's arm that resembled wild animal scratches also disappeared.
"That's a really useful way to determine this!" Wang Ma Xiaoji clapped his hands. "Congratulations, now none of us will die after dawn!"
"I'm so glad everyone is safe and sound. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that such a thing really exists in this world..."
After confirming that the matter was resolved, a relaxed smile appeared on Hyuga Hajime's face. But suddenly, his smile froze slightly as he thought of something.
"By the way," Hinata Hajime paused for a second or two, then his voice sounded lower than before, "Then, Natsukawa... is he..."
“…Hmm.” Tsukino and Chiya nodded slowly. “But the body probably won’t be found. Natsukawa will probably remain ‘missing’ for the rest of his life.”
Like countless others who have suffered at the hands of strange and deadly forces.
Ultimately, the fact that news related to "strange things" is circulating in society means that if those strange things are real, then behind those strange things that have been reported must be at least one life lost.
There's nothing we can do about it.
While it's not impossible for some people to "come back to life," the conditions for such an event are too demanding and currently unattainable.
As ordinary people without any special abilities, Tsukino and Chiya were even less able to do it.
But at least...
"In any case, this incident involving the love letter has been resolved."
Tsukino and Chiya said.
"We no longer have any reason to linger at school late at night."
"Don't worry about anything weird happening in the dorm tonight, so go back and get a good night's sleep, Hinata."
"See you tomorrow."
*******
"—The matter hasn't been resolved yet."
Not long after leaving the teaching building, Wang Ma Xiaoji suddenly said, "Ah, wait a minute, I think I left something in that classroom." Without giving anyone else a chance to reply, he turned around and ran back as if he had made up his mind.
Hinata Hajime, Tsukino, and Chiya, who were left behind, looked at each other in bewilderment.
As Hyuga Hajime watched Ohma Kokichi's retreating figure, he hesitated and asked, "Is it alright to let him go back alone?"
Although rationally, Hajime Hinata knew the matter had been resolved—after all, the disappearance of the mark on his arm was the best proof—he still felt a subtle unease as he looked back at the quiet school building in the dead of night.
The school I go to every workday is now haunted by strange creatures that have caused the deaths of other students... It's really...
"Well, I think it should be fine, since it's all over now." Tsukino and Chiya were also looking in the direction where Ohma Kokichi had just left. "But I still plan to go check on him. Hinata, you should go back first, it's getting late."
Tsukino and Chiya said seriously, "Hinata, you haven't done your homework due tomorrow, have you?"
Hajime Hyuga, whose words were about to be spoken, was instantly silenced: "..."
Why did the topic suddenly become so realistic?! And did you even write about it? I didn't see it at all!
"Well, I've already finished my assignment. As for Wang Ma... their undergraduate program doesn't have any assignment requirements."
As if hearing Hinata Hajime's thoughts, the black-haired boy calmly spoke.
"So Hyuga, you should go back first. It's already late enough, and with homework to do, you probably won't get much sleep tonight. I'll go find Ohma."
"There won't be any problems."
There really wasn't any problem.
Just as he stepped onto the next step leading to the top, Tsukino and Chiya heard Ohma Kokichi's voice.
"The matter is not resolved yet."
Only after hearing those words did he see Ouma Kokichi walking towards him from around the corner. The purple-haired boy, bathed in the moonlight streaming in from outside the corridor, looked down at Tsukino and Chiya, who had stopped halfway up the steps.
Wangma Xiaoji seemed completely unsurprised by Qianye's arrival. Or rather, it was as if he had been waiting for her for a long time.
Upon hearing this, Tsukino and Chiya's first reaction was to look at Ohma Kokichi's collarbone.
However, with the black and white checkered scarf covering his face, he naturally didn't see anything.
But he knew there were marks there, like those of a wild animal's claws.
“That’s right, but at least we still have time to continue searching for a complete solution.” Then, Tsukino and Chiya’s gaze shifted slightly downwards, landing on Ohma Kokichi’s empty hands. “Did you retrieve what you dropped?”
"Huh? No, but don't worry, Kozuki, because I was lying about leaving something behind." Ohma Kokichi proudly patted his chest. "I've kept everything safe and sound. There won't be any bad situations like losing a criminal plan book full of evil ruling plans."
"Really? That's good, now I can rest assured."
"That Kozuki is really easy to let your guard down."
Wang Ma Xiaoji turned to the side and looked ahead in the corridor. That was a blind spot for Yueye and Qianye; the walls obscured what was there.
The purple-haired boy's tone remained relaxed, and the smile on his face didn't seem to change: "Because, although I lied to you about the things being left behind, I'm not the kind of person who would do something without a reason. Do you think I'm the kind of person who would go to great lengths just to play with you?"
Tsukino and Chiya: "..." Isn't that right?
Tsukino and Chiya, with their long, flowing black hair, really wanted to say that. But sometimes, their minds reacted much faster than their mouths, and their bodies acted far faster than their mouths.
So after Tsukino and Chiya realized what was going on, he, who had been standing on the steps, suddenly sped up and quickly climbed the other steps to the corridor, only stopping again when he reached Ouma Kokichi's side.
Then he saw Aurora standing at the other end of the corridor.
The doll in the blue dress remained silent. Only then did Wangma Xiaoji slowly add, "I only came because this guy called me. Although I also felt it would make me seem useless and undignified to come whenever someone calls me, considering the reality, I guess I have to endure it in situations like this~"
Tsukino and Chiya didn't ask Ouma Kokichi when or how he heard Aurora's voice. Given such an oddity, it was perfectly normal for him to possess a way of subtly conveying messages to others.
"What do you want?" Tsukino and Chiya stared directly into the doll's eyes, their voices devoid of any warmth.
"I'm just here to offer my congratulations." Aurora maintained an elegant posture, her tone as calm as ever, even as a doll. "Congratulations on surviving this time as well. That's good."
"You must all be exhausted today." If the dolls could make expressions, Aurora might have given a kind smile at this moment. "Go back and get some rest. I'll continue to look forward to your future performances."
"Aurora, you..."
Tsukino and Chiya wanted to take this opportunity to ask some questions, but the self-willed doll lady obviously didn't give them the chance.
As a chilling wind that seemed to pierce the soul swept by, the doll that was in the corridor vanished without a trace.
"Did it do anything?" After Aurora left, Tsukino and Chiya turned to the side and carefully examined Ohma Kokichi from head to toe without any attempt to hide it.
"Oh my! Tsukino looks just like a worried mother, I'm a little embarrassed."
Wang Ma Xiaoji seemed to shudder subconsciously, and involuntarily reached out to rub his arm, as if Qianye's question had given him goosebumps.
"But don't worry, we only said a few words. And it was the kind of thing... that Kozuki would absolutely never want to hear."
Wang Ma Xiaoji smiled and said, "But I like to say things that people don't want to hear. We talked about things like sowing discord, spreading rumors, stirring up trouble, using others to do our dirty work, and attacking people from behind... things like that!"
Tsukino and Chiya roughly understood: "So that's how it is, Aurora was talking badly about me?"
"Well, don't let my appearance fool you. Even though I've done a lot of murder and arson, I still have my own principles."
With no reason left to stay, Wang Ma Xiaoji took the lead and started walking down the stairs.
"So I won't suspect Kozuki because of those words, and then secretly poison your water cup, wait for you to pass out, tie you to a tree, and burn you as a sacrifice to that doll lady. Don't worry."
Tsukino and Chiya, following behind him, said, "...Um, thank you so much." Wasn't what you said a little too detailed? It sounded like you'd really considered it.
"Because I'm such a liar that I can't even remember all the lies I've told~"
Tsukino and Chiya couldn't see Ohma Kokichi's face as he walked ahead, but they could hear his cheerful voice. For this Ultimate Leader, words like "lie" and "liar" were never considered bad.
"—In other words."
The purple-haired boy suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked up at him.
"I'm also very good at detecting lies."
“Yes, I know.” Tsukino and Chiya stopped as well. Now it was his turn to stand on higher ground and look down at the people below. “That’s why I’m never worried that Ohma will be fooled.”
Moreover, being tricked by Ouma Kokichi wasn't all that bad for Chiya.
"Isn't Kozuki Kazuya afraid of being deceived by me?"
Seemingly feeling that twisting her neck for so long was a bit tiring, Wang Ma Xiaoji simply walked down a few more steps to the flat ground below this level, then turned around to face him directly.
"Because—even I, who lie as easily as breathing, have to admit that there are still more people in this world who hate lies."
“There are many possibilities for lies. You, Ohma, who is skilled at lying, know this better than anyone.” Tsukino and Chiya looked directly into those purple eyes. “There are indeed many troublesome lies. But at least… I don’t dislike Ohma’s lies.”
Or rather, quite the opposite, Tsukino and Chiya found Ouma Kokichi's lies very interesting... no, the mystery he represented was very intriguing.
Tsukino and Chiya never disliked lies.
Perhaps it was because, since he could remember, one of the two people closest to him was also a liar who would unconsciously lie in his daily life. That person had used his mind and lies to end many things that would be difficult for those with special abilities, and had directly or indirectly saved many people.
Of course. That guy, who was definitely not a bad person, might not be entirely good either. But that didn't stop Tsukino and Chiya from admiring him, and even learning the benefits of lying from him... though few people would teach a child that.
At first, after Ouma Kokichi, whom they had found, woke up and returned to a state where he could communicate with people, Tsukino and Chiya soon realized that this purple-haired boy also had a habit of lying—Ouma Kokichi had never hidden this fact.
At that time, Tsukino and Chiya did indeed think of that person.
It's rare to encounter someone so surrounded by lies again, and Tsukino and Chiya inevitably become curious about him. But soon, as Ohma Kokichi's health recovers, he gradually begins to distance himself from their lives.
As usual, Tsukino and Chiya didn't deliberately investigate. But this time... the sense of regret in his heart was much stronger than usual.
Then, he learned that Wang Ma Xiaoji was going to enroll in Hope's Peak, so he seized the opportunity to accept the school's commission and thus became a member of the preparatory course.
In fact, Tsukino and Chiya knew very well that even if they didn't have the preparatory course for enrollment, they would eventually develop a closer connection with Ohma Kokichi because of the finally appearing reaction mark.
...However, although the final difference may not seem significant, Tsukino and Chiya do not want their connection to exist solely because of the mark associated with the supernatural.
Tsukino and Chiya felt that although they were just ordinary people, they shouldn't be considered stupid or slow-witted.
From the time he began preparing to enroll until now, through his increasing interactions with Wang Ma Xiaoji, his initial doubts have gradually become clearer.
Is that so...?
Although both are driven by curiosity about what lies and mysteries, the feelings one has when facing Ouma Kokichi are different from the feelings one has when chasing after that person.
However, after clarifying their inner thoughts, Tsukino and Chiya became uncertain about what to do next.
For a moment, Tsukino and Chiya really wanted to go home and consult that guy who was so experienced and adept at love, but they ultimately gave up.
In short, let's take it slow.
At the very least... we need to resolve the current crisis first.
Tsukino and Chiya believed that neither they nor Ohma Kokichi would die because of Aurora's "game," so in the future... they would still have plenty of time to spend together.
Is that right?
“Ohma’s lies are quite interesting,” Tsukino and Chiya continued. “So, instead of worrying about whether you’ll be fooled by Ohma’s lies…”
Or perhaps he's enjoying it?
Tsukino and Chiya considered their words briefly: "In short, I think it's quite fun."
"Hey~! You and Tsukino seem to know each other quite well~!"
A smile bloomed on the purple-haired boy's face.
"So when I think about the mysteries surrounding Kazuo Kozuki, I find it quite interesting. Thinking about it this way, Kazuo Kozuki is really cunning~ Could it be that she deliberately creates mysteries to attract me because she knows this?"
Tsukino and Chiya tilted their heads slightly, as if in doubt: "Um, do you think so? I didn't do that."
"Is that how you answer? But as I said before, I'm so familiar with lies that I'm as perceptive as a freshwater fish thrown into the sea that I immediately realize something's wrong!"
"...That's a truly suffocating level of sensitivity."
Perhaps because the resolution of the matter tonight meant a short period of peace and safety, the two of them, like countless others who had experienced various troubles, chatted casually about topics unrelated to the incident after the matter was resolved.
...It was like discussing what to eat for dinner after a major battle. Although it was obvious that their conversation was quite different from others.
But in any case, at least they can still see the sun the next day.
*******
The next few days were unexpectedly peaceful.
Unlike the marks on the Inscribed People of the past, the marks Aurora left on Qianye and the others were obviously much less effective.
Having been affected by the mark, Indigenous people often become delirious and confused when approaching the supernatural. As time passes, their memories gradually fade, and if the issue of the mark is not resolved quickly, they will eventually face a desperate death under the fear of losing all their memories.
Looking at it this way, aside from occasionally causing some negative reactions and reminding people that "the deadline is approaching and you're going to die if you don't deal with the anomaly soon," the mark left by Aurora doesn't seem to have any other harmful effects.
Even regarding the time of death, Tsukino and Chiya, who had been marked for a year without any reaction, did not seem to be as anxious as the people who had been marked before.
Perhaps, as Aurora said back then... she left her mark only as an imitation of her predecessors before she had figured out how to play the game, and now that she has figured it out, her attitude towards the mark will only be more perfunctory.
Ultimately, however, Aurora has no intention of removing this mark that seems to silently symbolize ownership.
Although they dislike having strange or potentially threatening things on their bodies, the marks on Ohma Kokichi, Tsukino, and Chiya don't currently have much impact on their daily lives. Therefore, after dealing with the cloth-wearing people, they enjoyed a few more days of peaceful school life.
Any recent news?
On a weekend, on a bus heading to H City, where Kujo House is located, Ohma Kokichi, sitting next to Tsukino and Chiya, were having a quiet conversation.
Tsukino and Chiya thought for a moment and said, "I guess so... I heard from Mr. Hachishiki that he has recently encountered something related to the supernatural, but we'll only know the specifics after we get there."
"Hehe, looks like I won this time. My subordinates, who were sent down to gather information, have brought me a new story~ But, since we're about to arrive in H City, I think we should handle things one step at a time. We can check the facts after we get back. So, more important than this..."
Wang Ma Xiaoji looked at the scenery outside the car window.
"Kazuki, although you said before that the way to deal with strange things is to eliminate their obsessions and let them attain enlightenment... there are always exceptions, right? Especially Aurora, its situation is very similar to the doll in Uncle Hachishiki's house, right? So it's a strange thing whose obsessions can't be eliminated by the usual methods, right? Kazuki, have you thought about how to deal with it?"
Aurora's confident demeanor clearly indicated that even if she directly stated, "Yes, the strange phenomena on you are all my doing, and even the recent paranormal events happening in various places are related to me," no one else could do anything about it at the moment.
...Although they were reluctant, Tsukino and Chiya had to admit that it was indeed the case.
“An anomaly of Aurora’s caliber cannot be killed… no, it should be said that it can be killed, but it can also be resurrected,” Tsukino and Chiya said. “Although we can try to kill Aurora thousands of times, we only have one life… once we kill it, it will inevitably seek revenge relentlessly. And if we make a mistake, we will lose our lives.”
"'Life is only once'... is that true?"
Wang Ma Xiaoji repeated it softly.
He then yawned as if he were sleepy, his voice tinged with laziness: "So the best way is still to learn from Uncle Yashiki... seal it? But if I remember correctly, sealing also has a time limit, right? That means even if it's sealed, that guy will still come out sooner or later."
“That’s why Mr. Hachishiki is currently working hard to find a solution,” Tsukino and Chiya said. “Going over today will be a good opportunity to discuss the progress with him.”
After driving for a while, the bus arrived at its stop.
The location of Kujo House was rather remote, and the two people present were not yet old enough to get a driver's license, and taxi fares were incredibly expensive... But in any case, after spending some time, the two of them finally arrived at Kujo House.
This is Wang Ma Xiaoji's second visit to this Western-style mansion.
The beautiful classic villa was surrounded by lush trees. Tsukino, Chiya, and Ouma Kokichi arrived at the entrance of the Kujo Mansion by walking along a path through a patch of clearly manicured lawn.
The two exchanged a glance, and finally Tsukino and Chiyo raised their hands and knocked on the door.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Just a heads-up, the next chapter will contain spoilers regarding the core plot points of Death Mark and Death Gnawing!! [Pat on head]
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