Chapter 65 "I want Wang Ma to owe me a sincere..."
The ghost of the Sarayashiki disappeared.
The moment it completely disappeared, a subtle sense of relief came from the mark on my body... the matter should be resolved.
Logically speaking, this should be a moment to celebrate, right? Just like after the case of the ghost painter and the cloth man was solved, people who participated in such strange events always felt relaxed and happy after it was over.
If things hadn't always taken so long to resolve, they might have even celebrated.
However, at this moment, Ouma Kokichi, who realized that the Sarayashiki incident had been resolved, did not show any joy on his face.
The purple-haired boy stood up after the strange creature disappeared, but his gaze remained fixed on the spot where the creature had been lying: "…………"
While it's possible that they didn't investigate all the rooms, which prevented them from knowing exactly what happened to the future supernatural Yu Chishima... as a story, it is indeed a clichéd one.
In other words, even if they couldn't know the specifics of Yu Chishima's experiences, they could still make a rough guess... which is definitely not a good thing.
After all, it was a real experience that triggered the strange occurrences, and it can't be ignored by simply saying "what a cliché plot."
Eh—so, it's really true that such a cliché thing actually happened—
“...I’m telling you, Kazuo Kozuki.”
Because of the disappearance of the Sarayashiki ghost, Tsukino and Chiya, who are now practically facing each other, blinked, seemingly adjusting to the return of their gaze.
After realizing this, Wangma Xiaoji shifted his gaze, from the place where the strange thing had been to the injured and bleeding arms of Tsukino and Chiya, and then to their eyes, which seemed to have completely recovered.
Unlike the illusions they experienced when facing the ghost painter, this time the wounds on Tsukino and Chiya's hands showed no sign of healing completely once the Sarayashiki ghost disappeared.
There's a feeling that this person in front of me doesn't seem to care much about his health... well, it's just a suspicion. That alone wouldn't likely offend Ouma Shokichi, since, given the same situation, he would rationally make the choice that would be more advantageous.
Who can blame us when the consequences of failing to resolve the anomaly are too severe? Compared to anything else... under normal circumstances, one's own life is more important, right?
But when he thought about why this person was injured in the first place, Wang Ma Xiaoji's feelings became complicated, complicated in many ways.
So, this guy—
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
Having completely regained their normal vision, Tsukino and Chiya pondered for a moment upon hearing this: "Um, excuse me, what are you referring to?"
Wangma Xiaoji pouted and questioned, "Eh—could it be that because you and Kozukino have done so many bad things on purpose, you can't even tell which one I'm talking about anymore? That won't do... No, no, it's actually great that way?"
Ouma Kokichi, who was originally complaining about Tsukino and Chiya's many bad deeds, seemed to suddenly remember something, and his mood visibly improved... at least that's how he wanted others to see it.
The purple-haired boy stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Because, Kazuki Kazu did that to deliberately do me a favor, right? Although I, as the 'Ultimate Mastermind,' am very low-key and not the kind of person who would constantly say 'I am the evil mastermind,' the opportunistic Kazuki Kazu has kept my identity firmly in mind!"
At this point, Ouma Kokichi put on a heartbroken expression: "I just wanted to be an ordinary high school student and get along with Kozuki Kazuha!"
Listening to Ouma Kokichi's earnest nonsense, Tsukino and Chiya thought, "...Oh, I see." Is that really how it is??
Both goals have been achieved. Neither Tsukino nor Chiya are masochists; they have no intention or inclination to let themselves bleed indefinitely.
So at this moment, the black-haired boy was listening to Wang Ma Xiaoji speak and responding from time to time, while taking out first aid supplies from his backpack, sitting on the weeds, and treating his wounds himself.
“Absolutely!” Wang Ma Xiaoji nodded firmly and said seriously, “As the leader of an evil organization, I’m used to this kind of thing. In other words, it’s impossible for anyone to try to get anything out of me by playing the victim and being injured.
His seriousness lasted only for those few words. The next second, a smile appeared on his face, and the tense atmosphere he had deliberately created vanished instantly: "Hehe, after all, I am the 'Ultimate Leader'~ If I were to repay kindness, how could I live up to the description of 'evil'~?"
"If you and I think that taking a hit for me will get us any benefit from the evil mastermind, you're being incredibly naive."
Tsukino and Chiya showed no change in expression... but that was their normal reaction.
The act of treating the wound paused slightly, but rather than being stung by Ouma Kichi's words, Tsukino and Chiya seemed to stop and think for a few seconds before suddenly realizing, "I see, you mean that matter."
“Ouma, you’re right.” Tsukino and Chiya calmly and decisively admitted, “I did it on purpose.”
"…Huh?" Ouma Kokichi's eyes widened slightly. "Eh, you just admitted it like that? Sure, a desperate struggle isn't like Kozuki's style, but giving up completely isn't like that either. Kozuki's decisiveness makes me wonder if there's some other suspicious conspiracy going on~"
Tsukino and Chiya did not deny it, and even considerately corrected the wording: "Conspiracy... does it count? Perhaps 'open conspiracy' would be a better term."
Bandaging wounds was not difficult for Tsukino and Chiya, and his injury was not so serious as to be difficult to treat.
After giving the wounds a quick treatment, Tsukino and Chiya remained seated on the grass, not getting up immediately.
Therefore, when the two look at each other at this moment, it becomes a situation where Ouma Kokichi looks down at Tsukino and Chiya from a superior position.
However, no matter how they looked at it, Tsukino and Chiya only found the face cute, and didn't feel any sense of oppression because of the posture. However, even Ohma himself should be quite satisfied with his height and face... He doesn't seem like the kind of person who likes to show off his intimidating presence all the time.
Although he always calls himself the "Evil Boss," as the "Ultimate Boss," his behavior is quite different from the image of a boss that most people understand.
Isn't that one of the reasons for Oma's charm?
Thinking to herself, "That face is so cute," Tsukino and Chiya continued calmly, "That's right, I did intentionally block that attack. It wasn't the kind of situation often described in movies, TV shows, comics, or novels where 'the body moves before the mind can react.'"
“Actually…” Tsukino and Chiya said honestly, “I want Ohma to owe me something… no, it can’t really be called something, more accurately, I want Ohma to owe me a sentence.”
Wang Ma Xiaoji first made an ambiguous "hmm," then, as if suddenly realizing something, exclaimed softly "Ah!" with a shocked and horrified expression, as if he had witnessed something unbelievable.
"You...you're lying, right?! Although...I said those things just now, I was lying to Kazuki Kozuki, weren't I?"
"I... I love Kazuha Kozuki the most. So I believe Kazuha Kozuki genuinely wants to protect me without expecting anything in return... because I feel the same way about Kazuha Kozuki! I was just joking with my favorite Kazuha Kozuki, okay? Suspecting Kazuha Kozuki had ulterior motives was lying. I never thought it was really true... I, I... Waaah, waaaah—"
Seeing that the purple-haired boy's sobs were about to turn into wailing, Tsukino and Chiya, who had been watching the performance from the ground for a while, reminded him in time: "The yard we are in is still under police surveillance. If we make too much noise, it will attract unnecessary people and cause trouble."
"Seriously! I was so heartbroken, and Kozuki didn't even try to comfort me. What a cold-hearted person."
Wang Ma Xiaoji instantly stopped crying, a relaxed smile replacing his sobs.
"However, even if Kozuki is cold and cruel to me, I will still favor Kozuki~! So, what is the sentence that Kozuki hopes to get in return for taking harm for me?"
"This one..."
This is not something you should say casually while sitting on the grass.
Thinking this, Tsukino and Chiya slowly stood up.
His black hair, hanging down his chest, brushed against the bandages that had just been wrapped around his arm as he moved. The white of the bandages stood out starkly against the black hair and black clothes.
Tsukino said to Chiya, "I want Ohma to owe me a truth."
Oh dear...
Wang Ma Xiaoji looked into Yueye and Qianye's eyes.
It was just a single sentence, and while it was indeed somewhat unexpected, it wasn't enough to make Ouma Kokichi look away. However, even Ouma Kokichi had to admit...
When Tsukino and Chiya looked over seriously, it was hard for anyone not to be moved.
Bathed in moonlight, his obsidian-like eyes seemed to shimmer with a subtle light. Those unfamiliar with him would take everything he said in his calm and composed tone and expression as gospel, but even those who knew his ways sometimes found themselves unconsciously inclined to believe him.
Especially considering some of the things Tsukino and Chiya sometimes do to him... although it's not obvious, Ohma Kokichi isn't an idiot who can't see through things. However, Tsukino is also a liar, so he needs to carefully consider which of his actions are genuine and which are fake.
Now you're saying these things with this expression and this tone...
“...How cunning, Kazuo Kozuki.”
After muttering this to himself, Wangma Xiaoji revealed a cute smile.
Just as Tsukino and Chiya admitted that they had their own motives for shielding Ohma Kokichi from the attack by the Sarayashiki ghost, Ohma Kokichi was equally decisive when agreeing to Chiya's request.
"But it sounds really fun! Okay, I agree!"
After all, Tsukino and Chiya knew that Ohma Kokichi was a fraud.
So even if one day in the future, Tsukino and Chiya hope to use today's promise to get Ohma Kichi to tell the truth, Ohma Kichi, the master of lies, can easily fool them with "Hehe, I was just kidding, I didn't agree to Tsukino's promise." In other words—
"Since they made this request, it means Kazuya Kozuki has already considered the possible consequences, right?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: Schrödinger's Pact
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com