Chapter 61 - The Girl Wants to Be M*rdered

〈 Chapter 61 〉 Chapter 61. Et hoc transibit. * * * ** Time endlessly revolves, and as if a missing cog has finally found its place. The second hand of someone's once-stopped clock begins to move forward, slowly. Tick-tock. Tick, tock. That sound accompanies the slight click of gears realigning. It was a beautiful moment, like colors returning to someone's world. "...So, to summarize the situation." "Yep, yep—!" ["Toot—! Toot—!"] "...How did it end up like this?" In my room at the special dormitory where I reside. A place not frequently visited by others, it stands at a distance from the dormitories housing other students. It was offered free of charge to those who entered the academy under the mercenary special provision. The special dorm provides a room to each student. While it's narrower than rooms shared by many, considering it's for solo use, it feels not only cozy but also conveys a sense of openness. It was thanks to this feature that Alice and I, although for a short period, could stay together. An ideal space to stay away from unwelcome attention, the dormitory. Where, from the early morning of 9 am to the late night of 5 pm, I attended back-to-back classes, wearying myself out with a backbreaking schedule that drained my energy. It was a retreat to collapse in and unwind. The place where I recuperated my exhausted body, readying myself for the forthcoming tomorrow. Somehow, my cozy refuge now teems with more people than it can hold—four women, far exceeding its capacity. If a passerby glanced here now, they might think it's a housewarming party. But speaking from the position of one involved in this, I'd say that's a grave misunderstanding. It's not a housewarming; it's a funeral. And regardless of it being a funeral or not, please, save me first. Please... Of course, there might be those unaware of the reason, so let me introduce the guests who've come to this house, one by one. First. A woman who introduced herself as 'Tessa,' holding a thick book about a hand-span wide high above her head, with veins prominently featuring on her hands. Is the book she holds truly for reading, or for delivering a death sentence? Soon, we shall know the answer. "I'll finish with a light hit. Really, just one." "...I don't think things will end well if I'm hit by that." "That's the point." "...?" She seemed, somewhat, angry. Next. A woman uncertain whether she's planning an attempted murder or actual murder, sitting right in front of the aforementioned woman with questionable plans. The book seems poised to drop on her head any moment, yet she appears oblivious to the danger as she holds a child in her arms, humming joyously. I introduce to you, Remi Akaia. It's a bit hard to call this person a princess, frankly. Perhaps the future of the Kingdom of Tesillia is so bright it blinds? "My little sister, isn't she cute?" "I concede that." "Pri—nce—ss—!" Somewhat, I'd say, she's an odd one. And awaited with anticipation, the third. Where she procured it from remains unknown—Remi Akaia likely gave it to her—a petite elephant toy trumpet that, when in use, unfurls its pleated plastic with a "pwoo" sound; its wielder being Alice. Happily, nestled in Remi Akaia's embrace, Alice blew into the trumpet in sync with Remi’s rhythm, radiating sheer joy. ["Toot—! Toot—!"] ... "...Mother-in-law, please give me Alice." "No, I can't." In excess, always, children were adorable. And over here. Observing all these scenes while rubbing a finger over my upper lip is me, Hanh Shia, making it a total of four gathered here. If there is a connection, there might be. If there's no connection, then none exists. Ordinary people who should’ve never crossed paths had we led our lives as usual. Yet, through some twist of fate, they've convened, clustered amicably around one person in this cramped room. To a viewer considering the disparate faces gathered, my thoughts are as follows: Explode, all of you. No, leave two alone, and let one explode. "You disappeared from the dorm without leaving any message. When I heard you were found and went to see, the greenhouse was in utter chaos—! Because of that—!" "Yes! Yes!" ["Toot—! Toot—!"] Ah, that isn’t how one should respond. Her answers felt a tad light and bright for the dark and heavy question directed at her. Perhaps displeased by this, more veins seemed to bulge from Tessa's hand. ...Crack!! "...Hoo, hoo... Calm down, stay calm, Tessa." "..." Battling her inner demon, Tessa finally regained her composure. Regrettably, the book, unable to withstand the intense pressure, seemed to have capitulated. Curious about the sudden noise, I looked towards its source—Tessa's hand—and saw a book that had signified durability with its tough leather cover, now crumpled and in distress. A faint, unfamiliar voice seemed to whisper somewhere, "Master... Save me... I behaved so well..." The cover, bearing the phrase "Even if stomped by a horse, unyielding patented leather of the Imperial Academy!” had been wrecked beyond recognition, leaving only the words "horse" and "leather" visible. Round, large-rimmed spectacles and a tidy, simple outfit hinted that Tessa might be considered a mythical creature—a literary maiden. ...Hmm, really? That? A literary maiden? The saying goes, "The 'hak' in massacre is the same as the 'hak' in literature." So does a literary maiden mean a girl who slaughters with books? Ah, that's what it is, I couldn't help but think as the realization dawned upon me. Perhaps— "—Hahn?" "......!?" Yes. My apologies. Caught in her unfocused eyes for just a second, I felt compelled to quietly get up and slowly retreat to a corner. It wasn't the time to voice any complaints; with just two words, Tessa had forcefully pulled me away from my reverie, filling me with dread, which led me to kneel in surrender, casting complaints in my heart. It's my household... This is my room... But as always, even when I silently wept inside from frustration, nothing changed. Because the world is cruel. "While I was desperately searching for any excuse and reasoning with the teachers, you were freely wandering around the academy—!!" "Yes! Yes! Yes!" ["Toot—! Toot—! Toot—!"] At this point, perhaps it's remarkable that Remi Akaia can remain so composed in front of her. Right now, Tessa's anger showed a fierceness that would scare even a passing serial killer away with an "Ah, that's too much," clearly manifesting her genuine desire to murder someone. To be so calmly defiant in front of someone wearing such a murderous smile. If Tessa's string of reason existed as a tangible thing, Remi would be the bold one tightrope walking across it, deserving my nod of admiration at her daunting bravery. It's impressive. How has she survived thus far? Another unsolvable mystery has been added. "Kya—!! Alice, you're so cute!! Who did you get this beauty from!!" ["Toot—!!"] "Tessa—!! Look at this!! Just one more time, Alice!!! Where's the camera!? Ah, Tessa! Did you see the camera?" ".........." Correction. It seems she actually had no thoughts running through her head. Or, perhaps her brain was already in a state beyond repair from being hit too much? If not that, then maybe whatever happened with Alice left an irreversible impact on Remi Akaia's mind!? ... Well, whatever the reason, it's going to be irrelevant soon and not something that concerns me. —Squeeze! ".......This... foolish, princess....!!" "....Oh... are you alright...?" When a volcano erupts, the sound resembles the beating of a mighty drum. Resonating with a deep and grand sound that vibrates hearts and sway them to its rhythm, it is at these moments when disasters, rewriting the history of mankind, finally reveal themselves. In her hand, the poor book that had all its pages laid bare was shaking uncontrollably, unable to handle its own body. With each word carrying deep emotions, each resonating thud, thud, I simply closed my eyes and turned away from the looming catastrophe. Trying to prevent a disaster with human strength is a futile effort. Well, whatever happens, happens. It's not my business. —Boom! "I can't take it anymore—!!!!" "—Kyah!?" ["Toot?"] A predictable ending in a tale. The good are rewarded, and the bad are punished. And so, as the good dispenses punishment to the bad one last time. The never-ending chaos' prologue had only just begun to unfold. Ding, ding. ** * * *