Chapter 86: The Whereabouts of Suzuka

"Suzuka was kidnapped!?"

We instinctively leaned forward, pressing Souta for answers.

"...I think that's probably what happened."

But Souta's reply was frustratingly vague.

"It sounds like she hasn’t come home since yesterday. Apparently, she contacted the school herself to say she'd be absent. I heard all this just now at the front gate from her butler, Andou-san."

"But... how does that lead to her being kidnapped by Aymok? I called Suzuka yesterday after school, and she didn’t seem out of the ordinary..."

"Yeah, and we were just chatting with her last night on our phones too, remember?"

Yuna added on to my words.

Besides the club's group chat, there was a separate one for just the four girls, excluding Souta. Last night, they’d been excitedly talking about Christmas there.

"...Wait, am I being left out...?"

"It’s girl talk. There are things we can’t share with boys."

Like Suzuka’s love life advice.

"...You’re the one saying that...? Well, whatever."

Souta shook his head, then continued.

"Andou-san asked me, 'Do you know someone named Aymok?' Apparently, Suzuka told her she’s with that person right now and said not to worry."

"Aymok... that’s the leader of that delinquent group, right? The one rumored to maybe be from another world. She knew Suzuka?"

Hisui asked Souta.

"Andou-san had never heard the name before either, so I doubt it."

Suzuka treated her butler, Andou-san, almost like an older sister, consulting her about everything. If this was someone close enough for a sleepover, it seemed impossible that Andou-san wouldn’t know.

"Andou-san said she questioned Suzuka when she suddenly mentioned staying over somewhere, but apparently Suzuka kept dodging the questions... Honestly, she even suspected Suzuka might be at my place."

...Well, no surprise there. I was starting to respect Souta for managing to stay rational despite Suzuka constantly coming onto him.

"Then why would Suzuka say something like that?"

"Maybe she’s being watched and forced to say certain things...?"

Yuna suggested hesitantly.

"But then why mention Aymok by name? When I talked to Suzuka on the phone yesterday, she sounded totally normal..."

"If the name came up, maybe it was intentional. Aymok could’ve sent that message themselves. If Souta doesn’t know Suzuka’s being held, they can’t use it as leverage."

"...That might be true."

We all fell silent, thinking hard.

"...Wouldn't calling her directly be faster?"

Seeing us stuck, Hisui said what was obvious.

"You're right. I'll try calling her."

Without hesitation, Souta pulled out his phone. When he switched to speaker, the ringtone echoed loudly through the room.

"H-hi! This is Suzuka! S-Souta-san, did something happen!? I-I’m free tonight if you wanted to make plans!"

The one who answered sounded like the usual Suzuka.

...No, actually, she sounded even more flustered than usual—probably because she had Christmas on her mind.

Her ridiculous tone instantly broke the tension in the room.

"...Suzuka, are you okay?"

Souta coolly ignored her invitation.

Suzuka likely had no idea the rest of us were listening. An awkward silence settled between us.

“Huh? Ah, yes. I’m perfectly fine... I think.”

“Good to hear. But where are you right now, Suzuka? Skipping school and all… Andou-san’s worried sick.”

“Um… I’m currently staying at an acquaintance’s house.”

“Don’t tell me… is that acquaintance this Aymok person?”

“You know Aymok-san, Souta-san?”

“Yeah... something like that. So, what exactly is your relationship with them?”

“Aymok-san has always been kind to me since long ago, through my father’s work.”

“Is that so? But Andou-san didn’t seem to know anything about them…”

At Souta’s doubt, Suzuka’s voice faltered.

“Uh…? That’s strange. Suzune should know them as well… I think. We’ve been close as families for years… or, I thought so…?”

Clatter!

A loud crash rang through the phone—Suzuka must’ve dropped it.

“What’s wrong, Suzuka? Are you alright!? Suzuka! Hey, Suzuka!!”

There was rustling over the call, probably her scrambling to pick up the phone.

But what came next wasn’t Suzuka’s voice.

“We’ll take over from here.”

A deep, commanding baritone filled the clubroom. An unmistakably distinct tone—once heard, impossible to forget.

The owner of that voice was—

“Aymok!?”

We all stiffened in shock.

“Kamishiro Souta. Have you reconsidered? Are you ready to submit to me?”

“Not a damn chance! What the hell did you do to Suzuka!?”

“I’ve done nothing of consequence. I hold no interest in the girl. As long as you keep our agreement and attend the gathering, I give you my word: she will remain unharmed.”

“...You swear that?”

“Of course, unless you break our agreement.”

“You bastard… If you lay even a finger on Suzuka, I swear I’ll make you pay.”

“Hmph... I look forward to your performance, you wild wolf of Hamakou. Do not disappoint me.”

“Hope you’ve got your grave picked out.”

“Then, we shall meet again, at the promised place, when the time comes for blessings.”

“Wait! Let me talk to Suzuka one more time.”

“...Very well.”

After a short pause, Suzuka’s hesitant voice returned.

“Souta-san… w-why… why am I even…?”

It seemed she’d come to her senses during the silence. Her voice, realizing the situation, trembled pitifully.

“...Suzuka. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Yes. I haven’t been harmed in any way. But... why am I even...”

“I’m sorry, Suzuka. I dragged you into this.”

“Souta-san... I’m the one who keeps causing you trouble again…”

“No. This is my responsibility. Aymok’s after me.”

“No… Aymok started targeting you because of me. So...”

“Either way, I promise—I’ll save you. Just wait for me.”

“...Understood.”

“We’ve got a Christmas party to go to together, right?”

“...Yes!”

“Then... I’ll see you soon.”

“Souta-san... I’m sor—no, thank you. I’ll be waiting.”

With a soft click, the call ended.

The silence that followed was heavy. No one spoke.

Suzuka was in the enemy’s hands. That simple fact gnawed at us.

Aymok said she wouldn’t harm her, but there was no reason to trust a promise like that.

『…Recognition Manipulation Magic.』

Breaking the silence, Alicia’s voice came through telepathically. The channel had been set to include everyone when we regrouped.

“Wait, Suzuka was being controlled by magic? Magic can do that?”

『It’s a branch of Dark-type magic. But... I’m not entirely certain. The art has fallen into obscurity, with few practitioners left…』

“Why? Messing with people’s minds sounds like it’d be ridiculously dangerous.”

『Because magic that affects the mind consumes immense amounts of mana. Even someone with a Dark affinity can’t use it without obtaining a Blessing. And receiving the Blessing of Darkness is exceptionally rare, so research into this branch was nearly nonexistent.』

So it’s basically a lost magic… But in the Demon Lord’s domain, where the Temple of Darkness once stood, maybe they had continued researching it.

Was Aymok connected to the Demon Lord?

『Moreover, mind-affecting magic is said to be easily countered with mana defenses. Unless the opponent’s mana vastly exceeds yours, it’s generally ineffective.』

Few users, high consumption, and easily resisted… No wonder it died out.

『However, for people of this world, who possess no mana at all, it’s extremely dangerous. Given the situation, I suspect Suzuka-san was subjected to this magic.』

So that explains it. She must’ve been made to perceive Aymok as a close acquaintance. But since the spell wore off at the slightest trigger, it wasn’t exactly foolproof.

“What about in battle? Will that magic affect us?”

『It won’t. Ikuto-san has innate magical resistance, and as for Souta-san, I can deploy a mana barrier to block it.』

“Good. I’m counting on you if it comes to that.”

『Understood!』

“...So, Souta. What now?”

“I’m worried about Suzuka. I’m going to get ready and head straight for Aymok’s place. Hisui, Yuna—I’ll escort you two back to my house. Stay there. And the rest of you...”

“Of course I’m coming with you. If that thing really is from another world, you’ll need my power, right?”

“…Yeah… I’m counting on you.”

Souta still hesitated slightly. I knew why—because of what I’d become. Ever since I’d ended up in a girl’s body, he’d been more cautious around me. After all, if we lost, the risks I faced as a girl were far worse than what he’d face as a guy.

But losing wasn’t even on my mind.

“I’ve taken down a Demon Lord in another world, remember? Just relax and leave it to me!”

I slapped Souta’s back hard as I said that.

Then I raised my fist, holding it out to him.

Realizing my intent, Souta lifted his own fist, meeting mine with a solid knock.

...Alright. Time to crash their party.