Chapter 69: Thread of Blood②

Seeing Usui-chan’s awkward expression, I straightened my back.

"Sorry about that. I guess I went a little overboard this time. Starting off like that probably wasn’t the best idea."

When he asked me about “what’s trending among girls lately,” I couldn’t answer a single word, and the guilt gnawed at me so much I ended up doing research detailed enough to submit to a university.

For Usui-chan, it had just been small talk at the time, but I’d clearly taken it far too seriously. This probably counts as overdoing it. Not good. Being part of a research institution really warps your sense of balance.

"I know an apology doesn’t really fix anything, but sorry for just sweeping you up into all this."

Usui-chan gave a strained smile, brushed off my apology, and instead shifted the blame toward himself.

"Huh? Ah, well, that’s not a big deal."

"It’s not exactly ‘not a big deal,’ you know."

The problem probably lies in me thinking this is “no big deal” at all. I’m aware of it, but I’m not in the mood to correct it. Even if I did, it’d only wear me down.

It’s not like this is the last time something like this will happen anyway.

And this isn’t me blaming someone for not being able to prevent my kidnapping.

It’s just a fact: no one could have done that.

Asking for a daily life where I stay unharmed is, at this point, too much to expect from anyone.

I don’t feel like I’m having good communication with Usui-chan. When we rescued Yura-chan, our coordination was perfect—but that’s about it. In a case like this, the problem is probably on both sides. As for my side—after thinking a bit, I speak.

"Because you came to me for help right at the start, I ended up seeing you as someone I had to protect. You see, I once failed to save a guy who was in the same situation as you."

I glance at the closet.

I don’t actually know if it’s in there right now, but every time I open it, it’s always there—maybe that’s some kind of magic. While it’s closed, who knows if it’s there or not, but when I open it, the apparition appears. Creepy.

That day, I couldn’t save D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.

I’m no hero, so who am I to talk, right?

I was only a catalyst. D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.’s secret deal with Delta would have collapsed eventually anyway.

To Delta, D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E. was just a disposable card. They’d have quickly found their next victim.

If I ever get another chance—
I’ll reach out and grab that hand.
I won’t let it end like that again.

That’s what I thought.

And I think I’ve managed to do that, more or less.

Of course, my power’s barely worth mentioning.

There’s only so much someone who can’t even fight can do.

Within that limit, I’ve done everything I could—at least, I think I have.

"Just so you know, I’m not looking down on you, Usui-chan. You can handle things on your own without relying on someone like me. But you’re a good guy, so I just can’t help wanting to give you a hand."

When I look back from the closet, Usui-chan is gone.

Startled, I lean over the table and see Usui-chan collapsed on the floor.

"Whoa! What happened!? Heart attack!?"

I jump up, move closer, and grab his wrist. His pulse is fast but still within normal range.

Leaning in to check, I see he’s breathing and his pupils look normal.

"Are you trying to sleep? Want me to get you a blanket? Need someone to cuddle with you?"

"Help meee."

Usui-chan, normally not so honest, is asking for help. This bad?

Suddenly, someone grabs me from behind in a full nelson.

"Huh?"

It’s Mio. He drags me backward, pulling me away from Usui-chan.

"Inori, if this is some kind of tactic, then I’m sorry for stepping in, but I need to ask—this old guy isn’t someone you’re in love with, right?"

"Huh? Ah, no."

"Planning to be his second wife?"

"Nope."

I don’t have time to waste on romance. I have no idea why this conversation even started now.

As I tilt my head, Usui-chan mumbles from where he’s still lying down.

"Good. I’m glad there’s someone who can keep Inori-chan on a leash."

"Sorry, I’m always too weak for that. You join in too. We’re testing how many people it takes to stop her."

"That’s too much for an old man like me."

"Even if it’s heavy, carry it—that’s your debt, isn’t it?"

"My ears are burning…"

I had no clue what they were talking about.

I understood it was some kind of complaint about me, sure.

But the details? Totally lost.

It feels like I’m being given way too much credit here, considering this little brat has me completely immobilized with just a full nelson.

"Mio, how long am I supposed to stay stuck like this?"

"Until Haze Fog comes back."

"Seriously?"

I hadn’t even heard the main point of Usui-chan’s story, and now I had to listen in this position?

What if it turned into a serious topic? The whole scene would look like a comedy no matter what.

As I dangled my legs and watched them swing, a faint smoky smell brushed past my nose.

There was a sensation like someone touched my palm, and reflexively I closed my hand.

And suddenly, I was holding the handle of a paper bag.

"Where the hell did this come from!? A magic trick!?"

Like a horse popping out of a gourd. Smoke turning into a paper bag.

The opposite of pickpocketing—I’d been forced to grab something without realizing it.

Usui-chan saw my reaction and burst out laughing, looking delighted.

"Ha-ha-ha! Glad you liked it. Yura doesn’t smile at cheap tricks like this anymore."

"Then keep doing it for me, until I get bored."

"Sure thing."

Still locked in Mio’s full nelson, I peeked inside the bag. It was a standard box of sweets, the kind you’d find in a department store basement.

"Bringing gifts, huh? Is that normal for Public Security? Usuzumi brought shoujo manga last time."

"Ha-ha-ha! That’s just like her!"

I’ll share these sweets with Sudama and D.E.T.O.N.A.T.E.

Better destroy the evidence before Jin gets back.

That guy’s hopeless at holding a proper conversation, but he’s strangely sharp.

If he found out Haze Fog showed up while he was away, he’d probably get pissed and start smashing things.

"Anyway, I’ve got an errand, you could call it. The higher-ups in Public Security want to meet Inori-chan."

Finally, Usui-chan got to the point.

Totally different from Ratlord’s style. That guy always cuts straight to business first.

"And why’s that?"

"They seem to like the idea of taming villains. As for me… well, I wouldn’t exactly recommend it, but I suppose it’ll benefit Inori-chan."

He must have been recalling his own past with Public Security.

Usui-chan’s gaze lowered, a crease forming between his brows.

"Get involved with him and nothing good will come of it. But if you don’t, he’ll bend everything to his will. Watch yourself."

The words, spoken like a monologue, were clearly a judgment about one man.

"That bad? Someone like that really exists?"

"Probably one of the reasons Japan still exists at all."

"You mean there are lots of monsters like him out there? Ugh, that’s messed up."

Whether those monsters were in Japan or abroad, I couldn’t say, but this was way bigger than I wanted to know.

The fact that someone like that existed and yet Japan only barely managed to continue existing—yeah, I’d rather not have learned that.

Usui-chan caught my expression and gave a wry smile.

"Inori-chan, you’ve got that same potential too."

"I don’t really get it, but isn’t that kind of rude?"

…Did he just call me a monster?