Chapter 66: Dim Light

“…That person—”

“...?”

“What’s your relationship with that person?”

Before I could even think, the words slipped out on their own.
A reckless move, even by my standards—and I couldn’t say why I’d done it.

“…They’re our benefactor. The one who showed us how to survive.”

“A benefactor, huh…”

…There’s no reason you should feel indebted.
Because of my mistake, your sister died. Back then, all I managed to do was delay the Revenge Faction.
And even that—wasn’t truly my doing. I only stole the credit for someone else’s groundwork.

It was thanks to Cyan, Anna, and everyone else that we made it through.

“…Do you know something about this?”

“...No.”

Calm down. There’s no way they could see through me.
My hair color’s changed. The pigment’s gone. The mask is different. My height, my strength—everything’s different.
There’s nothing left of who I used to be.

“I see… then why did you ask about our relationship just now?”

“…I just had a small hunch. Among the younger girls, a few are rather short.”

That wasn’t a lie. Yose was the perfect example.

“Some of them wear gas masks to hide their faces. I thought—if one of them had been separated from a friend her age, maybe…”

“...That makes sense. Sorry for doubting you.”

Managed to bluff my way through.
…Damn it, idiot. Letting your guard down like that? Use your head—this is the turning point.

You can’t get caught. You can’t show weakness. You can’t let them suspect you.

“Then, next question. What’s the current situation at the Arius Branch School?”

“…The situation?”

By “situation,” she must mean—

“…It’s under the control of an ‘adult’ named Beatrice. She rules through fear—by violence and death.”

“…I see. Is she part of the Revenge Faction?”

“Ten years ago, she cooperated with them.”

I couldn’t afford to say too much.
Giving out any information related to Gematria was dangerous—not only would it risk exposing who I am, it’d endanger these girls as well.
That’s one mistake I won’t repeat.

“…Then, just one last question.”

“Go ahead.”

“‘Everything is meaningless. But that’s no reason to give up from the start.’ That was you who said it, right?”

“…Yeah.”

…So it’s come to that.

“But the version we know is different. ‘Everything is meaningless. So there’s no point in hoping for life. And it’s all Trinity’s fault.’ That’s how it was taught to us.”

“…”

“If Beatrice is the one controlling Arius, does that teaching come from her?”

That was, honestly, the one question I didn’t want to hear.
I knew Azusa must’ve leaked some things—but I never thought I’d end up discussing them directly with Asiri.

“No… that can’t be. If that were true, Azusa wouldn’t have called her ‘something like a sister.’ It has to be you, Suou. Why did you say something like that? Doesn’t that go against the doctrine?”

“…It’s part of my beliefs. Something a friend of mine once said.”

“Hmm… that explains it, I guess. Then what about the Fifth Ancient Precept?”

The Fifth Precept… the one Seia mentioned in the original—proof of paradise’s existence.
I think I might’ve let that slip once, in front of Azusa. If that’s the case—

“One year ago, during Seia’s attack—I was there. I heard it directly from her.”

“...Then why did you tell Azusa?”

“I didn’t mean to. She probably just remembered something I said offhand.”

…Are they suspecting me?

“You’re the one who taught them study and combat too, right? What about that?”

“I only retaught what we learned in Arius. It’s nothing advanced. And as for combat, it wasn’t just me—there are squad leaders and instructors too. Any more questions?”

“…Then why… do you call yourself their big sister, Suou?”

“...!”

No doubt about it—she’s probing me.
No, more than that—she’s already certain about something and just wants confirmation.
Could be a bluff, though. Maybe she pieced it together from Azusa’s stories, thinking I’m connected to that “benefactor.”
Either way, I can’t hesitate now.

“Well, because…”

Fortunately, “my” answer to that question never changes.

“Because I am their big sister.”

“…But they don’t even acknowledge you.”

“Excuse me? Of course they do.”

A lunatic who insists she’s their sister—that’s all “I” need to be.

“Azusa said it all the time, you know—‘She’s totally crazy.’”

“Azusa’s just being tsundere, that’s all. That’s what makes her adorable.”

“Sorry, I… have no idea what you’re talking about.”

How rude. Whether I’m her sister or not is debatable—but Azusa’s cuteness is not up for debate.
Maybe I should throw another rock at her. Yes, let’s do that.

“Wah!? Hey—stop that!! That actually hurts, you know!! Ugh… if Mayumi-chan were here, she could’ve healed me…”

Mayumi-chan? Another former Arius student?
I’d like to ask, but that’d be suspicious right now.

“...A-anyway! You Arius people have no intention of fighting Trinity. But Beatrice plans to destroy it—and you’re being forced to obey her. Is that right?”

“Quite the jump in topic, huh…? But yeah, that’s about right.”

If you listen closely, you can hear her gulp through the mic.
Knowing her personality, she’s probably trying hard to sound intimidating—like a red panda puffing itself up.
Red pandas… what were they again? Oh well.

“Then I guess that’s all the questions I have. Thank you, Suou.”

“No problem.”

…That was close. I’d underestimated Asiri—thought she was more of an airhead.
Didn’t expect her to press me like that.

Former Arius students who didn’t exist in the original story—they’re huge variables. I’ll have to stay cautious.

“Well then… Sensei, about that promise from earlier—please, I’m counting on you.”

“‘…And what about you, Suou?’”

“…Huh?”

What did she just say?

"‘I understand everyone’s trying to escape, and I’ll help them. But what about you, Suou?’"

"What about me…?"

…Ah, crap. I’d deliberately steered him away from that topic.
I’d planned to confuse him with new information and end the conversation before he had time to think.
But while I was talking with Asiri, he must’ve pieced it together.

“‘…’”

“Well… I mean, I’m kind of tied up here. I’m sure the others will come rescue me eventually.”

“‘…I see.’”

Yeah, that kind of vague answer should be fine…

“‘Suou… are you planning to stay here alone?’”

“…!!”

“‘If I’m wrong, I’m sorry. But from what you’ve said so far—it sounds like you’re entrusting Azusa and the others to me. Isn’t that it?’”

“…”

He figured it out. But that’s fine. This isn’t the secret I need to protect.
If anything—this is exactly what I wanted.

“…Yeah, probably. There’s no way those girls could reach this place—and even if they could, helping me escape would be impossible. So I’ll probably… just stay here, like this.”

“...No…! You can’t do that!”

…So, Hifumi too, huh.

『That’s just too sad… not being able to see someone you’ve always been with.』

"Yes… it is. But I think it’s something we just have to accept. And, well, it’s not like there’s no way out. If Arius and Trinity reconcile, then maybe…"

『But that’ll take time… won’t it?』

"…"

…Honestly. These three have such a knack for noticing all the wrong things.
But thanks to that, the conversation’s flowing in a good direction.

"…It’ll be alright. I’ll work together with everyone and make it happen."

"Eh…?"

"If reconciliation between Arius and Trinity happens sooner, things will be better, right? Then it’s fine. We already have a Trinity student who used to belong to Arius—and another from Trinity who got along well with the Arius students."

Good. That’s perfect. Just keep following that train of thought.

『Y-yeah! I’ll help too!』

『M-me too…! I want to help!』

…Ahh. If only things could really turn out like that. How wonderful it would be—how happy we all could’ve been.

"Hahaha…"

But a convenient future like that… is far too much to hope for someone like me.
I still have to kill Beatrice. That kind of future will never come.

"Thank you, Sensei… everyone."

So these tears are probably just an act. Or maybe just my imagination.

"Please… take care of things."

After all, I can’t afford to stand on that side.

『Sensei, visiting hours are almost over.』

"Ah, right. And one last thing—please don’t let what we discussed today leak outside. Only share it with people you truly trust, like… the Tea Party, for example. If you must tell anyone, make sure it’s only them. And don’t forget—the time for everyone to escape is during the signing ceremony."

"Okay, I understand. Suou, make sure you eat properly. And if anything troubles you again, call for us. We’ll come to help, I promise."

"Haha… yes. When that time comes, I’ll be counting on you."

With that, the yellow bird-shaped machine faded from sight once again, and Sensei quietly exited through the door.

"…Now then, the only remaining uncertainty is Mika-san."

Speaking in a hushed tone so no one could eavesdrop, I muttered to myself while watching the door close.
The light seeping through its edges vanished, and darkness settled back into the room.

"Yeah… that went pretty well, I think. If that’s the case, my plan should succeed… and they’ve probably misunderstood what I was really hiding, too."

I wiped the liquid running down my cheek with the sleeve of my prisoner’s uniform.
It’s not blood, right? I thought, an uneasy feeling making me glance at the fabric.

"So that means… I won’t ever see them again, huh…"

The darkness felt far too deep for eyes that had already grown used to the light.

"That’s… kind of lonely…"

I couldn’t even tell what it was that spilled from my eyes this time.

“Uh, um… Sensei? I’m really sorry for all the trouble I caused…”

“…It’s fine. Just make sure not to abuse it, alright?”

Together with Sensei, the small yellow bird gradually revealed itself as they stepped out of the underground cell. Its movements were stiff and awkward—no surprise, given how close they’d come to being discovered by the student guide on their way out. Sensei had struggled quite a bit to smooth things over.

“Y-yes! I swear I won’t!”

“And also, tell me more about that machine—!”

“No way!! Sensei! Looking too closely ruins the mystery!”

At that moment, a new voice—neither Hifumi’s nor Asiri’s—crackled through with poor audio quality.

“…Mayumi?”

“Mayumi-chan!? You just hijacked the call again!?”

“It was… impulse.”

Apparently, the call was linked to wherever Asiri and Hifumi were, creating a confusing situation of communication within communication. Sensei pressed his temples, mildly exasperated at having his boyish curiosity interrupted.

“F-for now, let’s regroup. If we’re going to talk with… um, Miss Mayumi, it’d probably be better that way.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“My, and who might you be? …Though this is getting complicated. Asiri?”

“I know, I know. Sensei, please follow this bird!”

The little yellow bird hopped cheerfully along the floor—its movements so cute it was hard not to smile.

“Asiri, send the audio data while we can. Forward it to everyone in Gehenna and Shanhaijing too.”

“R-right! Hifumi-chan, can you handle the controls?”

“Leave it to me!”

Listening to their exchange, Sensei followed behind the bird.

“Excuse me for intruding.”

They soon arrived at the Volunteer Activities Club Room.

“Oh, Sensei. Need help with something? Wait—that bird… Got it, it’s that connection. Open the locker.”

“…?”

“Just do it.”

Sensei was gently pushed toward the locker, watching as the girl fiddled with something inside. The hanger rods and wooden panels shifted in strange, mechanical ways—odd, but somehow thrilling to see.

“Don’t stare too much, okay? This is top-secret.”

“Got it.”

He obediently closed his eyes and waited.

“Alright… All set! Okay, Sensei?”

“…? Wh—”

“Bon voyage!”

Suddenly, a rush of weightlessness hit. His body lifted, an unpleasant pressure pulling upward as his speed increased.

“Whoa—!?”

“S-Sensei!? Are you alright!?”

He landed face-first into a soft cushion. No pain, but his nose was definitely squished.

“Heh heh heh… Welcome, Sensei. To our base.”

“Our… base? Oh—wow…!”

Despite rubbing his face, Sensei’s eyes lit up. The small room was filled with mechanical devices and a monitor likely used for projections. It wasn’t large, but enough for three people to work comfortably.

“Wait, this monitor—”

“Ah, yes. That’s the one we used to secretly record everyone with and— I-I’m so sorry!!”

“P-please, don’t bow! It’s fine, really!”

Guilt resurfaced, and Asiri seemed to shrink in embarrassment.

“Good job, little bird… You worked hard.”

She perched the bird gently on her arm before setting it on a charging stand shaped like a perch. Sensei smiled softly, finding her fondness for the creature endearing.

“Well, to put it simply, this is the room we use whenever we deal with Arius-related matters. We kept it small so we can evacuate quickly if anything happens.”

“If anything happens?”

“It’s… unauthorized.”

“…I see.”

Mayumi looked away with a troubled smile. Asiri, on the other hand, shot her holographic image a glare that clearly said, you’re the problem here.

“Um, Miss Mayumi? Wait—could you be…”

“Ah, you must be Ajitani Hifumi. Yes, I know who you are. Sorry for acting on my own earlier.”

“I-it’s fine! You’re Asiri’s friend, right?”

“Indeed. And an ally who shares our purpose.”

After brief introductions, the four of them faced each other.

“Hifumi, did you already know about this place?”

“N-no! This is my first time here. Hanako-chan’s been busy, and Koharu-chan had to take care of paperwork to resume the Justice Realization Committee’s activities, so… I just thought I should cooperate with someone for now.”

Her voice grew smaller as she spoke, losing confidence with each word.

“I was so surprised… I thought the project was on hold, and then someone started knocking on the door out of nowhere!”

“S-sorry about that, really…”

“N-no, it’s okay! I didn’t mean to— I’m sorry too…”

“…These two could apologize to each other forever.”

“Haha…”

Sensei let out a small, awkward laugh. As blunt as Mayumi’s words were, she wasn’t wrong.

“Alright, let’s move on to the main topic. I’ve seen the video logs, along with the attached data.”

“Ah, right—about that…”

With a click from Asiri, various data points and a video feed of Kirihana Suou appeared on the monitor.

“Here—look at this part. Judging by her sweating and body temperature data, I’d say she wasn’t lying.”

“…Are you sure?”

“Well… it’s not impossible to fake. The Arius Branch trains for that sort of thing, so I can’t guarantee it 100%, but…”

“So the chance she’s being honest is high?”

“That’s about right.”

The four efficiently analyzed the data and footage together. Then, Asiri paused the video.

“…I think that’s about as far as we can go efficiently. There’s still a chance she’s lying, but it could also be true. Honestly, that’s all I can really say.”

“…Yeah, that figures. Alright then—assuming this Kirihana Suou girl is telling the truth, let’s move forward from there.”

With a sharp snap of her fingers, Mayumi drew everyone’s attention.

“Considering the whole Shirazu Azusa case, what she said is probably genuine. So, what we do next is simple—this scumbag called Beatrice, right? Someone needs to inform the Tea Party that she’s controlling people.”

“W-would they even listen to us, though…?”

“Y-yeah…! And if we leak the wrong information, the girls still stuck in Arius could end up in danger…”

“…”

Mayumi hummed thoughtfully, clearly understanding their concerns. They were afraid of Beatrice’s purges—of what might happen if word spread carelessly and no one believed them. That could make their planned escape even harder.

According to the conversation logs, they intended to flee both the Arius and Trinity districts during the signing ceremony—most likely when Trinity’s security would be at its weakest.

If that was the case, spreading the information too widely was the last thing they should do. They needed to share only what was necessary—specifically, the current situation inside the Arius Branch. Nothing more.

“…We’ll have to report directly to the Tea Party. And we’ll make sure they promise not to leak anything individually.”

“The Tea Party… that would mean Nagisa-san or Mika-san, right?”

“Nagisa, without question. She’s the host. Does anyone here have a way to contact her?”

And then—

“…Ah, sorry, one sec.”

Sensei’s head turned toward the faint ping from inside his coat.

“Sensei… you still have your MomoTalk notifications on? I turned mine off ages ago. Too noisy.”

“So that’s why you always reply late, Mayumi-chan…”

He pressed a finger to his tablet, and a small projection appeared—an adorable blue-haired girl, Arona, the system’s main OS, popping up to alert him.

“…What’s this?”

A message appeared on the screen. It was unusually brief—plain and to the point, especially for the sender.

『Sensei. Could we meet and talk for a bit?』

“…Hanako?”