Your Side

“How is it? Pathetic, right?”

“……”

“Go ahead and despise me. After all, I’m the one who literally wiped a village off the map.”

I knew everything. Because Orca was a playable character.

Through my game playthrough experience, I already knew all about the tragedy in her past.

That’s why I hypnotized her – to forcibly draw out the story she’d buried deep in her heart.

To create the outcome where she confided her secret to me, so she could lighten her emotional burden even slightly.

I thought knowing everything in advance would lessen the shock, but……

“I can’t even kill myself because of that bastard parasitizing my body. There’s nothing I can do.”

Apparently, a few lines of text merely listing facts couldn’t properly convey Orca’s emotions.

The story told in her own voice was saturated with Orca’s feelings, making even me – who already knew her past – sink into gloom.

The helplessness of being unable to do anything. The guilt of killing everyone she cared about. The despair that nothing would ever improve.

Orca’s viscous, tangled emotions made it hard to breathe.

But no matter how much she’d given up, I didn’t want to.

The reason I used hypnosis to make her talk about events she didn’t even want to mention was to help Orca.

I couldn’t bear to watch Orca spend her whole life alone, writhing in loneliness.

“Is that why you push people away?”

“What?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? I may not look it, but I am a counseling teacher. I notice when students keep their distance. I know you deliberately act violent, Orca.”

“…Hah.”

The reason for Orca’s poor reputation was her unreasonable behavior.

Of course, her being a Demon Possessor was also a major factor.

But that wasn’t the only reason.

The reason Orca became feared and avoided by other students shortly after enrollment was because she wanted it that way.

She caused disturbances to be avoided, nitpicked trivial matters to pick fights.

She wanted to be feared by others, didn’t want anyone getting close.

That’s why she didn’t care about being ignored – she actually desired it.

Like a wounded cat. A cat that hisses and threatens when someone tries to approach.

Nitpicking minor issues, intimidating others, naturally performing actions that would earn contempt – these were her self-defense mechanisms.

“Bullshit. I’ve always been like this.”

“…Yes, sure. Orca must have acted that way since childhood.”

The fact that she briefly conversed with Leo, followed me to this orphanage, and is now talking with me – none of this should normally happen.

Then how has she lived this way until now?

Simple – because her insomnia has been mostly resolved.

She reacts extremely sensitively to losing control of her body due to past traumatic events.

Meaning she hadn’t slept properly since the day that village disappeared from the map.

Obviously, prolonged sleep deprivation can make people irritable beyond reason – it’s no surprise if they go mad.

Much of Orca’s rough behavior stemmed not just from wanting to keep people away, but from genuine irritation.

Recently getting proper sleep made her slightly more tolerant.

“Don’t worry, Orca. You’re not bad.”

“…What?”

“The demon is the bad one here. …Right?”

“Teacher, stop spouting nonsense. I’m the one who awakened the demon. I’m the cause. Didn’t you hear? Let me explain again. I was the one who tempted the kids to go to that mansion! I was the one who found the box and couldn’t overcome my damn curiosity to open it!”

Though current Orca is violent, this wasn’t her original personality.

She used to be a cute, kind girl straight out of a fairy tale.

Her becoming like this was influenced by that childhood kindness.

She couldn’t shift blame onto others.

If the kids had refused, this wouldn’t have happened. If the adults hadn’t opened the door, things would’ve been fine.

Her inability to make such self-justifications created what she is now.

…Tch. The game developers must’ve been insane psychopaths.

Making players watch tragedies unfold if they don’t intervene.

“No, I don’t think so. …Right, Haze?”

“Correct. It’s all my fault.”

“?!”

Orca clutching her neck in panic was quite adorable.

Must’ve been shocking – another voice coming from her own throat.

“Wh-what? Again…?!”

“Demon Possessors share a common misconception.”

“Teacher… You know something.”

“Yes, I know very well.”

“Explain!”

People think demons can’t act when Possessors maintain mental control.

…The problem is – that’s entirely mistaken.

“Orca. Demons aren’t beings you can stop just by staying awake.”

“Wh-what?!”

“The premise itself is flawed.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Demons don’t only seize control when humans weaken.”

It’s simple.

Demons and Possessors share one body. But this isn’t symbiosis.

It’s closer to warring factions fighting over one body.

Now, a question. What’s the most basic tactic in warfare?

“Striking when the opponent is vulnerable.”

“…Like when they’re asleep?”

“Bingo.”

Most Demon Possessors soon lose their minds and have their bodies stolen as their mental barriers weaken.

But no one knows this information because demons choose death over human capture. Available intel is extremely limited.

The knowledge I possess could probably earn international awards if published.

Though verification would be another matter entirely.

“Most demons just act efficiently. They conserve energy, then strike hard!”

“……”

“Humans inevitably weaken from constant vigilance, while demons conserve strength waiting for opportunity. That’s why Demon Possessors usually act out at night – when people’s fatigue accumulates.”

“True. My kin usually seize bodies that way.”

“Th-then…”

“Yes. Without conserving energy, I can slightly move Orca’s body during daytime too. Borrowing your mouth to speak is easy.”

Orca’s complexion instantly paled upon hearing this.

…No need to worry so much. Without conserved energy, she can easily block it.

This is the problem with Demon Possessors.

None live long after possession, lacking experience or anyone to explain how it works.

“S-so…”

“I could’ve taken your body anytime, Orca.”

“Eek…!”

“Don’t worry, Orca. Haze can’t harm you anymore.”

“Wh-what…?”

“That’s our contract.”

“Hmph. True enough.”

Seeing Orca about to panic, I quickly reassured her of her safety.

My contract with Haze permanently forbade malicious actions.

Obviously, body-snatching falls under evil deeds.

She needn’t fear losing control of her body.

“W-wait. I don’t understand. What’s happening? How does Teacher know the demon inside me? What’s this contract…?”

“It’s okay not to understand now. I’ll explain slowly whenever you’re confused. That’s a teacher’s role.”

Incidentally, the reason Haze never seized Orca’s body despite being able to was simple.

It was entertaining.

She enjoyed watching her host shudder in anxiety, deteriorating from not knowing when possession might occur.

Honestly, demon hobbies are incomprehensible.

…Well, that’s impossible now anyway.

My hypnosis made Haze find good deeds more enjoyable than evil ones.

Haze is now just Orca’s power wrapper.

Truthfully, I considered that permanently banishing Haze from Orca’s body might make her happier…

But the butterfly effect seemed too risky, so I didn’t attempt it.

“I don’t… I don’t understand. I don’t know what any of this means.”

“I know. I understand. It’s sudden, so confusion is natural. But remember one thing.”

I smiled gently at Orca as I spoke.

“I will always be on your side.”