episode_0015

“Hey.”

My footsteps came to a halt. Orca, who had been silent throughout the entire incident, finally spoke up, and I stopped walking to turn around.

We were both exhausted, and she, too, probably wanted nothing more than to take a warm shower and collapse into bed.

Yet, despite her fatigue, she called out to me and paused, as if gathering her thoughts.

“…I’ve caused you trouble again.”

For just those few words,

Orca had to exert a great deal of effort.

“It’s fine. It’s not like this is the first time.”

Knowing her intentions, I responded casually with a smile, for I was well aware that even this short sentence was a significant improvement for Orca.

Back then, she was still a police officer, inexperienced in handling cases and unable to control her abilities precisely, often causing damage to public property.

“It’s not your fault. Being stronger than others is inherently inconvenient. It’s easier to exert all your strength than to control it with precision, isn’t it?”

She felt guilty. The air around us was cold, and some citizens were shouting about their frozen phones, demanding compensation.

Ironically, their phones had frozen while they were trying to film the scene.

“Don’t let what others say get to you. Even if they seem to be criticizing you on the surface, deep down, they know they can’t do without you.”

“…I guess so.”

She didn’t deserve such treatment. She was strong enough to be a hero, but she dedicated herself to the state and its citizens.

To be precise, she had always wanted to serve, and she was fortunate to have her abilities manifest.

Orca, the only officer with abilities within the police force, became their poster child due to her uniqueness, receiving exceptional support.

“It must be harder for you as a public servant.”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

I believe the disadvantages outweighed the support she received.

A decade had passed since the sudden manifestation of abilities, yet society still struggled to provide adequate support and management for ability users.

As usual, discussions about abilities were divided, with each side pulling for their interests,

and the sensational topic of abilities gave rise to all sorts of stupid rumors and questions throughout society.

“You’re also considered a public servant, Crow.”

“Technically, I’m not. Ability users registered with the Association have proper insurance coverage.”

“That’s much better.”

Amidst all this,

Orca was the police’s only card to counter the Hero Association,

and because I, the only male ability user, was plagued by leeches,

so perhaps there was a bit of similarity between us.

“…Hey.”

“Yeah.”

Orca seemed lost, isolated within the police force.

Her strong abilities contrasted with her weakening inner self, seeking answers.

“Crow, why do you work as a hero?”

Orca’s image was more defined and distinct compared to other female officers. She was rigid and cold, but the police played up her personality and abilities. This was becoming toxic for Orca.

“What I mean is… just because you have abilities doesn’t mean you have to fight so hard. It’s not that special. It’s not like you asked for it.”

Orca’s dream of being a police officer was different. She didn’t want to be the artificial cop from promotional materials; she wanted to be a real police officer.

But the police couldn’t afford to keep their trump card locked away or sacrifice her.

They left the strong and dangerous terrorists for us,

while Orca dealt with petty criminals and foolish offenders.

“Sometimes, I wonder if it’s all pointless…”

I remember her question wasn’t simple.

So, I paused, thought for a moment,

and offered her some comfort.

“It’s not pointless. And we are special.”

I couldn’t think of a better way to put it,

and my exhaustion made my head spin,

“It might feel pointless now, but we live to achieve our own justice, our own dreams. Maybe that’s why we have these abilities. You do your justice, and I’ll do mine.”

I finished with a forced smile.

“Someday, you’ll be able to do what you want. Just hold on until then. Justice never crumbles; only people do. If you and I keep going, our justice will never lose to evil.”

I’m not sure if my words were comforting. But Orca let out a soft laugh at my clumsy attempt, and I felt like she was feeling better.

“I guess so.”

On the frozen ground,

amidst the noise of the citizens and everything else,

we sat and looked up at the night sky.

“What’s your justice?”

“To make the world a better place. To ensure good people don’t suffer and to bring all the bad guys to justice.”

“That’s good.”

As we sat on the ice, our sweat-soaked bodies quickly turned cold.

“What’s your justice?”

“It was similar to what you just said, but…”

Everyone was fired up,

and the city was noisy under the summer heat,

“I’ll have to change it. It can’t overlap.”

But we, at that moment, were enjoying an untimely picnic.

—————————–

Thwack—

With each strike of the long baton on my torso, a chilling sound echoes. A few blows from the blunt weapon that tears through the air, and even the most pain-tolerant would lose the will to resist.

“If you’re a villain, act like a villain!”

An excruciating pain shoots through my left arm and knee, making my head spin. It seems like a bone might be fractured or some other serious injury has occurred.

“Stop your nonsense about being innocent. Just lie down there and live like that…”

Thwack—

There was a time when we shared laughter,

but here, we are merely inmates and correctional officer.

Orca swings her weapon with full force to subdue me. I have no idea what’s going through her mind, but a misdirected blow could easily be fatal.

“Huff…”

A small drop of blood forms at the tip of the baton, indicating that the impact has caused a wound to rupture and bleed.

However, every part of my body is in so much pain that I can’t pinpoint the source of the bleeding.

It’s as if…

Death is all around me.

“Never again…”

The drop of blood at the tip freezes.

It turns into a red sherbet, making a rustling sound as it solidifies.

“Never call me Orca again. Show some respect to the correctional officer, villain.”

Only now do I understand why the guards here are all women.

Though few in number,

They must possess special abilities.

Because they are special.

Chosen ones.

“Don’t act like you know me, and don’t even think of looking me in the eye. I let you live because it’s my duty and my assigned task. Be aware that I can execute you on the spot if the situation calls for it.”

The ruthless suppression comes to an end.

Orca stops swinging the baton and irritably picks at the blood stuck to its end.

I don’t know if this is mercy or a judgment harsher than any curse.

She doesn’t kill me.

“…Pay for your sins, and stay put.”

Instead, she speaks with a hint of our past friendship.

She seems both sad and angry.

“No matter what you do, you’ll always be a villain.”

———————————————-

My steps are heavy. No, my misaligned legs cause me to limp badly.

Despite my condition, the guards merely express momentary bewilderment and take no further action regarding me.

“Go ahead.”

Even in front of the metal door leading to Block C,

They turn their backs on me.

Although they seem to be using honorifics,

Yet they show no respect.

“Darling!”

Instead, Creep, with a face full of concern, approaches me to check on my condition, taking the place of the guards.

Broken teeth, a fractured leg, and a malfunctioning shoulder.

Even breathing is painful.

Facing all this, Creep looks as if she’s in pain himself, her face contorted in distress as she tightly embraces me.

“Those bastards. How could they do this? Right…?”

If it weren’t for the fact that correctional officer Orca had personally [instructed] me, I would have undoubtedly suffered even greater humiliation at the hands of Creep and her underlings.

I’m aware of this fact. That’s why I can fully sense how formal and contradictory Creep’s attitude is.

“Go inside and rest. I’ll bring your lunch.”

Yet, her voice quivers with gentleness as she helps me walk.

“Come on, let’s walk slowly. Or you can ride on my back. Slowly…”

I just can’t understand.

Is this place strange,

Or am I becoming strange?

I can’t comprehend it.

The things I believed in without a doubt are crumbling.

Justice is cruel,

And evil is contradictory.

I don’t understand any of it, from Skadi’s concerned gaze in the distance,

To the unnamed villain anxiously glancing around,

To Creep supporting me and leading me to my room.

“That bitch of a correctional officer, right? That fucking bitch!”

As soon as Creep lays me down on the bed, she explodes with anger, cursing Orca.

Her stomping feet remind me of a child unable to control her temper.

“It’s okay. I’ll definitely kill that bitch. I’ll make sure she remembers what she did to you. When the opportunity arises, I’ll get my revenge. You’ll see.”

Even as she speaks angrily, she suddenly looks distressed and tightly holds my hands, her voice breaking.

I can no longer understand these emotions. Perhaps I’ve been living with the wrong understanding all this time.

The ever-changing emotions make me dizzy.

“Ugh… It’s so unfair. An ignorant, violent, and stubbornly hypocritical bastard. Who does she think she is, hitting you? Only I can hit you. Huh…?”

Humans are so fleeting and complex.

I don’t know what’s right or wrong.

“I’ll possess your body again. You understand, right?”

At this point, with everything I’ve believed in my entire life collapsing,

I can only blink my eyes, unable to die.

———————

Chapter 1 – Admission

end.

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