Ch.109Chapter 17. Above the Neck (5)

Yuka was only able to regain her senses after leaving the hospital.

Everything was so confusing.

Kotone sometimes knew things that Yuka didn’t or acted as if she knew the secrets of the world. Of course, Yuka also knew that Kotone wasn’t the type to reveal everything she knew.

But because of that, Yuka could trust Kotone.

It was the same this time. After hearing what Kotone said, Yuka thought it was the best option.

This time too—

No, this time too?

…No, that’s not right.

Normally, she wouldn’t have done that.

Under normal circumstances, Yuka would have stayed by her friend’s side. She wasn’t the type to stay away just because Kotone told her not to.

Last time, when she met the fire wagon, hadn’t she done the same thing?

So, Yuka…

“…”

She had run away from there.

Because she couldn’t understand what she was facing.

She thought it was a yokai. She even knew what kind it was.

But the sensation Yuka felt wasn’t what she normally felt when seeing a yokai. She worried that cutting it might somehow be wrong.

So, hadn’t she fled, leaving only Kotone behind?

As she thought about it, the blood drained from her face.

She felt she should go back right now. There wasn’t just one or two of them.

But.

“Yuka?”

The person who had brought Yuka out was Koko, Kotone’s younger sister.

Only after hearing Koko’s voice did Yuka’s mind start working again.

Yes. If she hadn’t left, if she had at least stayed in the same building, Yuka would have chosen to return to Kotone immediately.

But it was already too late for that. Having come this far, it was right to follow Kotone’s instructions. To find people who could help and return immediately.

With Koko, it was possible.

“…Let’s go.”

Yuka started running.

She knew the crime scene hadn’t been completely cleared yet. It would be enough to speak to the people who would be there.

…As quickly as possible.

*

When they returned to the hospital, the first thing they noticed was the smell of blood.

It’s a smell that comes from yokai too. Yokai also bleed when cut by a sword.

But this smell now…

Bodies scattered everywhere.

Severed heads, limbs, fingers, flesh, bones, and blood.

While yokai disappear instantly when they die because they don’t belong to this world, these remains didn’t.

Even though Yuka had seen such sights with Kotone before, for a moment she thought they were human corpses.

“…”

People hadn’t arrived yet.

That was because they had delivered the message and rushed straight here.

But what would the people following them think when they saw this scene?

How would the police judge it? Yuka could explain. She thought her grandfather and father would certainly help.

But even so.

“Kotone!”

Koko moved quickly.

She ran to Kotone, who was lying among the fallen bodies, and embraced her.

That small body was stained with blood. From head to toe, completely.

“Kotone, Kotone!”

As Koko called out—

“Meow.”

A cat’s cry was heard.

A cat sat next to Koko, placing its front paws gently on her leg as it meowed.

“…Kuro.”

Yuka murmured as she approached.

Kuro seemed… so much like the usual Kuro. The same Kuro she saw whenever she visited Kotone’s house.

She knelt down on one knee beside it.

Had Kotone brought Kuro along? Koko’s attention was entirely focused on Kotone, so asking her wouldn’t yield a proper answer.

“…”

Yuka carefully took Kotone’s wrist.

Her heart was beating.

Her chest was rising and falling regularly. Though she was extremely exhausted and injured in various places, Kotone was still safe.

“…”

However, she couldn’t bring herself to tell Koko that Kotone was “safe.”

From a family member’s perspective, this appearance was certainly not “safe.”

And even from Yuka’s perspective.

For a while, she stroked Koko’s back as she listened to her sobbing.

The lower floor of the hospital was bustling. People seemed to have gathered. Probably the people Yuka had called.

After hearing footsteps running up the stairs—

“…Gasp.”

Someone inhaled sharply.

It must be overwhelming to process this scene.

Yuka bit her lip tightly.

*

When she came to her senses, the sun was rising.

She hadn’t brought her phone, so she couldn’t contact Mako, Fukuda, or Yamashita.

She considered borrowing Yuka’s phone but decided against it.

Surely, there would be many questions. Since she was the one who worried them, she had an obligation to answer each question… but sometimes people want to run away from the problems right in front of them.

However, I regretted not contacting them just minutes later.

Police officers flooded into the hospital room.

Yes, of course. That makes sense.

With so many people dead in the hospital, and in such a manner—cut by something sharp—it would be strange if the police didn’t come.

One of the officers had turned pale. Had he vomited after seeing the scene before entering?

I’m not sure if this is fortunate or not, but there was no weapon at the scene.

Oh, there were a few items that patients had been holding, but that was it. Since I never used those weapons, my fingerprints wouldn’t be found.

The sword I used was made purely of blood, so after the situation ended, it melted into bloodstains.

People would find it strange. My blood might be found inside the bodies of the dead. But that wouldn’t be evidence that I killed them.

“…What time is it now?”

“…Nine in the morning.”

Yuka answered my question.

“…”

I hesitated briefly. Was it appropriate to say such things after experiencing something like that?

It would seem very strange. Even though they were yokai, they weren’t that different from ordinary people.

The hospital wasn’t as large as a university hospital. It was a local hospital with just a few inpatients.

When I collapsed in Tokyo, I was admitted to a fairly large hospital, but here it seems to be the rule. They probably thought it would be safer and more discreet this way.

Of course, since that hospital was now in chaos, I had been transferred to a much larger one. At least here I would be “safe.” Even the craziest humans wouldn’t think of taking over a hospital with thousands of staff.

“Why? If you have something to say, go ahead. Oh, maybe breakfast?”

“…No, it’s not that.”

After a moment’s hesitation, I said:

“…I was wondering if we could continue the school trip.”

Yuka’s mouth opened slightly.

Koko’s eyes blinked.

Yuka thought for a moment, her mouth twitching, then looked behind her.

There were “officials” there. They all looked as if they couldn’t believe what I was saying.

“That’s…”

“…We’ll arrange for that.”

Before Yuka could finish, someone interrupted.

It was Mr. Miura, who was here because of what happened last night. Mako’s father.

As the room fell silent, he continued:

“After what they’ve done, the other side won’t be able to operate here anymore. We also need to change our approach.”

“…”

“And there’s no need to create unnecessary anxiety. Let’s send her for now.”

“But Mr. Miura.”

One of the people sitting in the hospital room raised a hand slightly and spoke.

“Don’t you know which organization that child belongs to?”

“As far as I understand, at least that child is not actively affiliated with that cult.”

Mr. Miura looked at me.

Though he said that, his eyes weren’t those of someone who completely trusted me.

“If you want, you may go. However—”

“I don’t mind if you have someone follow me.”

I spoke somewhat urgently.

At nine o’clock, the children would soon start moving. Even if I left now, it would already be late.

I had gone out last night and hadn’t returned until now. Mako, Fukuda, Yamashita… yes, even Yamashita didn’t properly know my identity.

At least Sasaki, who was in the same group as Yuka, might have some idea why Yuka was late.

“…”

Mr. Miura looked around.

No one objected. From their expressions, it seemed everyone had different thoughts, but they all agreed that opposing Mr. Miura’s words here wasn’t a good idea.

“Don’t speak about what happened today.”

“…I have enough sense for that.”

Mr. Miura nodded at my response.

I looked at Yuka and Koko.

Both of them stared at me blankly, as if they didn’t know what to say.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I could maintain a normal expression when I rejoined Mako and the others.

Perhaps it would be better to be satisfied with having spent the second day of the school trip, which was the longest day we spent together.

But I wanted to let them know I was safe.

I could only nod silently.

I wasn’t sure exactly what that gesture meant. I just felt I should say something to the two of them, but I had no idea what to say.

*

“Kotone-chan!”

After completing the procedures as quickly as possible, returning to the lodging to get my phone, and contacting Mako, it took almost an hour.

When Koko and I ran to the meeting place we had arranged via phone, Mako called my name loudly.

“What happened? We couldn’t reach you.”

The request that homeroom teacher Suzuki had made to Mako was now unnecessary. The reason she had asked Mako to look after me was because she thought I wouldn’t blend in with the class.

Well, if someone asked if I had blended in now, I wouldn’t have much to say, but at least there were children who spoke to me. Some had even learned my name.

If asked whether all those children were friends, I couldn’t quite answer yes, but I was enjoying school life.

However, Mako still seemed to have such thoughts.

“…I was at the hospital for a while.”

I had thought a lot about how to answer on the way here.

And the only answer that satisfied all reasons without raising suspicion from others was the hospital.

“How come?”

Mako opened her eyes wide and looked me over. She seemed worried that I might have been in a traffic accident.

“…I collapsed for a bit.”

“You collapsed!?”

“Are you sure you should be here? Shouldn’t you be resting in the hospital?”

For an ordinary person, it would have been an injury that wouldn’t heal with just a few days in the hospital.

But I’m not like that.

“I’m fine. It seems like it was anemia. I didn’t bring my phone…”

Teacher Suzuki knew that too. Yuka must have contacted her. It seems the teacher wanted to come to the hospital, but somehow that was prevented.

The reason it took me an hour to get here was also because I was caught by Teacher Suzuki and had to answer various questions.

“…”

Yamashita stared at me intently.

I know Yamashita isn’t that old, but somehow he reminds me of a grandmother who’s just heard that her grandson hasn’t eaten lunch yet.

“It seems Koko was with you.”

“Uuu…”

Koko’s mood hadn’t improved yet.

It was the same the last time she saw me get hurt.

Koko’s way of thinking is never simple. She just expresses herself simply, but in her mind, many thoughts are intertwined with many emotions.

So, I felt a bit guilty for making Koko feel this way.

“Well, well.”

Fukuda quickly intervened.

“Let’s get moving then. If we follow Mako-chan’s prepared plan from now on, we can somehow catch up!”

“But, Fukuda…”

“I agree.”

As Mako hesitated at Fukuda’s words, Yamashita spoke to her.

And he glanced at me once. As if trying to gauge my expression.

“Since Kotone and Koko have joined us, even if late.”

At those words, Mako looked at me.

I gazed at Mako’s eyes desperately. Koko beside me was still a bit depressed, but… that’s why I hoped Mako would agree with the two of them.

I didn’t want my first school trip to end as a nightmare. Even though there were some unpleasant incidents in between, I wanted to create memories where the pleasant things outweighed them.

“Okay, I understand.”

Having finished her deliberation, Mako nodded.

A firm resolve appeared on her face.

*

Comforting Koko was quite successful.

Her face didn’t brighten up like when she usually eats something delicious, but she was in a much better state than when she was deeply depressed.

Today was the day to return, so the schedule was until 2 PM.

It was now about 12:30, just after lunch.

We had home-cooked meals for lunch.

Actually, although they were called “home-cooked,” there was a huge difference between these and the “home-cooked” meals that Koko and I usually eat.

It wasn’t just a matter of cooking skill, but the number of side dishes and the ingredients themselves.

I seriously considered reducing bean sprouts at the dining table again.

Of course, it was very delicious. The tofu, which is a Kyoto specialty, was nutty and soft.

With the end of the meal, Mako’s schedule was complete.

We had been moving around diligently all morning. It seemed like we moved even more diligently because the schedule was delayed by an hour due to me.

“What should we do for fun now?”

Fukuda asked.

“Since it’s free time, I think just wandering around near the lodging is enough.”

We all agreed with Mako’s answer and headed towards the lodging.

And then.

“…Ah.”

I ran into Sasaki and Yuka.

Of course, there were other kids from the same group too. However, it seems Yuka didn’t completely succeed in becoming friends with those two. There was a slight distance between Sasaki and Yuka, and the distance with the two in front was even greater.

…That also feels like my fault somehow.

Of course, I couldn’t have prevented Yuka from getting involved in the incident. I still don’t know anything about how the oni came to Kyoto city or why they came.

I thought I glimpsed Kosuzu, but I’m not sure about that either. I lost consciousness right after.

“…Kotone.”

Mako called my name softly.

“Huh?”

“We’ll go to the lodging first, so if you want to play with your friend, you can.”

“Ah…”

I couldn’t respond immediately to Mako’s words.

However, Mako seemed to have said it purely out of goodwill. After giving me a quick smile, she hurried into the lodging with Fukuda and Yamashita.

“See you on the train!”

I see.

We’ll be together for a while on the way back anyway.

And there’s a bit of time after we return. If you want to have an after-party or something, that’s fine too.

“Koko, let’s go.”

“Yes!”

Koko, who had been listening to our conversation, responded with a bright expression.

I took a deep breath and approached Yuka.

“Kotone.”

Yuka greeted me as if she was glad to see me.

“Sasaki, hello.”

After waving to Yuka first, I then greeted Sasaki.

“Oh, hello.”

Come to think of it, Sasaki doesn’t know about yesterday’s incident. He wasn’t involved from the beginning.

Alright, I’ll take comfort in that.

It’s not that people didn’t die. But certainly fewer died than I had known. My running around wasn’t completely meaningless.

Forcing myself to think that way made my heart a little lighter.

“Um…”

After hesitating for a moment, I said:

“Would you like to hang out for a bit?”

“Huh?”

Yuka didn’t seem to have expected me to say that.

“We still have time before we leave.”

“…”

After staring at me blankly for a moment, Yuka turned to look at Sasaki.

“Go ahead.”

Sasaki said with a smile.

“Is that really okay?”

Yuka asked, looking back at the two girls in front.

Now that I notice, Sasaki is the only boy in the school trip group. Well, I saw it in the original work, but.

Does it mean that harem protagonists get into similar situations no matter what?

“It’s fine.”

“…Okay. I understand.”

Yuka nodded and looked at me.

“Shall we… go then?”

“Yes.”

I hadn’t actually thought about where to go or what to do. It was a bit tight on time to go to the places I had visited with Mako. We had to leave in two hours.

But even just around here, there are nice streets. It would be fun just to buy some street food and walk around.

“Then… shall we eat something first?”

“Wow!”

Koko exclaimed at my words.

Yuka smiled slightly as she looked at Koko.

…That’s a relief.

Looking at Koko and Yuka like that, I thought.

*

“Shall we come back sometime?”

Yuka asked on the way back to catch the train.

“Huh?”

“I mean, coming together on a school trip and gathering with friends to play feel different.”

“…I see.”

I nodded.

If we wanted, we could probably come back once more.

No, even if not here, we could go somewhere else.

There’s still time, after all.

“Koko, what do you think?”

“I’d love to!”

Koko, who was licking an ice cream, exclaimed happily.

Yes, the next time we come to play, I hope we can spend time peacefully without any incidents and return home.

So that it remains a purely pleasant memory.