Ch.164Chapter 24. Flesh (9)

“How… How could this happen?”

Shii was asking this for the third time.

How could anyone just move on when someone had died? How could no one question it?

To Shii, it was strange.

Yes, certainly… Souta and Shii had gone through difficult times.

They had witnessed the person who was their mother collapse in a bloody mess right before their eyes. No matter what, she had still been family to them.

She hadn’t died. She was still hospitalized, but proper conversation seemed impossible. Since she would go into a frenzy at the mere mention of Souta and Shii’s names, it seemed better not to visit her for now.

Because of this, the concept of death was unfamiliar to Shii. Especially the death of someone close.

Moreover—

“Brother, don’t you think it’s strange? After what happened to Kotone, nobody… nobody is talking about it.”

Shii understood the logic.

Souta cherished Shii. So he might not have wanted Shii to be shocked by certain events. But once something was hidden, it became impossible to bring it up later.

What could he do? She could understand that much. She didn’t like it, but she could understand. However.

“Someone died, how could they.”

No one had prayed for her soul.

At least, that’s what Shii thought. She knew intellectually that some people die lonely deaths in this world, but she didn’t think Kotone was one of them. Though she hadn’t thought much about death before, weren’t there many people around Kotone who could see her off?

The people who gathered at Christmas and during summer vacation.

The people at her part-time job.

So how could she just disappear as if she never existed, without even a funeral?

“I’m going.”

“Shii?”

Souta was startled when Shii roughly pushed back her chair and stood up.

Shii… wasn’t usually the type to act like this.

Always somewhat cautious, a child who tried very hard not to hurt others’ feelings.

He knew the reason. The woman who had taken Shii away wasn’t exactly a positive person. Neither was the man who had stayed with that mother.

He hadn’t heard any news about what happened to that man. When Kosuzu had gone to find them, had she just left him be? He thought the police might be investigating him by now. It wasn’t really relevant anyway.

In any case, if the situation weren’t like this, Shii’s behavior would have been something for Souta to be happy about as her brother. It meant that Shii… had developed more precious relationships.

The problem was that this relationship had ended in an unwanted situation.

“Where are you going?”

“To senior’s house.”

Shii answered curtly.

“I won’t understand until I see for myself. There might be… some complicated story, right? Like maybe she’s not actually dead, but they had to tell people that…”

“…”

Souta and Nanami exchanged glances.

Again, if this were the usual Shii, she would have noticed right away. And she might have subtly interfered. Suggesting they all have a meal together, or have some tea.

But Shii didn’t do that.

Instead, she hurriedly went up to her room, showing her impatience.

Thump, thump, thump. Listening to the urgent footsteps that the usual Shii would never make, Souta blankly stared up at the ceiling.

“Souta.”

“Yeah?”

“Is this related to Hagiwara?”

“…”

“Today, she didn’t show up. Maybe…?”

Nanami’s face was more serious than usual.

Souta remembered that Nanami had been involved in this matter once before. Not just involved, but had been in the most dangerous situation. If Koko hadn’t protected her with her body, Nanami might not be here now.

And because of that, she knew what kind of being Hagiwara was.

Souta thought for a moment, then nodded. Nanami nodded back.

They didn’t talk anymore.

Souta got up and headed to his room.

He had no intention of stopping Shii. Trying to stop her would only make the misunderstanding worse.

His stomach churned. He should have told her from the beginning. He was afraid that telling her something even more shocking in an already shocking situation would traumatize her.

It was a mistake.

No, not a mistake, but a wrongdoing. Entirely Souta’s fault.

With a selfish judgment, he had missed even the moment to pray for his friend’s soul.

Nanami also got up and began putting on her coat that had been hanging on the chair.

“Nanami?”

“I knew her too.”

Nanami’s hands, which had been buttoning her coat, stopped.

With her head bowed and saying nothing, Nanami finally spoke with some difficulty.

“Do you know what I thought first when I heard about her?”

Nanami exhaled softly.

“I thought I was scared. I saw… how those kids fought. And when I thought that someone like that had ended up that way, I felt like I was all alone, and so. Maybe I came here not because I was worried about anyone, but just because I wanted someone to lean on.”

Then she raised her head.

Nanami’s expression was hardened.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? When you hear a friend has died, the first thing you should think about… isn’t that.”

“Nanami.”

“So, I want to go too. It might be too late now… but still. I’m not sure what I want to do when I get there, but.”

Souta looked at Nanami for a moment, then nodded.

Just as they finished their conversation, they heard footsteps coming down the stairs again, a bit hurriedly.

“Brother.”

“Yes, Shii. Let’s go.”

Souta said, wrapping a scarf around his neck.

Yes.

In fact, Souta had no right to blame Nanami.

Because he had thought the same thing.

When witnessing someone’s death, the first thing to do is to mourn that person. Not to worry about safety here or create secrets for someone.

The three of them walked toward the entrance with slightly quickened steps.

No one started any conversation during that time.

*

It’s so far, Souta thought.

He had been here before, but at that time, he was chatting happily with Shii, so he didn’t realize how long it took.

It was definitely a difficult commute for school every day.

Kotone had traveled this long distance every day just because she wanted to go to that school. Even in that situation.

Even with someone suffering so close by, Souta hadn’t known.

No, had he pretended not to know? Because even though he knew, he couldn’t fully empathize.

Shii, and Nanami who was with Souta, occasionally showed signs of discomfort, but neither said they would turn back.

After about an hour on the train, they arrived at Omiya Station.

But that wasn’t the end.

They could either take a bus or walk for 30 minutes.

“…”

The children’s faces grew darker as they traveled the long path.

Kotone’s usual impression couldn’t be described as entirely bright.

But following this path, he felt it clearly for the first time.

Kotone had simply not told others about her struggles, even in that situation.

Was it the same in Kotone’s final moments?

Did she say she was fine to others even while thinking she was in pain?

…It’s impossible to know now.

“Haa.”

Shii exhaled. Her breath rose slightly in the cold air.

In the distance, the house where Kotone and Koko had lived came into view.

An old house that looked decades old.

The sky was already getting dark, making the gloominess feel even more intense.

However.

“…Ah.”

The light was on in Kotone’s room.

Only there in the entire apartment building.

Could Koko be there?

The three looked at each other briefly, then quickly moved their feet.

*

“You want me to stay here?”

“If you prefer a different room, I can arrange that.”

“…”

Yuu looked at Kagami in front of him with an astonished expression.

He didn’t understand the exact intention. It was one thing to suddenly call him, but why say such a thing?

He had just managed to calm Mako and send her home when Kagami contacted him.

The message was to come to Kotone’s house.

And as soon as he arrived and sat down, Kagami said that.

To stay here from today for a while.

“I understand you’ve stayed here before.”

“That’s true, but…”

That was actually when Yuu had run away from home.

The situation itself was different.

“We don’t know when Koko will return, or how we can find the body.”

But Kagami continued calmly.

“Besides, it takes a long time to commute from Tokyo to here, right? And it’s awkward to move those flesh lumps to Tokyo.”

“…”

Yuu couldn’t argue.

“…What makes you think it’s safe here?”

That was the only response he could muster, but,

“It’s fine to bring your people. There are plenty of rooms anyway.”

That too was negated by Kagami’s words.

“And, probably others won’t directly attack this place… Ah, yes. There probably will be one definite attack.”

“Then—”

“But if there’s an attack, it will be on your side, not mine.”

Kagami continued without giving Yuu a chance to object.

“I know how to respond and I’m prepared in my own way. I took back the mirror, remember?”

“…”

“Then, they’ll choose your side, which has more possibilities despite having similar numbers. My sister will.”

This time Yuu was speechless for a different reason.

“Don’t you like it here? I thought it had some memories for you.”

“…After seeing that thing downstairs, I’m more depressed thinking those kids have been living here.”

“Thanks to that thing downstairs, those children could become ‘sisters.’ Well, let’s talk about that later.”

Kagami rummaged through her pocket and placed something on the table.

It was… a bell. An old bell.

“I managed to secure this during a fight with my sister who was trying to break away. There’s only one, but it should be enough for the ritual.”

“…Why didn’t you come looking for it until now?”

“Ritual bells aren’t normally used in this single form. You know? I think you’ve seen shrine maidens carrying them sometimes.”

When Yuu nodded, Kagami continued her explanation.

“The reason she didn’t come looking for it is because there was no need. She probably judged that we wouldn’t do anything significant with it. Kotone’s existence was just a failure to my sister. Since we weren’t trying anything more, she thought it would just rot away.”

Kagami exhaled softly.

“Now the story has changed.”

Her gaze was directed straight at Yuu.

“…”

“So, I’d prefer if you stayed here. Koko will probably come soon. Then we can start the ritual right away.”

“…What about your mother?”

“She’ll probably come here. Well, we have means to defend on our side too. Things have become ridiculous. This isn’t how the story should have gone for my sister.”

“Are you saying she hoped Kotone wouldn’t die?”

“Yes. So she could take over that body. What my sister wants to do is similar yet different from our family’s purpose. A world where everyone escapes the fear of death and lives forever. Kosuzu wanted to reign over that. She has a personality that can’t stand anyone being above her.”

Kagami chuckled.

“She even tried to kidnap people for that experiment. Though she seems to have given up midway.”

“…”

“You don’t need to be too embarrassed. It’s a dream many people might have, right? My sister just thought she had the possibility to achieve that dream herself. And there actually was a possibility. Everything went wrong when Kotone woke up and she tried to forcibly change the plan.”

Kagami said, picking up the bell she had placed on the table.

“But, she will come. My sister needs more time. As long as she’s alive, she’ll move toward that goal someday, and if you’re here then, this place will be the target. Would you rather be divided in two with uncertainty about which side will be attacked, or reduce the possibilities to one? Which do you think is better? Ah, yes. There’s one more advantage. This place is under government surveillance.”

Yuu wanted to object somehow, but finally admitted he had nothing to say.

“Then, I’ll take that as agreement. Stay here starting today. I’ll have your belongings sent. Anyway, this place… you know? It has everything needed for living.”

Yuu opened his mouth.

He didn’t have anything to object to, but he wanted to at least try.

But before Yuu could say anything.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

At Kagami’s words, the door slowly opened.

“…Yamashita?”

Shii, who opened the door and entered, called out to Yuu with wide eyes.

“I didn’t call them.”

When Yuu immediately looked at Kagami, she shrugged and said,

“But they’ve come at a good time… Ah.”

Kagami, who had been speaking to Shii and Souta, tilted her head when she saw Nanami entering last.

“Um…”

As if she hadn’t expected anyone to be inside, Nanami hesitated awkwardly about whether to enter or not.

“Well, that’s fine. Please come in for now. I can’t just send you back after you’ve come all this way.”

Kagami said with a deep sigh.

*

Yuka headed to a mountain in Saitama.

There was no particular basis for this choice. She didn’t know how far Koko could move, and enough time had passed that Koko could have gone anywhere in Japan by now.

What was she eating, had she been resting?

Until now, she hadn’t thought about it due to the grief over Kotone, but Koko’s situation was serious too.

She might be wandering around dragging Kotone’s body. If her condition wasn’t good… who knows what terrible things might have happened to her.

Yuka came here with one hope.

This place held the most memories for Koko and Kotone. Since they had fled from Tokyo, they probably wouldn’t be in Tokyo.

She chose the mountain simply believing they would have gone somewhere without people.

And—

“…!”

Yuka felt a chill run up her spine.

And simultaneously, she felt an ache in the corner of her heart.

Originally, Yuka had never felt such sensations toward Kotone and Koko.

The targets for whom Yuka felt such sensations were only monsters that needed to be killed with her sword.

But now Kotone—

Slap!

Her cheek stung, and the pain came a little later.

“…Get a grip.”

The cold winter wind brushed against her reddened cheek, making it sting.

“It’s a miracle I could find them like this.”

She still couldn’t be certain. But at least, there was a good chance they were nearby.

She gripped her sword tightly. If it wasn’t Koko or Kotone, she would cut them down and continue searching. Again and again.

Even if she had to cut down every yokai in this land.

And—

This time, she would never swing her sword at Kotone.

She still had questions.

She hadn’t heard what they intended to do with Kotone’s body.

She didn’t know how she could sense the presence of Kotone who should be dead.

But that wasn’t important right now.

“I’ll find you. I’ll think about the rest when the time comes.”

Yuka muttered, and quickened her pace again.

*

“…”

She barely had the strength to make a sound anymore.

Koko sat hugging her knees.

In front of her, Kotone still lay motionless.

Kotone was… intact. There was still a hole pierced through her chest, but that was all.

Koko had occasionally heard conversations between children at school.

Among them were so-called “scary stories.”

In those stories, people become stiff soon after death. The body becomes hard like stone and can’t be moved easily.

But not Kotone. Her joints could still be bent. When Koko picked her up, her arms and legs hung down limply.

She had become cold, but she hadn’t reached that state yet.

Then, perhaps Kotone wasn’t dead yet?

“…”

She was hungry.

But she couldn’t move. If she moved from here and turned her gaze elsewhere, it felt like Kotone would disappear.

It felt like she would never see her again.

“Uu…”

She tried not to close her eyes.

Doing her best to keep her eyes open, staying still and continuously looking at the motionless Kotone—

Rustle.

Hearing a rustling sound from far away, the farthest place Koko could hear in her current state, she got up.

She immediately went to Kotone. She tried to pick her up by putting her hands under her back and knees.

But she couldn’t.

“Uwa?”

The thought of why didn’t cross her mind.

She had been fleeing from place to place whenever people came.

She hadn’t thought about hunting for food because she was watching Kotone.

She hadn’t slept because she was on guard.

All those things had come back like a boomerang at once.

“Uu…!”

Still, using all her strength to lift Kotone,

“Ah…!”

She collapsed forward.

“Kotone, I’m sorry!”

The height from which Kotone fell wasn’t great, but Koko immediately apologized to her.

There’s no time for this—

“…Koko.”

Then, she heard a voice.

Koko’s body stiffened.

She slowly turned her head.

And there was—

“…”

It was Yuka.

“Koko, are you okay?”

Yuka approached, holding her sword.

“Don’t come!”

“Koko!”

Koko swung her hair, but Yuka didn’t dodge.

Swish. A long cut appeared on Yuka’s arm. It wasn’t a deep wound. Just a slight scratch that didn’t even bleed.

But Koko definitely felt that she had cut Yuka.

“Uu…”

She had no strength.

And, perhaps, Koko couldn’t kill Yuka. Not just because she lacked strength, but because she simply couldn’t do it.

Instead, Koko desperately tried to wrap around Kotone’s body.

Her hair swirled in all directions.

“…Koko,”

Yuka closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Then, she put her sword down on the ground.

“Koko, calm down.”

Yuka said.

“I didn’t come to hurt you.”

“…”

But Koko didn’t listen.

She hugged Kotone tightly.

Finally, with all her might, Koko ran.

“Koko…!”

She heard a shout from behind, but she tried not to listen.