Ch.168Chapter 25. Bell (1)

The street was in chaos.

People were shouting at each other from all directions, some were getting hit, others were doing the hitting.

Yuka felt pain throughout her entire body. Honestly, she thought she had done well to hold out this far.

Of course, she had no intention of giving up just because she’d made it this far.

Just until Kotone opened her eyes again.

She heard the sound of something cutting through the air beside her, and a beanbag flying toward Yuka split in midair.

Turning her head, she saw Koko right next to her.

It was a subtle distance. Koko was using just her hair to minimally protect Yuka.

As if she were still sulking, saying she hadn’t been forgiven yet.

“…”

This was the situation.

There was still no certainty that Kotone would return, and honestly, Yuka wasn’t sure if what they were doing was really the right thing.

But even so, Yuka found herself smiling faintly.

At least, she felt hope that her relationship with Koko—the good Koko—could continue properly.

“Pak!”

She knocked away a beanbag flying toward Koko. It might have been an unnecessary action for Koko. After all, once she regained her strength, she could fight better than anyone.

But still.

Koko glanced briefly at Yuka.

That was enough.

Yuka turned her gaze away again—

“Yuka!”

—and heard that voice.

“…Grandfather.”

She heard her grandfather’s voice from beyond the crowd.

“Yuka, stop this!”

She wondered which way he had come from. Well, since they were in the middle of a residential area, there were many ways to get here. Any of the complex, intertwining alleys would have been sufficient.

His loud voice was clearly audible even from a distance. It was indeed a voice befitting her grandfather.

“As if I could stop now.”

Yuka muttered. She knew these words wouldn’t reach her grandfather. Her muttered voice wasn’t quiet enough to travel such a distance.

“…”

And then Koko stepped slightly in front of Yuka.

She wasn’t looking at Yuka, nor did she say anything.

But the intention behind this action was clear.

Koko meant to block her grandfather’s path.

Yuka didn’t bother thanking Koko either.

After all, right now they were just fighting for a single goal.

Yuka turned and ran.

Away from where her grandfather’s voice could be heard.

Her heart had been racing madly, and her head was spinning. Perhaps the effects of not eating or sleeping properly for the past few days were finally showing.

But even so.

It was fine. Yuka had no desire whatsoever to give up.

She was just afraid that if she saw her grandfather’s face, her resolve might weaken even slightly. Afraid that she might end up giving in, that’s what scared her.

*

“Souta, right now there…!”

“…”

Despite Hagiwara’s words, Souta stood blocking her path without saying a word.

In truth, he wasn’t much of a threat.

Souta was just an ordinary high school student. Whether by coincidence, divine arrangement, or perhaps because everyone had forgotten over time that such qualities existed, there seemed to be something different working in his blood, but that was all—his fighting ability wasn’t particularly outstanding compared to other high school students his age.

Shii, who stood beside him blocking the path, was even less so. Though she took care of her body through diet management and exercise, she was still a child several years younger than Hagiwara.

And—

“…Nanami.”

Hagiwara called the name of Nanami, who was also standing firm beside Souta.

“Hana senpai.”

How had these two ended up calling each other by their first names?

It was probably after last Christmas. While competing for Souta’s attention on that special day, they found common ground for the first time when Souta left to look for his sister.

They were too young to drink alcohol, so they couldn’t go to a bar and get drunk like adults might, but they could get intoxicated by the atmosphere.

Left alone in the karaoke room after Souta left, the two vented their frustrations by singing loudly together. That was probably when they started calling each other by name.

It hadn’t been long, but—

“What are you doing in a place like this?”

“…”

Nanami looked confused for a moment when asked.

But she showed no intention of moving or running away.

“I… went looking for Shii because I was worried.”

“…”

Hagiwara closed her eyes tightly. She could guess how things had unfolded.

“You’re not the kind of child who should be in a place like this—”

“Really? Then what about you, senpai?”

“I’m involved—”

“Because you’re involved, you treated Shii like a stranger? Even though you knew how close she was with that girl.”

“I…”

Hagiwara opened her mouth to somehow refute those words, but she couldn’t find anything to say.

“You said you liked Souta, but it seems you only liked his appearance? Even though you knew who was most important to him.”

“Nanami.”

Souta called her name after hearing Nanami’s provocation, but Nanami kept her gaze fixed on Hagiwara.

“You knew that if Shii found out the truth, she would obviously try to stop it. So why are you standing on that side?”

There are more important things in the world than that.

…But those words got stuck in her throat and wouldn’t come out.

“Above all, that girl. She already saved our lives once.”

No, perhaps more than that.

When they went looking for Satori based on information obtained elsewhere.

If it hadn’t been for Kotone’s sacrifice then, probably none of those present would have survived.

Not only that, but all the ordinary people living nearby might have died too.

“Senpai.”

Souta addressed Hagiwara.

“…I’ve heard roughly what this is about. I’m sure you have your own circumstances.”

Unlike Nanami, Souta continued in a calm tone without glaring.

“But… still, she’s a friend too.”

Souta said.

“I owe her.”

Souta’s gaze fell on Shii.

“…”

I see.

For Souta now, his most precious family was Shii. And that relationship was completely separate from romantic feelings.

If there was someone who had taken the most care of Shii throughout the year, it would probably be Kotone, who was lying there.

In a different way than her brother Souta.

She looked at Shii.

Her face was pale. Despite being so frightened, Shii was standing her ground.

“…”

But.

Even so, this can’t be helped—

“…Senpai.”

Souta made one last pleading attempt, but Hagiwara didn’t put down her knife.

“Sister.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

A voice urged Hagiwara from behind.

Hagiwara shot forward.

“Senpai!”

Nanami hurriedly turned toward Souta. But her movement was much slower than Hagiwara’s. That was natural. She was just an ordinary high school girl with no special training.

Shii was almost the same.

Hagiwara rushed at Souta and knocked him down.

And.

Pak!

Something collided with Hagiwara’s bayonet and burst in midair.

Small bean-like particles scattered everywhere.

“…Alright, I understand.”

Hagiwara said, looking down at Souta.

“Indeed, persecuting someone to whom you owe your life isn’t what a Christian should do.”

“Senpai!”

A smile returned to Souta’s face.

In some ways, this might be betraying her own faith.

Anyone who has read the scriptures would know what “resurrection” means.

But—

“…Do not be among those who give pledges, among those who become guarantors for debts.”

Such words already appear in the scriptures as well.

“Why should your bed be taken from under you when you cannot pay?”

If all the sins of the world were to be placed on one girl, how would that debt be repaid? If someone were to demand that debt be forgiven, how would one measure the value of the world to repay it?

Some might call it a misreading.

Someone might say she’s twisting the words to hear what she wants.

But she already knew well the story from the scriptures about the one who took on humanity’s original sin and was sacrificed for the forgiveness of others’ sins.

“…Such things can’t be forced on others.”

“Senpai?”

Only when Souta, pinned beneath Hagiwara, asked this did Hagiwara smile and tousle Souta’s hair with her free hand.

“Aah—!?”

Nanami, belatedly understanding the situation, tried to forcibly push Hagiwara away.

“What are you doing!? My goodness, taking advantage at a time like this!?”

Nanami shouted at Hagiwara, who had risen with a triumphant expression.

“Well, we’ll continue this later.”

“There won’t be any ‘later’!?”

“…”

Hagiwara looked toward Shii.

Shii’s face was still pale, her eyes wide as if surprised.

How frightened she must have been.

“…I’m sorry. We’re busy now, so I’ll apologize properly later.”

“What? No, I—”

Hagiwara turned around.

“Come to think of it, it did seem a bit strange.”

Hagiwara said, slowly looking around at the others who had come with her.

“If everything in this world was created according to God’s will, there’s no reason to persecute a child who’s just struggling to live. What has she done?”

Perhaps it’s just a case of people not practicing what they preach.

Humanity has been doing the same thing for 2000 years.

“…You all stay back.”

“What are you saying?”

Nanami said incredulously.

“Trying to score points alone again? I don’t think that’s going to work?”

“No, you guys can’t even fight—”

“That’s why it’s important.”

Nanami pointed at Hagiwara and said.

“No matter how illegal a violent organization is, if they have any sense, they wouldn’t harm an innocent citizen like me, right? Surely those people wouldn’t try to cut me down too?”

No, you’d probably be subdued instantly.

Besides, calling them an illegal violent organization.

It’s true, but still.

“…Fine, do as you please.”

Hagiwara sighed and said.

“I won’t be responsible if you get hurt.”

“How can I back down when Souta is standing so proudly?”

Nanami stuck out her tongue.

Hagiwara shrugged.

“…I’ll try to be helpful.”

“Don’t get hurt. You too, Shii.”

“Excuse me. The temperature difference in how you treat people is too obvious.”

Nanami said this while pulling something out of her pocket.

…It was pepper spray.

Seeing this, Hagiwara couldn’t help but laugh, which only made Nanami’s mood worse.

*

The fight wasn’t ended by “either side.”

“No!”

A desperate scream from inside the house.

At first, only a few people heard that scream.

Just those close to the house, people who were friends with Kotone.

Something had gone seriously wrong.

Thinking this, they turned their heads, and Shii collapsed first.

Nanami rushed toward Shii, whose arm was being forcibly twisted, but she too was subdued. She screamed as her arm was twisted a bit harder, perhaps because she had sprayed pepper spray in someone’s eyes.

Hagiwara and Souta tried to help the two, but in the end, they were no match for the power of numbers.

Fukuda and Ryohei were also subdued.

With all the bullets in the gun used as threats and Fukuda swinging his metal pipe only at parts that wouldn’t cause “permanent disability,” they were inevitably subdued. Given that the two were facing a well-trained counter-terrorism unit, it could be said they had held out quite well.

The last ones remaining were Koko and Yuka.

And Yuka thought it was entirely thanks to Koko.

“No, no, no!”

…It was Kagami’s voice.

Koko turned her head.

With wide eyes—looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment—she stared in the direction of Kotone, Kagami, and Yuu.

Yuka was already running the moment she heard that sound.

Throwing away the sword in her hand, she kicked open the door that was supposed to remain closed until the ritual ended, and what Yuka saw was—

“…Ah.”

She fell to her knees on the floor.

Kotone was lying there. Just as when Yuka had last seen her, with a face peacefully asleep.

The wound on her chest hadn’t healed. Kotone just lay there as if she would never open her eyes again.

If anything had changed since before they left, it was the “piece of meat” beside her.

That “piece of meat,” which had looked very similar to Kotone, now appeared almost human-like.

Human limbs protruding awkwardly from various places.

As if it had been writhing in pain, trying to escape outward—that kind of appearance.

“Ugh.”

Was that Kotone?

Because of Yuka’s greed, had she met a miserable end struggling in a body that didn’t match her soul?

She wasn’t sure.

One thing was certain: the hope Kagami had spoken of was over.

“Ah, aaah!!”

Kagami was lying face down on the floor, screaming in anguish.

Yuu had a dumbfounded expression. His face was randomly smeared with oil and pieces of meat.

A face that looked as if he had just witnessed a horrific scene.

Someone grabbed Yuka’s shoulder and dragged her outside.

“Wait!”

As the dazed Yuka was roughly pushed to the ground, her arms twisted behind her back and handcuffs being put on, someone shouted. Soon the lead-like weight on top of Yuka was removed, and someone carefully helped her up.

“…Grandfather.”

“Yuka.”

“I…”

“It’s alright.”

Her grandfather said this as he embraced Yuka.

She felt someone place a hand on her back from behind.

“It’s okay, Yuka. It’s all over.”

What’s over…?

Yuka muttered, but there was no answer.

Her father told her over and over that everything was alright.

People rushed into the open doorway.

After some commotion inside, people in black clothes came out carrying something white.

It was Kotone, her body still not stiff anywhere.

“No!”

“Yuka!”

“No, no! Not yet…!”

Yuka shouted, but Kotone’s body was moved away too easily.

“…I’d like you to understand that this matter is not yet concluded.”

One of the men in black suits said.

“For now, we need to secure the specimen, but people will be coming soon. Please don’t leave this building until then. If you’re not in sight when new personnel arrive—”

“…You’ll consider it fleeing and track us down. I understand.”

Her grandfather said.

“…Yuka? What about Kotone?”

Koko asked blankly.

As if she didn’t understand the situation, Koko just kept looking back and forth between the departing Kotone and Yuka.

“Woo?”

Koko tilted her head.

It seemed an atmosphere had formed that Koko shouldn’t be touched carelessly.

“Please retrieve the sword and follow us. We will protect your granddaughter. If others join the conversation we’re about to have—”

The man in the black suit paused briefly when he saw her grandfather looking up.

“…I believe you understand.”

Then he turned and quickly left.

“Yuka. You need to pull yourself together.”

Her grandfather said.

“Don’t worry too much.”

“…And if I don’t worry?”

Yuka muttered blankly.

“…Kotone is…”

“That child has departed.”

Her grandfather said.

“…”

Her father just gripped Yuka’s shoulder tightly.

*

“Sister Hagiwara.”

A white-haired man in priest’s clothing addressed Hagiwara.

“…Are you planning to excommunicate me?”

“If I’m excommunicated for following my faith, well, there’s nothing I can do.”

In fact, if she wanted to marry someone, she would have to either be excommunicated or return to secular life. And neither option would be particularly welcome from the church’s perspective.

Well, Hagiwara wasn’t in her position simply because of her religious beliefs anyway.

“Please follow us—”

“No.”

Hagiwara said, looking back at Souta, Shii, and Nanami who were gathering in one corner of the apartment with handcuffs on.

“I’ll stay here. I think there’s more for me to do here.”

“…”

The man looked at Hagiwara silently.

“What did you gain by working with the government? Did you agree to receive some of Kotone’s limbs?”

“…I cannot say.”

“Yes, well, I suppose you wouldn’t.”

This change in attitude was somewhat shocking, considering that Hagiwara had behaved rather modestly while wearing her nun’s habit.

Hagiwara turned and walked away with long strides.

Her hands were still cuffed.

Handcuffs and a slightly torn nun’s habit—not exactly a neat appearance. So perhaps no one would complain if she behaved a little less properly to match her attire.

She approached where the children had gathered.

…There was a smell of blood from inside the open door.

So in the end, it… failed?

Hagiwara thought she felt somewhat relieved.

*

“…Excuse me.”

Yuu said quietly.

“…How long do we have to keep acting?”

“Until people have definitely left.”

Kagami whispered very softly, very quietly.

There was a slight heat in that voice.

“After people have gone far enough away for Kotone to come out.”

Kagami’s shoulders trembled slightly as she said this.

Yuu found that sight… somehow chilling.