Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Childhood Friend Is About To Arrive On The Battlefield

Seeing Tohyama Kanako using Ranbyou as a shield, Aria was momentarily at a loss. She still didn’t dare defy Ranbyou.

Part of Butei High’s school rules were established based on military regulations. Internally, it was essentially as hierarchical as the military, with students akin to soldiers and teachers akin to officers. Students defying teachers were treated like soldiers defying officers and would be severely punished.

“So, either explain things clearly, or please leave. If you don’t even have time for that, then I suggest you find someone else. Making a nuisance of yourself won’t solve the problem.”

Having experienced many things since childhood, Tohyama Kanako’s thinking had become more rational. She wouldn’t accept Aria’s coercive demand, because in the end, the one likely to get hurt, or even killed, could very well be herself.

Her parents passed away early, and her brother was gone last year. Tohyama Kanako didn’t want her grandparents to be left without any family to take care of them.

“Why… why won’t you just agree…” Aria’s voice had weakened considerably.

“Why does the sun rise? Why does the moon shine? You ask so many questions, like a little kid asking nonstop. You’re still a Butei, right? Go investigate it yourself.” Tohyama Kanako threw Aria’s own words back at her, verbatim.

Hearing this, Aria put down her chopsticks, curled up hugging her knees in the chair, and buried her head in her knees.

“Butei Killer…”

After a minute or two, Aria mumbled these words.

Tohyama Kanako wasn’t unfamiliar with this name, having just been attacked by a suspect believed to be the Butei Killer this morning, nearly getting blown sky-high.

After the narrow escape, Tohyama Kanako had been pondering why the perpetrator targeted her and what their objective was.

If the sole purpose was to kill, the perpetrator had countless opportunities to detonate the bomb. If they had some demand, none was made. The entire incident was bafflingly without clear motive or conclusion.

Unless the perpetrator was a thrill-seeker, randomly picking a lucky victim.

“The official report says the Butei Killer has been captured, right?”

“Bam!” Aria suddenly became agitated, slamming her hand on the dining table and shouting, “The person arrested is my mother! The police identified my mother as the Butei Killer! It’s a miscarriage of justice!”

“…” Tohyama Kanako never expected to hear such an answer. One’s own mother being the perpetrator, any normal person’s first reaction would be to think it’s a wrongful accusation.

“Mom is locked up in detention, but Kanako, you encountered the Butei Killer’s third attack! That proves the perpetrator isn’t my mother!”

“…The possibility of a copycat killer can’t be ruled out, can it?” Tohyama Kanako chose her words carefully to avoid upsetting Aria.

“I investigated the Butei Killer’s first two attacks and found the perpetrator used the same type of radio wave signal when controlling automated vehicles and weapons. This morning was the third time. The one who attacked you, Kanako, wasn’t a copycat! It was the Butei Killer themselves!”

“Even if the real culprit is still at large, why do you want me as your partner? It can’t possibly be just because I was also attacked by the Butei Killer. There are so many outstanding students at Butei High. Why me? I want the truth.”

“You who can defeat the examiner in the practical exam must be very strong. You were designated S-rank upon enrollment.”

Tohyama Kanako remained silent. She couldn’t very well say that was only thanks to “Hysteria Mode.” If she said that, wouldn’t she be exposing her secret?

“I’m not S-rank anymore. There are still S-rank students in Assault Studies, right?” Tohyama Kanako tried to persuade Aria to choose someone else.

Although Aria’s mother being wrongly accused as the Butei Killer was pitiable, Tohyama Kanako really didn’t want to wade into these troubled waters.

“Kanzaki-san seems to have some health issues, and the other one’s style doesn’t mesh with mine.”

“So that’s why you set your sights on me?”

“Kanako, team up with me. I’m really running out of time.” Aria showed a pleading expression.

“…I need to think about it. I don’t know anything about you.” Tohyama Kanako could only resort to a delaying tactic, hoping to pressure Aria into giving up on targeting her by dragging things out.

“How can that be…” Aria was very disappointed.

“Alright, I’ve fed you and given you milk. It’s time for you to go back.” Tohyama Kanako issued the order to leave. She couldn’t let Aria stay the night, for the safety of both parties…

“No. Unless Kanako agrees to be my partner, I absolutely won’t leave.” Aria refused and even took out her phone, seemingly texting someone.

They were back at square one.

“Did you just not hear what I said about calling the police?” Tohyama Kanako’s blood pressure began rising again.

“Ah, all set.”

Aria quickly received a reply. She placed her phone in front of Tohyama Kanako, showing the message she just received, and said, “I already got permission from Takamagahara-sensei! She agreed to let me stay with you!”

Tohyama Kanako hurriedly took Aria’s phone to read the text carefully.

Aria had texted Takamagahara Yotori saying the bathroom in her dorm was broken, she couldn’t shower, so she needed to stay at Tohyama Kanako’s place.

‘Bull! VIP apartment bathrooms break that easily?’ Tohyama Kanako roared inwardly.

The key point was that Takamagahara Yotori actually agreed. But judging from her reply riddled with typos, she was probably drunk with Ranbyou and the others.

‘Damn it! My personal space!’ Tohyama Kanako bitterly resented her teacher’s unreliability.

With Takamagahara Yotori’s permission, Tohyama Kanako couldn’t expel Aria. Since a superior officer had made the decision, she, a lowly soldier, could only obey orders. Moreover, Takamagahara Yotori had been very accommodating when she transferred majors, she couldn’t embarrass her.

“Lucky you!” Tohyama Kanako gritted her teeth as she returned Aria’s phone.

“Hmph~ Well then, looking forward to working together from now on, partner!”

“I haven’t agreed to be your partner yet!”

“I’m full. I’m going to take a bath.” Aria turned a deaf ear to Tohyama Kanako’s protest, quickly finished the last bit of her bento, and ran to the entrance to get her suitcase.

“You wait a minute!” Tohyama Kanako rushed into the bathroom ahead of Aria, turned on the exhaust fan and ventilation window, and frantically sprayed air freshener from a bottle.

As for places like drains prone to accumulating grime and hair, she cleaned them up immediately too.

“Kanako, you’re quite considerate. Knowing I’m going to bathe, cleaning the bathroom so diligently.” Aria stood outside the bathroom door, having brought her suitcase over from the entrance.

“I’m not doing it for you!”

Tohyama Kanako was frantically cleaning the bathroom to eliminate any lingering scent. Who knows what might happen if Aria soaked in a bathroom full of her scent? She never let her childhood friend clean the bathroom either.

Tohyama Kanako had actually been very mindful of this since her first year living in the dorms. It was just that living alone for a few months, she had almost forgotten.

“Don’t do anything weird with my towels or toothbrush.” After finishing the cleaning, Tohyama Kanako left those words and exited.

“Who would?!” Aria seemed to think of something, her face flushing red as she dragged her suitcase into the bathroom.

Returning to the dining table, the mentally exhausted Tohyama Kanako picked at her remaining food.

‘The first day of school is already this tiring. Unlucky!’ she lamented inwardly.

Ding-dong~

Just as Tohyama Kanako was about to clear the table, someone rang the doorbell.

‘Who could it be at this hour?’ Tohyama Kanako wondered as she opened the dorm door.

“Good evening, Kiki.”

The visitor was Hotogi Shirayuki in her miko attire, holding a package.

Perhaps because of Tohyama Kanako’s protest this morning, Hotogi Shirayuki chose not to use the key to open the door directly.

“Uh, Shirayuki, what brings you here so late? And why are you still in your miko outfit?” Tohyama Kanako discreetly hooked her leg back, using her foot to kick Aria’s shoes, which were at the entrance, into a blind spot behind the door, preventing her childhood friend from seeing them.

Instinct told Tohyama Kanako that she absolutely must not let her childhood friend know Aria was staying over, or something terrifying would happen.

“My specialized class ran very late today. I thought I’d prepare dinner for Kiki and bring it over right away, so I came directly without changing clothes.” As she spoke, Hotogi Shirayuki handed over the package she was holding.

“I’ve already eaten, but thank you.” Tohyama Kanako reached out to take the package.

However, just as Hotogi Shirayuki handed over the package, she sniffed the air.

“There’s another woman’s scent…”

[To be continued.]

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