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V11 Story I – Part 05

Despite the sudden disturbance, the other guests remained motionless—the elderly woman and the siblings didn’t flinch. A shiver ran down my spine. The man, lifting his darkened face, glanced fearfully at Mayuzumi.

“You once fled, didn’t you? Yet here you are, back on the island,” Mayuzumi went on. “You consumed her flesh, but you refused to kill yourself. That girl will never forgive you.” She flashed a wicked smile.

I recalled what she said on the ship. This dinner party had extreme rules. In her father’s time, one could acquire meat by paying a certain amount of money and vowing to maintain confidentiality. But the girl introduced even more stringent, deranged stipulations.

Upon consuming the meat, guests must end their own lives. Only those who had settled their affairs and penned their final wishes were allowed to participate in the dinner party.

This marked the fourth dinner party hosted by the girl. Despite the outrageous conditions, individuals flocked to it, killing themselves thereafter.

However, the man had fled during his second dinner party, boarding the supply ship and escaping the island alive. Yet for inexplicable reasons, he returned to the very place he had fled.

I recalled the girl’s expression from earlier—a lovely smile and a disdainful gaze.

Yuuyami Towa welcomed him warmly like the other guests, her icy gaze impartial to all present.

“Now that you’ve returned, there’s no escape. Await your last supper. She’ll offer you meat just like she does for everyone else. Isn’t that great?” Mayuzumi smiled.

The man trembled. I swallowed hard, pressing a hand against my aching stomach. My insides churned. Everything here—the place, the guests—was not normal.

Negative emotions seared my chest—a mix of disgust towards the people gathered here, and a gnawing uncertainty about my own fate.

---

Since the girl’s initial greeting, there had been no sign of the servants. Following the lead of the other guests, I began to explore the first floor, which we were free to use, apparently. The other four seemed familiar with the mansion’s layout, each heading towards a room of their choice. Mayuzumi and Mikage chose theirs without hesitation.

I entered the last room available located in the corner and was greeted by a somewhat eerie, dull green interior. The furniture—a writing desk, wardrobe, and sturdy bed—matched the room’s color scheme. The walls and floor were covered in twisted scrollwork patterns. It was an unsettling room. I settled onto the bed and opened the window.

Outside, darkness stretched endlessly. I could hear the distant waves and the rustling trees in the pitch-black. Behind the mansion lay a forest, and beyond that, the sea. There was no escape. I lay on the bed, closing my eyes, consumed by anxiety.

Would the meat offering start tonight? We had no intention of following through with the suicide part; our objective was to retrieve Mikage’s eye. Supposedly, this would alter the fate depicted on the cards. However, the plan still felt surreal to me.

The illustrations on the cards supposedly depicted Mikage’s visions of the future. They represented the interconnected future images she continuously saw.

I thought back to the two eyeballs resting on the palms. Could getting rid of one of them really avert her death? The notion was clearly absurd. Something so uncertain couldn’t possibly change one’s fate.

Rubbing my throbbing temples, I opened my eyes and sat up on the rough, cold sheets. Dwelling on these things was a waste of time. I decided to discuss our future course of action with Mayuzumi.

As I rose to my feet, however, a rhythmic knocking came at the door. I rushed to the door, grabbed the knob, and pulled it open. I instantly jumped back. An oddly massive figure towered before me, a monstrous giant of a man with vacant eyes.

I tensed, observing him closely. His eyes were partially obscured by drooping eyelids, and he sported a cook’s coat and a tall cook’s hat. He was clearly the chef, but a very weird one.

What could he possibly want? The man suddenly stooped down and handed me a card before freezing in place. He was waiting for me to take it. I reached out and snatched the card. My eyes widened as I read its contents.

Much like the invitation card, it featured a vibrant illustration of a plate.

The man’s crooked lips parted. “Congratulations. You have been bestowed the highest honor. Please rejoice. The young lady’s meal will be served late at night. If you wish, you may have a light meal beforehand. If you prefer not to go to the dining room, we will bring you an aperitif later. That would be all. Excuse me.”

With a polite bow, he closed the door. I stared blankly at the card, my hackles rising. It depicted a plate filled with crimson blood, disturbing even in the dim light.

Quickly, I stumbled out of the room, rushing down the dark corridor towards Mayuzumi.

---

“Mayu-san! Mayu-san!”

“What’s all the racket, Odagiri-kun? You want to make a scene too?” Mayuzumi grumbled irritably.

Who in their right mind would want to make a scene here? The dining hall was enveloped in silence. Mayuzumi and Mikage, having placed their belongings in their rooms, were already seated at the dining table. The only thing that disrupted the stillness was the crackling music from the phonograph.

I glanced around. The mansion was quietly decaying. Sand and dust littered the lattice-patterned floor, while the relief on the ceiling had turned black. Cobwebs hung on the walls’ lighting fixtures. Upon closer examination, the red tablecloth bore large stains. Two plain steel plates sat before Mayuzumi and the others.

I couldn’t help but furrow my brow. Was this meant to be dinner? Dried sandwiches sat upon the plates, served with tea so strong that the red was almost black. I shuddered.

Considering the context of cannibalism, the dining hall took on an eerie atmosphere, a realization that finally dawned on me. The girl said that her flesh would be served individually. I calmed myself down.

There would be no bloodshed here; that’s what I told myself. Shaking my head, I turned to Mayuzumi.

She ignored the plates and was eating chocolate. Mikage, sitting next to her, was tapping the table with her fingers, staring at the man from earlier. He was slumped on the table.

Mikage let out a sigh. “Hey, Tatenashi. Could you sit up straight? We can’t have a conversation like this.”

Tatenashi did not respond. I stared at the two. Suddenly, I felt a poke behind my knees. I almost tumbled, but managed to catch myself and leap back. I turned to face my assailant: Mayuzumi, wielding her parasol. It was no surprise.

“Mayu-san, please refrain from using your parasol like a back scratcher,” I said. “It really hurts.”

“A back scratcher? This thing packs more punch than a back scratcher. And could you not point fingers before confirming who the culprit is. Anyway, what’s that you’re holding?”

Mayuzumi extended her palm, signaling for me to hand it over. I passed her the card. After examining it, Mayuzumi smirked.

“You’re first, huh? Luck’s either on your side or not at all. Which is it?”

“I’d say it’s the latter. I don’t plan to kill myself. What should I do?”

“Declining would be wise. This is a problem. We can’t afford to be thrown out before getting the eye. And there’s something I’m after. I didn’t expect you to go first, though. Darn it. I believe making you cry would be best.”

Mayuzumi nibbled on the card’s edge. Sacrificed for a noble cause—it was unbearable.

I tried to speak, when a hand snatched the card away from Mayuzumi.

“P-Please let me have it!” Tatenashi howled. “If you don’t mind going later, then I’ll take it!”

I was left speechless. I didn’t even notice his approach. His eyes gleamed unnaturally.

Mikage slammed her foot on the table. “Hey, Tatenashi. You’re taking this too far. Why the sudden urge to die? If you’re going to kick the bucket, at least hand over that brooch to me first. I have no use for you otherwise!”

“Mikage won’t accept my invitation anyway. The world is dark. There’s only pure blackness. I’ll fulfill my original goal. And then I’ll finally be satisfied,” he muttered to himself, crushing the card in his hand.

Mikage’s words couldn’t reach him. Though the notice crumpled, he maintained his grip.

He turned to me, screaming maniacally. “Let’s switch rooms! I’ll take yours. I’ll explain it to the cook when he arrives. Feel free to use my room’s belongings. Yes, that’s for the best. I don’t need anything else.”

Striking the cane against the back of his hand, Tatenashi scurried away fast. I didn’t even have time to stop him. I stood stock still as I watched him go.