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V12 Story III – Part 01

Mayuzumi Azaka does not lament her own death.

She calls it a boring spectacle.

She tells people to clap, to cheer, and if they can laugh, then let them laugh. She doesn’t value her own life. Mayuzumi Azaka is a callous person, but she views all life equally.

Mayuzumi Azaka does not mourn anyone’s death.

But if I were to cry over her death, she wouldn’t make fun of me. She would simply shrug and tell me I was an odd one in a weary tone.

Mayuzumi Azaka is heartless, but she never mocked others’ tears.

She knew her own horridness well, and I constantly complained about it.

Yet, she would still smile. A very sinister and twisted one. Or a serene curl of her lips, like that of someone who has lived a long life.

All the while laughing at the dead, reveling in tragedies, and savoring misfortune.

But occasionally, she showed a crystal-clear gaze.

Like when she spoke to me under the full bloom of cherry blossoms, she would look at me with an expression not befitting a young girl.

How I hated that beautiful smile of hers.

---

When I opened my eyes, I saw green fabric. I could feel a soft mattress beneath me.

My eyes wandered around, taking in my surroundings. Dull green fabric surrounded me on all sides, and a down comforter covered my body. My entire view was dominated by the bed and the green fabric encasing it.

Feeling a wave of panic, I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to piece together the situation. It seemed I was lying on a canopy bed. I never thought I would wake up in such a luxurious space.

I lost consciousness in the dim hallway that felt like a fish tank, and my last memory was Karakuri Maihime’s lovely smile. I touched my stomach and found the wound healed. The blood I lost had also been replenished. The wound on my right arm had been treated, and there was no pain when I moved it.

I heard metallic noises coming from the distance, echoing through the room. It sounded like a bustling factory in full operation. But when I opened my eyes, I found myself in an opulent space, a stark contrast to the sounds.

Perplexed, I sat up, parting the canopy to peek outside. Puppets lined the curved walls. Most of them were typical Western puppets, but there were also some strange ones mixed in. Girls who looked like real humans were sitting with their legs sprawled out.

One puppet was holding her own head, perhaps undergoing repair. Without that detail, I might have thought there was a child in the room. I threw off the comforter and checked my body again.

Fortunately, the bandages and gloves were still in place. The unfamiliar pajamas I was wearing were long at the hem. I adjusted the rolled-up sleeves and got out of bed. Besides the puppets, the room contained a wardrobe and a vanity. Feeling unsettled, I crossed the room and stepped into the adjacent space.

There was no corridor between rooms; I entered the next room directly. Like the first, its curved walls were lined with puppets. I was likely in a circular room divided into several sections.

I recognized the layout—it was Karakuri Maihime’s workshop. Where was she and what was she doing?

“Odagiri-san, it’s time to wake up—oh, he’s not here. A disappearing act.”

A nonchalant voice came from the room I had just left. I opened the door and returned. Yusuke, standing by the bed, turned around. He raised the tray in his hands.

“Oh, there you are, Odagiri-san. Already up and about! Pretty tough, huh? You’ve got high endurance, like a monster’s stats, even if you are a bit mentally fragile.”

“Please don’t use that metaphor. So, what’s going on?”

“This is the Karakuri residence, and I brought breakfast. Everyone’s busy right now.”

Yusuke deftly moved a chair from the vanity and placed the tray on the intricately ornamented seat without a second thought. The tray held ham and eggs, vegetable soup, and toast. The food was still warm. There was also individually packaged butter and a glass of orange juice.

“Anyway, just hurry up and eat. We’ll talk afterward.”

I had many questions, but I set them aside for now. There seemed to be no immediate danger. I didn’t feel the effects of blood loss, but I wasn’t sure if I had enough blood. I decided to follow Yusuke’s advice for now. I took the fork and sat back on the bed, carefully placing the tray on my lap to avoid scratching the seat. I turned my attention to the food and frowned.

For some reason, the underside of the ham and eggs was charred, and the soup ingredients were unevenly chopped. The only thing that seemed properly cooked was the toast. Puzzled, I reached for my fork.

I cut a piece of the rubbery ham and eggs and fearfully put it in my mouth. The over-seasoned egg whites were tough to chew, but I swallowed carefully. That’s when I realized just how hungry I was.

No matter the situation, humans get hungry. The realization filled me with both nausea and awe. I stabbed the hard yolk with my fork and quickly finished the ham and eggs in three bites.

Next, I spread butter on the toast and ate it before it melted. I washed it down with the soup, swallowing it along with the practically raw ingredients. Everything tasted awful, but tears welled up in my eyes.

I was alive. As my stomach filled, my body naturally relaxed. Warm food was very comforting.

Even when the world fell apart, some simple truths remained unchanged. Sniffling, I grabbed the glass and drank the orange juice in one gulp. Placing the empty glass back on the tray, I bowed to Yusuke.

“Thanks, Yusuke. It tasted horrible, but it was very good.”

“Loved the way you chowed it all down. When your mind is broken, your stomach doesn’t get hungry. I know that from experience, so this is good. Also, Odagiri-san, I have some important news.”

Yusuke tried to smile but hesitated. His expression shifted several times, as if he couldn’t decide how to react. Finally, with a serious face, he slapped his knees and, prefacing with a warning not to be surprised, declared:

“The clan head made that.”

Bang!

The door flung open, startling me. I looked up to see a woman in a white kimono standing there, as if from a dream.

For some reason, she held a stained dishcloth. Her hands went limp, and she dropped it. I thought I might never see her again. Her eyes grew wide.

Minase Shirayuki stared at me with her clear eyes. She bit her lip hard, her large black eyes welling with tears. Then, she pounced forward.

The world flipped, and I was pushed down on the bed.

---

“Clan head, please calm down! You’re crushing Odagiri-san!” Yusuke’s voice seemed distant.

A soft body lay on top of me. I couldn’t quite understand what was happening. I struggled to breathe. Slender arms were wrapped around my neck.

A howl drowned out the sharp metallic noise. Shirayuki was crying loudly. Her wordless cries tore through my eardrums, and her warm tears wet my neck. I realized I had made her cry again. Staring up at the canopy, I felt her presence acutely. Shirayuki was here.

She wasn’t a phantom; I could feel her weight pressing down on me. But what was she doing here? The Minase clan should have withdrawn from the Mayuzumi case.

I had been told Shirayuki’s help would no longer be available. Did she sneak out of her home? If that was the case, I had to send her back. I couldn’t bear for her to be hurt again because of me. No matter what, I wanted her to live.

Even if it meant dying without seeing her face again, that was fine.

As I thought this, I found myself hugging her back with all my strength.

“I missed you.”

The words came out automatically. The last time I saw Shirayuki was when she jumped out of the car. I was told she was safe, but I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes or touched her.

Her body was warm—a comforting warmth, different from blood and guts.

I held her tightly, feeling the softness of her body. I buried my face in her black hair and exhaled.

It was enough if she was safe, even if I couldn’t see her. I wanted her to be happy. I truly wished that. It wasn’t a lie. But seeing her in person made my resolve crumble.

Shirayuki was safe. She was warm. She was crying for me.

“I wanted to see you. I’m so glad you’re safe, Shirayuki-san.”

I couldn’t help but hold her tighter.

“Oh, this is one of those tearful reunions, isn’t it? Odagiri-san, should I leave and give you some space? This is Maihime’s room, though.”

“N-No, there’s no need. Stay!” I hastily sat up. “Shirayuki-san, what are you doing here?”

She didn’t answer my question. She was clinging to me as if never intending to let go, not saying a word. I gave up trying to pry her off and held her. Seeking an explanation, I looked at Yusuke.

Breathing a sigh, he explained, “Well, I also thought getting the clan head out would be impossible, so I came here instead. It’s all thanks to her.”

Karakuri Maihime, the puppeteer with the bridal air, had freed the head of the Minase clan from her cage.