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V13 Story III – Part 01

Mayuzumi Azaka does not grieve her own death.

After all, it’s nothing more than a boring spectacle.

I tell others to applaud, to cheer, and if they find humor in this death, they are welcome to laugh. I never valued my own life. I’m a callous person who sees no value in shedding tears, even over my own death.

Mayuzumi Azaka does not mourn anyone’s death. Her own was no exception.

But Odagiri-kun cried and wailed over my death. And I didn’t find that particularly foolish.

He’s an odd one. But if I shrugged and dismissed it, he would say that I was just heartless. I never mocked others’ tears, but I had no intention of understanding why they cried.

I knew my own horridness well, and he constantly complained about it.

Yet he cried. So sorrowfully, so loudly. As if he had lost something he treasured.

He despised me, showed his anger, often grieved. But in the end, it seemed he trusted me.

Like when he looked up at me under the full bloom of cherry blossoms, he sometimes regarded me with eyes that seemed to believe in something.

Those eyes themselves didn’t matter to me in the slightest. But if he had wholly rejected me, I wouldn’t have gone to meet him. Somehow, despite everything, I smiled and took his hand.

But to him, that smile…

No, it’s nothing. I just think it’s unreasonable.

---

The phone rang sharply.

“Sadashita, is that you?”

“I heard the news. You made it back alive. Incredible.”

Sadashita’s voice came through smoothly. His tone was unreadable—impressed or irritated, it was hard to tell. I leaned back in the leather seat, nodding absently, glancing at Asato beside me. He didn’t seem to care about the conversation. He was just staring at the scarlet sky fading into the distance.

We sat in the back of a car sent by the Mayuzumi clan. The driver, emotionless as ever, had his firm grip on the wheel. The car had shown up minutes after we left the mansion, with no warning. I hadn’t noticed them, but there must have been cameras around the gate. Sadashita knew we’d finished the job the moment we stepped out. He probably saw the blood on my shirt too. Spare clothes and bandages for Asato’s injured hand were prepared inside the car. Too prepared, as always.

Sadashita continued, his calm voice tinged with that infuriating nonchalance, “If you’ve already lifted the curse, wouldn’t it have been better to just go? We’re not espers, you know. Sometimes, ordinary people can go to great lengths. This car could lose control, veer off a cliff, and—you know—maybe you two wouldn’t be so lucky.”

Sadashita chuckled, as if he’d made a light-hearted comment. His tone was casual, but the words were unsettling. I glanced at the back of the driver’s head. He didn’t react at all.

I sighed, knowing Sadashita couldn’t see my shoulders sag over the phone. “Didn’t even cross my mind. Thanks for the heads-up, but that’s not happening. We’d have to die instantly, or it’s you who’d pay the price. You remember what I said on that island about what happens when a demon loses its host, right? You’re not dumb enough to take that risk. That’s why you sent us to that place. Monsters handle monsters best. We were the perfect candidates to clear that dungeon.”

“So, you figured that much out. I know it was a despicable order, and I won’t apologize. We’re just trying to survive too. We’re just ordinary people. I don’t expect you to understand human fears. But you two did better than we ever hoped. I’m grateful, and I sincerely commend you for lifting the curse.”

“I wonder: were you hoping we’d come back? Or were you praying we wouldn’t? It doesn’t matter I guess—you’d never tell me anyway. But I’ll say this: you’re the only one in the Mayuzumi clan who tried to change the rules through plain fear. That alone shows that you’re a very strong person. Yeah, I think you’re impressive.”

“What? Why are you suddenly complimenting me?” Sadashita sounded genuinely confused.

I let out another sigh. I wasn’t trying to compliment him. No matter how impressive he was, he was still an asshole. His ruthless decisions, whether for reform or the next generation, didn’t change that. Anyone who uses others to kill is pure scum. But I felt compelled to tell him something. Maybe I’m just too soft-hearted. I remembered his panic when Mayuzumi awoke on the island. He probably didn’t hear what she said clearly.

As someone who happened to be present, it felt like my duty to pass on her words. Mayuzumi would probably tell me to mind my own business.

“Keep that in mind. Such outlook is what the next head needs—Mayuzumi would say the same. She said it on the island. You might’ve forgotten.”

“To hold onto the belief that rejects the need for gods, no matter who opposes it. I never thought I’d hear those words again. How nostalgic. I appreciate them.”

Sadashita cut me off, his voice laced with bitterness despite his thanks. He’d heard Mayuzumi clearly back then, word for word. I frowned, feeling stupid for bringing it up. Asato, who had been listening, snorted. I hid my embarrassment by clearing my throat.

“So you do remember,” I said. “I thought you might have missed it.”

“They were the words of a living god. For better or worse, Mayuzumi Azaka’s binding curse is powerful. I could never forget anything that the previous Azaka had said. Every word is etched in my memory.”

“Really? You’re a bit unsettling. Maybe it’s better if you forget them.”

“I think your personality has changed somewhat. You no longer mince words.”

“Considering the people I have to deal with, I’ve learned that being polite doesn’t get me far.”

I rubbed my stomach. Right now, I had no intention of holding back or letting unnecessary thoughts and reservations stop me from saying what I wanted. I wanted to speak my mind without regret.

After a brief silence, Sadashita let out a weary sigh and spoke with a tired resignation. “Well, let me be honest with you, then. I don’t want you to bring back the former Azaka. She was a terrifying person. I fear the wrath of the scarlet woman. But now I see that she was the one who pushed me forward. It was thanks to the words of the living god that I could carry out all the acts of insolence toward the main family without hesitation. I don’t welcome her return, but I think I see your point.”

“My point? What are you talking about? Did I say something that you agree with?”

“Did you forget? That’s fine. As thanks for what you did, let me tell you something.”

Sadashita paused and took a deep breath. A dramatic gesture, but it showed that he was serious. He then spoke slowly, as if drawing the words from deep within.

“Mayu-san wasn’t as scary as you think.”

Memories came rushing back. Just recently, I had slammed a bundle of cash on Sadashita’s face, clenched my fists, and argued that the Mayuzumi I knew wasn’t as incomprehensible or frightening as he claimed.

Sadashita chuckled. He spoke of Mayuzumi with a surprising gentleness. “She was scary, but maybe she wasn’t truly terrifying.”

Mayuzumi Azaka was inhuman, but she didn’t lord her divinity over others.

I smiled slightly and nodded. Asato frowned, puzzled by my reaction.

Clearing my throat, I turned my attention forward. Though we had left the Mayuzumi estate, the car was still moving. Then, a thought came to me.

“I need to go get Mayu-san as soon as possible,” I told Sadashita, making sure my voice was loud enough for the driver to hear. “But before that, there are a few people I absolutely need to see. Could you take us there?”

“People you want to see? Sure, we can take you to the express train station.”

“No, somewhere else would be better. I believe the Mayuzumi clan have established a connection with them recently. The driver was there. He should be familiar with the route. Just take us there instead.”

I had a better chance of finding the people I needed to see at that location rather than at the apartment. I glanced at Asato. He was again staring out the window, seemingly indifferent. Sadashita waited for me to continue.

Watching the trees pass by, I said, “To the Karakuri residence.”