3 bar menu

V8 Story I – Part 04

“You’ve got some nasty bruises there. And a fever, too. Wow, you’re covered in bruises,” Nanami remarked, her face contorting with concern as she examined my arm.

Extensive black bruises marred my arm, and I was running a temperature. Nanami applied a cold compress to my arm and bandaged it. She probed my bones a few times.

“But it doesn’t seem to be broken. Some silver lining, I suppose. There might be some hairline fractures, so make sure you go to the hospital later,” Nanami advised.

I touched my arm in disbelief. I couldn’t believe my bones weren’t broken. It seemed like Yusuke, in his rage, had shown me some mercy. Perhaps there was still a chance to stop him.

I clenched my fist. Nanami closed the first-aid kit and let out a sigh.

“So, what happened? I don’t particularly want to know, but it seems like a question I must ask. Are you in some kind of trouble again?”

“I…” The words froze in my throat.

Nanami and Yusuke knew each other. Maybe I should tell her. But after puzzling it over, I decided to be vague. What happened was not suitable for a young child’s ears.

“Let’s say someone important to your friend has died,” I began.

“Go on, keep talking,” she replied.

“If your friend decides to seek revenge… what should I do?” The words slipped out of my lips.

The child within my belly squirmed in concern. Nanami furrowed her brows. Without asking for further details, she fell into contemplation. Several seconds later, she spoke up.

“I don’t care about things that don’t interest me. Asking me that question is a mistake. I don’t want to get involved in troublesome matters, no matter who it’s for. Besides, I hate people consumed by thoughts of revenge. But…”

Nanami suddenly glared at me, and I flinched under the weight of her intense gaze. A few moments later, she snorted, but smiled anyway. She shook her head slightly.

“That’s my take on it. Odagiri-san, you’re a nice person. Too nice. And I see value in that. There should only be one answer within you.”

I nodded dumbfoundedly. Nanami shrugged her shoulders ever so slightly. Then, she patted my head a couple of times with her small hands and pulled away.

“I dislike that part of you, but I also like it. You’re going to try and stop them, aren’t you?”

“Yes… That’s the plan.”

Nanami stood up and returned the first-aid kit to the shelf. Meanwhile, Aya was struggling with a roll of tape on her finger.

Without looking back at me, Nanami added, “But please try not to get hurt. And make sure to pay next month’s rent.”

I nodded and rose to my feet. At that moment, a cheerful ringtone filled the room. Nanami’s cellphone vibrated on the edge of the low table. She walked back, picked up the call, and checked the number, tilting her head in confusion.

“Hmm, who could it be… Hello?”

She didn’t recognize the caller. Nevertheless, she pressed the phone to her ear, and her expression instantly changed. I thought I saw her pigtails billow.

“Wait, how did you get my number? Did you look at Odagiri-san’s phone and saved it? I’ll sue you, you shut-in.”

Fierce anger filled her petite frame. I frowned. Who could the caller be? Before I could ask, Nanami’s fury escalated further.

“You don’t have the right to tell me to hand over the phone. You’re so infuriating. Compensation? Hmm, I see. Fine. But don’t you dare call again. I’m blocking your number. Got it?”

Nanami clicked her tongue and removed the phone from her ear. Then she strode toward me.

She held out her cellphone. “It’s Mayuzumi,” she sighed. “Please take better care of your own phone, okay?”

I hurriedly took the phone. Bowing my head to Nanami, I left the room. As I stepped out the door, I pressed the phone to my ear.

A weary voice greeted me on the other end. “Hey, Odagiri-kun, are you there?”

“Mayuzumi-san!” I exclaimed.

Strength drained from my body, and I leaned against the door. I felt a surge of relief that she contacted me. Now I could tell her to tighten the security around Mayuzumi Asato.

“I couldn’t get hold of you or Yusuke,” Mayuzumi said, “so I took a gamble that you might be at the apartment. Luckily, it paid off. Nanami seems to harbor some resentment towards me, though.” I heard chocolate snapped.

I now understood why she called Nanami. At the same time, Yusuke’s refusal to answer her call gripped me with fear.

“Mayu-san, I need to talk to you about Yusuke. It’s urgent.”

“What happened to your phone? Did Yusuke beat you up and smashed it?”

Crack. Chocolate snapped again.

I swallowed, replaying her words in my mind. Questions surged within me.

How did she know?

“He did,” I replied. “Yusuke said he would kill Asato and Maihime.”

“Ah, I see. Well, it’s not really my concern.”

Her words were incomprehensible. I stared blankly into space for the span of several moments. The sound of chocolate snapping went on.

Munching on the sweet treat, she said, “What’s wrong, Odagiri-kun? Have you finished saying what you wanted to say?”

“What do you mean it’s not your concern?”

A surprisingly low voice escaped my lips. The phone in my grasp creaked, and my fingers throbbed.

Mayuzumi Azaka did not grieve over the fate of Yusuke and Hirugao. I knew that. But she saw their smiles. Her remark was inexcusable.

“How could you say that?! You—”

“Where is this coming from? It’s not like Yusuke’s decision was unexpected, was it? If anything, you’re the unprepared one for not realizing that until you got beaten up.”

Mayuzumi’s voice was clear, gently brushing off my outburst. Her indifferent words flowed to my ears.

“Their deaths won’t pose any problems for me,” she declared.

My brain processed her words objectively. She was right.

Mayuzumi Asato was nothing more than a nuisance to the Mayuzumi clan, and Karakuri Maihime a trigger for more trouble. Their deaths at the hands of a third party would be favorable for her.

She wouldn’t encourage Yusuke, but she had no reason to worry about or stop him. My mind understood her reasoning, but my heart vehemently disagreed.

Gritting my teeth, I vented my frustration, “Mayu-san, if you were in front of me of right now, I would’ve hit you.”

“I bet you would. It’s a good thing you’re not here, then. Well, rest assured. Asato won’t die easily, and I’m sure Maihime knows how to defend herself. Unless they willingly submit to their demise, he wouldn’t be able to exact his vengeance that easily.”

She made a good point. I suppressed my restlessness. Yusuke’s path of revenge wouldn’t be smooth. I should still have time to find him. However, an uneasiness suddenly crept into my mind.

Why didn’t she mention the fact that Asato was confined in the underground cell?

The Mayuzumi clan had suffered some blow from the puppet attack. But there should be people gathered there at the moment. It would be impossible for Yusuke to reach the underground cell under the current circumstances. So why?

“Anyway, there’s something I need to tell you. I thought you might have already encountered it, but I’m relieved to know that you haven’t,” she said impassively.

What was she about to say?

I held my breath and readied myself. And then, she casually dropped a bomb.

“The fox has escaped from his cage. He’s currently outside the enclosure.”

It was the most undesirable situation at this moment.