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V9 Story III – Part 05

“I’ll… do it,” they both said at the same time.

Kugutsu’s eyes went wide, locking onto Yusuke.

He was trembling. If he were still in that dazed state from earlier, Yusuke might have silently offered his legs. However, he had been brought back to his senses, and now he understood the gravity of this situation.

Dying was no longer an option for him. Losing his legs in this state was unthinkable.

Still, he mustered the courage to speak, “I’m the one who crushed Karakuri Maihime’s legs, so I should bear the responsibility.”

This is absurd. Why the fuck should I give up my own legs?! That bitch killed Hirugao! Besides, who even asked for new legs? She should have stayed disabled. It’s her own damn fault.

An explosive scream pierced through my ears, reaching deep into my brain.

Kugutsu’s eyes grew wide. Yusuke couldn’t hear the voice, it seemed. His eyes were closed, as though steeling himself, but the screaming continued.

No way in hell. She used Hirugao. So what if I crushed her legs? She should be grateful just to be alive. Maybe I should have killed her. Why doesn’t that self-proclaimed mutt over there offer up his legs? I hope Odagiri-san says something. He’s mister self-sacrifice, after all.

I felt a jolt, but I suppressed my agitation.

These were likely Yusuke’s true feelings, feelings that he wasn’t aware of, ugly thoughts that he was ignoring spilling out. I shot a glare at the woman in red.

She simply smiled. There was an astonishing absence of malice on her face.

Kugutsu bared his teeth, anger plain on his face. But in the next moment, he let out a deep sigh. Raising his hand, he declared, “I will offer my legs to the Princess. I don’t expect anything from the brat.”

Perhaps this way, Princess will love me in return. Even if I die or she gets married, she will never forget about me and keep me in her heart forever. That sounds wonderful. I’d already decided to die, so I couldn’t have wished for something better.

This time, Yusuke’s eyes widened.

Kugutsu had no shame in expressing his true feelings. He remained as proud as ever, his words strangely fervent.

A sweet voice pierced into my mind. Kugutsu’s true feelings kept pouring out.

It’s only natural if you’re truly loyal. Princess will be thrilled, I’m sure. It’s just legs, after all. She’s a kind person, and she’ll surely have pity on me. How delightful. I’m truly happy. I’ll receive praise even after I die.

Yusuke took a step back, staring at Kugutsu with disbelief. Kugutsu snorted in response, holding his head high.

Their sentiments were polar opposites.

Yusuke reluctantly accepted the burden but couldn’t hide his fear. Kugutsu was delighted to bear the responsibility but seemed more self-absorbed than concerned about the consequences of losing his legs.

Kugutsu had no intention of backing down, and neither did Yusuke. The situation once again reached a standstill.

The woman appeared to find this amusing. She had let go of the flesh lump.

Seemingly annoyed by it, she had tossed the mass aside and was lying down on her stomach. A black parasol had appeared on her back, its intricate laces spinning mesmerizingly.

A red kimono and a black parasol, a contrasting combination. Yet, I couldn’t quite pinpoint what made it peculiar.

She gazed at me and smiled. Pearly teeth peeked through her crimson lips.

As I watched her, I was reminded of the cold fact.

“Well, aren’t you going to say anything, Odagiri-kun?”

There was no escaping her.

The woman, while appearing to enjoy herself, was far from satisfied.

There was a smile on her lips, but her gaze was ice cold. She occasionally ran her fingers along the severed leg of the mass of flesh, scooping up blood and tearing off a piece. I came to a disturbing realization.

Her beauty was only skin-deep. Inside her mind was a seething inferno of cold reason and ruthlessness, setting her apart from us.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She likely saw through my unsavory true thoughts.

Ideally, I wouldn’t have spoken at all. But the deadlock between the two opposing claims forced me to break my silence.

I’d prefer not to say anything. However, the two positions were in deadlock. Both outward desperation and inner truth essentially conveyed the same thing. Unless I expressed my own desire, the woman would never budge. With resignation, I abandoned silence and took a step forward.

Physical distance held no meaning for her, yet she permitted me to draw near. I stood next to her, watching her twirl her parasol. Her lips lifted softly.

“What is it, Odagiri-kun? I haven’t heard what you want yet.”

My arm reached out, grabbing the crimson kimono draped over her graceful figure and lifting her off the ground. Her body was as weightless as a feather. I considered striking her, but it appeared that her physical form was absent in this place. I took a deep breath.

It might have been a whim of the woman, but suddenly, my senses returned. Unpleasant, sticky sweat broke out all over my body.

“Take my legs,” I growled.

It was a twisted form of self-satisfaction. Utter hypocrisy.

---

I shut my eyes tight.

The person themselves couldn’t hear the true feelings beneath their words, but Yusuke and Kugutsu should have the moment I told the woman to take my legs.

What did they sound like? I was sure they were disgustingly pathetic. Even now, I clung to the one-third chance that I wouldn’t be chosen. My hands trembled violently. My legs were on the verge of making a run for it. A tiny slip, and, I might find myself telling the two of them to deal with the problem themselves. I wiped the sweat from my chin with one arm.

I chewed on my lips and steadied my breathing. It had to be me, I reminded myself. If not, I’d never forgive myself.

“Odagiri-san, what are you saying?!” Yusuke bellowed.

“Are you referring to what I said or my true feelings?” I asked.

Yusuke swallowed hard. Kugutsu remained silent. He shot me an exasperated look, let out a soft sigh, and shook his head.

What did my heart actually say? Shame and confusion overwhelmed me to the point where I thought my face might ignite. There was also a part of me that wanted to lay everything bare and plead.

I decided to speak up anyway. Hiding my thoughts when they had already been conveyed was pointless. I needed to keep talking. I uttered words that were as close to the truth as possible.

“Yeah, that’s right. I don’t know how much you heard, but I’m going to lay it all out there! Right now, I want nothing but to push this all on you two and get out of here. There’s a demon inside me, for heaven’s sake. I refuse to endure any more suffering! You guys started this mess in the first place, so you should bear the burden!”

My words left Yusuke wide-eyed, but he eventually lowered his head in resignation. Kugutsu sighed once more, displaying agreement with a calm demeanor.

“I understand, sir. You’re absolutely right. This does not have anything to do with you. You were just trying to stop us. You don’t have to shoulder this responsibility.”

You’re just going to ignore the fact that you brought the fox back, huh? Just keep on stringing pretty words. Utterly pathetic. It’s laughable. Damn son of a bitch. Well, that’s fine. I’ll take the responsibility, and I’m not backing down. I’m the only one who will receive the Princess’s praises. That’s enough for me.

Kugutsu kept smiling the whole time. It was clear that he didn’t recognize the difference between his spoken words and his inner thoughts.

Yusuke looked at me, hesitated, then finally spoke. “I’m actually okay with it. It’s just hard to admit. My true feelings are being exposed, and the thoughts just come. But I swear these thoughts aren’t everything.”

Aren’t you supposed to be a martyr? Well, this is the perfect chance to sacrifice yourself, you annoying shit. Don’t act all high and mighty, trash. What a useless hypocrite.

“I swear.”

Yusuke clenched his fist and stared at me. I nodded back at him. I couldn’t hear my own true feelings, but no matter how cowardly they might be, they weren’t everything.

“There’s more. I think you two should handle this. I shouldn’t be an option.”

I tightened my grip on the woman’s hand. She offered no resistance, merely observing me with an amused expression.

I looked into her eyes, and said, “So, choose me, woman.”

Her lips quirked up as she reached out her graceful hand. Her blood-stained fingertips brushed against my hair. She caressed my forehead like she was checking my temperature.

“Why is that, Odagiri-kun? You’re contradicting yourself completely.”

“I know that. If you take my legs, I’ll whine about it for the rest of my life. I’ll hate both of them from the depths of my heart and regret my decision forever. And I want to pummel myself to death for knowing that. I wish I could puke my guts out, writhe in agony, and die in the most undignified way possible.”

I heaved a deep sigh, fully aware of the irrationality of my words.

I couldn’t bear the weight of a lifetime filled with regrets. It would also torment those around me.

I grasped that, or maybe not. I was merely concealing my real, ugly feelings with a fleeting outburst of emotion, akin to drunken rambling. But it had to be this way. There was no alternative as long as we remained trapped in this situation. It was like an affliction.

Yusuke should return to a normal life. Kugutsu remained oblivious to Maihime’s confession.

Both of them had bright futures ahead. I understood that much. Picking one of them and fleeing was not an option. I didn’t want to find solace at someone else’s severed legs.

“Either way, it’s too late. I’m aware of the thoughts deep inside me. If you take their legs, I’ll be relieved, and anyone who derives comfort from another’s suffering should never interact with other people ever again. I won’t allow it for myself. I would forever be stripped of the right to claim that I help others. In that case, I’d rather have my legs taken away.”

The woman extended her hand suddenly, gently stroking my head.

I must have appeared miserable and pathetic, but there were no other options. Faced with this stark choice, there was only one answer.

To offer or not to offer? Whose legs to offer, mine or someone else’s?

“I don’t want to be disappointed in myself. And I don’t want to ever feel like ending my own life.”

I didn’t look at Yusuke or Kugutsu. I couldn’t afford the luxury of confirming their expressions. In my mind, I reiterated that I’d never stand on my own legs again.

“So take my legs,” I begged in a quivering voice.

I could only hope that this plea wouldn’t be crushed by my hideous true emotions.