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V9 Story IV – Part 06

Mayuzumi’s skirt frills swayed gently with every moment.

Occasionally, she nibbled on a piece of chocolate. There was no trace of fear on her face, despite the knife pressed against her pale neck.

A stab and a shove, and she wouldn’t survive. Mayuzumi, however, appeared utterly uninterested in the current situation, displaying no signs of unrest.

“Excellent work, sir,” Kugutsu said from behind her. “Could you kindly send that brat over here? I’d like to exchange him for Lady Azaka. Please, make sure not to let the demon in your belly out.”

He believed that I commanded the demon to appear back at the Karakuri estate. A calm smile graced his face. A look at his expression, and a shiver ran down my spine.

Kugutsu’s thoughts were a mystery to me.

Yusuke, his face tense, attempted to step forward. “Odagiri-san, I…”

“Wait a moment, Kugutsu. I need to talk to you.”

“The Princess gave you those legs, didn’t she?”

We all spoke at the same time. Kugutsu, wearing a smile, inclined his head, his sharp gaze boring into Yusuke. He showed no surprise at the sight of him standing there.

“I see. As expected, you brought the princess with you, and you presumed upon her benevolence to gain legs. She’s indeed a kind person. Compassionate, almost like the Virgin Mary.”

“Kugutsu, Mahime-san wants to talk to you. She—”

“You’re quite insufferable, sir. Could you stay quiet? Now that we’ve come this far, words are meaningless. I still haven’t forgiven him. He took the princess’s legs away. How could I possibly forgive him?”

Kugutsu bared his teeth, and I took a step forward. I approached the flight of stairs, but Mayuzumi remained unfazed, not attempting to stop me. She watched the commotion with a bored air.

I took a deep breath. “Mayuzumi doesn’t see you as a dog.”

My voice reverberated through the space. Kugutsu’s eyes widened, and for the first time, his smile gave way to discomposure. Then, he shook his head and sighed softly.

“Hogwash. How would you know about the princess’s feelings?”

“If you think I’m lying, ask her yourself. She doesn’t see you as a dog. You’re not obliged to take revenge. You’re doing this of your own will. Killing someone and then dying is the most stup—”

“Then, so be it!” Kugutsu snapped. “So what if I’m doing this of my own will?!”

I stopped in my tracks. His scream reverberated within the warehouse. Kugutsu glared at me with bared teeth. The echoes gradually died down.

“I’m doing this on my own, yes. I don’t care. I can’t forgive anyone who hurts the Princess. Whatever you say doesn’t matter at this point. What, are you gonna give a pretty speech or something?”

His hand gripping the knife trembled. I bit back my words. Kugutsu’s hatred was profound, and I couldn’t advise him against harboring resentment or hatred. The atmosphere turned icy, but it was a cold voice that shattered the silence.

“Ah, you finally came to that realization. A little bit late, though, I have to say.”

Mayuzumi licked a piece of chocolate, her gaze shifting to the agitated Kugutsu. A wicked smile played on her red lips.

“That’s right. Your impulses are not born from your obligation as a dog, but rather a choice of your own,” she said matter-of-factly. “It’s only natural to want to kill him. It’s an inherent impulse, nothing extraordinary. But it seems you’ve got something wrong. Allow me to issue a warning.

Mayuzumi’s smile deepened. Kugutsu pressed the knife harder in fear.

Still she continued talking, shrugging her shoulders slightly.

“Even if you kill Yusuke-kun, her injury won’t disappear. Even if her legs were restored, her pain and loss won’t revert to nothing. You can’t redeem yourself from your failure.”

Kugutsu’s face tightened. Mayuzumi’s words likely hit the nail on the head regarding his motivation. It bore a striking resemblance to Yusuke’s own. It brought back the words of the fox: “To escape the unbearable rage, it’s much easier to kill others than to kill oneself.”

“In short, your actions don’t have any meaning beyond venting your frustrations. But if it makes you happy, then feel free to continue.”

“I know that! I’m only doing this for myself!” Kugutsu shouted.

His fiery gaze locked onto Mayuzumi. Sensing potential danger, I took a step forward, and at the same time, something scuttled beneath my feet. I glanced downward and saw a small gray rat squeak.

I raised my eyes to the ceiling and swallowed. Kugutsu’s attention was elsewhere, so I took the opportunity to place my foot on the stairs and ascend gradually. His gaze remained fixated on Mayuzumi, who went on in a disinterested tone.

“No, I highly doubt you understand. In your heart, you’re still upholding your loyalty, aren’t you? Revenge is the ultimate form of self-gratification. I don’t categorize it as evil.”

Mayuzumi playfully swung her legs, her heels clacking. The blade of the knife grazed her skin as she raised her head, but she appeared unfazed. The black lily adorning her head tilted. She fixed Kugutsu with large, fearless eyes.

“But do not drag me into it. I’d rather not be killed by a dog. Being used by a human is even more unpleasant. Your hatred has nothing to do with me.”

Kugutsu’s face scrunched up. I reached the top of the stairs. Rats darted across the handrail, forming a line as they sped down the walkway.

One of them sniffed my hand before scurrying back upstairs. I reached the walkway.

Taking careful steps, I inched forward, remaining unnoticed by Kugutsu, who remained entranced by Mayuzumi’s eyes.

I stepped forward once more, but a chilling voice suddenly pierced the silence.

“Please refrain from getting any closer, sir.”

I froze in my tracks. Mayuzumi’s lips curled as she turned to face me.

“Odagiri-kun, did you really think he wouldn’t notice you?” she asked incredulously. “If you did, then you’re quite the dunce. Anyone would notice someone approaching so boldly.”

Mayuzumi broke off another piece of chocolate. When seen up close, it resembled a dog.

Even in the face of her impending demise, Mayuzumi Azaka remained unfazed. I took a deep breath.

Staring at her face, I said, “Mayu-san, I have to warn you. I’m going to put you in danger. I’m sorry.”

“As if I’m not already in danger right now. Asking for permission after the fact isn’t very respectable.”

Mayuzumi sighed, not even sparing me a glance. Even in this perilous situation, her demeanor remained unchanged. I felt dispirited.

“Apologies, but I’m not actually seeking your permission,” I said.

“In that case, words are meaningless. You’re responsible for your actions, so do as you please.”

I nodded at her, turning back to Kugutsu. I shifted my gaze up to the ceiling to check on something, then lowered it.

“Kugutsu, Yusuke lost his legs for Maihime.”

Kugutsu fixed his dark gaze on me. Yusuke, who had been following closely, gasped. I ignored him.

The presence above seemed to be watching closely. We maintained our silent standoff.

“Yusuke didn’t want to sacrifice himself for Maihime. But after his legs were taken, he said it was okay. He said that it was fine because he took her legs away.”

Yusuke had endured unbearable pain, accepted the loss of his own body. And Maihime had gained new legs. He might’ve gained his own legs, but surely, he’d suffered enough.

“He’s paid for what he did. So, then…”

“Is that all you wanted to say? Do you really think it’s that simple, sir?” Kugutsu’s voice was ice-cold, his gaze steely.

He turned his emotionless face towards me and brushed aside my words with indifference.

“He paid for it. The Princess obtained new legs. He endured excruciating pain, and took responsibility for his wrongdoings. Truly admirable. But if you ask me, it’s all just hindsight.”

I swallowed hard, unable to deny Kugutsu’s words. He was right.

I recalled the sinister words I’d shoved aside earlier.

“Miracles don’t normally happen.”

Though unintended, the price had been paid, the wrongdoing atoned for.

But… it was just too convenient.