"..."
As though using the settled silence as a stepping stone, Tsurudo stepped forward.
"Tsurudo... did you just say that all of us are hopeless?"
"Yeah, you heard me right. What, you’re more talented at listening than thinking, aren’t you?"
"Pfft...! Ah, how rude of me. So then, which part exactly do you find so hopeless?"
We were no longer included in the clash between those two.
"I’d like to say all of it... but that would be irresponsible, wouldn’t it? Like you were when you kept tearing into Karafuru."
"Of course. Irresponsibility is the privilege of upper-class women, you see? And taking responsibility for it is the privilege of lower-class men."
"..."
Was it a response to her provocation? Tsurudo tightly gripped the threatening letter he had been holding for some time now.
"...Then shall I exercise that privilege? First, to briefly summarize your point... it would be this, right?"
—Among the people here, Karafuru and Komada, who can incite slaughter by losing their memories, are the real culprits.
"That is correct, but you said all of that was hopeless. At a glance, it seems there’s quite a lot you ought to refute, isn’t there? Hehe..."
"Yeah. If even that statement is hopeless, I may have to work overtime. But..."
"...?"
His sharpened blue eyes settled on Akano, who frowned faintly.
"If I refute just one thing, I can ‘refute’ your entire line of reasoning with that alone."
His finger slowly pointed toward her.
"...Interesting. Then let’s hear it. Exactly which part of my argument must you refute?"
Lowering his hand, Tsurudo tapped a finger against his own forehead instead.
"...It’s a narrative trick."
He uttered something none of us had expected.
"A narrative... trick? What’s that? Some kind of magic...?"
Mayumi asked, scratching her head.
"It refers to a technique that deceives the observer by deliberately withholding certain information."
"Well explained, Kitsui. And Akano’s logic... can be refuted with this narrative trick."
"...That sounds like an unusual argument. So, will you really tell us now? Which part of my argument collapses under a narrative trick?"
"...I’ll start with the conclusion."
A brief silence passed.
"Are [Ultimate Black] and [Ultimate White] really among us?"
At last came another statement that shook the very foundation beneath us.
"T-Tsurudo, what are you talking about all of a sudden? We already settled that, didn’t we?!"
Tsurudo turned his head slightly to look at me.
"Yeah, we did. More accurately, we forced it to a close."
"Forced it to a close...?"
"Then let me ask you this. Why did we assume from the beginning that the Ultimate Black and Ultimate White were among us?"
"B-because... the Monotwins said so. They said those two were inside this academy... and there are only sixteen humans in this academy—us!"
"...You’re a little off, Ubauchi."
"What...?"
This time, his gaze turned toward Ubauchi.
"What the Monotwins said was only that those two people are inside this academy. The rest of it was entirely your own conclusion."
Yet there was no contempt or condescension in his gaze.
If anything, it felt as though he was grateful to her for providing the cornerstone of his argument.
"That’s true, but... does that really change anything? If anything, can’t we figure it out immediately just from what the Monotwins said?!"
"...It does."
"What...?"
"Only the words of the all-knowing Monotwins are the truth... there’s no room to argue against that."
At this point, no one could raise an objection to that.
"Put another way, anything the Monotwins did not specifically mention... might not necessarily be true."
"...What are you trying to say, Tsurudo?"
"It’s simple."
In response to Kadra’s question, he snapped his fingers crisply.
"Those bastards never once said that [Ultimate Black] and [Ultimate White] were ‘among us.’"
...Silence fell again, but this time, it was different.
"...!"
Because it was the silence of realization.
"...Heh. So, is this what our Furudo is trying to say?"
"What!? It’s Tsurudo, not Furudo! And who the hell is Furudo supposed to be?!"
Hiranui ignored him completely and continued.
"They said without exception that the two real culprits were ‘only inside this academy,’ and that does not necessarily mean the sixteen of us... is that it?"
"Oh! Lord Hiranui, what splendid deduction! It certainly makes sense...! Come now, Lord Tsurudo, write it down quickly!"
"No, that bastard just added a spoonful to the deduction I already put forward!! Well... but that’s exactly it."
Somehow, the sharpness he had begun to lose had returned to him.
"What if [Ultimate Black] and [Ultimate White] are literally still hiding somewhere in this academy?"
There was only one person who spoke in response.
"...Pfft."
No—it was Akano, who burst out laughing.
"...What’s so funny?"
"Ah, pardon me... You said exactly what I expected, you see. I suppose I found that very predictability rather intriguing..."
As she spoke, she gradually approached Tsurudo.
"Then, Tsurudo, would you please tell us? The logical basis for believing that?"
"Hmph. There isn’t one."
"Excuse me...?"
His face turned cold once more.
"Isn’t it obvious? In a situation this unfavorable, there’s no way we’d have physical evidence that exposes people in such an advantageous position."
"...Oh?"
Yet Akano did not rebuke him for it.
Perhaps she had already understood his true intention.
"I like your honesty. To begin with, I too was only pressing Karafuru and Komada based on circumstantial conviction."
"Yeah, I like how obedient you are too. Thanks to that, I can swallow up your deduction without holding back."
"..."
As if to corroborate that, she merely curled her lips into a grin.
"How interesting. Then... would you please swallow it to your heart’s content?"
As though she had led him here—as though she were only now hearing what she had wanted to hear all along.
"The central point your deduction offered was that the two real culprits could expect indiscriminate slaughter to occur as everyone came to suspect them. But... it’s missing one step."
A small smile spread across his sharp face.
"Namely, the fact that the real culprits themselves might truly be murdered through sheer bad luck. You, Akano, proved that their steering people into killing each other was nothing more than a deception, didn’t you?"
"...Good. I cannot refute that. As you can see, there are quite a few witnesses here for me to retract it now."
"Right. But according to my deduction, they can eliminate that risk altogether from the start. They only need to pretend they’re mixed in with us, while watching from somewhere safe."
"And the resulting lack of mutual suspicion would naturally be filled in when someone like me takes it upon herself to interrogate and corner the others... That is how the pieces connect, I suppose."
Akano nodded in satisfaction, then gave a light shrug.
"...It seems we’ve reached a conclusion."
She said it even more lightly than that.
"A conclusion...? Hey, Mari, does that mean..."
"Yes. Did you say my deduction was hopeless? I fully admit it."
Before anyone could say a word, she politely lifted the hem of her skirt before Tsurudo.
"My defeat. It was an excellent perspective, Tsurudo."
"...I really do like that you admit it so coolly, but..."
Tsurudo looked down at her with some displeasure.
"I don’t think I’m the one you should be showing your underwear to."
He tilted his chin toward the space behind her.
"...Hehe, you’re quite right."
Following his gaze, Akano acknowledged it with a smile.
"Ah, ugh..."
There stood Karafuru, still cowering in terror.
"I don’t particularly regret it even now, but I suppose even this excuse is more than a loser of logic deserves."
Click, click. Akano slowly walked toward him.
"I’m sorry, Karafuru. Please forgive my rudeness. ...No, I suppose this is how I should phrase it for you to hear more pleasantly."
Then she lifted her skirt again and lowered her head.
"You have no reason to be suspected anymore. At least... until time runs out."
"A-Akano..."
Her body then turned toward the person beside him.
"Komada, I should apologize to you as well. Being suspected, whether briefly or for long, is unpleasant in and of itself."
"...Why did you only push Karafuru that far...? Won’t you tell me why?"
Yet Komada’s expression darkened as though he did not care about the apology.
"...Ah, that? It’s simple."
"..."
"Because I’m not particularly interested in you. Not even now."
[Fuck, is that something you say when you’re apologizing? 凸(≡д≡)]
But Akano did not spare Kaiju so much as a glance.
"But you, Karafuru... I’m quite interested in you. Very interested, in fact."
Because she was once again looking at Karafuru as though she meant to pierce straight through him.
"Ah... d-don’t... stare at me... like that..."
"A-Akano! Don’t tell me you’re planning to film Wall Slam Season 2!? There’s a limit to beating a dead horse!"
Despite Rekida’s attempt to stop her, her red eyes endlessly stole away his colors.
"...Ugh."
If it had only gone that far, it might have been better.
"Ah..."
Thud...
"K-Karafuru!!"
"Kirong!!"
Immediately afterward, Karafuru collapsed limply.
"Hey, Ikiro! Are you okay?! Get a hold of yourself!"
Thanks to Mayumi catching him at once, he did not hit the floor.
"Haa... I’m okay... It’s just... the dizziness has gotten worse... It’s been like this ever since I came here..."
He had not lost consciousness, but that was not the problem.
"W-we should take him to the infirmary! No, wait, wasn’t it locked?!"
"Waaah!! Is Kirong going to die?! No, he can’t! Oh, right! A heart—I’ll give him Tana’s heart! He can tear out as much as he wants!"
[Please restrain yourself to good intentions alone. Anyway, Karafuru, first, take some deep breaths...]
"Um... I have... one request..."
At that, everyone’s voices died away in an instant.
"Can you... take me to my research lab? There are... lots of medicines there... sleeping pills... painkillers..."
"Okay, leave it to me! Then I’ll carry you to your room on my back—"
"No! I-I’ll do it! I’ll take responsibility and move Ikiro!"
The one who cut Mayumi off was, surprisingly, Rekida.
"I-Ikuro?! But can you handle it? If this takes too long..."
"No can do! This is something I should do—the one who only eats up page space with pointless chatter and is no help! Please!"
"Oh... o-okay, I’ll leave him to you!"
In the end, Mayumi reluctantly handed Karafuru over to Rekida.
"Ikiro, can you move?"
"Y-yeah... Thank you, Rekida..."
But it was obvious to anyone that she looked a little overwhelmed.
"...I’ll come too."
At that moment, Komada surprisingly joined them.
"K-Komada... I said it! I can handle this alone—"
"...I’m the same. A useless person who lost their memories for no reason."
"Nngh... t-that’s not fair..."
"You two... thank you so much..."
And so the three of them left the dining hall ahead of us.
"...Akano."
Amid the unsettled atmosphere, I quietly spoke up.
"I know it couldn’t be helped... but did you really have to do that?"
"..."
There was no need to explain, no need even to ask. The situation itself was evidence enough.
The others were not voicing it either, but they were watching her with the same eyes I was.
"...Hmph. This lukewarm development doesn’t suit my tastes."
Then Hiranui spoke.
"Hiranui..."
"Detective, you said it yourself. That it was an unavoidable situation. I’d say there is nothing more regrettable than dwelling on it."
"...What are you trying to say?"
His gaze slowly left me.
"I think that is something you ought to ask that gentleman over there, wouldn’t you say?"
It settled once more on Tsurudo.
"The Puppeteer did such an ‘unavoidable thing’ because of tonight’s time limit. But if you swallowed up that argument, shouldn’t you naturally be the one to present a solution?"
"...Hmph, you certainly know how to talk. I almost feel like giving you a round of applause."
"..."
Hiranui merely raised the corner of his mouth quietly, and Tsurudo did not miss its meaning.
"...Of course I know. Though I think it’s a little crude and primitive."
"I would like to advise you that we have wasted enough time on your oh-so-intellectual and wise proposals."
"Hehe, I’m truly ashamed."
There was not a trace of sincerity in either of their words.
"Hmph, it’s simple."
Perhaps sick of it, Tsurudo gave his head a short shake.
"We find [Ultimate Black] and [Ultimate White], who are hiding somewhere in this academy, somehow, before time runs out. There’s nothing else we can do."
...As expected, it was the plan everyone must have anticipated.
"But will that really work...? I don’t know..."
"...It won’t be easy."
"Besides, the second and third floors of the main building are completely blocked off, and plenty of classrooms in the annex are locked too. What if they’re hiding somewhere like that?"
And it was the method everyone had been reluctant to choose.
"...Let’s do it."
But she was different.
"...Shu...!"
"Guys, I know this is a ridiculous plan. But..."
She alone swept her gaze over everyone with resolute eyes.
"There really isn’t any other way right now. And honestly, I think Tsurudo’s deduction is the right answer."
"Roshiya, you..."
"But what if it isn’t the right answer? That would be—"
Kadra’s words were cut off.
"Then does anyone else have an idea?"
Because she asked in a slightly firm tone.
"We’ll be killed by them if we don’t try, and killed by them if we do? No, that’s not it."
Clench. Shu tightly balled her fist.
"We can only change things if we take the challenge! It isn’t enough to wish for a miracle—we have to become the miracle ourselves!"
"...Yeah. I agree with that too."
Having seen that, I had no intention of staying silent either.
"Like Shu and Tsurudo said, we can’t just sit here like idiots, can we? Besides, we’re all Ultimates... If we work together, maybe we really can do it!"
"Shoko...!"
As Shu and I exchanged brief smiles, the others fell into thought for a moment.
"...Good."
But Akano did not hesitate.
"If this is a way for me to atone for my mistake, I’ll gladly sell my body to it."
"Akano..."
As she said that, she looked at everyone who was still hesitating.
"I remember it. After Karafuru left... the expressions on all of your faces as you looked at me. Every one of you seemed completely fired up... in a very bad way."
That was surely a statement that struck at everyone’s sore spot.
"And this is a punishment I am imposing upon myself. In that case, shouldn’t you help me, naturally? I want you to summon that enthusiasm once more, so that I may receive my punishment in full."
Her manner of speaking was still covered in thorns.
"...!"
But for everyone now, perhaps that twisted persuasion was more effective.
One by one, they expressed their agreement with Akano—and with Tsurudo.
"...Hiranui, what will you do?"
"...Tch."
The only one left was Hiranui, who had been leisurely observing the situation.
"There is only one thing I wish to say."
It was meant for Tsurudo, whom his eyes were fixed upon.
"...So, what do we do first? Furudo, this began with you, did it not?"
"...Yeah, it certainly did. Then..."
But Tsurudo laughed openly and shouted.
"First, let’s get out of this stuffy dining hall! We can make a plan after that!"
And so we all followed him out of the dining hall.
"That guy... he’s pretty dependable."
"Yeah, he is... Ah! Hurry up! We’re the last ones!"
"Right... Hm?"
Only after even Shu, who had been standing beside me, left the dining hall did I finally notice it.
[Welcome to Kyusen Academy, Ultimates.]
"...!"
The very cause of all this, sitting atop the dining table.
For some reason, as if entranced, I read the letter again.
"...Huh?"
Then a feeling surfaced—one that absolutely should not have.
‘This handwriting... feels familiar somehow...?’
A strange sensation like déjà vu began to violently stir inside me, if only for a moment.
"Shoko! I said hurry up! What are you doing?!"
But Shu’s call from the open entrance instantly made me dismiss it as nothing but my imagination.
"...Maybe it’s just my imagination."
As though I never wanted it to surface again, I shoved it into my pocket and left the dining hall.
Right. That was not what mattered now.
What I had to face was several hours from now.
Because the ending awaiting everyone would be nothing but life or death.
At the very least, my increasingly heavy footsteps told me so.
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