The Former Swordmaster Who Pretends to Be the Worst, and the School’s Top-Ranked Chairman’s Daughter Who’s Way Too Sweet in Public, It’s a Real Problem
――The Agatsuma family—specifically, Rika—has no mother.
From what I’ve heard, she passed away before we were old enough to remember. I don’t know the details, but according to my parents, it was apparently an accidental death.
My childhood friend must have felt lonely.
Even so, neither she nor I ever tried to pry too deeply into the matter.
“For a special treat today, I made dinner myself instead of the housekeeper!”
As her smile suggests, those around her are devotedly supporting the Agatsuma family.
Stepping in for Ryotaro, who’s busy with work, the people taking care of Rika all seemed like real family. Otherwise, such a peaceful atmosphere wouldn’t exist.
At least, that’s what I thought—
“Huh, Rika made it?—Hmm?”
“Is something wrong, Saito-kun?”
“Come to think of it, though. Where are Akagi san and the others?”
I suddenly realized there was no one else in the kitchen besides her, who was busy preparing the meal.
Akagi san is an elderly woman who comes and goes at the Agatsuma household; for Rika, it’s no exaggeration to say she’s a substitute for her late mother. She’s the most veteran of the housekeepers, and her home-cooked meals are masterpieces that could be served at any high-end restaurant and still command a premium price.
“Hmm, as for Akagi san and the others—”
And at the same time, she was someone who warmly looked after her childhood friend.
Could it really be that everyone, including Akagi san, was out of the house today of all days? Wondering about this, she tilted her head in puzzlement, when—
“…They’re resting in the room over there right now.”
“Huh…?”
Rika said this as she set the table.
She was pointing to the room where the staff of this house took their breaks. It was a place prepared for when they had to stay overnight, but for everyone to be in a place like that…?
“…………”
I had a bad feeling.
This wasn’t a premonition based on the “someday” I’d discussed with Ryotaro, but one based on the possibility that it would happen “very soon.” Of course, I had no absolute proof.
As long as I didn’t open the door to that room, I might have been able to remain in the dark.
But humans are creatures who can’t rest until they know the truth.
“……Excuse me, I’m going to use the restroom.”
“Okay, I’ll get things ready while you’re gone!”
After telling Rika that, I made my way to the door of that room, trying not to draw attention to myself.
Then, with trembling hands, I touched the doorknob. My breath caught in my throat; my mouth went dry.
Still, I took a deep breath and opened the door.
And then—
“Hii…!?”
—Ah, I curse myself for what I did just a few seconds ago.
They say curiosity killed the cat, but in that single instant, my heart suffered a fatal wound. A person faced with their own inescapable fate cannot keep their sanity. I realized I would meet the same end as those lying there, enduring the same agony.
Yet I couldn’t stop myself—was it due to curiosity?
No, this was acceptance born of resignation.
“A, Akagi…-san?”
I searched for her among the people filling the bed and spilling onto the floor.
Pale-faced and with vacant eyes, Akagi-san didn’t even have the strength to wipe the drool dripping from the corner of her mouth. Still, mustering what remained of her conscience and willpower, she told me:
[R-run away…]
Of course, there was no sound.
I could tell from the movement of her lips alone what she was trying to say. She wanted to prevent this girl, who was like a precious daughter to her, from making any further mistakes. And she wanted me—her childhood friend, whom she loved like a son—to live as long as possible.
What I saw there was not “despair.”
Surely, the word on her lips was “compassion.”
“…I’m sorry, Akagi-san. I’m not running away.”
Yet I turned my back on Akagi-san’s feelings.
If anything, her words solidified my previously wavering resolve. I realized that I was surely the only one who could end this battle.
That thing the girl had created.
I was convinced that no one but me could face it.
“So, please rest easy for now. …I’m going.”
I declared my resolve to Akagi-san, who had quietly lost consciousness.
Her sleeping face looked strangely peaceful. She must have sensed my feelings—just how much I was risking by heading into certain death.
After making such a sacrifice, I couldn’t allow myself to run away.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned on my heel.
Then,
“…So you were here, were you?”
Standing there was Rika, smiling with a ladle dripping with purple mucus in one hand.
My childhood friend was beckoning me over with that carefree expression.
“Come on, if you don’t eat it soon, it’ll get cold,” she said.
And as she spoke, I felt a chill run through me.
But I bit my lip hard, suppressed my fear, and took a step forward.
“Ah… I’m sorry, Rika.”
—If I ever made it back alive.
I thought to myself that people would probably call that a “miracle”…
Maiban