Chapter 42

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

Thanks to Senyaku's treatment, I had recovered to a level where I could manage daily life. It seems it will take more than a week to fully recover, but it's enough.

I walked to school, feeling a slight pain with each step. It had been a while since I last went to school. Apparently, I had a serious injury from rolling down the stairs at home.

It's a rather ridiculous story, but there's nothing I can do. I can't tell the truth.

Therefore, I will have to go to school with a cast on my arm for a while.

In reality, I don't need the cast anymore, but I would be suspected if I didn't wear it. After all, I'm supposed to have a serious injury. Senyaku's recovery speed is what made this possible, as Roll said.

The pain from the injury made the distance to school feel much longer, but I managed to reach the classroom.

I opened the classroom door with a creak, and the gazes of my classmates focused on me. They all expressed concern about my injury as I made my way to my seat.

After sitting down, Genki came over. He patted my back and sat in the seat behind me, which was still empty.

"Hey, it's been a while."

"That hurts. I'm still injured, you know."

"I couldn't help but laugh when I heard you rolled down the stairs. Your stairs are pretty steep, after all."

"Yeah, I thought I was going to die."

"Quite an experience, huh?"

"Where's the experience in that?"

As we chatted, Rin and Ohashi, who had apparently just arrived at school, put their bags in their seats and came over to me.

"Good morning, Genki. Oh, you're still alive, Kazuto."

"Is that the first thing you say?"

I can't believe those are the words to say to an old friend. Well, that's how it's been since we were young.

"Kazuto, even though he says that, Rin was the most worried."

Is that so? I knew she was worried because I received a few messages.

"By the way, both of you are late today. You usually come with Genki."

"I overslept."

"Me too."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

As we talked, the bell rang, and our homeroom teacher, Takada, entered the classroom. The three of us who had gathered around me returned to our seats.

"Ah, about the ability test scheduled for the day after tomorrow, it has been postponed due to the Self-Defense Force's schedule. They are entering a week of intensified patrols."

The classroom echoed with disappointed groans from the students.

"So, club activities and after-school detention are also prohibited for a while. Go straight home after school."

I glanced at Roll for a moment. She was facing forward, avoiding my gaze. I sensed her intention to "not react" and returned my gaze to the front.

Self-Defense Force's intensified patrol week... This is probably because Boss leaked information about Nursery Rhyme's attack to the Self-Defense Force. I noticed some Self-Defense Force personnel when I came to school. The postponement of the ability test means there's a possibility that the school tournament will also be postponed.

Takada continued to give announcements and then left the classroom. The students, grumbling about the postponement of the ability test, started preparing for the first class.

---

After school, I went home first and then came to the hideout.

The Self-Defense Force personnel were patrolling the streets more than usual, so it took me a while to reach the hideout. I wasn't worried about being followed, but I kept getting overly cautious every time I saw a Self-Defense Force uniform, which slowed me down.

When I'm not in my Death Sound persona but as Kazuto, I tend to be overly nervous around the Self-Defense Force. It's not visible in my attitude, but I get startled when I see them. It might be a trauma.

While thinking about this, I headed to Roll's room.

As I slowly walked down the hallway to the floor where Roll's room is, I noticed Desko walking towards me. I thought about turning back and going to Roll's room later, but by the time I had that thought, Desko had already spotted me and was running over.

"Death Sound! Where are you going?"

"Hello, Desko. I'm going to see Roll, of course."

"Then I'll come too!"

"Why?"

"I'm bored!"

"You're always bored, Desko."

"Death Sound is always with Roll. If you keep this up, you'll become Rolling Death Sound!"

That doesn't make sense.

But I've heard similar things from Black Dog. Apparently, Roll and I act together too much, even for partners. Black Dog and White Heat don't stick together as much as we do.

Well, I'm obligated to go to Roll's room, so there's nothing I can do. It's not that I mind, though.

"Where were you planning to go, Desko?"

I ignored her comment and asked.

"Huh? On a mission."

"You're not bored at all. Go quickly."

"I'll cancel it, it's fine."

"That's not fine."

"Then come with me. It's boring to do it alone. Oh, you can bring Roll too if you want."

Desko smiled slyly. Maybe this was her intention all along. Roll told me that Desko often passes her missions to others or involves them.

"...That depends on the mission."

I thought for a moment before responding.

"Okay, so the mission is to convince a retired member to rejoin the organization."

That sounds like an easy mission. If I can return by tomorrow morning, it might be okay.

"I'll ask Roll. Please wait a moment."

"Got it! I'll wait at the café upstairs, see you there!"

"Understood."

After replying, I watched Desko walk away and then headed to Roll's room.

---

"That mission, even Smoke, Sigh, and Drunk, and even Cuffs and Shido, have all failed. Do you know who they're trying to bring back?"

When Roll leaned in and asked, I replied, "I don't know."

I had just told Roll about the mission I received from Desko after arriving at her room.

"That person retired five years ago. Even five years ago, they were almost in a semi-retired state, so only the old-timers really know about them."

"Okay."

"Their codename is 'Twilight.' They were Boss's previous partner."

Boss's previous partner? I thought Boss and Shido were always partners. Another dangerous person, it seems.

"I've been here since I was little, so I know. That person was amazing in their prime. They were probably as strong as Sigh is now, maybe even stronger."

"That's incredible."

"They were ranked second at the time. Even though Sigh was young, they were ranked sixth."

Even though Sigh is middle-aged, they're still young at 25.

"That's dangerous. The golden age of Anonymous?"

"Sure, you could say that. Anonymous still has more than enough power as an anti-social force, though."

"But if they've weakened, it's because the strong people have retired?"

"No, they died. Some retired, including Twilight."

"Is that so?"

"The stronger you are, the more you're on the front lines. So, you die faster."

"..."

That... makes the meaning of getting stronger seem pointless to me. If getting stronger just means being thrown into more dangerous situations, it doesn't seem worth it.

"Well, the people who died were mostly battle maniacs, so Death Sound might not end up like that."

Seeing my worried expression, Roll tried to reassure me. Indeed, if I could be as strong as Boss, it might not matter.

"Right. ...Anyway, back to the topic, are you going to go with Desko?"

"There's no choice. I don't know what she'll do if I refuse now. Let's get ready."

"Get ready... Do we need anything? Honestly, we're just Desko's assistants, so we don't need anything, right?"

"Of course not. We're going to meet Twilight, so we need to be prepared for combat."

"Combat?"

"Yes."

What kind of person is Twilight...?

---

Roll drove us down a street as twilight approached. Desko and I were in the back seat.

Twilight is apparently in a city called "New Road," about 200 km from where we live. They change their residence every time a member comes to ask them to rejoin. If we fail this time, the mission will be on hold until Twilight is found again.

Since everyone has failed, it seems like the same approach won't work.

As I thought about this, I gazed at the evening grassland outside the window.

"Hey, Death Sound... Roll isn't looking... Ah, no!"

I sighed at Desko's sudden "mischief."

"Roll, I'm not doing anything."

Just to be safe, I told Roll.

"I know."

Her calm response reassured me.

"It's boring. Roll, when will we get there? I'm tired."

"Still a while. About an hour."

"An hour? That's a long time. By the way, Roll, it's fine to fantasize about Death Sound, but don't cause an accident."

"Hey, I'm not fantasizing!"

Roll turned to look at me. I didn't think she was fantasizing, though.

"Let me tell you the details of the fantasy. First, you're holding hands and sleeping in the same futon. Then, Death Sound can't resist Roll's cuteness and leans in, whispering 'I love you' while rubbing cheeks. Roll gently strokes Death Sound and lets him take over, wrapping her arms around his back. Then, Roll closes her eyes..."

"Desko!"

Roll's interruption stopped Desko's words. The fantasy was embarrassing to hear, but was it real...?

I glanced at Roll's face. She was facing forward, but her ears were slightly red. The car was filled with an awkward atmosphere.

"I'm not fantasizing. Desko, I'll hit you later."

Desko can apparently read people's thoughts without using her ability, and she often lies, making her words tricky. That's why everyone is manipulated by her. I'm not often targeted, maybe because we haven't known each other long.

"Hey, don't be mad, Roll! I'll help you figure out how to get Death Sound to like you! Ah...!"

"Desko...!"

So, I often get this kind of harassment. It makes things awkward between Roll and me, which is a problem.

By the way, the shocking fact that Roll likes me was also told to me by Desko. While her character is despicable, I had already suspected Roll's feelings.

I also like Roll. Well, I'm not sure if I can say I really like her yet.

Roll is incredibly cute, and I sometimes want to hug her, but I don't feel the need to be with her all the time or not want to be apart from her.

I haven't felt such emotions for a long time, since middle school or elementary school, I forget which. I don't really understand what true "liking" feels like. According to Rin, my first love, "love is certainty." I guess I'm not there yet.

If she confesses, I would be happy to date her, but I don't want to confess with half-hearted feelings. That's how I feel about Roll.

So, I pretend not to notice Roll's feelings.

According to Desko, Roll likes me because I'm "cute and she wants to protect me." Am I really that weak? I'd rather be liked for being cool.