Vol 3 Chapter 37 – Do you think I’m a necessary person? (【The Exonerator of the Maritime Nation】 Arc)

“……”

The interior of the vehicle carrying Takanashi and the others remained silent throughout.

The cause lay with the person sitting next to Takanashi.

“Why don’t you look up already?”

Sitting beside her was Arisu, who kept her head down without uttering a single word.

She looked just like a broken doll.

“Just to ask—are you really sure you don’t need to go to a medical facility?”

At the sound of Takanashi’s voice, Arisu lifted her head and spoke.

“There’s no need. I took care of everything on the plane.”

“I see…”

Takanashi let out a small sigh.

Arisu had been somewhat energetic at the airport—venting her anger at Kirino—but the moment she stepped into the car, her energy abruptly vanished, making everyone on board feel uneasy.

“More than anything, I want to get back to the hideout as quickly as possible.”

“Understood. In fact, we’re almost there.”

Through the window of the shuttle carrying everyone, Arisu’s hideout came into view.

Ichiban, who wasn’t familiar with the hideout’s location or appearance, gazed out at the scenery.

Seeing her like that, Kirino felt a sense of intrigue.

“What’s wrong? Why are you staring outside so intently?”

“I heard it was the hideout of the higher-ups, and I got curious—before I knew it, I was searching for it.”

“I see! It definitely is intriguing, isn’t it?”

Kirino seemed satisfied with Ichiban’s response.

“However, I don’t like the idea of our hideout’s location being known by someone who isn’t one of the higher-ups.”

Hearing their conversation, Arisu spoke in a displeased tone.

She seemed unwell, trembling in quick, small shivers.

“I sincerely apologize for making you feel uneasy.”

“My Ichiban is sorry! Please forgive me!”

“Hehe.———————Mmm! It’s nothing.”

Watching the perfectly synchronized apologies from Kirino and Ichiban, Takanashi couldn’t help but laugh.

Observing the three of them, Arisu sighed softly.

“Haa…… It’s fine. Please drop me off here. Takanashi-san will handle the rest.”

“Huh, me?”

“Among everyone here, you’re the most suitable.”

“I guess that’s true…”

Takanashi’s husky voice resonated softly in the car.

Obeying Arisu’s words, the shuttle came to a stop.

“Also, Takanashi-san, I have a small favor to ask of you.”

“A favor? That’s unusual. Arisu relying on someone else…”

“I had no choice—it’s an emergency.”

“Alright, alright…”

Takanashi gave a casual reply, stepped out of the car, and helped Arisu into her wheelchair.

Impressed by the efficient move, Kirino exclaimed, “Oh!” and clapped.

“Thank you. This is a big help.”

“It’s not as if you need to thank me for something this small.”

“That’s true.”

“Are you taking me lightly?”

Arisu’s demeanor had shifted once again from just a moment ago.

Her remark irritated Takanashi slightly, but she felt relieved that Arisu had returned to her usual self.

“Then, I’ll go see off Arisu, so you two head back to your places.”

“Understood! See you tomorrow!”

“Understood. Take care.”

The three exchanged their parting greetings.

Seeing this, Arisu also lowered her head slightly.

At the same time, the car doors closed, and the vehicle departed.

Takanashi couldn’t see what was happening in the back seat, but she imagined Kirino overreacting as she waved, and a smile spread across her face.

“Let’s go as well.”

“Understood.”

In a subdued exchange, Takanashi pushed Arisu’s wheelchair as they headed toward the hideout.

At that moment, it felt like something had broken.

—————————————————

“So, what’s your request?”

Entering one of the rooms in Arisu’s hideout, Takanashi sat on the sofa and got down to business.

Seated in her wheelchair, Arisu wore a sorrowful expression.

“……”

Arisu’s emotions had been in turmoil since earlier.

If she were at her usual level, she wouldn’t seem so depressed or sick…

Had something within her, as a person, broken?

Takanashi even felt a sense of crisis for her.

“Are you alright? You’ve been acting weird since a while back—————— ‘Do you think I’m a necessary person?'”

“……Eh?”

The abrupt question visibly unsettled Takanashi.

Necessary? What are you talking about?

I don’t understand.

“With this recent incident, I’ve come to feel something. I wasn’t able to fulfill the mission entrusted to me by Master, I was defeated twice, and on top of that, I even lost an arm. For Master, I suppose I no longer have any value, don’t I?”

Arisu never once met our eyes. Her gaze had turned pitch black, as if she were staring at nothing at all. Still, she continued to spout incomprehensible words at a rapid pace.

“Whether I’m necessary or not is for Boss to decide. It’s not as if I can just go and tell Master directly and decide that——”

“—I already get it!!”

Arisu interrupted Takanashi’s words.

“I’m already an unnecessary person. The very fact that I can’t serve Master with my body fully intact means I’ve failed as an exclusive maid.”

“……”

“Ahh… Even as I speak these words, Master is probably out there, excelling for the sake of the organization—for all of us.”

Arisu looked upward as if gazing at the heavens. Only her intact left arm extended outward.

The right arm—the one with which I made a precious promise with Master—is gone. ——————AAAAAA!!!! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!

After gazing at the sky, Arisu suddenly curled up, trembling as if terrified of something.

Seeing her like that, Takanashi felt it was already too late. If we leave her like this, things will only get worse. Yet, right now, everyone capable of restraining Arisu is outside.

“Calm down. Boss hasn’t returned yet; you should speak with him directly, just the two of you.”

“———————AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!”

“……It’s already too late, huh.”

The biggest worry is that she might suddenly decide to throw her life away. Even if she does, it would be far better if she spoke with Boss first. Arisu continued screaming without pause. I even considered that it might be best to restrain her once and for all.

It was at that very moment.

“Seems like an emergency, huh.”

“Who———?”

A figure emerged from behind Satsuki. She widened her eyes.

“———Nonomura. Why are you here?”

It was Nonomura, the researcher in a white lab coat. In the old man’s right hand, he clutched a paper bag.

“Just a hunch.”

“A hunch…?”

“Let’s leave the details for later. For now, we need to calm that broken doll down.”

Pointing in the indicated direction, there stood Arisu—completely oblivious to Nonomura’s arrival—as she spiraled into solitary madness.

“I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die, I want to die. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid. I’m an unwanted maid.”

“……Indeed, there’s no time to talk.”

Takanashi rose from the sofa to fix the broken maid.

“———————You stupid maid.”

She spat those words at Arisu in a hoarse, thrown tone.