Vol 4 Chapter 7 – Satsuki Tsutsuka① (【Revolver Maid】 Arc)

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My past—will you listen?
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I still remember that day vividly.
A night when the rain was falling in torrents.
Since it was the start of winter, the day had been bitterly cold.
November 12—six years ago—a day I will never forget.

“Oh dear.”

I killed someone for the first time.
And that too, outside the protection of the law.
It was far simpler and more anticlimactic than I had expected.
Before me lay the corpse of a man, his body stained a deep, vivid red.
There were no marks from a blade or signs of being bound by rope.
Just one shot.
A bullet had struck him directly in the head.
The sensation of taking a life for the first time—
An ordinary person would have been shaken, unable to remain composed.
But I suppose I’m abnormal.

“Ha ha, ahahaha!!”
—————I was extremely exhilarated.

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After graduating from university, I worked as a staff member at a vocational school.
It was a perfectly ordinary workplace with hours from 9 AM to 6 PM and a one‐hour break.
I never dreamed of becoming a vocational school employee.
During my school days, I led a rather unremarkable life, lacking any real ambition.
However, because my parents were overbearing, I ended up entering a reasonably prestigious high school and university, graduating without any trouble.
They kept harping on about becoming a public servant or working at a securities firm—as if trying to brainwash me.
But I joined a vocational school—a perfectly ordinary job.
Looking back, it was probably my own way of rebelling against them.

“It’s already 6 PM….”

It was just the sort of workplace you’d expect.
There was no overtime or power harassment here.
The only downside was a slightly low salary, but unless something extraordinary occurred, one could head home on time.

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“Excuse me, I’m off. Thank you for your hard work.”

I gathered my belongings and left for home.
Since it was an October night, a slightly chilly breeze had begun to blow.

I was jostled along in the crowded train during the evening rush.
After arriving at my local station, I headed for the apartment where I lived.

“……”

A deserted, dimly lit street.
There were few streetlights, and the road remained shrouded in gloom.
At that moment, I noticed a shadow.

(…Again.)

A recent source of worry—it was a stalker.

“……”

I quickened my pace, and at the same time, the sound of footsteps behind me grew faster.

“Haah……”

I wasn’t spoken to, photographed, or even assaulted.
It was merely that this person persistently trailed my every move, and nothing else particularly happened.
By the time I reached home, the stalker—who should have been following me—had mysteriously vanished, leaving no trace by my apartment.
I had reported the matter to the police, but they hadn’t done anything about it.

After about ten minutes on foot, I arrived at my apartment building.
Sure enough, the stalker hadn’t followed me.
I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.
What was the stalker’s goal?
Why hadn’t they attacked?
Well, being attacked would have been disastrous…
But the fact that nothing ever happened was just as unsettling.
This routine had persisted for roughly two weeks.
My sanity was nearing its breaking point.

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“It’s this late already….”

It was one of those rare nights when I had to work overtime.
The clock read 11:30 PM.
I broke into a jog toward the station to catch the last train.

“Ouch!”

In my haste, I collided with someone because I wasn’t paying attention to those around me.

“Ah… sorry.”
“————No, no, I’m sorry—I couldn’t avoid you either.”

The person speaking was a man in a suit wearing an eerie mask.
In the dim night, his appearance nearly made me scream, but I held back with all my might.

“Um… are you alright?”
“Huh! Ah, yes. I’m not injured or anything.”

I was startled out of my daze by his question.

“Not that— but since you were in such a rush, are you sure you can make the train?”
“Ah! The last train!”

On impulse, I checked the watch on my left wrist.
The hands pointed exactly to the time of the last train.
Ah… how will I get home…
Taxis are expensive, so I suppose I’ll have to walk…

“If you miss the last train, shall we give you a ride in our car?”

A glimmer of hope filled me. I lifted my face as high as I could.
I almost said 『Is that alright?』, but on second thought, getting into the car of a suspicious stranger was a risky proposition.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll walk home….”
“—————Hey, what do you mean by refusing the generous heart of our Boss?”

A husky female voice came from behind.
Compelled by the sound, I turned to see a tall woman glaring at me as she grabbed my collar.
Her husky voice was completely at odds with her pristine, refined face—it was as if she were a male fighter.

“No, um….”

I couldn’t find the right words to protest.

“『Takanashi-san』. You mustn’t scare people too much.”
“I’m sorry. I got carried away.”

The masked man reprimanded the husky-voiced woman.
The woman called Takanashi-san released me.

“I’m sorry. I startled you.”
“No, it’s nothing to worry about…”

The man, who had bowed his head toward me, removed his mask along with his apology.
His face was entirely different from what I had imagined—a perfectly plain, unremarkable face.
As these thoughts raced through my mind, a jet-black vehicle emerged behind him.

“I’m 『Sakata-san』, and I volunteer nationwide. Please remember me.”
“Ah, yes… Nice to meet you.”

I was taken aback by the sudden self-introduction, unable to hide my perplexed expression.
Then, from the car parked behind us, a large man stepped out.

“Since we have caused you so much trouble, please allow us to see you home.”

Sakata-san, who stood before me, bowed his head.
At the same time, a large man and the husky-voiced woman approached from both front and back.
Ah, if I don’t get in here, I’ll be killed.

“—————Understood. I will gladly accept your kindness.”

With those words, I got into the vehicle in front of me.

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After I gave Sakata-san my address, the car set off.
Being a wagon, the interior was spacious.
There were five people on board, including myself:
– The man who introduced himself as Sakata-san.
– The husky-voiced woman, who went by the name Takanashi Hitomiko.
– A large man whose name I didn’t know.
– And a taciturn driver.

In the midst of the chaos, my mind completely shut down.

“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”

Sakata-san, concerned for me—with a voice so ordinary, yet somehow reassuring—asked,
“I’m sorry for asking so late, but may I know your name?”
“Eh!… You’re right, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m sorry.”

So many things were happening at once that I’d forgotten to introduce myself.
(They mentioned a volunteer organization, but it was all so suspicious that I hesitated to give my real name…)
Even so, I had a bad feeling about lying.
I decided to boldly reveal my true name.

“————I am 『Satsuki Tsutsuka』. Nice to meet you.”

That was the moment when the gears of my life began to go awry.