Vol 4 Chapter 8 – Satsuki Tsutsuka② (【Revolver Maid】 Arc)

“By the way, Satsuki-san, do you like helping people?”

“Eh, uh, well, I don’t dislike it.”

In the tense atmosphere, Sakata-san began a surprisingly considerate conversation with me. The quiet of the car made our voices sound even louder.

“That’s good. I’m the same.”

Honestly, looking around at everyone in this car, it was hard to believe any of them truly loved helping people… Not wanting to provoke anyone, I returned a smile. Come to think of it, thanks to this car I don’t have to worry about the stalker today. Feeling a bit relieved, I silently patted my chest.

“Is something bothering you?”
“Eh!? No, not really…”

The question struck a nerve, and I couldn’t help but raise my voice. “No matter how you look at it, there’s got to be something. Just be honest.” My desperate denial was met with a heavy, hoarse voice echoing through the car. I wondered what would happen if I mentioned the stalker to someone so unpredictable… Wait a minute?

Wouldn’t suspicious types cancel each other out…? No, that won’t do. There’s even a chance they’d end up conspiring together. Why has it come to this…?

“Silence? Then, are you ready to die?”

The hoarse-voiced woman pointed a model gun at me. It was impressively well-made for a model gun.

“Takanashi-san, that’s rude toward someone you’re meeting for the first time.”
“Boss is too kind. Wouldn’t a headshot be just perfect for someone like this?”

At that moment, the model gun in her hand fired a shot.

“Eh…?”

I nervously looked in the direction of the sound and saw a hole in the seat cushion, no larger than two centimeters.

“Is that real…?”
“Of course it is. Who in their right mind would use a model gun in a place like this?”

The hoarse voice now seemed to take on a more lethal edge. For a first-timer, most ordinary people would have been paralyzed with fear.

“Heh… even after all that, you’re still laughing.”
“Eh, ah… haha…”

I felt as if a screw had come loose in my head.

“Boss, is it okay if we kill her?”
“No.”
“Why not? After all, we’ve been in contact with her this whole time, and if the police were to be notified, it’d only cause more trouble.”

I wished they wouldn’t debate right in front of me whether to kill me or not… Before I could dwell on it further, the car suddenly came to a stop.

“It seems we’ve arrived.”

The car stopped right in front of my house—just as I had told the driver. I couldn’t believe they were actually taking me home…

“Then I’ll be on my way…”

I hurried inside to seek shelter before I got killed, planning to call the police immediately.

“Hey, we’re not done talking yet.”

Another round of live ammunition was fired. The shot, unmistakably aimed at me, grazed my cheek. I shuddered at the thought of what might have happened if it had been even a little off. A thin streak of blood trailed down my cheek.

“Killing her is forbidden.”
“Then explain yourself clearly. This girl is dangerous—my gut tells me so.”

I was roughly forced out of the car, and waiting outside was a large man standing like a statue. This was what they call checkmate…

“———It’s so that she can join the organization.”

A calm male voice—one that resonated as if it belonged to someone who had long given up on life—reached my ears. He stepped out of the car and slowly approached me.

“Boss, are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious.”

Now, did Sakata-san just say he’d let me join the organization? Joining the organization means becoming one of those people around me, doesn’t it…? There’s no way I can do that…

“Even when confronted with a real handgun—and having been fired upon—the fact that you can laugh so nonchalantly means you have potential.”
“Or maybe you’re just a fool?”
“———Takanashi-san, is further explanation necessary?”

At that moment, the atmosphere changed completely. It was suffocating. I felt as though I were being killed right then and there. I could barely think; I was on the verge of losing consciousness. While I was mulling over these thoughts, someone beside me bowed their head.

“I’m sorry. If punishment is what I deserve, then I will accept it.”

It was Takanashi-san—the very same woman who had been aiming her gun at me until moments ago. She pressed her forehead to the asphalt in a full bow of apology—a complete dogeza.

“If you understand, then it’s alright.”

In less than an hour, so many unreal things had happened. I couldn’t stop trembling from the murderous intent that seeped from beneath the mask. I knew it wasn’t directed at me. Suddenly, I caught sight of my reflection in the windshield.

“Ah.”

I realized something: this trembling wasn’t born of fear. I was…
I was simply…

————I was simply pleased.

——————————————————

“Satsuki-san, I will give you this.”

Sakata-san handed me a paper bag. Judging by its heft, it was unexpectedly heavy.

“This is…”
“It’s a present. Please, open it.”

Cautiously, I peered into the bag. Inside were two model guns—no, two real handguns. If I were caught with these, I’d be arrested in an instant.

“Please use them for your self-defense.”
“Thank you for your concern, but I’m not really worried about my safety, so I’ll return them.”
“I see. I thought they would suit you perfectly…”

A sense of melancholy emanated from beneath the mask. Takanashi-san remained prostrate on the ground, and the large man stood like a guardian. Even the taciturn driver—and everyone else present—exuded murderous intent.

“After all, may I take them?”
“I know it’s a bit presumptuous, but…”
“Thank you! I’m sorry if it seemed like I was forcing them on you…”

Sakata-san’s delighted voice rang out. At the same time, the murderous intent from the three faded away. I let out a huge sigh in my heart. How many times today have I thought I was going to die? My stomach hurt…

——————————————————

“Well then, it’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave.”

The three of them, including Sakata-san, got back into the car.

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much.”

I could finally go home… Those few hours had been unbearably intense.

“Here’s my contact information. If anything comes up, please get in touch.”

They handed me a small piece of paper with a phone number on it.

“Well then, until we meet again.”

With those words, the car carrying them started moving.

“What am I supposed to do with this…?”

I began walking away with heavy steps.