Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~

Chapter 45: Inougu

Reine Side

I hate people who don’t bend to my will.

I even think they should die.

I don’t believe I’m the center of the world, but I love moving the people around me like chess pieces or puppets in a play.

There’s no room for discord in that.

That’s why I wanted a perfect world. Not to be toyed with like in middle school, but to be the one toying with others. That’s why I gained this “power.”

This class is my ideal.

Everyone obeys me, getting along as I dictate.

As class rep, my words are the class’s will.

I’m absolute.

But two dangerous elements slipped into my perfect class.

One is Tsubaki Madoka. His vibe is completely different. He doesn’t act as I want.

I need to know. Who he is, his past, his weaknesses.

If I know that, I can slip into his heart. His defenses will crack.

Madoka was this close to becoming completely obedient to me.

But then, at that critical moment, she appeared.

The other danger, the embodiment of discord: Mogami Emi.

The daughter of the critical figure, Mogami Kouta. The organization ordered me to never let my guard down around her, but I can’t get close. She keeps me at a distance.

Yet, she seems to let Madoka in, just a little.

It’s the worst. Madoka knows about the Scarlet Phantom, and Mogami likely does too.

If they keep interacting, they’ll definitely turn against the organization.

Then, influenced by Mogami, Kikuchi, Irei, and others started defying me.

Kikuchi was too far gone. She was already slipping before Mogami showed up.

So, I used her as an example. Defying me in this class is a grave sin. Since the werewolf game, I’d decided to kill her eventually.

It also served as a warning to Madoka and Mogami. To teach them the academy’s true rules.

But Madoka? If he decides to find the culprit, he’ll do it no matter what. So, I layered cover-up upon cover-up.

I’ll betray your expectations, Madoka-kun… your hope of finding the culprit.

The only uncertainty was how Mogami would act… I was supposed to eliminate her quickly.

Everything started going wrong when she appeared.

Because of that filthy sow…!!

※

Madoka Side

Sumeragi Reine’s true goal was to kill Mogami Emi.

Even killing Kikuchi was just a cover-up.

I sigh and glare at Reine with anger.

The face of Sumeragi Reine, who I wanted to trust, shatters like glass, piece by piece.

No backing down now.

“…When did it start? No, wrong question. From the beginning? …I was hoping you could be my friend. But it was all a lie…!!”

Holding back my anger, I speak, and Reine lets out a small laugh.

“Not everything was a lie. The bullying I went through in middle school was real, and wanting to be your friend was true too. I showed you the real me, Madoka-kun.”

“And this is the result? If this is how it ends, I’d rather have kept seeing the old Reine, even if I didn’t like her. We never should’ve gotten close.”

Getting close is why my heart hurts so much.

This is the price for failing to follow Nee-san’s words.

Reine chuckles, giving me a smug look.

“So, what now? Even if I’m the culprit, you’re the only one who knows. Even if you recorded this, compared to my trust level versus yours, no one will believe you. Everyone’s my obedient little friends, after all.”

I can’t help but sigh at her brazen provocation.

“…I’m not gonna tell you to atone for your sins or grovel at Kikuchi’s grave. But I won’t forgive someone who takes lives. Plus, I’ve got questions for you. So, I’m taking you into custody, Scarlet Phantom’s lackey.”

“Planning to torture me? That’s reckless. Too bad, I’m never getting caught. I’ve got tons of reliable friends!!”

Reine raises her hand and snaps her fingers. Classmates—guys and girls—flood into the classroom, standing to protect her.

Some guys come at me, and I dodge their fists and kicks.

“You’re all on Reine’s side? That’s your choice!?”

I ask, but no one answers.

Irie, Kawanami, everyone—blank-faced and silent.

This isn’t normal.

“They’re brainwashed. But how the hell do you control so many…!?”

“You don’t need to know, Madoka-kun. Because you’re about to become one of my ‘friends’ too!!”

I’m used to being outnumbered, but I’m rusty, and my body’s not keeping up.

My cheek gets scratched by nails, a cutter from a girl grazes my shoulder.

Damn, I got too soft from peace…!!

“Your movements are sluggish. Did you know? It’s not your head, it’s reflexes. No matter how strong you are, when it’s someone you’re fond of or care about, your reaction speed slows, and you hesitate to attack. Look, you’ve been dodging this whole time without hitting anyone, right?”

I can’t deny Reine’s words. I bite my lip, holding back anger.

Something inside me stops me from attacking them.

It’s not their fault. They’re being controlled.

Listening to that inner voice, I can’t bring myself to be ruthless.

I haven’t fully returned to the old me.

My arms are grabbed from both sides, and Kawanami tackles me from behind, pinning me to the floor.

Reine steps out from the crowd, pulling a stun gun from her pocket.

As she activates it, I notice too late—there’s a thin needle at the tip, invisible without light.

“Finally, the moment’s here. I tried so many times, but you’re so cautious, Madoka-kun. I was always waiting for the perfect chance to use this ‘Queen Bee’s Needle’!!”

The stun gun inches toward my neck.

“Come on, Tsubaki Madoka-kun, be my friend!!”

So that’s how she brainwashed them…!!

I try to move, but Kawanami’s weight keeps me down.

Just as the stun gun’s about to hit…

A voice cuts through.

“I’ll give you five seconds to escape, Madoka!!”

“Huh…!?”

“Arghhh!!”

As I react, I hear Kawanami scream.

I break free in that instant, putting distance between me and Reine.

“You told me, ‘Don’t come, I’ll be fine alone,’ and now you’re in a pinch? You’re such an idiot, Madoka… I was worried, you know.”

“Mogami…!?”

I spot the silver-haired girl near the classroom door, my eyes widening at what she’s holding.

Reine seems shocked by Mogami’s presence too, her gaze fixed on the same thing in Mogami’s hands.

“That…!? How do you have it!?”

“As expected, someone tied to the Scarlet Phantom would recognize it. I knew you’d react like that. Of course, it’s something the organization desperately wants gone.”

Mogami holds it with both hands, aiming at Reine.

It’s shaped like a gun, with the barrel split horizontally. What catches my eye most is the black smartphone attached to its side.

Even in the military, I’ve never seen a weapon like it. Reine, seeing it, quickly hides her stun gun behind her back.

“An Ability Tool… Railgun!! No way, one of the legendary weapons was passed to his daughter!?”

“It looks like that stun gun you’ve got is an Ability Tool too. If so, I’ve got plenty of ways to deal with it.”

Ability Tool…? What the hell…?

They’re talking like I’m not here. Meanwhile, someone lunges at me, and Mogami, without looking, fires the railgun, shocking them.

“Madoka, get over here! We’re at a disadvantage. We need to change locations!”

“Got it!!”

Dodging the classmates swarming me, I reach Mogami, and we bolt out of the classroom together.