Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 57: Under the Academy's Control

Chapter 57: Under the Academy’s Control

Emi Side

The bathhouse at the Tsubaki residence is massive, proportional to the sprawling house.

In the changing room, I strip off my clothes, tie back my long hair, and enter with a towel and bucket to wash.

Soaking in the tub, I let out a reflexive sigh.

I turned down Naruse and Aramori’s invitation to bathe together, timing my visit to be alone, but the vast space feels unnecessarily large by myself.

I usually use bath time to sort my thoughts, but this place is so big it’s hard to relax…

Sitting with my knees drawn up, submerged to my neck, I recall recent events.

Since meeting Madoka, it’s like a bucket of pent-up water spilled, triggering a cascade of events.

Madoka rediscovered his true purpose, we spent more time together, a murder happened, we investigated it, fought at the academy at night, and not only did I get an Ability Tool, but Madoka did too.

That Ability Tool is crucial to us, created by…

It feels like someone’s guiding us, like things are falling into place too smoothly.

If I’m overthinking, fine.

I can’t let anything happen to Madoka, and my role now is to stay by his side and support him.

Anything beyond that—

“I want to protect you, Mogami.”

His words from that moment flash back, startling me. I flinch, my face burning.

Sinking to my nose, images of Madoka’s various expressions flood my mind.

I’m hyper-aware of him.

It’s because he says things that catch me off guard.

Why’d he say something so suggestive?

If you don’t mean it, don’t say stuff that gets my hopes up, you idiot Madoka.

Trying to calm down, I stay in that position until the bathhouse door suddenly opens. I splash the water, sitting up straight.

It’s Shizuna-san, Madoka’s mom. She notices me, looks surprised for a moment, then returns to her calm demeanor.

“Oh, you’re here at this hour, Emi-chan?”

“Y-Yes… Sorry, I thought no one would come now…”

I say awkwardly, and Shizuna-san gives a wry smile.

“Should I come back later?”

“No! …Please don’t mind me.”

“Alright, I’ll join you then.”

Madoka’s mom washes and slips into the tub beside me.

“In a house full of men, I’m the only woman, so I’m thrilled Madoka brought a girl home. Can you tell me about him at the academy?”

“Uh…!? …You’d get better stories from the other two. I’m bad at talking.”

“Really? But I want to hear from you, Emi-chan. You seem to watch Madoka more closely than Ruri-chan or Kumi-chan, and…”

“And what?”

“Since his sister Suzuka died two years ago, Madoka’s unconsciously avoided letting anyone stand beside him. He steps forward or back if someone tries, or keeps a fist’s distance when sitting. To him, only his sister could be that close. But with you beside him, he doesn’t move. I think it’s because he truly trusts you.”

Shizuna-san softens, smiling warmly.

“Madoka… trusts me…”

My cheeks relax unconsciously.

I said I didn’t need trust, but hearing I’m trusted makes me happy.

I must’ve let my guard down with Madoka without realizing it.

“Well, alright. I’ll tell you about Madoka, within what I can share. We first met when I was looking for my cat…”

I share academy life, skipping heavy topics to ease her worries.

※

Madoka Side

When was this memory?

On a summer day, staying home with Nee-san, I was lethargic from the heat. She grinned mischievously and pressed a popsicle to my cheek.

Even past twenty, she played pranks on her little brother, and I was exasperated. Now, those moments are gone, and the room’s wrapped in silence.

Come to think of it, back then…

I teased, “Acting childish at your age’ll scare off good guys.” Normally, she’d snap, “No way, idiot,” but she seemed a bit flustered.

Was there a guy she liked? If so, I feel bad for him.

Lying on my bed, rereading Hamlet, the door opens.

“Madoka-kun, mind if I take shelter here?”

“…Oh, Naruse. Something up?”

Looking from Hamlet to the door, Naruse stands there in a yukata, fresh from the bath.

She rubs her temple, shakes her head slightly, and sighs deeply.

“We were playing cards—Old Maid, Memory, President. Then Motoki-kun suggested the loser does what the winner says.”

“And the results?”

“Motoki-kun, who proposed it, lost every game. Some book said the one who suggests a rule gets the worst outcome, and it’s true.”

“Then why come to my room?”

“Well, I lost at Old Maid, and Aramori-san won…”

“Don’t tell me she said to strip, like Dad would?”

“…Exactly.”

I can only give a wry smile at Naruse’s dry grin.

Probably, if she refused, Kumi would’ve forcibly stripped her.

“What was Motoki’s penalty, by the way?”

“There was talk of stripping, but making a guy strip isn’t fun, so it was juice runs or being my chair for thirty minutes.”

“That second one’s a reward.”

“Well, if Motoki-kun’s a masochist, sure.”

“…Speaking of, four players means Mogami joined, right? Rare for her to hang with anyone but me.”

Voicing my thought, Naruse narrows her eyes and crosses her arms.

“Even with me, you’re thinking about Mogami-san? She seems to trust you too. When did you get so close?”

“Mogami trusts me? Nah. She only talks to me ‘cause I’m the bare minimum. I stick with her ‘cause I can’t leave her alone. Our bond’s fragile—one crack, and it’s over.”

Talking about the Scarlet Phantom or Kouta-san to Naruse is pointless… or is it?

As the headmaster’s granddaughter, she might know something about the Phantom. But it’s a risky bet.

If she knows something, she could be an enemy. If she doesn’t, the danger’s different.

What do I do? If I’m gonna ask, now’s the only chance, outside the academy.

Deciding instantly, I start, “Hey, Naruse…” but then—

I expected something, but not this abruptly.

The white bracelet on my right wrist beeps loudly, its screen glowing with scrolling text.

“Attention, Saiou Academy students! The Summer Break Special Point-Grabbing Game, Mandatory Word Game, is starting!! It’s mandatory, so all students—inside or outside the academy—must participate!! No opt-outs, sorry!”

I didn’t think it through enough.

They’d never let students leave without a plan.

As long as we’re students, we can’t escape the academy’s control, where power reigns.