Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 61: An Indirect Death Game

Chapter 61: An Indirect Death Game

I heard a bit about Yanayatsu from Mogami after that night’s chaos at the academy.

Her expression was like she was at a loss or didn’t know much herself.

Apparently, Yanayatsu wears a black silk hat and a white smiley mask, with a provocative tone, and doesn’t talk much.

But they’re cooperative with Kouta-san and support with intelligence networks.

I thought, literally a “jerk,” but reliable.

Thanks to Yanayatsu, I got the spark for my revenge.

So, I think Yanayatsu is at least an ally for Kouta-san and me.

But I instinctively knew IIYATSU, as Lesta mentioned, is our enemy.

Only Mogami and I, aware of the Scarlet Phantom, grasped the gravity of this.

“Lesta, is this game happening because your admin rights were taken?”

“Yes, exactly! I’m totally lost. Onii-chan just accepted this creepy thing without a fight, so I got super mad and came to you!”

“So, who’s managing this IIYATSU… probably an AI, right? Who’s controlling it?”

As I push with my assumption, Lesta shakes her head on the phone screen.

“I don’t know. It’s an autonomous AI, and I’ve got almost no info. Oh, I have one photo of IIYATSU—here!”

She makes a pulling motion, and an album pops up, showing a figure in a white silk hat with a black smiley mask.

Mogami mutters, “Looks like Yanayatsu…” and I’m the only one who hears.

As I try to get more info from Lesta, the white wristband beeps again, like last night.

A word notification arrives for all five of us, and we check.

“Jump off and kill yourself. Limit: 2 minutes.”

Hesitating to say this face-to-face is natural.

Or rather, as expected, it’s as bad or worse than yesterday’s word.

The others’ faces suggest their words are equally unspeakable.

Motoki swallows hard, scanning our faces.

“So, what now? You guys saying it?”

“I can’t. It’s optional, right?” Kumi says.

“Not saying costs points. Zero means expulsion. I think we should,” Naruse argues.

“But I can’t say something this awful to friends…” Kumi protests.

“Even I can’t…” I add.

While the three debate, Mogami yanks my ear and whispers, “Spin three times and bark, mutt.”

“You didn’t just say that for real, right? If so, I’m stretching both your cheeks hard.”

“No way I’d say something that soft on my own. Relax, it’s the word.”

Her deadpan delivery makes it likely true.

No set criteria, but she doesn’t lie, and if she doesn’t want to talk, she’d say, “Not saying.” No issue.

The three decide, and Kumi, with the lowest points, will speak.

Apologizing first, she says, “Useless guys, break your left arm.”

It stings subtly. Specifying the left arm is… ouch.

Kumi apologizes again, especially to me and Motoki, and we give wry smiles.

“Seriously, what’s the point of saying this? Who’d just obey… Wait, huh?”

Motoki’s phone plays a ringtone. He answers.

“Hello? What’s up, Saeki… What? I don’t get it… Huh? No way! You’re joking, right!?”

His face pales. Hanging up, he stares at us, eyes wide.

Saeki’s probably Saeki Tsutomu, our classmate.

“…Saeki just called. You know the word? His was ‘Die for real.’ He said it to a friend from another class… and the guy grabbed a nearby compass and stabbed his neck…! Blood everywhere… his face was white!!”

His expression says it’s no lie.

So, someone tried to kill themselves because of the word?

What the hell?

Seeing someone die unexpectedly, especially from your words, what happens?

Probably denial first.

It’s not my fault. They chose to die. I just said it, didn’t think they’d do it.

No matter the excuse, the fact doesn’t change. If your words caused it, isn’t that murder?

Like bullying victims dying from cruel words—that’s murder too.

An indirect killing, driving someone’s mind to ruin without touching them.

The weapon: words, sharp as blades.

Today, too many wield that blade unaware of its danger.

But we’re forced to say them, or face punishment.

For us, where expulsion equals death, losing points is risky.

Even those unaware wouldn’t want expulsion.

We’re facing an ultimate choice:

Kill indirectly to save yourself, or risk expulsion to avoid killing.

This isn’t just a game testing “power.”

If anything’s being tested, it’s mental strength and judgment.

Hearing someone died, even I couldn’t think straight, but Mogami mutters, “Which hand, what expression… that person.”

“…Huh?”

“It changes the game’s intent. That answered half my question.”

“What’s your question, anyway?”

“You already know, don’t you?”

She avoids direct answers.

And she didn’t look at me during this.

Wait, are we back to square one? Did I do something?

Whatever, I need to sort this mess out.

Think.

The guy who died stabbed his neck with a compass after “Die for real.”

That alone isn’t enough.

Mogami’s point about hand and expression might matter.

I think the word’s sequence and remaining points are key too.

…Points…? Right, but… it’s just a theory.

Need details from Saeki.

“Motoki, know where Saeki is?”

“Uh, I think he stayed at the academy… If so, more people might… Damn it! Who enjoys this!?”

In my head, I mutter, Rotten human trash.

“This isn’t just murder—it’s indirect slaughter, and it’s sick!!”

Slamming the wall, rage unhidden, I sling on my backpack.

“I’m heading back to the academy. Motoki, come with me.”

“Whoa!? F-Fine, but your face is scary…”

He grimaces, and I cover my face, breathe deep, reset emotions, and go blank.

“Sorry, I’m calm. Let’s hurry. Mogami, Naruse, Kumi, stay here.”

“Wait, I’m coming—” Mogami starts.

“No. Stay. More people are a burden. Motoki and I are enough.”

I give a half-lidded, no-argument vibe, put one of her headphones on her ear, and she puffs her cheeks, sulking. Ignoring it, I shoulder my backpack lightly.

“Dude, already going? Fast much?” Motoki says.

“Better early than late. Get ready. We don’t know when the next word hits. Naruse, tell Dad and Mom I’ll be back soon.”

“Uh, sure. But, weird—you seem rushed,” Naruse notes.

“Of course. I’m not dying in this game.”

“Not that kind of rush… Hey! Listen to me!” she yells as I leave.

I shoot back, half-lidded, “No time. Save the lecture for when I’m back,” and exit.

Never thought I’d return to the academy right after coming home, all for this shitty game.