Chaos Mate ~Revenge In This Chaotic Academy~ - Chapter 63: Forging an Alliance

Chapter 63: Forging an Alliance

In a room in a certain mansion, a heavy atmosphere lingers.

Izumi and I sit across from each other on low-resilience sofas.

Motoki’s beside me, and Usui sits ramrod straight next to Izumi.

It’s less tension and more just not knowing how to start the conversation.

I’m tongue-tied in moments like this, and Usui seems to avoid talking in front of Izumi.

That’s why I brought this guy with high social skills.

“W-Well, man, A-Class rooms are fancy! Kinda jealous!” Motoki says with a wry smile, unable to bear the silence.

Izumi suddenly giggles. “Really? But a big room alone has its downsides.”

“Alone? Hardly. I’m always at your side,” Usui interjects.

“Always!? Whoa… jealous!” Motoki mutters, the second half under his breath, but I hear it clearly.

Alright, time to speak up.

“Sorry for barging in, Izumi. You were the first person I thought of who I could rely on.”

“That’s flattering. You relying on me is a first, isn’t it?” Izumi replies.

“Yeah, guess so. Before we dive in, I want to ask: what do you think of this Mandatory Word Game, broadly speaking?”

Leaning on the sofa’s armrest, I ask. Izumi sighs, twirling her dangling hair, eyes half-open.

“It’s gotten way out of hand in just two days. First time since enrolling we’ve had a death game like this. Honestly, I’m lost.”

“You seem calm for saying that. Motoki here nearly puked seeing the bodies outside.”

“Hey! Don’t casually drop embarrassing stuff about me!!” Motoki snaps.

Ignoring his outburst, I continue with Izumi.

“Let’s put that aside. Straight up, I want to end this game that treats lives like nothing.”

My bold words make Izumi’s eyes widen briefly, but she quickly regains composure.

“End it? Can I hear your specific plan?”

“Can’t share yet. First, I need as much info as possible on the dead students—expressions, which hand held the weapon, if any. And one more thing: the number of word notifications they got.”

“Word notification count? That’s relevant?”

“If we want to stop more deaths.”

“Got it. But why me? You could investigate yourself, right?”

“My face is known, but I don’t have many close contacts. A former soldier like me asking about bodies would just scare people. You’re trusted and popular, so I need you.”

“Even if it’s flattery, I’m happy you said it. Alright, I’ll help. I want this game over too. I’ll look into everything you mentioned.”

“Thanks. Having you on my side’s reassuring.”

We shake hands, smiling at each other.

I pocket the notepad from the table, and Motoki and I leave the mansion.

“Madoka, what’s next? Izumi’s help doesn’t mean everything’s set,” Motoki says.

“I know. Taking down an academy game isn’t easy. Half-assed prep won’t cut it. So, I’m roping in everyone who’ll cooperate.”

“Like who?”

“Well… huh?”

Heading to the E-Class apartments, something bizarre catches my eye.

In this summer heat, a figure in a seasonal pumpkin mask.

Spotting me, they bolt.

“Hey, wait!!”

Leaving Motoki, I chase, but turning the corner, they’re gone.

That speed… How’d they vanish when it wasn’t even 100 meters?

Turning back, I see a white envelope taped to the wall. I grab it and check inside.

An orange card reads: “Don’t interrupt me. Otherwise, you will lose your precious girl again. by Jack-o-Lantern.”

Jack-o-Lantern…

Got it. Jack…

Didn’t expect them to approach me first.

But that works just fine.

I’ll condemn you first.

※

Jack’s warning came.

Don’t interfere if I don’t want to lose a precious girl…

Screw that. I’m not losing anyone else.

If you plan to take her, I’ll crush you first.

By any means…!

With Izumi’s cooperation, info should be covered.

Even if Izumi gets targeted by the Pokers like me, Usui would protect her with his life.

But info’s useless without creating a situation to use it.

Truth’s believability depends on the context.

Think of the boy who cried wolf. A lying shepherd boy told the truth at the end, but no one helped, and wolves attacked.

So, using info requires trust in the user.

Sadly, I lack strangers’ trust and charisma.

Then, I’ll rely on the academy’s most trusted person.

A day after returning, I send Motoki to Saeki while I head to the student council room.

Yesterday, alone, no word notifications came, but today’s unpredictable.

Knocking on the council room door, a languid “Come in~” answers. I enter.

A girl with long beige hair sits, flanked by document stacks, staring at the ceiling.

“Rough day, BC. You look like a corpse,” I say.

“Madoka, that’s mean~! Say that, and your big sis might cry~!” Souna replies.

“Your face says you’re too dehydrated to cry, but go ahead. Seriously, you look overworked. You resting?”

“Nope. Student riots, teacher pressure to fix it—I’m swamped~! Deaths keep piling up, students storm the staff room, screaming to open the gate. My worst fears came true, and I don’t have enough bodies to handle it~!”

Stamping papers while talking, Souna clearly grasps the situation’s severity.

“So, what’s up? I’m thrilled my cute brother’s visiting, but big sis is super busy~! Wanna spoil me? Help with my work~!”

“Stop calling yourself my sister, I’ve told you. But I can help—by drastically cutting your burden.”

“…What’s that mean?” she asks, tilting her head.

Sitting in a nearby chair, I show her my white wristband.

“I’m ending this game. That’ll calm the riots a bit, right?”

“…Hah, knew you’d say that. As expected of my brother. I can guess the next line: ‘Help me stop it,’ right? Ugh, if you want my help, just say, ‘Please, Souna-neechan’~!”

“No way. Say that again, and I’ll kick you.”

“Eek, Madoka’s scary~!”

She puts her hands on her cheeks, smirking devilishly. For a split second, I think, Should I make her cry for real? but I just sigh deeply.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve wanted to make this woman, who enjoys my angry reactions, cry for real. But I’ll hold back.

“Enough joking. Will you help or not?”

“Of course, I’d do anything for my adorable brother~! So, what’s the plan?”

“I’ll tell you later. For now, I’m just reserving your help and stating my intent. With you, I need to warn you early, given your position.”

“Got it, cautious as ever. Alright, I’ll hear the details later~.”

“…Deal. See ya.”

As I leave, Souna calls, “Wait!”

“Mogami Emi, right? What do you think of her? Surveillance shows you’re always together… Do you trust—”

“Stop!!” I cut her off, turning my head to glare.

“No way! Since then, I’ve… That’s fine. I decided I won’t feel that way about anyone. I became that kind of person, and I won’t think of anyone like that.”

“…You’re still scared, huh. Poor thing.”

“Don’t pity me. You’re part of why I am this way.”

“Your blade’s been unsheathed since two years ago. With no scabbard, can you control it?”

“It’s not about can—I have to. And if I don’t use it, there’s no backlash. …I won’t cling to anyone’s existence anymore.”

With that, I leave the council room.

Besides Suzuka-neesan, the Tsubaki family and Shishou are enough for me to trust.

I don’t need to feel anything for others.

Still, with Mogami… I’m…

“Full of contradictions.”