"Eh? Is There a Hospital That's Open at This Time of Night?!" "There's No Public Institution That Would Accept You, Senpai." "A Prison Maybe?" "..." "I Want to Know Defeat." "Ao Only Needs Me." - Chapter 009: Pilates

Chapter 009: Pilates

With Hiiragi still at home recovering, the literature club feels completely deserted.

As I walk home, I think to myself, “What kind of club is this?”

The student behind me has been walking the same path as me.

It’s not just a coincidence.

I’m just wandering around aimlessly, but still…

Is she a stalker?

I remember that being the number one job in the most wanted profession ranking.

I decided to make contact.

I turn around and walk toward the person behind me.

“Where are you heading to?”

I ask the person, trying to sound like a police officer.

I call out to the figure half-hidden behind a telephone pole.

This “A” isn’t an “X.” (T/N: 1.)

“Are you talking to me?”

She responds, looking puzzled, as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Maybe it’s just part of the local culture to answer a question with another question.

I must win this.

“Don’t be so self-conscious. Yeah, I’m talking to you! If you want a fight, I’m game!

I’ve even broken a junior’s leg before!”

Her leg wasn’t broken though, just fractured.

Apparently, it’s okay to exaggerate by about 30% when telling stories. 

“Was it you, Saitou-senpai, who hurt Hiiragi-san?”

Her gaze sharpens, and she seems to know my name.

I guess I’m finally paying the price for fame.

Dear tax collector…

Oh right, Hiiragi has friends.

Well, when she just shows up with some crutches the next day, some hero, most likely of her friend group, would undoubtedly appear before her.

I’m the villain.

I surrender like a true villain.

“I give up. You can have whichever leg you want.”

“The right one.”

“From your perspective? Or mine?”

“Mine.”

Skipping any unnecessary steps, she grabs my leg.

Scary.

Something clicks into place around my ankle.

Even scarier.

“Are we going to play a death game or something?”

I wonder if I can survive.

Sometimes the first victim is the mastermind, and sometimes there’s a second round of participants.

“It won’t explode, it’s a GPS.”

Is this a new trend?

I need to keep up with the trends to provide topics for conversation with my friends.

I noticed that her hands were shaking a bit when she attached the GPS.

But then again,

If someone could kill with GPS signals,

Humanity could be wiped out.

I feel grateful for finding a way to conquer my fear of humankind.

“You’re my sunshine.”

“N-No, that’s not true.”

Why is she blushing?

I won’t back down.

Maybe I should just do a police interrogation.

T/N: 

1. 1. The phrase “This ‘A’ isn’t an ‘X.'” is a reference to a common trope in mystery or detective stories where a character identifies a person, object, or situation as one thing (“A”) but then realizes it is something else (“X”). It often signifies a twist or revelation, showing that things aren’t as they initially appear.