My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate

Chapter 2: A life covered in blood

“Last night, three people, Shuuya Atou, Keisuke Hanagasaki, and Mizuki Nitta, died at a nearby factory site. Does anyone have any idea what happened?”

After looking around the bustling classroom for a while, the homeroom teacher — Tokita Souya — sighed before raising his voice.

“Alright, that’s enough. It seems nobody here has any idea. The bodies are being investigated by the police. One thing is for sure, though. A death row convict has escaped to this town. Everyone, stay away from places where people wouldn’t normally go.”

———Oh, so she was on the run.

To have escaped while being completely restrained… No, wait. I shouldn’t be thinking about her. I need to worry about myself. The three who died suddenly and inexplicably had cast a dark cloud over the entire class. People were clamoring, grieving, and crying, wondering why they had died.

I still believe they deserved to die, but I regret it a little. If those guys hadn’t died, would people around me be sad? Unlike those three, who blended into the class, I’m an outsider. I’m known for being a liar and for being bullied. I can’t imagine anyone mourning me like they do for those three.

“Hey, Ryuma. You’re not suspected of being the killer, right?”

“Huh?”

Teronori Saito suddenly questioned me about the truth. While I’m not known for lying about things outside of bullying-related issues, he’s willing to have a conversation with me if it’s not about that.

“You’ve always had the delusion that you’re being bullied by them, right? Did it go too far, somehow leading to murder…?”

“That’s not… I didn’t…! And it’s not a delusion! Look, no matter how much you’re bullied, there’s a line you shouldn’t cross. Killing someone means going to jail, you know? Do you think I’d have the guts to go to school after killing someone?”

“Hmm. I see. I think that’s a good speculation.”

That’s not speculation at all. This wanna-be detective. Well, I did tell a small lie, so I couldn’t say anything more. Yes, I’ve already crossed a line I shouldn’t have. I’ve only untied her arms, but that’s probably aiding and abetting a fugitive, or even murder. If that incident were investigated in detail, I’d definitely be sent to prison.

But would it end with just that?

Shizuku Nanagi is the most heinous death row convict in history. She’s not going to be let off lightly just because she’s a slightly older girl. When she was arrested, one policeman even said, “We wouldn’t have caught her if she hadn’t turned herself in.” Releasing her might have already gone beyond a minor offense. According to the internet, even if I assist in murder, I won’t be sentenced to death, but it would still likely be life imprisonment or a long sentence. I think it’s not unreasonable to expect that.

If I was going to agonize over it to this extent, why did I release her? I might be accused of that. It’s because she asked me, “Should I help you?” for the first time, and I couldn’t help but feel happy. And… because I made a “deal” with her. There’s no turning back now. I’ve created this situation myself.

As the teacher left the classroom, a girl stepped up to the podium.

“Everyone, please listen. The culprit is among us!”

Misakigawa Yuuna declared confidently. With hair so long it’s rare at this age, reaching down to her thighs, she might look like a target for bullying or a creature from a horror movie if she’s in the wrong position in the class, but her fundamentally cheerful and kind personality means there’s no real malice in her.

In fact, she’s more trusted than I am.

“As you all know, there’s someone in this class who has been lying about being bullied by those three. Yes―――it’s you!”

Although there’s no evidence, I was accused and demanded to apologize. I couldn’t argue back since it’s not far from the truth. While maintaining a poker face, the conversation continued without me.

“I won’t say that Ryuma-kun is definitely the culprit. If he did it, he would have skipped school today. But even though he lied about being bullied by them, those three were friends with Ryuma-kun. That means he must know something!”

Even if we looked like friends from the outside, they would always come after me to bully me. If you just look at that part, it’s not unreasonable to think that way… I suppose.

But what about what happened afterward?

“Today, for the sake of our safety, we’ll be dismissed early. No club activities either. Let’s question him ourselves.”

Some students wanted to go home, but there were more who wanted to find the culprit, or at least that’s the spirit. Despite the teachers wanting to send us home early for our safety, what’s the justice in ignoring that and carrying out such acts?

“Ryuma-kun, it’s in your best interest to confess quickly. You did it, didn’t you?”

“You’d look more interesting as the culprit, so confess already.”

“You’re always telling boring lies. Tell a funny one for once, especially now.”

“You’re the one who killed those three, right?”

“Confess.”

The mood shifted from mourning to accusing me of being the culprit. Most of the class had a faint smile on their faces. If I were to suddenly start shooting a machine gun from the side near the hallway, they would all probably be terrified. But no, I have no intention of letting them off. I’ll shoot wildly, making a zigzag pattern. And with both hands. Those guys who were just joking around with me about being a liar would surely realize I’m serious and be afraid. No, even then, I won’t stop. They’re the ones at fault for accusing me despite the evidence showing otherwise. I’ll keep firing until the entire classroom is covered in blood.

“I didn’t do it! There’s no evidence, so stop accusing me without proof! Show me some evidence!”

“Ah, there it is――the words of the culprit!”

“In suspense dramas, it’s always the culprit who’s cornered like this.”

“Because we’re evidence-based, he’s got nothing else to cling to.”

“We’ve unanimously decided he’s the culprit.”

“But then what’s the point of the judiciary if everything is decided by popular opinion?”

“…Huh? What do you mean?”

“Isn’t that obvious? We’re in a democratic society.”

“You’re trying to sound smart but you’re just blowing smoke.”

These guys…!

This is it. This is what it’s all about. “Justice” by the name of “popular opinion.” Rejection and oppression by this so-called “justice.” Because there are only people like them, I… I was ecstatic when I heard those words.

Yes. That’s why I…

“Why aren’t you running away?”

Even with their bodies behind me and her name in my ears, I didn’t run away. It’s not that I lost my nerve. I could run if I wanted to.

“…Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it.”

“…It’s the first time I’ve been thanked like this. How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“I’m eighteen. We’re a perfect match, don’t you think? Oh right, let’s make a deal. I won’t force you, so take your time to think about it.”

“What kind of deal?”

“Because of this murder case, the police will realize I’m here sooner or later. I want you to hide me until the police lose interest. In return, I’ll become your slave.”

“Slave?”

“Yes. I’ll do anything you want… And I’ll protect you as long as you don’t break the promise. I don’t think it’s a bad deal for you, but if you think you’ve made a mistake, you can run away. I won’t chase you.”

So I made up my mind.

To protect the death row convict, Nanagi Shizuku, who was almost rejected by this so-called “justice” under the name of “popular opinion.”