My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate - Chapter 24 - Happiness is Often Born from Adversity

Chapter 24 – Happiness is Often Born from Adversity

Coincidence, huh? If such occurrences happen in succession, they become inevitable. And in inevitability, there’s no randomness; there’s always some cause behind it.

Now, the period when girls are fond of you, commonly known as the ‘popular phase,’ was said to come to everyone once in their lifetime. Frankly, I don’t believe in its existence. I’m not denying the existence of the popular phase itself, but… What is it exactly? It’s just unimaginable in this situation.

“…Tea, you say?”

“Yes! Please, let me thank you for that time!”

I don’t intend to be suspicious, but it’s just so absurd. Although I don’t possess the ability to read the flow of causality, there’s no way I would end up in this situation. In the first place, to be so appreciated for such a small kindness is ludicrous.

If, for example, I had rescued someone from a fire, then I would understand. But for money—just that little amount—to bear such gratitude. What exactly is there to be thankful for? If it were something like being sold off to a foreign country if she couldn’t pay, that would make more sense, but in this rule-of-law country, that wouldn’t happen.

　ーーーThis doesn’t make any sense.

Their tactics were skillful, but Sakisaka Ryuma lacked the fatally charming talent. If someone were to say they really like me… I wonder who it could be. I want to believe it would be Shizuku, but even if she’s behaving that way to shield herself, I couldn’t argue against it. Emotionally, I can support her, but I can’t defend her being a death row convict.

According to Shizuku, Kusune doesn’t hesitate to use any means, so perhaps she’s also trying to win me over. Thinking about it, my embarrassment at that moment seems quite foolish now.

“Um, sorry. I’m currently on a date.”

“A date!? Uh, with who?”

“With that person.”

The person I pointed at was, of course, the disguised Shizuku. Exposing her incredible athleticism had attracted mainly children. Although she hadn’t disguised her face at all, would innocent children even be aware of the existence of death row convicts? And even if they were aware, who would they think that death row convict was?

Shizuku bent down to the height of the children and seemed to be having a lively conversation.

“So, please let’s have tea another time.”

Such an opportunity would probably never come again. Normal people would forget even a small kindness, just like how I forgot about it myself.

“…Wouldn’t it be okay for just a little?”

“It wouldn’t be okay. I don’t want to cheat on her.”

“Are you refusing a high school girl’s request?”

“Being a high school girl isn’t particularly impressive, and I’m also a high school student. I don’t like things I don’t like.”

Being a current high school student might be something, but my girlfriend is a current death row convict. Moreover, she’s on the run. If high school girls have some rare status, then being a current death row convict might be so rare that it can’t be measured.

“Please, just consider it! I want to thank you!”

“I don’t need thanks. Please go home. I’ll say it again, I don’t want to cheat.”

“Is your girlfriend that scary?”

She’s scary.

She’s the scariest person in the world. I don’t know what kind of special abilities she has… In fact, even with the abilities I know presently, she could monitor me all day if she wanted. It’s impossible not to be afraid.

“I’m scared. That’s why I’m telling you to leave.”

Even if it’s a coincidence, it’s too perfect. It’s hard to imagine that she would come to this park at the same time as me, no matter how much this park is loved. I don’t mind being called paranoid, but it’s starting to raise suspicions of stalking.

She might not be a bad person, coming all the way to thank me…

“Hey, Shizuku!”

I ran up to my beloved girlfriend, ignoring Mitsuru’s voice with all my might. If I didn’t make such eccentric movements, I could also stand on the raft. As I got closer, I could hear the conversation she was having with the children.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Satou Sousuke!”

“Sosuke-kun, huh. See the moves I just did? You can’t imitate them without practice. So, even if you ask me to teach you, I can’t, sorry.”

“How can I become as cute as you?”

“I think you can become cute if you fall in love. I mean, even I…”

Shizuku paused momentarily. It seemed she noticed me approaching.

“Ah, you’re here. Look, it seems I’m becoming popular with the kids.”

“Perhaps it’s because of Shizuku’s extraordinary motherly nature. That aside, could you please stop asking for their names?”

“Why?”

“Because… “

Revealing one’s name to Shizuku was a form of submission in a sense. It was unnecessary if she didn’t ask, but what exactly did she intend to do with a young boy who had barely reached adolescence?

“Don’t you need names to communicate?”

“Are you saying that to me?”

In other words, Shizuku had no intention of communicating with me…? No, that was perhaps too negative of an assumption. Using names for control was something only she could do, so she was probably saying that to avoid identification.

But the real question was, who knew that she had such power?

“Let’s play together. It seems the kids are willing to join us.”

Amidst the clamor, the children who were about to approach Shizuku suddenly lined up as if they were in a military formation.

“We wanna play!”

The children had innocent smiles on their faces. I realized it was too late for them.

——————————

If anyone besides Kusune were to witness this scene, they would likely perceive her as a woman beloved by children. Otherwise, we will be in trouble. That’s probably Shizuku’s intention.

But even though she controlled them, she didn’t force anything unreasonable on innocent children and they were basically just being normal children. If told to go back to their parents, they obediently comply, and tired parents entrust her completely with their children’s entertainment.

“You shouldn’t imitate me. You might get hurt.”

“I don’t think anyone will.”

“No, no, children are filled with unfounded confidence. If the other person can do it, they think they can too. Can you really say there are zero people who think like that?”

That’s why Shizuku could only smile helplessly. I almost admired her for using the name to establish control, but I’m not that naive. I still have my doubts.

Shizuku gracefully took a seat on the monkey bars and dispersed the children who were following her. While they may not be free from her control, each of them started their own playtime as if asserting their individuality.

“Anyway, we’re lucky Kusune isn’t here.”

“You thought she’d be here?”

“Well, it seems like the kind of place she’d like. Our tastes are eerily similar. Well, even if she were here, I’d just run away.”

With her athletic abilities, it doesn’t seem possible to escape from Kusune… That’s what I think. Shizuku was impressive, but Kusune was clearly on another level.

“…Um, does Shizuku still have any other powers?”

“What’s with the sudden change of heart? If you can’t believe in me, that would make me a little sad.”

Words are sometimes interpreted in ways unintended by the speaker. I quickly added as I opened both hands.

“Oh no, that’s not it at all. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… I want to know more about Shizuku, or rather…”

“Really? Well, if that’s the case, it’s fine. But I don’t have much to tell besides old stories. If that’s okay with you, I’ll tell you.”

Stories from a death row inmate’s past. Even without me, it would spark interest. Sensing my childlike curiosity, Shizuku gracefully descended from the monkey bars and whispered in my ear as she pulled me close.

“Then I’ll tell you, just you. Hehe, we’re lovers, after all. But there’s a lot to the past, you know. Let’s focus on what you want to know.”

Even if we’re lovers, she wouldn’t normally do this in public. I tried to push her away because it’s embarrassing, but her legs are too strong, and I ended up accidentally grabbing her chest. That was the moment I truly became a pervert. A normal woman would feel the same shame and move away, but she’s not normal; she’s a death row inmate.

I gave up and transitioned into a hug to cover up my perversion.

“…Then please tell me about your relationship with Kusune.”

“Oh, my relationship with her? I hadn’t mentioned it, huh? I don’t want you to be ensnared by her, so it’s probably best to talk about it anyway. But it’s not a special relationship. Kusune and I are childhood friends…”

Shizuku sat down on a nearby tire, reminiscing about the past.