My Girlfriend is a Death Row Inmate

Chapter 32 – Kounai Broadcast

There was no way Shizuku would kill me.

But from Kusune’s perspective, there was no reason to refuse. For instance, who would refuse knowing that the police would protect them? Someone who refuses in such a situation must be deeply anti-police, and unfortunately, even considering her as Shizuku’s enemy, I don’t really dislike her that much.

Not to brag, but I have at least that much sense.

Refusing without reason is not just tasteless but also suicidal, and Kusune wouldn’t let me go to my death willingly. So, reluctantly, I accepted her invitation. Perhaps this was what she wanted. According to Shizuku, she would stop at nothing to catch her, so it’s reasonable for her to stick to someone like me who reeks of her “scent.”

But in the first place, which one’s statement should I believe?

I’d like to have a third party’s objective opinion, but who would want to stick their neck into such a ridiculous, foolish story? I trust both of them, and at the same time, I don’t. For now, I’m leaning towards Shizuku.

―――It’s driving me crazy.

Both of them speak convenient words. Kusune preached righteousness to me, while Shizuku whispered love. Any of them could be true or false. I’m the only one suffering in the midst of goodness and evil, ethics and morals, and reality. Perhaps I’m just a convenient tool for the two of them.

Shizuku comforted the physical loneliness. But the loneliness of the heart is something I can’t do anything about. Those who stood by while I was bullied—Terunori was relatively friendly, but it’s unthinkable to trust him with my heart. It’s the same for both boys and girls. Trauma is essentially an injury to the personality. Once wounded, the personality remains preserved in the same state of mind.

For example, someone who was abused may instinctively take defensive action upon seeing a raised hand. It’s because the injured personality emerges on the surface in response to the action.

Even considering the position of being a death row convict, supporting Shizuku comes partly from her helping me out of that situation. By the way, my trauma stems from bullying and urban legends.

The latter has gotten better with time and medication, but there was a period where just hearing those kinds of words would drive me crazy.

“With that, the homeroom ends here. Feel free to take detours, but don’t go to places that are too unpopular. I won’t know if you get caught up in a crime.”

With the blunt words of the homeroom teacher, after-school arrived. The classmates with whom I no longer had conflicts (or rather, pretended not to have) – even if they remained, they began their activities according to their own daily routines without a care. Those who wanted to go to club activities went straight there, and those who didn’t want to go were busy searching the internet for believable lies to perfect their act of feigning illness.

Since I had said I would cooperate with the investigation, I should go to Kusune’s place… that’s what I’d like to say, but even if it’s just for appearances, she said it didn’t matter. There’s no room for an amateur to meddle in the police investigation without thinking, so I’ll refrain from doing so without hesitation. Oh well.

I’m going to skip out.

If I go back home normally, I’ll definitely be followed, so I’ll wait until everyone has left the class… or rather, I ended up going to a place I wouldn’t have visited until graduation if things hadn’t turned out like this.

That place is none other than the library.

For some people, it may be quite a memorable place. Like playing with friends and making noise over picture books in elementary school, or devouring manga, children’s literature, light novels, and classic literature in junior high. Perhaps even in high school?

Unfortunately, the library was located on the third floor of a building called the Learning Pavilion, accessed through a covered walkway, so not many people frequent it. I wouldn’t say nobody does, but it’s become quite rare. The distance from the classrooms was substantial, so nobody really wants to be a library committee member. If you wish to find a peaceful place away from the crowds, this was the best spot.

The only thing to worry about was the prohibition on whispering, but since I rarely talk to myself unless absolutely necessary, it’s not a problem. Besides, there’s nobody to reprimand me. The library committee delegates their tasks to the library users, so for about eighty percent of the year, they hardly do any work.

―――Can someone tell me?

I need an answer. Is there a strategy guide being sold somewhere? I’d like to buy one for around 1,260 yen, tax included. Which one should I believe that leads to the happy ending? Or are they both bad endings? Or perhaps the true end lies in believing in either one…

Reality doesn’t work out that neatly. But even just a little improvement would be nice. I need information to turn the situation around. My brain was already overloaded and going haywire. I couldn’t make head or tail of anything. Who’s lying, who’s telling the truth, what’s what? Can someone make a lie detector as part of their independent research?

　―――Sighs.

Calm down. It’s getting too ridiculous. If I clear my mind and calm down, I can shake off these distractions. What’s so amusing about discussing hypothetical scenarios that don’t exist? I came here to calm down and avoid being pestered by Kusune.

As I lie alone at a desk in what seems to be an empty library, I heard the sound of a book closing from somewhere.

“…This isn’t a place for napping, Kouhai-kun.”

I got caught. I couldn’t have imagined there would be a library committee member working here, so I looked up with disbelief.

The tall beauty peering into my face had an otherworldly aura that seemed out of place for a high schooler, almost mysterious. She embodied the model-like figure often praised on TV—or perhaps envied by girls. Her stature seemed to defy the norms. How long were her legs? Probably longer than my arms.

Let me clarify, my arms weren’t unusually long. This comparison was just a rough exaggeration.

“…Library committee member?”

“…What brought you here?”

“Ah, do I need a reason?”

“Kouhai-kun, it’s your first time here, isn’t it? I’m always around, so I’d know. You don’t seem to be here because you love books.”

“Uh, well… I just wanted to be alone for a bit.”

I wasn’t lying. I came here to avoid being followed when I tried to leave. Any other place might expose my whereabouts if questioned by classmates, so this was my only real choice. Well, there’s also the sanctuary where girls can’t enter—the boys’ bathroom.

“…Are you sleepy?”

“No, um, I might’ve looked like I was sleeping, but I have a lot on my mind… I won’t bother you, so is it okay if I stay here?”

After all, I had no allies. To navigate this situation and decide on the next move, I needed time. Was I just being swept away by this critical situation, or was there a correct side to support between the two? I could swear not to cause any trouble. I wouldn’t even mind sealing it with a blood oath.

The woman sat in the chair opposite me and casually took hold of my hand.

“Eh, ah…”

Being so used to sharing a bed with Shizuku had dulled my sense of caution. I wanted to quickly withdraw my hand, but that might seem like a rejection, which I didn’t want. Nobody wants to say ‘I don’t like you!’ to a stranger, even if they’ve done something wrong.”

“I’m fine with it. Could you do me a favor in return?”

“… If it’s within my ability.”

“Tonight. Would you please come to the schoolyard?”

“H-here?”

“Yes, here.”

I was puzzled by the woman—probably my senpai—because of this rather cryptic request. What does this have to do with anything? I could inquire about the situation, but doing so would grant them the right to pry into my affairs as well.

Stuck between a death row convict and a superhuman, my mental state must seem precarious, but nobody would believe it. Moreover, disclosing the situation would be a betrayal to Shizuku. That’s something I cannot do.

“Understood. What time should I come?”

“At midnight. I believe it will be beneficial for you as well, so please make sure to come. Well then, I’ll be reading a book over there.”

The warmth enveloping my hand faded away, and almost reflexively, my fingers moved as if reluctant to let go. The phrase “beneficial for you” lingered in my mind, but for now, let’s be content with escaping this dilemma. There’s no sign or sound of Kusune approaching.

―――It’s me.