Jujutsushi 273.2

Chapter 273: Split Opinion 2

TL : Cnine

ED/PF :

R1[1-3], R2[4-6]

Part 4

　Though the JuryMary duo had clashed fiercely with the others, for the moment it seemed they were willing to set their weapons aside.

「Just for reference, I’d like to know—do the two of you, at this moment, believe in what Momokawa-kun is saying about Takanashi?」

「It’s not really about trusting Momokawa... But you know, Kyōko tagged along with him, right?」

「That’s why, when Kyōko comes back with Momokawa, I want to make sure we welcome her properly.」

　It seemed that, rather than dwelling on schemes or conspiracies, what weighed heaviest on their hearts was simple concern for a friend they had been parted from.
　Indeed, when Kotarō and Kyōko returned, they wanted to avoid anything that might spark another quarrel.

　Whether it was Kotarō, Kotori, or some unknown third party who used the poison—in any case, an open clash to the death was the last thing they wanted to face.

「Ugh, to think you care so much about Randō-san—what an incredible bond of friendship that is!」

「My thoughts exactly, Minami.」

　Moved by their honest words, Minami spoke with admiration, and the duo, embarrassed, averted their gazes.
　There was a saying that women’s friendship was fragile, yet it seemed the bond between these girls was far more solid than expected.

「Well then, though three of us have stepped out for now, let us continue our meeting.」

　In the end, the discussion had circled back to where it began.
　To break free of their current plight, they had no choice but to reach the Tower.

　Kotori had stated with certainty that even if they attempted an escape from this area, the exit from the lowest level had already been sealed, leaving no hidden passage to the outside.

「Class Rep, just so you know, you do realise this situation only serves to cast even greater suspicion on Takanashi, don’t you?」

「Yeah, I know that.」

　At Shimokawa’s remark, Ryōko gave a slight nod, her expression turning somewhat grim.
　Both of them remembered well the revelations Kotarō had shouted.
　And if Kotori truly were the mastermind, then this predicament—where they were left with no escape route and forced to challenge the Tower—would play neatly into her hands.

「If we’re the sacrifices prepared to awaken the 『Hero』, then the battle in the dungeon is inevitable.」

「Breaking through the Kingdom of Goma to reach the Tower—that sounds like the perfect stage for such a scheme to kill the rest of us.」

「If anything, that Tower’s bound to have some final boss waiting inside, one strong enough to kill us before we conquer it.」

　And so, after sacrificing their comrades along the way, when they finally reached the Heavenly Gate———if the only ones left standing were Sōma Yūto and Takanashi Kotori, then her plan would be complete.

「That’s not true... Kotori really hasn’t done anything wrong, nothing at all...」

「Ugh. I get it already, so could you please stop crying now, Takanashi-san?」

　With no one else left to comfort the sniffling Kotori, Minami was forced to take on the task.
　Wearing a strained, wry smile, she found herself burdened with the harsh duty of soothing the tearful girl.

「But if there truly is no way out of here, then like it or not, our only choice is to raid the Tower, even if it means forcing ourselves.」

「Can’t be helped, can it? I’m not going to spend the rest of my life stuck in this place.」

「Let us take the middle path—pursue both possibilities: conquering the Tower and finding a way out from the lowest level.」

　In the end, that was the conclusion Ryōko had reached.
　While seeking ways and conducting reconnaissance to enter the Tower, they would, in parallel, search for Fairy Plaza or teleportation arrays—facilities or passages that might transport them to other areas.

　Pursuing both tasks in parallel would surely lessen efficiency... Yet even so, it remained the best choice available to them, if only to raise their chances of survival by the slightest margin.

「Very well, there’s no other choice. We’ll take on the search for an escape route—leave the Tower to Sōma and the others.」

「It would be wiser to proceed this way, rather than forcing ourselves to act as one.」

「But I’ll need Natsukawa with us. Without her watching our side, there’s no way we’ll find a hidden passage.」

「Indeed—Minami excels at this sort of task, so we shall rely on her skills.」

「Ee~eh!? No fair! Why am I the only one stuck with all the hard stuff!!」

　And so, with poor Natsukawa Minami left to shoulder the hardest job, their course of action was finally settled.
　This class meeting had carved a deep rift through their harmony, yet in the end, even Sakura and Asuna lent their consent.
　Thus, the class’s unity was held together—barely—allowing Ryōko, as chairperson, a fleeting breath of relief...

　Later on, the evening of the same day.

「U~hm...」

　That night, Shimokawa tossed and turned, unable to surrender easily to sleep.
　Perhaps it was the clash of words at the class meeting that left his spirit unsettled…
　Or perhaps it was merely that this rough survival sleeping bag could never compare to the comfort of the School Tower’s beds.

　Sleep eluded him; his thoughts whirled without anchor, a ceaseless tide of unease swelling within, with no answer to still it.
　The gentle drowsiness that beckons one toward rest had fled, and his eyes remained starkly awake, denied the mercy of sleep.

「Haaah... Damn it, not a wink of sleep in sight— What the—!?」

　And in that very moment of surrender, his eyes flew open at last.
　A faint lantern glow kept the room lit—just enough to grant sight, should they need to move in an instant.
　And in that dim light, he saw it… clear, undeniable, beyond all chance of mistake.

　As Shimokawa’s eyes snapped open, it stood before him.

「TAKANA————!」

　He tried to shout, yet he found that no voice came out of his mouth.
　As though his throat were caught fast… or like those final moments of an all-night karaoke with Higuchi, Ueda, and Nakai, when his voice had withered to a rasp.

　Not a sound—not even a single word—could escape his throat.
　From his lips came only a feeble wheeze, as though he had forgotten not merely words, but even the act of breathing itself———and in that moment, he finally realised: his body would not move.

　His breath grew stifled, his body weighed down like lead, so heavy he could not so much as twitch a fingertip.

「Ah… Shimokawa, so you were awake all along, were you?」

　Why was she here? Why was he bound in this dreadful paralysis?
　Shimokawa’s mind writhed in utter confusion, yet Takanashi Kotori addressed him with her usual ease, as though his torment meant nothing at all.

　Kotori’s youthful beauty—so perfectly aligned with his simple, innocent tastes—was leaning close, peering down at his face as he lay there.
　Yet the frantic pounding of his heart was driven by nothing but pure fear.

「Takanashi, you bi---」

「Yes, that’s right. The culprit… is me.」

　No sound escaped him, yet Shimokawa felt, with a chill, that Kotori could hear the very thoughts within his mind.

　Yet he could think no further. There was no room to analyse, no chance to wonder if she possessed some sort of telepathic power.

　He had his suspicions. During the class meeting, he had honestly voiced his doubts and pressed the matter.

　However… he had never expected that the other party would so easily reveal her true colours like this.

「You know what I’m going to do next, right?」

　She spoke with a bright, innocent smile that could captivate anyone. Yet, it was so terrifying that he couldn’t bear to look directly at it.

　Shimokawa, struggling desperately to force out a voice, rolled his only working eye frantically, pleading for help.

　At the edge of his vision were Ueda and Nakai, breathing softly in their sleep. This was no longer the School Tower, so when sleeping, it wasn’t in private rooms but in a large hall where everyone was crammed together.

　Even though they were right beside him, there wasn’t the slightest sign that the two, lost in slumber, would wake up. No matter how close his friends—his comrades—were, in a situation where he couldn’t utter a single word, he was as good as utterly alone.

「You know, that class meeting earlier was a bloody nightmare for Kotori. All because you just had to blurt out something pointless.」

「G-Get away from me… Somebody, help…」

「What was that supposed to be, some kind of Momokawa knock-off? Honestly, are you stupid or what? You're just a useless little spellcaster whose only talent is splashing water about, and yet you had the gall to get in Kotori’s way?」

　Smiling sweetly, Kotori hurled insults that were unthinkable coming from her usual self. There was no mistaking it — this was the real her.

「Stop right there! If I die, there’s no way you won’t be exposed as the one who did it!」

「Yeah, that’s why I’ve been debating with myself about the most fitting way to wipe you out…」

　Though no words escaped his throat, his intent was clear. Shimokawa desperately shouted in his heart: stop this reckless behaviour. She must still want to conceal her role as the true culprit, not only from Sōma Yūto but from the entire class.

　Yet she went ahead and admitted it openly.

　Though far from exceptionally clever, Shimokawa was perceptive enough. And in truth, he had already known it deep inside — that Kotori had already prepared the means to deal with him once and for all.

「Ehehe… see, in the end, there’s no one to count on in this world but God. I’ve just been given a new skill — and Shimokawa, I think I’ll use it on you.」

　With a chilling, almost mocking smile, Kotori extended her hand towards Shimokawa, making sure he saw every moment of it.

「S-stop it, no! Don’t! Help! Somebody, please!」

　He wasn’t granted even the right to howl and weep in his wretchedness.

　With his eyes wrenched open and sweat cascading down his face, he found himself helplessly fixated on Kotori’s little palm — the very image of an executioner’s blade.

「Help me, Ueda! Nakai! I don’t wanna die, not like this, not hereeeeeee!」

「You vile predator, drop dead in hell! Drop dead in hell!」

　At long last, the power of Kotori’s new magic manifested.

　A magic circle took shape, appearing directly beneath the prone Shimokawa. From it, a faint white phosphorescence rose, and in an instant, it spread to envelop his entire body.

「Bye-bye, Shimokawa-kun.」

　Smiling brightly, Kotori waved her hand — and Shimokawa Junnosuke, the boy, vanished completely, leaving neither shadow nor form behind.

『Divine Punishment Penal Code, Article 4: Exile』
Such is the judgement of the heavens; none may flee from it.
— The burden of enforcement lies with the angels. —
The realm of banishment is determined such that no return is ever possible,
a cursed land where death is certain.
Thus, by the authority of the Divine Punishment Penal Code, Article 4, the subject is condemned to exile.