Murderer in the Flower of Death (8 page)

They weren’t friends. They were just allies—a means to survive.

Kyousuke decided he’d throw his lot in with these two girls.

The Purgatorium Remedial Academy was a boarding school. It had to be, to prevent escape and keep the students isolated from the outside world. Established for the purpose of “rehabilitating underage murderers,” Purgatorium Remedial, unsurprisingly, differed from other institutions of its kind in several key regards.

For example, near the concrete wall and fence that fully encircled the grounds, guards maintained a twenty-four-hour watch, and nobody questioned their authority to use deadly force if necessary. Such measures almost seemed unnecessary, however, as the entire campus was situated on a solitary island surrounded by miles of ocean, making escape a practical impossibility.

Purgatorium Remedial could hardly be compared to a normal prison. And yet even so, the students’ freedom was recognized to a surprising degree within the grounds. At times it was hard to tell whether the place was particularly strict or particularly lenient.

In the first place, it was beyond puzzling that a detention center built exclusively for underage murderers even existed. Facilities for housing underage criminals made sense, but why on earth would there be one
only for murderers
? The orientation had been notably unclear on that detail.

“Well, I can think about it until my brain turns to mush…but I’m tired.”

Kyousuke was completely exhausted, both body and soul, after finishing the rigorous manual labor; for a full four hours, he had weeded the farm fields, repaired the school buildings, carried raw materials, and so on, and so on, all the while being selectively harassed by Kurumiya.

He tossed away the handouts that had been distributed during orientation and threw himself down on the simple frame bed that was provided for him. The mattress was thin and patchy, promising an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

Over the window, through which he could see the deep blue night
sky, were thick iron bars as wide as the ones in the school building. One wall of his room was made of the same bars and locked shut from the outside. There was not much other furniture in the narrow, bare concrete apartment, just a desk and chair and a small shelf and, in the corner, a western-style toilet. It looked like it belonged in a prison rather than a student dormitory.

“I’m supposed to spend three years in a place like this? They’ve got to be kidding me…” Kyousuke wore a jersey with a black border on a white background.
It really is a prisoner-chic design. It suits murderers so well. However—

“I’ve never killed. I’ve never killed anyone…I think.” As soon as the words left his mouth, an anger that he couldn’t control began to boil to the surface. Though it had only been a moment, Kyousuke was angry at his own weakness in doubting his innocence, even in the face of this absurd situation.

“Aagh, shit! I didn’t deserve this…so why…” Molten rage smoldered in the bottom of his gut. Enduring it with gritted teeth, Kyousuke tossed and turned. He had asked himself this same question a thousand times between his arrest and placement here.

Why. Why. Why. Why— No answer comes.

The promise of more manual labor waited him again early the next morning. When he closed his eyelids, intending to get some sleep, what came floating up behind them was his most important family member’s face.

…Ayaka.

Whenever he thought of the little sister from whom he had been separated, a deep crack worked its way through his heart.

I wonder how Ayaka’s doing right now?

The expression on Ayaka’s face the last time he had seen her was seared into his mind.

Since being dragged away by the detectives on that day, Kyousuke had hardly been allowed to see his sister at all. Like a surge of progressive waves, he had been moved from jail to detention center, and his trial was conducted, all while he had no idea what was going on— By the time he had come to his senses, he had already been moved into this school.

But still, what was his sister doing…? If he thought about it, he could easily imagine.

Kyousuke had been through so much, but Ayaka was the one who was really hurt.
Ayaka’s feelings are hurt, and she’s probably crying.
Kyousuke could easily imagine his little sister in her dimly lit room, wearing a bath towel over her head, holding her knees, body shaking, stifling her sobs.

Long ago, Kyousuke had found her like that almost every night, a result of the terrible bullying she received in elementary school.

“…I’m sorry.”

Seeing his normally cheerful little sister like that, Kyousuke had decided that he would become stronger than anyone else. He sought out the strength to protect her so that Ayaka would never again be hurt, never again be sad.

Since then, there had been times when he caused Ayaka to worry, but she had never been hurt by bullies and never been sad.

Or at least she wasn’t supposed to be.
In spite of that, Kyousuke had…

It’s just as Ayaka said. I was always doing idiotic things, and so I got wrapped up in something I couldn’t come back from, didn’t I? I’m so sorry I’m such a stupid older brother. But…

He clenched his fists on top of the bed, illuminated by the pale light coming in through the window.

…Not yet. It’s not all over yet.

If he could manage to “graduate” safely, he should be able to go back outside.

If he did that, he would be able to see Ayaka. He could protect Ayaka.

He could apologize to Ayaka.

That’s why—

No matter what happens, I’m going to endure it… Everyone around me may be a murderer, but whether I have to stare down that demon of a teacher or be thrown in lockdown, no matter what…I’m going to survive.

“I’m gonna d-die… If it keep ups like this, I’ll die.” First period had just ended, and as soon as Kurumiya left the classroom, Kyousuke had fallen flat on his desk.

With her head propped up on one arm and her legs crossed, Eiri let out a carefree sigh. Kyousuke turned his head and, with his cheek on the desktop, stared intently at her profile. “Hey, Eiri… How come you get away with that attitude all the time? Even in front of that demon of a teacher.”

“…No reason. She just doesn’t pay attention to me is all. Not like you and Mohawk.” Eiri’s tone was blunt as she turned her gaze toward Kyousuke—and the desk to his right.

Fresh blood was still dripping from the desk, which had been broken clean in half.

Their classmate with the Mohawk hair, who had been sitting there before the start of class, was gone. He’d picked a fight with Kurumiya first thing in the morning, when he said, “You’re looking tiny and cute today as well, aren’chu! Gya-ha-ha!” It had taken all of two seconds for Kurumiya to wipe the floor with him again, but thanks to his provocation, the teacher’s mood had turned foul. On the receiving end of that temper were Mohawk’s other classmates (mainly Kyousuke).

“It doesn’t make sense… Why would she pick on me alone during the
morality lesson?” Kyousuke lamented. “It was totally unreasonable of her to say stuff like ‘Hey, Kamiya. Put me back in a good mood. Make me laugh.’ I don’t know what she meant by that. Plus, she got violent if I started to bore her…and morality lessons are bullshit anyway.”

“…Well, whatever. At least you made her laugh a little bit.”

“It was a scornful laugh, though, wasn’t it? That atmosphere was so traumatic, I mean really…” As soon as the words left his mouth, he was reminded of the chilly atmosphere in the classroom earlier, and he grew more and more dejected.

Earlier, Kyousuke had done a spur-of-the-moment impression of a worker at a Much Burger restaurant in a desperate bid to lift Kurumiya’s mood.

“Oh, a phone call! You’ve reached Much Burger, thank you muchly for calling!”

Kill me now.
…In the dead silence following his impression, only Maina had been kind enough to chuckle, “Thank you muchly…hee-hee.”

The only reason Kyousuke had survived the ordeal was that Maina had laughed.

Suddenly, Kyousuke remembered that he had something he had to give back to Maina.
I also need to clear up that misunderstanding from earlier, so I’d better hurry up and talk to…huh?
As Kyousuke, checking his pocket for the handkerchief, rose from his desk, he noticed that Maina was not in her seat.

Finding this strange, he looked around. There she was. Hunching her small body over, she was trying to leave quietly out the door in the front of the classroom, without drawing attention to herself. And it seemed like Kyousuke wasn’t the only one who noticed her behavior.

“…They’re watching her, aren’t they?” Eiri muttered in a low voice. Kyousuke frowned silently. The three boys who had been leaning against the wall chatting—Shinji, Usami, and Oonogi—left the classroom one by one, following Maina.

Shinji was the leader. The necrophiliac “strangler,” who had killed two girls with his bare hands, laughed with narrowed eyes, licking his lips like a poisonous snake hunting its prey.

“Ah…this is no good,” Kyousuke mumbled. “I’m stepping out for a bit.” His hesitation was only momentary. Before he could get the words out, his body had begun moving of its own accord.

Eiri watched Kyousuke stand and kick his chair back. “…Hmm? That’s a surprise. Are you going to save her? Or to join in the fun?”

“Don’t be an idiot,” Kyousuke scoffed. “Of course, I’m going to help her. How could I ignore something like this?”

“…Huh? Well, aren’t you kind, Kyousuke—for a murderer who killed twelve people.”

“Sh-shut up…I can be kind, too, you know!”

Eiri pointed at Kyousuke with one manicured fingernail. “I understand how you feel… If you hadn’t gone, I would have.” She spoke so low it sounded as though she were talking to herself.

Kyousuke’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “If I hadn’t gone…just what do you mean, Eiri?”

“…It’s nothing,” she replied tersely. “Anyway, shouldn’t you get going? You’ll lose sight of them soon.”

“Ah, crap!! I’m off to help…peaceably, if possible.”

“…Peaceably? Well, whatever… Try your best not to get killed.”

With a send-off wave from Eiri, Kyousuke hustled out of the classroom. Her final words still rang around in his head. He was afraid of that all-too-likely scenario and did not have a reply.

“Eeeeeeeeeeeek!!” A cornered shriek reached Kyousuke’s ears as he hurried down the stairs.
Maina?! Those bastards made their move too quickly!
As Kyousuke finished his descent to the first floor, he hung back for a moment, waiting to assess the situation.

Maina was completely surrounded in front of the girls’ bathroom. The boys who had followed Maina were Shinji, the weird hunchback boy, and the older boy with dreadlocks and sunglasses—the three of them were there, fanned out around her.

Kyousuke didn’t detect any other human presence. Most of the other students were likely still in class.

“W-wwwwh-wwhat do you want?!” Maina stammered, trembling. “Please don’t come any closer to me! If you do, I’ll do it! The p-poweesh… Police! I’ww call dem!!”

Shinji laughed cruelly as he backed Maina up against the wall. “Hey, hey. You don’t have to be afraid! We’re not going to cause you any
harm. We just want to talk a little bit. In any case, even if you called them, the ‘poweesh’ wouldn’t come.”

“Wha…? Pwease don’ make fun ub me…”

Oonogi with his dreadlocked hair snickered at Maina, whose lowered face was bright red with shame. “Psh. You fumble yer words too much! Besides, even if ya weren’t shaking like a leaf, we still wouldn’t wanna do anything nasty to you here…so pwease rewax! Ha-ha-ha! …Isn’t that right, Shinji?”

“Yes, of course not. We don’t have any plans to do those sorts of things to you anytime soon, Miss Maina. We’re kindhearted guys, you know. In fact, we ought to take our time and get to know each other really well, don’t you think?”

“Hee-hee…,” giggled Usami. “…Striped panties, striped panties…white and blue…hee-hee-hee…”

Looking at each other, the three male students laughed. Their vulgar intentions were transparently obvious.

The hunchback Usami had lowered his awkward body down on all fours, brazenly peering up under Maina’s skirt. With her eyes squeezed tightly shut, she didn’t notice at all.

So the school-issued underpants don’t just come in black and white, there’s a blue-striped pattern as well, huh…? Wait, who cares about that?! Go help her quickly, Kyousuke Kamiya!

Getting his head back on straight, Kyousuke took a deep breath. He formed a fist and hardened his resolve.

Then, jamming his hands into his pants pockets, he assumed a casual demeanor and stepped out around the corner.

“…So then, Miss Maina. For now, would you eat lunch today with us—” Shinji was saying.

“Huh? Oh, Shinji!” Kyousuke interrupted loudly. “What a coincidence! What could you be up to, eh?” He raised a hand in a stiff greeting.

“What the—?” Shinji’s face, which turned at Kyousuke’s words, was hideous. Only one of his bloodshot eyes was open wide, and his mouth was crooked. As soon as he recognized Kyousuke, however, his murderous expression quickly morphed into a friendly, disarming smile. “Oh-ho. If it isn’t Mr. Kamiya? What brings you around?”

“Ah, well…nothing special! The bathroom upstairs was crowded,
so…y’know… Ha-ha-ha-ha…” Kyousuke, shuddering at Shinji’s sudden metamorphosis, forced a laugh.
For a second there, he really looked like he was going to kill me.
Cold sweat rolled down his back.

“Ah, I see. Except during lunch, the one here on the first floor is empty.”

“…That’s what I thought. Anyway, what are you guys doing here?” Kyousuke asked, trying to steady the beginnings of a tremble.

Past the boys, he could see Maina, still shaky and tearful, but he deliberately pretended to ignore her.

Oonogi spoke up, smacking his lips. “Tch…like that’s any concern of yours? D’ya think you can act all cocky just because ya killed twelve people?! Listen up, shithead, hurry up, take yer shit, and scram.”

It seemed that Dreadlocks had it in for Kyousuke. He slid his sunglasses down and glared at Kyousuke over the rims. He had the same stench as Mohawk.

With a gesture, Shinji pacified Oonogi, who nevertheless continued to eye Kyousuke up and down as though he were going to make a move at any moment.

“My apologies, Mr. Kamiya. It’s because all of us are but humble killers… We couldn’t help but grow jealous of you, someone who’s so popular among both boys and girls, on top of having a twelve-person kill count. Heh-heh.”

“O-oh…is that so? That’s my fault, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Give me a break, I never wanted to inspire that kind of jealousy.
If he’d had any say, he wouldn’t stand for it, but Kyousuke resisted making a show of his true feelings and forced a smile instead.

“Hee-hee…little, round, adorable butt, white thighs…hee-hee…” Only Usami continued to entirely ignore Kyousuke’s very existence, instead focusing entirely on examining the space under Maina’s skirt from a variety of angles. In some ways, he was the most frightening one.
He’s really lost it.

“Ah!” Just then, Maina, who had been hanging her head, opened her eyes wide in apparent terror.

Shaking with fear and anxiety, staring out into space, she saw Kyousuke. In a flash, her flax-colored eyes opened wide.

Trying to reassure the startled girl, Kyousuke summoned the most cheerful voice he could manage. “Geez, Maina! This is the second time
we’ve met like this, isn’t it? Speaking of which, I have the handkerchief you dropped the last time we talked, so—”

“Eeeeeeeeeeee!! K-kkk…Kyo…Kyoshkeeyy Kamiya?! H…huh?! Eeeeeeeeeeee!!”

“…Uh, yeah. That’s what I thought.”

Maina bumped into the wall as she tried to shrink away. Pointing a shaking finger at Kyousuke, her face was filled with fear and shock, her speech as incomprehensible as last time. “Wh-wh-wh-wh-why’re youhere…oh?! I-I knowhy! You orderb allub dis din’chu? You gabe yer underlindgs orders, andden you’ll takeid frum here, is datit?! H-how scawwy…” Stumbling over every syllable, it was nearly impossible to make out even a single word of what she was saying.

“Underlings?! Who is whose underling, huh?!” sharp-eared Oonogi shouted.

Maina, now even more frightened, looked like she was going to faint. She held her head with both hands and teetered, sobbing. Kyousuke tried again to reassure her. “Calm down, Maina! I’m not friends with these guys, it’s just a coincidence—”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!” Maina shrieked, crossed her arms, and took off in a dash. Using her small stature skillfully, she slipped past Kyousuke’s flank and tried to run away as fast as her legs could carry her.

“Hey, you, wait up!!”

Responding right away, Oonogi grabbed Maina’s arm and stopped her.

“Whooooooaaaaaa?!”

Maina, her feet tangled up in one another, fell flat on the floor dramatically, with great force. Then—

“Wha—?! Uwaaaaaaahhhhhh!!”

Maina put the force of her fall to use, and Oonogi, who had been gripping her wrist,
was thrown clear overhead
.

Having been thrown flying, his body glided through the air at a height almost grazing the ceiling, and he landed headfirst in the
hallway about five meters away. “Whaaa—?!”
Crack.
His head made an inauspicious noise upon impact.

“……………………Wha—?”

What was that, just now?

Kyousuke was of course taken aback, as were Shinji and Usami.

That must have been a coincidence? Or did she do it on purpose? …I don’t get it.

Cutting loose with enough force to throw a person flying—no, letting go at the precise moment to make someone go flying, whether by coincidence or on purpose, would be absurd.

“……Uh.”

Maina, who was lying prostrate in the hall, lifted her face and looked at Oonogi, who had fallen faceup. “…Ah…ah…ah, aahhh……” Staring at the silent, unmoving boy, she began trembling slightly. “Aaaaaahhhh!! A-again…I’ve killed agaaain!! A-a-a-are you okaaaaaayyyy?! Waaah!” Clearly at the end of her rope, Maina managed to skitter and stumble over to where Oonogi lay.

Dreadlocks regained his senses with a groan, somehow still alive. As he began to pick himself up, he noticed Maina approaching, and for a moment their eyes met.

Maina’s face suddenly brightened. “Huh?! G-great! You’re ali— Whoooaaa!” At that moment, her legs gave out on her again, and she pitched forward, falling dramatically. As she did, her elbow, which had by chance been sticking out, landed squarely on Oonogi’s stomach in a magnificent elbow drop.

Despite her small size, it seemed the running start had afforded Maina’s maneuver a lot of power. Foam flying from his mouth and the whites of his eyes showing, Oonogi was completely unable to move this time.

No, wait. That had to have been on purpose.
Kyousuke couldn’t help but think so, but if it had been, Maina was acting very strangely. She had immediately gotten up and was now running circles around Oonogi, looking extremely dismayed.