Chapter 07: The girl, who fell in love with the Immortal Boy
Both Kirisaki and me blindfolded, we rode an unknown black, high-cla.s.s car. It likely was so that we couldn’t specify where we were going.
Finally the car stopped and a female voice said “Please get out”.
CHING. A bell sounded. An elevator? We stepped in. I felt weightlessness beneath me. It indeed was an elevator. We went downstairs quite a bit. For a period that started to worry me, the boy in where we were trapped didn’t stop.
BEEP. Along with that sound, a machine continued to work. Kirisaki mumbled “What strict security. So many electronic door locks”, but no one answered. Where were they taking us?
“My liking.”
The door must have been opened. We walked.
The door was closed behind us. Now our blindfolds were removed for the first time.
But—I felt a presence. Someone except those, who brought us here. Was someone in front of us…?
An unnatural shrill voice. I thought the voice was familiar, when I remember that it was the same as from the media player.
Suddenly a white light burned my retina. Inadvertently I covered them with my arms. The lights had been turned on.
“I apologize for having to bring you all the way here. Because of my work, I cannot step outside so easily.”
Kirisaki opened her mouth.
“I cannot answer this question. Didn’t the woman beside you tell you that?”
A giggling laughter. The man said.
“At least,”
“I have no intention to speak with someone, who won’t even introduce himself.”
“Are you threatening me? You sure take me lightly.”
“I could kill all of these guys immediately and just walk out. Be aware that I’m only behaving now, since I want to know what you’re after.”
“What was that?”
“Well, fine. Let me grant your wish. Then let me explain. …Putting on airs in a roundabout way or frankly and short, which one do you prefer?”
“Really? It’ll be too late to regret afterwards.”
“…Okay.”
“We are from the government.”
“G- Government? What are you saying?”
“…Explain it.”
“In order from scratch.”
“Then where should I start from? Let’s see. This might take some time. First let’s get some coffee. Makiko-kun, coffee please.”
“I’m not your secretary, so please get it yourself.”
“I have no intention to do anything besides my duties.”
“….”
“Nah, I don’t really want any coffee.”
“…Is that so?”
“I’ll talk while I’m getting my coffee. Let’s see…You might already know, but humans are living creatures that sin. To begin with, humans are destined to have to kill other living creatures to survive. Quite sad, isn’t it.”
“….I believe that G.o.d exists. It’s just that he seems to hate us. That’s why he isn’t doing anything. So we have no choice but to survive with out own strength.”
“One of that is what we call law. Endless regulations who punish those that committed a crime—They protect our order and promise peace. This system was build on this basis long ago and even with it’s form changed, it was unbroken and proceeding. And even in our current society it is alive.”
“Don’t rush me, Node Kugito. ….Still, even in a world protected by laws, some people commit crimes. Though in most of these cases they are judged by the system properly.”
“…Kirisaki Kyouko, you’re one of them.”
“I don’t have to tell you that each human has his own life. And it’s not something to be endangered by someone else. Even less is it unforgivable to sever that life premature.”
“Actually, Kirisaki Kyouko, while you might think you covered it up nicely, we already know that you are the .”
“While these latest continuous scandals were misleading, the j.a.panese police is quite capable. Or at least, they aren’t so bad that they would be deceived by the plot of a mere high school girl.”
“Indeed. But you see, Kirisaki Kyouko, talent is a dreadful thing. No matter how arrogant or how violent, for a person, who’s called a genius in some field, certain exceptions are made for it’s achievements. Sometimes—even exempting him for the absolute law.”
“—Kirisaki Kyouko, we were having an eye on your outstanding talent— your excellent killing skills. It means the government considers you valuable for something else, rather than you execute you.”
“Node Kugito aside, you, Kirisaki Kyouko, probably don’t know either. That the world has other criminals that excels at a . They are all people, who would receive the highest punishment at court, but… they are far too capable to just throw them into jail like that, or even to kill them. We—or rather, the people at the top believe that talented people like you should atone in some kind of other way.”
“…That is what gave birth to our organisation. We have no name. No, I should say there is no need for a name. Since we officially don’t exists.”
“Why so stiff, Kirisaki Kyouko. Well, fine. I’ll be frank.
“…What are you going to make them do after you scouted them?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think or not, early you said yourself that most get judged appropriate.”
“There are guys like that? Besides the one you try to scout?”
I didn’t get what he was saying.
Kirisaki answered. The man said.
“Even lamenting about it that now, it has been going on for ages.”
“It’s only due that there are contradictions when humans judge other humans. There might be a problem with calling it inevitable, but there isn’t another way.”
The man lightly tilted his head.
“People sure love to beat around the bush. Just say it clearly.”
“To rule a country, laws are needed. Otherwise humans can’t keep their reasoning. You often hear the dispute about ‘Why am I not allowed to kill a person?’—but the answer is quite simple: Because the law says so. On the contrary, without the law humans would simply kill each other. Because they don’t have a reason not to kill.”
“Oh my, Node Kugito. I never thought I would hear such words from you.”
“—Weren’t you abused by your father for a long time? I’m impressed you could say that considering we have laws and you saw a person commit a crime right before your eyes.”
The words were stuck in my throat. To my regret, I couldn’t say anything back.
“Not really. Law is needed. To keep our reasoning. The problem is that some people want to escape from that.”
“—Those who commit crimes, even ignore the laws that were created to prevent these and live an unsightly life, won’t be accepted as humans by us, the government. Non-humans don’t need a law. And to judge those who don’t need laws—normal methods won’t work.”
“So we wondered if there wasn’t a better way and as a result we came up with a brilliant idea. If we cannot officially judge these worst criminals, we just have to have them atone by other means.”
Kirisaki clicked her tongue. “You’re the worst.”
I was left behind alone.
Ah, I was taken for a fool.
I wasn’t interested in historical drama. But I knew what it was about.
“…You couldn’t be.”
“We can. Our goal is it to scout highly skilled criminals and turn them intoworkers, instead of a punishment. Well, to them it’s like a punishment.”
“That’s how it turns out.”
I tried to run forward, but the black suits behind me hold me in a double nelson. d.a.m.n, let go of me!
“Thanks to you.”
“You and Kirisaki Kyouko might be fine with that, but what about everyone else?”
“What about the people she killed so far? They were innocent. They were all good people. Surely they had a loving family. What will you say to their saddened wives, husbands, kids, friends and relatives? ‘It couldn’t be helped that they were killed. But things will somehow work out, so please allow her to live as a normal girl now’?”
I relaxed my strength. I was released from the hold. When I looked at Kirisaki, she was staring expressionless at the man.
Kirisaki looked down. She clenched her fists and said quietly.
“Exactly. Crimes have to be judged. Yours in your own way.”
“Then I have no other choice but to execute you right here. We were given this right.”
“…Just tell me one thing.”
“Were you the ones, who gave my personal data?”
“…You’re sharp. That’s right.”
“Mh, fine. I don’t think you’ll like it, but I’ll explain it if you want.
A good opportunity?
“You…!”
“Because of you, Rin was! I’ll kill you!”
“Don’t get the wrong idea, Node Kugito. We are doing nothing but providing possibilities. It might have ended differently though. To the utmost, it was , who inflicted grave wounds on Kuon Rin. Don’t misunderstand that part.”
“…What would happened if I lost?”
“I see” Kirisaki sneered. “In the end, and me are just p.a.w.ns to you.”
“I’m not interested in chess, so I don’t know.”
Kirisaki stayed silence. She cast down her eyes in thoughts.
Kirisaki looked at me and smiled. She nodded faintly.
“—I decline.”
“…Hoh? An intriguing answer. You listened to all my story, understood what you had to do and still decline our proposal for guidance?”
“…Then is there any other way to atone for your crimes?”
The man laughed. He grumbled a “Geez”.
“That might be.”
“It’s still better than being forced into a choice by you here.”
“Do you want to become a G.o.d? You present a merciful solution and if that’s rejected, you label it as foolish and get rid of everything? Don’t screw with me. I’ll find my own solution. It might be something you cannot agree on and I might lose my life before realizing it, but that’s my responsibility. By all means I decline on a temporarily peace gained by resigning myself to your choices.”
“If you call it hypocrisy, then so is your proposal.”
“Just using another word doesn’t change the fact that you’re killing people decorated in gaudy words.”
“Your opinion is plausible. But do it on your own. I have not the slightest interest in it. Neither in your ideas, nor in your actions. Not even in your existence itself.”
“You sure brought me a long way to tell me a lame story. Kugito, we’re going.”
I was completely overwhelmed by Kirisaki’s resolute demeanour. I hastily followed after her.
As to match her movement of flipping her skirt, the men reached into their pockets. But—
A restraining voice stopped all movement.
…Apparently the meaning of “pacifist” had changed without me noticing. The world was at it’s end.
“Yeah, that’s right. Regretfully I might have to.”
I said. I took Kirisaki’s arm and pulled her to my side.
The man giggled as he took my words as a bluff (not that I could blame him).
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I prepared myself for at least that much when I set my lifestyle.”
“What do you mean?”
“So persistent. Don’t make me repeat myself. It’s not a matter of being afraid or not.”
“—Even now where you know of Node Kugito?”
And then
She said shortly, but determined.
The man fell silent. For a while the silence continued.
“What?”
After a sound of searching for something, the man said solitary.
I immediately understood that he was making a call. The man frivolous gave a message.
“…..! b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
“I didn’t really want to use this card. Since this organisation technically is an ally of justice.”
“A leader exists to get a bad name. To get excellent people, I don‘t mind to do any kind of revilement.”
“Let’s stop the sweet-talk about atonement and whatnot. Kirisaki Kyouko, I want you. You’re needed for our organisation. I’ll make simple order:
Kirisaki bit on her lips. She strongly clenched her trembling hands.
“Kuon— Rin isn’t related to this!”
“…Are you really from the government? What you’re doing is no different from these hoodlums.”
That b.a.s.t.a.r.d—I got the impulse to smack him, but I knew there was no point in doing so here. Kirisaki squeezed out her voice.
“You have a point.”
“Kirisaki Kyouko, that’s why you have to ponder. If my own words were faithful and my order to you was just a bluff to make you waver. Or— If I’m a lying worst kind of guy full of contradiction that would do anything for the organisation.”
“Kirisaki Kyouko, to you, the girl Kuon Rin isn’t someone special. You might even think somewhere in your heart that I should just kill her. But you can’t speak that out aloud. —Right?”
“There will be people saddened about Kuon Rin’s death. This will be unbearable for you, won’t it? And by her death, you might lose what you finally got your hands on. That—”
Finally opening her mouth, Kirisaki said.
“… Then tell me your answer.”
“…Fine. I’ll accept your proposal.”
“Wonderful.”
“…Yeah, it’s me. Cancel Kuon Rin’s disposal.”
Stopping his hand, the man said.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I won’t obey your every word. If I don’t like your methods, I’ll resort to suitable methods.”
An amused tone. Kirisaki didn’t answer. The man said “…Well, fine”.
“…Should I say it possible depending on the situation?”
Kirisaki clicked her tongue.
“Don’t get c.o.c.ky, old geezer.”
“Well, fine. Then you can leave for today. In time the woman behind you will bring you a job. From now on, she will be your contact person. She’s young, but very capable.”
“Node Kugito.”
“I’m not telling you to do anything. You have committed no crime. So we have no right to restrain you. But we want you to stay at Kirisaki Kyouko’s side. From now on too.”
“Node Kugito, why don’t you consider it to be like this? Surely what we do cannot be called correct. But because of our existence, the number of victims is slowly, but steadily decreasing. They won’t turn out like Kuon Rin. From now on Kirisaki Kyouko will undertake dangerous missions. With you at her side, she will be rea.s.sured. So, will you cooperate?”
“…What you’re saying might be right.”
“But—I don’t like it.”
You’re saying it, b.a.s.t.a.r.d.
The woman opened her mouth after a long time. Her tone was unchanged stiff.
Then we started walking into the darkness.
When I got off the car, I was at Meitou park near my house. It was already evening. The woman left a “Until then” behind and left.
“…Okay, time to go home. My clothes are dirty and I want to change.”
As such we started to walk. We loitered on an empty street with just us two.
“…What?”
“Of course.”
“We don’t know if they are really from the government. But it’s certain that they are rather dangerous. It was highly likely that Kuon Rin would have been killed if I hadn’t said that.”
“Are you really fine with that? Somehow it turned into a real mess.”
What?
“…What?”
Kirisaki looked at me. The setting sun dyed her profile red.
“I said it on the spur of the moment, but… I’ll keep my promise.”
Kirisaki smiled.
“You, well, you know—you might have to risk your life. Are you going to find your resolve on these mere words?”
I was at a loss for words. I also thought so when she told me that when we were walking all alone, but how could she say that so simply?
“…I know. To be honest, it’s frustrating to be used. But—it might be a retaliation for ending up with a relation to someone.”
“It might be some kind of punishment for the crimes I, who had to live in solitude, committed….”
“—But”
“I don’t regret to have chosen to live by meeting you. Even when if it’s in exchange for various despair and sadness I have to shoulder from now on.”
“—I plan to find my own solution in the atonement that was forced onto me.”
“So, please take care of me again.—I want you to stay with me until the end.”
“Of course—I won’t tell you to leave everything behind as to stay with me. That would be… too convenient. Since it really doesn’t concern you.”
I scratched my head. So, what should I say…
“…Somehow…”
“It turned into a bigger mess than I had antic.i.p.ated. I can’t keep up with it at all. What I understand is that it’s quite dangerous. To be honest, I want to run away.”
“But leaving you behind and returning to my every day life alone is probably impossible.”
“I should not worry? Impossible. To be frank, that’s absolute impossible.”
“When I ate at home, take a bath, watch TV or read a book, I’ll definitely think about you. Wondering what you’re doing right now. If you’re cutting people or getting cut while I’m leading a peaceful life. I would be so worried that I can’t sleep. Definitely. That’s just a huge bother for me.”
“So staying with you around the clock is way better. Then I don’t need to worry needlessly.”
“While that guy’s words p.i.s.ses me off, it makes sense. When this power, which I thought to be absolute useless, can help even a bit to prevent the emerging of victims like Rin, then it becomes meaningful for me too. That’s why it’s not your problem alone.”
Then I rustled her head like that and argued.
“…”
“No—Nothing.”
“…I understand your feelings. It can only be called feyness.”
“But—”
“You said something”
“Don’t suddenly revert back to such every day talk.”
“I can’t tell if you’re positive or just not thinking at all.”
Uh, I couldn’t deny that.
“Like I know. They say you should take something you would like to receive yourself.”
“Stop it.”
“Stop it.”
“Anymore and I’ll get angry.”
“Stop!”
The madder red sky was stupidly clear.
Now that I thought about it, I got involved with someone unbelievable. Could it be it’s your fault up there? Then I’ll come flying up right away and smack you a good one. I’ll threaten you to put an end to it with that. So, how’s it? Mh?
Only obvious.
“Hey, Kugito. Let’s go already.”
I made a big sigh.
Of course I didn’t know that. But one thing was certain. My agony seemed to be far from over.
Postscript: Never-ending story
The man stood in the dim darkness.
“…When things go well, I can’t help but actually doubt it. That I actually might be deceived.”
“You’re the one, who deceived.”
“But once again we won them over like planned.”
The man picked up a paper from the table. There were written detailed data about a person.
While chuckling amused, the man turned on the stand light. The paper glided onto the table.
Lightened up in orange, the context of the paper revealed itself in the dim darkness.