Volume 8 - CH 5(2/3)
“I am inside one of these. Can you guess which one am I? “
Yes. Thinking from only the words, according to the words [Inside these]------Natsumi might be inside one of the photo’s itself.
“Yes”
After Origami took a glance at Miku, she nodded.
“Normally, if you were told [I am inside one of these] after being shown the photos then, you will think that the Spirit will be one of the people taken in the photo.------however in this case, it’s not like it was stated to be like that”
She glared at the photos lined up on the table and continued.
“In the first place, I had an odd feeling on the rules itself. As time passes, the suspects will decrease. It’s true that it is an effective way to plant uneasiness onto Shidou. However, at the same time, she will suffer a risk of making herself easier to be found.------if she has the confidence to never be found then, there is no way she would take this route”
Shidou nodded in Origami’s words. That was the odd feeling Shidou has been feeling the whole time.
Hearing that talk, Kaguya *fuun* exhaled while folding her arms.
“------I see. But, even if that is the case, what should we do about it? There are 12 photos you know? Don’t tell me you are going to designated each of them one by one?”
“There is no need for that”
After Origami said that, she piled up the photos spread out on the table.
“Origami?”
“Look”
And, in the next instant.
When he thought Origami placed her hands into her pocket, *Kaa* such a sound was produced and a knife was piercing through the piled up photos. The blade was completely penetrated and has reached until the table.
“iiih..........!?”
“This is the shortest and fastest method to confirm”
After Origami said that without moving any of her eyebrows, she twisted the knife pierced into the photo and gouged out.
---but, the photos did not show any response.
“...........It would seem, it was wrong”
Origami said it in a slight disappointment while putting the knife into her pocket. Shidou wiped of the sweat that he had no idea when it appeared off his forehead with his hands..........while thinking that if Natsumi was really disguised as the photo then, what on earth would have happened.
“Fuun, back to the starting point again huh”
“Buuut, I think what Origami-san said is true. But, it doesn’t feel like she wants to enjoy the thrill. I think she is striking within the rule gaps, so that she would never be found. That’s because, there are only 4 suspects remaining at the current point you know---? Isn’t it at the probability rate where we might guess who she is, even if it is a random guess”
Miku said that while placing her finger at her chin. Shidou agreed with her. He made a small nod.
However. Kaguya made a difficult face and glared at Miku.
“So what are you saying? Are you saying Natsumi isn’t inside the suspects? Didn’t Shidou just deny that just now”
“I-I did say that but............”
“Don’t tell me, you are trying to make us think Natsumi isn’t within one of us”
Kaguya said that with half her eyes opened. When she did that, Miku *muu* turned sulky and distorted her mouth to a へcharacter.
“What do you mean by that---. I will get angry even if it is Kaguya-chan”
“Fuun, are you panicking because I hit a bulls-eye? That’s even more suspicious. There is a black wave coming out from your back”
“Wait, please calm down both of you............”
Kotori hurried and rushed between Kaguya and Miku. Both of them glared at each other through Kotori for a while.
“Now shouldn’t be the time to be quarreling. Shidou, please say something”
“...........”
However, Shidou was silently pressing his mouth while observing everyone’s behavior.
“Shidou...........? What’s wrong”
“............Aah, like I guessed, perhaps-------“
After Shidou mumbled to himself, *Gari**Gari* he scratched his head.
“Origami, could you show me the photos a bit?”
“Here”
Origami handed the over the piled up photos to him.
Shidou lined up the photos filled with holes because of the knife on his hand, and started staring fixed at them.
“The remaining suspects is 4 people..........but, no matter how much I investigate, I can’t find someone like Natsumi inside here.............. striking within the rule gaps, so that she would never be found ..........[I am inside one of these. Can you guess which one am I? ].........“
That was the single possibility discovered by Shidou after continuously thinking and close investigation of several information regardless of whether it was day or night.
He was *butsu**butsu* mumbling like chanting a magic and made a thin sigh.
And while crawling his sights to everyone, Shidou let out his words.
“------Maybe, Natsumi isn’t within any of you”
“””“........huh.........?””””
Everyone opened their eyes wide when Shidou said that.
Nonetheless it was only natural. Even though he purposely gathered all of them to find Natsumi, he says that Natsumi might not be within one of them. It could be better off putting the cart before the horse.
“Wait a second, what are you saying Shidou?”
“That’s right. Isn’t it different from what you said just now”
Kotori and Kaguya said that while raising their eyebrows. But, Shidou swung his head to the sides.
“No, what I am saying wasn’t regarding Natsumi isn’t one of the people inside the photos. To the end, I am saying?she isn’t in the currently remaining 4 people”
And, when Shidou said that.
“................!”
Maybe she guessed the meaning of those words, late by a beat, Kotori twitched her eyebrows.
She then started flipping through the documents on her head with tremendous speed. Kaguya and Miku were blankly looking at that manner.
“I see............. impossible........but if that is case then .........”
“Ehh? Eh? Wait a second, I haven’t agreed yet so explain to me”
When Miku asked like a pest, Kotori agreed while sweat is flowing down her forehead.
“..........yes. Maybe, this is---------“
And-------the moment Kotori was about to say something.
The space in the center of the room distorted in an instant, and a pale radiance was flowing out from that spot-------
The Angel <Haniel> appeared.
“””””Wha..........!?”””””
Everyone’s dismay echoed throughout the room.
Shidou looked over to the room clock in panic. 1130pm-------there was still 30 minutes left until 12am.
“What does this mean? Today hasn’t passed yet!”
When Shidou shouted, as if to answer him, <Haniel>’s tip part was deployed and Natsumi’s figure was floating in the mirror.
“--------Ufufu, don’t be panicked like that. Since this is the final night so, let’s have more fun shall we?”
Natsumi continued with a joyful smile.
“It’s a special rule for the final night. Today’s designation time, is 10 times faster than usual, a 10 minutes. If you could not guess who am I in that 10 minutes, or you did not designate anyone, I will give you another 10 minutes for designation again. Finally, it would be your lost if you can’t guess who I am until it turns to the last suspect. Then I will be taking the [Existence] of everyone over here right now”
“Kuh..........!”
Kotori making a click with her tongue could be heard, when Shidou frowned his face while saying that.
“30 minutes........huh. You thought of something nasty again”
“What......do you mean?”
“------there are 4 remaining suspects”
Origami was the one that answered Shidou’s question, not Kotori. While glaring at Natsumi, she continued on with a quiet tone.
“Starting now, by any chance we fail to designate the criminal once it will reach a time over and by the time it reaches 12am, only one suspect will be left remaining. Which means, <Witch> is planning to end this game at the same time with the date changing”
“..........guh”
After Shidou gripped his fist, he once again brought his sights to the girls in the rooms again.
Kotori, Origami, Kaguya, Miku.
Everyone’s expression was colored with nervousness, anger and uneasiness. From a glance, it doesn’t look like there is a Spirit that steals everyone [Existence] inside here.
But, as if to stop such thoughts for Shidou, Natsumi continued her words.
“Aah, oh yeah oh yeah. Since everyone is gathered together, I don’t mind if someone else other than Shidou-kun designates me today. But of course, there are only 10 minutes per turn for the designation timing so, think properly before designating. By any chance the votes are in the same values, I will have that designation voided”
“..........you sure, did as you like”
Shidou unintentionally raised his eyebrows from the bewildering added additional rule.
But, he can’t afford to stay in discord for too long. There are only 30 minutes left. And, there are only 3 more times left to designate Natsumi.
If he lets that go-------everyone here will be erased by <Haniel>. Failure is definitely not an option.
And, at that moment, Kotori brought her eyes towards Natsumi being shown on <Haniel>’s mirror.
“-----the timing is perfect. I have something I want to confirm with the game star”
“A-ra, what is it?”
“This rule says you are inside these photos. One person will disappear per day by the chances of the guessing is failed. By the chances of the designated criminal’s name is wrong, the mistaken person will disappear too........am I right?”
When Kotori said that, Natsumi shrugged her shoulders to play a fool.
“Ohh, I wonder...........is what I wanted to say but, well, I’ll answer you that much.-----Your recognition is not wrong”
“........I see”
After Natsumi said that, Kotori made a small snort while sending her sights to Shidou.
He replied those sights with a nod. The question just now was exactly the same as what Shidou is trying to do.
“Wha-what does this mean? Hey Kotori, will you explain?”
Kaguya brought her eyebrows closer while saying that.
When she did that, Kotori threw the documents to the table and let her hear her words.
“..........perhaps, we might have made a big misunderstanding”
“What.......?”
Kaguya tilted her head from Kotori’s words. Kotori sorted the photos lined up on the table while continuing the rest.
“We are trying to find Natsumi inside the people taken inside these photos”
“Umu............but that is the game’s rule right?”
“Yes. The previously given condition is correct. But---------if the thoughts after that, was completely been directed then”
While saying that, Kotori separated the photos on the table into 2 groups.
The arrangements were Origami, Kotori, Kaguya, and Miku these four in the left side. And, in the right side the, remaining 8 people.
Basically, it’s the current remaining suspects, and everyone else that has already disappeared.
“Wha-what do you........mean?”
“What Tobiichi Origami and Miku said just now has been continuously bugging me. The remaining 4 suspects here right now have received most detailed inspections and analysis inside the original 12 peoples. Of course, the opponent is a spirit. It is not strange at all even if she holds a power that crosses our predictions. But, by any chance-------if Natsumi was?already?missing from within us, then everything will make sense”
“Wha........!?”
“Eeeh!?”
“..........!”
The same time with Kaguya and Miku raising a dismayed voice, Origami opened her eyes wide and started flipping through the documents she was holding to.
And after crawling her eyes through the sentences, she slowly lifted her face.
“------I see. That’s true, that nothing of that was written”
“Wai-wait a second, does that mean..........”
Miku pressed her forehead to calm her confused head down. Shidou nodded in agreement.
“...........Yes. Thinking normally, the criminal exists within the remaining suspects.-----but, this isn’t a detective novel. Even if they have disappeared, it doesn’t mean the suspects have died.?There was no rule written stating that Natsumi isn’t going to be the one to disappear the last in the end of the day”
””.......!?””
When Shidou said that, Kaguya and Miku gasped and their eyes turned into circles and opened wide.
Yes. That was------one of the possibilities Shidou has reached.
The remaining 4 suspects that does not show anything suspicious no matter how much he inspects.
The game rule that becomes disadvantageous to Natsumi the further it advances.
If his hypothesis is correct then............everything will connect.
“Then Shidou, Kotori. Are you saying Natsumi is within the already disappeared suspects instead of us right here?”
Kaguya asked with sweat flowing down her cheeks. When she did that, Kotori made a difficult face and placed her hand on her chin.
“More specifically----------even within the number of people that has already disappeared, it was someone else other than the people who has disappeared when Shidou designated them. As expected it would be a violation to the rule if she acts innocent when she is being designated by Shidou”
After saying that, Kotori excluded the photos of Yoshino, Tama-chan-sensei, and Mai from the photos separated in the right side of the table.
The remaining ones were Yuzuru, Ai, Tohka, Tonomachi and Mii, these 5 photos. They were all people that has been erased by Natsumi by the end of the day.
“Wai-wait a minute---. Doesn’t that make it even harder compared to now-----? Aren’t you just increasing the numbers of suspects!” Miku raised a screaming voice. It’s true that, there are 4 remaining suspects here. In addition to there being only 3 chances left, the choices has been widened.
However. Origami swung her head to deny that.
“-----It’s true that would be the case when looking at the numbers. However, in reality that isn’t the case. From what I saw from the documents, there is only one person that has almost certainly guaranteed their safety zone”
“Eh......?”
Shidou raised his eyebrows from Origami’s words. Shidou has only reached the Natsumi candidates to the end and has not gained the final absolute material yet.
But, Kotori nodded as if to agree with Origami’s words.
“Yes. It’s true that once that person disappear after designation, the thought of that person being Natsumi will disappear from our minds. If that is the case, then it would exactly be the same as escaping to the safety zone”
Kotori continued while distorting her eyebrows.
“But, even if that is the case, the first condition is same with everybody. No matter if the possibility rate is low, if that person were to be designated by Shidou before disappearing then, Natsumi would be the one to lose.-------Shidou, think back properly. There should only be one person. Depending on coincidence, there is only one person that managed to run away from your designation.”
Being told that. Shidou immersed in thoughts.
And, immediately he came in conclusion to the person Kotori and Origami was talking about.
Yes. That’s----------
“Don’t tell me..........Yuzuru.......?”
Shidou called out the name of the girl that disappeared on the first night and gulped. When he did that, Kotori and Origami cast their eyes downwards as if to show their agreements.
But, the moment she heard that, Yuzuru’s sister Kaguya distorted her face in displeasure.
“What did you say? Shidou, are you saying Yuzuru is the criminal?”
After saying that, she quickly brought her face closer. Shidou swung his head in panic.
“Wait a second. I did not-------“
But, Kotori continued as if to interrupt Shidou’s words.
“It is also in the documents but.........it was starting from the 2nd day when <Haniel> appeared to our house to urge us to designate the criminals” It’s just as what Kotori says; <Haniel> did not appear on the first day.
Which means------Shidou was not given the means to designate the criminal.
On that evening, Yuzuru disappeared because of <Haniel>. At that time he was shaken from the fact that the suspect disappeared but---------------now that he think back about it, he had no idea why <Haniel> did not appear on the first day.
“In the night of the first day. Yuzuru disappeared. But, in other words, doesn’t that have the same meaning as it being impossible to designate her as a criminal?”
Kotori said more. It felt like Kaguya was feeling disgusted about the fact that Yuzuru was being doubted but, maybe because there was no materials that could be seen to be used to object, she kept her mouth shut.
Kotori made a sigh and looked at Natsumi.
“..........That’s one ill-natured way of thinking. But as a result, that careful precaution has instead caught your tail.----------the one you were disguised as was, Yuzuru”
Kotori said it, in a confident manner.
“.............”
But, Shidou was in thought.
It’s true that the logic was connected. However, for some reason. He felt there was something decisive still missing.
“Fuun........is that okay?”
Natsumi replied in a carefree manner.
“It’s perfectly 10 minutes. Those who agrees with Kotori-chan’s opinion please raise your hand”
When Natsumi said that, Kotori, also Origami, Miku, and Kaguya with hesitation, all raised their hands.
“.........Shidou?”
Kotori faced over to him in suspicion. But, even after that, Shidou did not raise his hands.
Natsumi *Nii* raised the side of her lips.
“Okay, time over. Because of the large number of agreements, Yamai Yuzuru-chan will be designated”
After saying that, Natsumi being shown on <Haniel>’s mirror, clicked her fingers. When she did that------
“Wha------“
Standing over there, when they thought Origami’s body made a pale glow, she was sucked into <Haniel>’s mirror.
“O-Origami.........!?”
“-------Fufu, Wr.on.g. The concept was interesting but, how regretful~”
Natsumi laughed in an unbearable happy manner, and made a circle with her fingers as if to provoke Shidou and the group.
“Well, since the designated Yuzuru-chan has already been disappeared, so it is a little regretful only one person could be erased.------alright, designation time reset. Please choose the next designated person. Fufu, there are only 2 more chances. Can you guess who I am?”
“N-no way, impossible.........”
Kotori’s face was filled with horror.
“Are you saying Yuzuru isn’t it.......!? The-then who on earth........!”
After saying that, she placed her elbow on the table while making a shocked expression.
But that was only natural.------everything has returned back to the beginning in this situation. There is no time left until the next designation. Everyone’s heartbeats were getting faster but, they knew it as if they were holding it on their hands.
“Kuh........”
She carried her head while facing towards the documents again.
Yuzuru wasn’t Natsumi. Then is it either one of the remaining, Tohka, Ai, Tonomachi, and Mii. But even if that is the case, there was no other people Shidou can think off that has clearly ran away from his designation other than Yuzuru. Impossible, did Natsumi really exposed herself into danger just to enjoy the match......?
However, if he think like that then, the condition itself will become meaningless. If Natsumi was enjoying the match then, she might simply be within the remaining 3 girls here now too---------
Thoughts were going around in circles in his head. Shidou hit the temple of his forehead with his fingers to calm the chaos in his head down.
“Fufu, Ahahahaha!”
And, wondering how much time has passed, Natsumi was hugging her stomach while laughing as if she was enjoying everyone’s dismay.
“Well, well, how terrible. The famous detective reasoning ended already? If you don’t hurry up and find me, then everyone will have to get along with each other inside the mirror world you know? Fufu, but rest assured. Onee-san[8E 1]?will properly use your figures effectively”
“You.....bastard!”
Kaguya kicked the ground and kicked towards <Haniel>.
“How dare you do this to Yuzuru........! To Tohka! To Yoshino! To Origami! To Tama-chan! To Ai, Mai Mii! And Shidou’s friend.........! Give them back! Give them back..........!”
But, there was no way that attack would work on the Angel. <Haniel> made a pale radiance, and Kaguya was easily blown away.
“Guah........!”
Her back was slammed towards the wall, and Kaguya leaked an anguish moan.
“Kaguya!”
“............it’s useless, stop it! Even if you use limit break your Reiryoku, the current you have no power to do anything about the Angel”
Kotori said that like a groan while making a stern expression.
“Bu-but even if that is the case, if this goes on......!”
And, the moment Kaguya was about to punch <Haniel> after hardening her fist, Natsumi once again let out her voice.
“-----Alright, when you were doing this and that, it’s already time. It looks like you all haven’t designated yet so, what are you all going to do?”
It seems 10 minutes has passed before anyone knew about it. Natsumi crawled her sights as if to survey everyone.
“Looks like you all didn’t designate. Then.......”
“---It’s Tohka!”
Around the time Natsumi was about to say something, Kotori shouted.
“Ko-Kotori? Is Tohka Natsumi?”
“............honestly, it was a random guess. But, we can’t allow out valuable criminal designation chance to slip away”
“Tohka-chan is alright right?”
Natsumi asked back. Shidou also has no one he could think of. He nodded painfully.
When he did that, Kaguya’s body glowed palely this time-------and was sucked into <Haniel>.
“U-uwah.....!”
“Kaguya!”
“How regretful. Tohka-chan is also wrong.---------alright, there are only 10 minutes left to 12am. The next designation is the last chance. Fufu, well, will you be able to guess who I am?”
And, silence visited the room once again.
But, that also did not last very long. Miku carried her head while shouting.
“Wha-Wha-what the hell is this.........! I don’t want this anymore! Let me go back.........!”
“Calm down! Calm down Miku! It will be what Natsumi wants if you break down!”
“Da-darling.......that’s because, that’s because..........!”
Miku stopped large drops of tears on her eyes and made a hiccup.
Shidou calmed Miku down while clenching his teeth.
---Something. There was something decisive still missing. Natsumi is within the people <Haniel> erased........there is clearly no mistake in this. But, he does not know who that person is.
“That’s right..........something------------there must be something definitely. There is no way this snake lady would challenge us without preparing anything. Something that would completely place her in the safety zone, there must be something..........!”
Kotori has sweat flowing down her forehead while turning the pages of the documents violently.
Shidou brought his eyes at the photos lined up on the table.
Erased by Natsumi, there are 3 people that have yet been designated.
But, is Natsumi really within one of these. Even he no longer understood that anymore. Shidou placed his hands on his chest to calm down the heartbeat that was turning faster because of the circumstances while glaring at the documents and photo’s alternately.
However, the answer could not come out no matter how much he think.
“------Alright, sorry to barge in when you all are in trouble, but there are 5 minutes left”
And, Natsumi then *kusu**kusu* laughed while raising her voice.
Shidou gasped. When he checked the clock, it’s true that 5 minutes has already passed. Clearly, their body time clocks have turned shorter compared to just now. Impatience called out to dismay, and the dismay caused their decision making to collapse. Shidou was making shaking exhales while scratching his head.
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! No more! I don’t want this anymoreeeeeeeeeeee!”
Like that, maybe she could not bear the nervousness brought to its limits, Miku disheveled her hair and shouted.
“Darling.....i-i-i........!”
After her teeth *Gachi**gachi* clattered in a dismayed manner, Miku quickly took off her hair ornament and made Shidou hold it.
“Mi-Miku? What are you---------“
“Ev-even if I disappear, please don’t forget about me............, remember me, when, y-you look at the hair ornament........”
“Why are you saying something so ill-omened! I won’t let you disappear! I will definitely........find Natsumi!”
After shouting, he gave Miku’s hair ornament back. But Miku, did not try to receive it.
“Miku...........?”
“Tha-that’s because..........if I am wearing it, won’t it disappear together with me when I disappear.........! So-something like not leaving anything on darling’s side............I don’t want that!”
“What are you--------“
And.
At that moment.
“-------------------“
Shidou felt an electrifying feeling flowing through his body.
Origami disappeared, Kaguya disappeared-----and the remaining people were Miku and Kotori, these two only leaving Shidou out of the equation. What’s more, the countdown was steadily being continued and after a few minutes, the last person will be erased by <Haniel>.
A desperate situation like a painting. Normally, it would not be strange if his given up face would peek out. But---------Shidou trembled from the possibility that scratched his mind.
The hole in the rule Shidou found. Natsumi is not limited to the people that have already disappeared.
The possibility Origami presented. Natsumi is able to transform into something else than humans.
And then, just now, the words Miku said.
---It will disappear together, if I was worn on the body.
That connected all of the odd feeling clouding Shidou’s mind into one.
“Don’t tell, me..........”
“Shidou..........?”
“Da-darling?”
When Shidou released a half-dumbfounded voice, Kotori and Miku looked over to him in doubt.
But right now, Shidou does not have the leisure to reply to both of their replies. He was only standing there, and connecting the information inside his head.
---Thinking back.
This game was strange from the beginning.
Just several lines of words were given at first. But as day passes by, several various factors were added on.
Taking of it that was increased normally as the basis, Shidou, Kotori and Reine conjured up the rule Natsumi set up.
That is. If that is what Natsumi targeted.
At a glance, the additional rules could only be thought as selfish acts but, if it was something used for hiding a single event then.
“[I am inside one of these. Can you guess which one am I? ].......”
While mumbling the rule that he had put in his mouth many times already; Shidou dropped his sight onto one from the other photos lined up on the table.
There was one point he had completely not bothered about until now.
A single photo, that is clearly different from the other 11 papers.
“............Natsumi. There is one thing I want to confirm”
He sends his sights towards Natsumi and asked.
“Fuun? What is it? I won’t listen if it is a beg for your life”
Natsumi replied back in a calm and composed manner. However, Shidou did not borrow his ears to her provocation and continued his words.
“-------------there are 12 papers of photos you sent over. But, are there........really 12 suspects?”
“Fufu, Well, I wonder about that”
Even when Shidou said that, Natsumi replied back in a not so panicked manner.
But---------that was enough for Shidou to be convinced.
That’s because, Natsumi has replied back once.------to the Kotori’s question previously.
But even so, she did not answer Shidou’s question and evaded it.
Which means, that would only serve as support to Shidou’s speculations.
He recalled back the conversation he had with the suspect few days back.
“Ah...........”
When he did that, the small matter that he wasn’t really bothered about at that time, revived back inside his mind.
There is no----mistake.
Shidou moisten his throat with saliva and slowly lifted his face.
“---------->>