Chapter 5: Caught in the Act

“Ugh…!”

My head hurts. Is it because of the blood loss? No, before that—

“Why am I still alive…?”

My last memory was of my messed-up wrist and the bathtub.
I should’ve died. But for some reason, I didn’t.
Hoshino’s room, right in front of me, was proof of that.

“…Could it be Hoshino…?”

I was naked just a moment ago, but now I’m wearing Hoshino’s clothes, and my wrist is bandaged.
It’s obvious who saved me.

I was saved by Hoshino again.

“…Damn it.”

To be honest, it pisses me off.
This isn’t the first or second time I’ve been interrupted.
But…

“…I don’t have the right to be mad, do I…?”

No matter how much my attempts to die were thwarted, this is Hoshino’s house.
Trying to kill myself here is undeniably my fault, no excuses.

“Haa… I must be crazy. How could I think of committing suicide in Hoshino’s house…?”

Even if I had actually died, once I came to my senses, I’d realize it was something I absolutely shouldn’t have done.

“God… How am I supposed to explain this…?”

Having seen my wrist and the bathtub, no lie is going to work.

“…No choice, I’ll have to come clean.”

I just want to die, so please leave me alone.

Yeah, it’s my fault. I couldn’t resist a moment’s temptation and messed up.

So—

“W-Wait, Ayane! C-Calm down! I have my reasons, okay?”

‘Please, I’m begging you, don’t look like you’re about to bolt…!’

I get it. Her face is so pale it looks like she might collapse just from seeing me like this.
I can’t help but understand how shocked she must be.

But still—

‘If I get caught this time, I’m really screwed!’

I only just managed to regain their trust to get to this point.
One wrong move, and it’ll be back to the old days—being watched 24/7!

Not to mention, Nonomi would force me into daily therapy sessions, and Shiroko would stick to me like glue.

That, I really, really can’t handle.

‘My sanity won’t survive.’

“L-Look, it’s just… Yeah! I was testing if these scissors are really safe!”

So please, just fall for it, even once!

“…”

‘Pleasepleasepleaseplease…!!!’

“…Is that so?”

‘I-I’m saved…!?’

“Then what are those scars on your arm?”

‘…I’m dead. Damn it.’

As expected, the scars on my arm made it impossible for Ayane to believe me.

“…Haa…”

‘I did everything I could to keep this from the juniors, and now I get caught like this…’

“…Yeah, you’re probably right about what you’re thinking.”

In the end, I couldn’t find any more excuses and just admitted it cleanly.

“…Why…? Why would you do that…!”

As expected, Ayane started interrogating me, but—

“I’m sorry, but don’t ask me why.”

Even if I explained, they wouldn’t understand.
They’d just think I’m crazy.
Which, to be fair, trying to kill myself already makes me crazy.

“…And I know it’s a lot to ask, but please don’t tell the others.”

I don’t want to be locked up again, but also, now that the original story’s started, they’re going to be busy.
I don’t want to burden them with my problems.

“…I know you don’t want to, but…”

“…Alright.”

“Yeah… Wait, really?”

“…Yes.”

I was sure she’d refuse, but even with a darkened expression, Ayane agreed to my request.
It feels a bit strange, but good is good, right?

“Th-Thanks, Ayane…”

“…No problem. I’ll head out now. Please come as soon as you’re ready, senpai. We’re leaving right away.”

“O-Okay…”

With that, Ayane left the classroom.

“…Haa… That was close…”

“Guess I’ll have to hold off for a while.”

Since I got caught like this, they’ll probably keep an eye on me for a bit.
I’ll need to lay low for now.

“Might as well change these bandages.”

Feeling relieved that things worked out, I started rewrapping my bandages, but I was mistaken about one thing.

“Hm? Ayane? What are you doing there?”

“…Teacher.”

Among the “others” I asked her not to tell—

“I need to discuss something with you…”

The Teacher wasn’t included.

Bang! Bang!

“Argh!”

“…Phew, is that all of them?”

“Yeah, Ayane just confirmed the enemies are retreating.”

“Yay~ Good job, Sora-chan~”

“You too, Hoshino-san.”

We were at the Helmet Gang’s base.

Following Hoshino’s strategy, we struck at their weakest point and raided their base.
The result, of course, was an overwhelming victory for us.
Thanks to that, we destroyed the Kata-Kata Helmet Gang’s supply depots, hideouts, ammo stores—everything.

“Haa… Glad that went well.”

‘Same with my situation.’

“Uhe~ Yup~”

Honestly, until I regrouped with everyone, I was worried sick that Ayane might’ve spilled the beans, but thankfully, no one seemed to know.

“Alright, let’s head back.”

Maybe because so much happened in such a short time, I’m exhausted.

I started walking, planning to take a nap as soon as we got back to Abidos, but—

“Uh, sorry, but do you have a moment?”

For some reason, the Teacher stopped me with a smile as I tried to leave.

“…Huh?”

What’s this all of a sudden?

“Come on, Teacher, I want to get back and sleep.”

I frowned, but the Teacher just smiled and said,

“It’ll only take a second.”

“…What is it?”

‘This feels ominous…’

“Under those bandages… Can you show me your wrist?”

“””!!!”””

“…Ha.”

This is insane.

Looks like I’m really screwed this time.

Caught by the one person I absolutely couldn’t afford to get caught by…