Chapter 145.2

Chapter 145.2

[Part 2/4]

Is she surveillance? My surveillance? Why would she do such a stupid thing? If that's the case... wait. That's fine. I can think about that later. But more importantly...

"Sister? What do you mean...?"

"Nooo!!"

"Guuh!? I let my guard down!!?"

Filled with surprise and guilt, and fear, I momentarily forgot reality, and the skilled assassin took advantage of that. Rubbing against the relaxed restraints, she unleashed a flash bomb in front of my eyes.

"This is bad!!?"

I made a split-second decision to close my eyes. But the light shone through my closed eyelids and clouded my vision. I quickly stood up and looked around, taking a hand-to-hand combat stance. I realized the danger a little late.

(This is bad! Aoi...!!?)

If the current Hisame was a pawn of that psycho father, I had to prioritize protecting Aoi. She was my only hope of clearing my name and proving my innocence, but if she died, it would also mean my death.

"Princess, hide!! You'll be taken hostage!! Don't reply!!"

"No! She's aiming for you! Just figure out her location!!"

"!!?"

Surprised by the unexpected response and warning, my body moved obediently according to the training and experience I had gained.

"There!!"

I turned around and punched where I sensed a slight footstep. I was sure it would hit, but it missed.

The presence dissipated.

"Are you stupid?! Ugh!?"

I was thrown off by the impossible phenomenon, but it was the right decision to take a defensive stance and turn away from the attack.

"Sh*t!!? You have good intuition!!"

"Guh!!?"

I sensed the presence again and was attacked with a sudden pain in my neck. The blow was probably aimed at my skull or larynx. I couldn't let her take control...!!

"Is it here!?"

"!!?"

I threw a flurry of backhand punches, but fortunately, one of them grazed her. Her movements were slow. Her senses were also dulled by the flash and explosion, just like mine...!!

"Guuh...!!"

"!!? Wait!!"

Realizing that there was no point in continuing this brawl, Hisame tried to escape, and I sensed it. Like me, she seemed to be in a state of near concussion from the flash and explosion, and her steps looked unsteady.

"Are you sure you want to escape?"

This time, I chased after Hisame, who was trying to escape, and ran in the blurry and swaying field of view. Hisame's small back emerged from the mist. I strengthened my body and clumsily approached her. And...

Slip!!

"Then, necrophilia!? Might be better than r*pe...!!"

"Don't make it worse!! Don't try to talk your way out with your senpai!!"

Amidst the verbal abuse, I tightened the restraints. Surprisingly, she had quite a filthy mouth!?

"Mmgh!? You're lying! Just earlier...you were touching me obscenely!! You pervert! Lustful demon! You lecherous scoundrel!!"

"What are you saying, you brat!? Weren't you provoking me in the mansion as well!? Playing hard to get, aren't you!? Craving for a man!!"

"Waaah!? Don't poke around there!!"

The conversation between the restrained and the restrained had long since moved away from seriousness. Both were exchanging harsh words, like children fighting.

"...Why are you arguing like lovers fools? You guys."

As the mist cleared, Aoi's observation of the situation was accurate, befitting of her keen observation skills.

But then, I truly wondered what we were doing... I thought from the bottom of my heart...

* * *

After many twists and turns, the restraint was finally complete. Both hands were bent backward, both feet were crossed at the ankles and tightly bound, but I didn't use a gag. I couldn't do that.

"For torture?"

"For questioning."

I corrected Hisame's words, who was glaring at me with hostility. I corrected her and faced her across the bonfire.

Now, it was nightime, at the overnight campsite from the previous day. The second night in this ridiculous hell...

"..."

I circled around to be cautious of my surroundings and looked around. No one was hiding within the visible range. At least that's how it seemed to me... I couldn't trust it completely though.

"For now, can you introduce yourself again? Who are you?"

"...Onitsuki family's Hidden Group's Owl inspector, Hisame."

"...I see. I'm just a nameless combatant of the servant group, Tomobe."

"...Isn't that contradictory?"

"Don't nitpick. It's about the feeling of the words, the feeling."

I honestly answered the retort. I answered and thought about the self-introduction the girl in front of me had given.

(How should I see this...)

I thought about it again after capturing her. About her position. About who she is.

"I remember you were a newcomer in the servant group."

"That's true... I'm a newcomer as a servant, but?"

"You're being stubborn."

It's just that she didn't mention her previous experience. She was certainly an excellent scout as a newcomer. She had some wit for someone shy. I felt she had a promising future. It certainly felt unnatural, though. But...

(I would be happy if I could just believe that...)