She has abandoned her boyfriend.
The perilous love affair easily ended.
And that is the right choice.
"All right, one Escaped."
Two others stand up. And dash out of the classroom.
"Three Escaped."
I murmur.
Santou and another girl remain. Both of them have fearful faces.
Santou turn to face us.
"...... erhm, is the Hero Team...... not running away from a rank 42? Is there any chance of winning?"
Shiro appears thoughtful. A face that looks as if it's considering what the right choice is.
He then looks at me.
"Hey, Shinnosuke."
"Hn?"
"What is the highest ranked labyrinth you've cleared before?"
Kiri too looks at me with deep interest on her face.
But Honjou Tsukasa interrupts.
"Since the lessons on how to go about raiding it, and what kind of team to form, will take place in the 4th hour and 5th hour periods, can you guys wait until then before deciding on whether you are going to get blown away by the wind of cowardice?"
She's right. The time limit draws near while we are wearing ourselves out with this kind of talk.
"How's the map?"
Shiro then answers Honjou Tsukasa's words.
"Already done memorizing it."
Santou then frantically says.
"You're kidding me!?"
But no one looks at Santou. At any rate, his ability won't be of any use in a rank 42 labyrinth. It doesn't matter whether or not he has memorized the map.
Honjou Tsukasa says.
"Class 5 will insert on the 100th floor. However, from the survey, there will be more obstacles from there down, so we don't really know which insertion point is really better. And by telling you this, the 2nd hour period is over, and now......"
I look up at the clock.
The second hour period has ended at 2.15. No more than an hour has passed since the start of class.
Honjou Tsukasa says.
"Do you need a break?"
As before, no one makes a sound.
And I have already memorized the map.
I have already memorized everything there is to know about the way to where Gunjou is.
Now, the next lesson begins.
『Third Hour Period ---
Lesson on the girl's weakness』
Gunjou's weakness is the blood of others.
From the results of the investigation, her movements will cease if she either sees or touches blood.
While it's not like she will be damaged by the blood itself, but it's possible to stop her movements.
"............"
She can't deal well with the sight of blood.
She can't deal well with seeing her comrades die.
She can't deal well with seeing others get hurt.
Is that the reason why she's weak against blood?
I don't know. It's not written in the documents. The only thing that's clear is that she's weak against blood.
Furthermore, with regards to how to get blood on her.
How to predict her movements.
Information covering a variety of patterns on these, as well as what abilities Gunjou possesses, are written; though I memorized them, I cannot rely on them. In actual fact, the labyrinth disease girl will move in more complicated manners than what is written in the documents. Because there will still be some emotions and intelligence left in them.
Gunjou's abilities are also more or less the same as what she had. Depending on the labyrinth, her abilities will get boosted, but anyhow, it means that she will be using magic.
In other words, she will use a variety of magic ---
"...... how troublesome."
I think aloud.
She's now different from a normal human being, and can also use a broad range of fortifying magic. In that case, no matter how much you try to predict her movement patterns, it will never be exactly the same.
Honjou Tsukasa has prepared tens of measuring cylinders filled with red fluids on the teacher's desk and she says.
"The blood has been prepared, so take as many as you like. Get it on Gunjou, stop her, then kill her. Get it?"
With that, the 3rd hour period comes to an end.
♦
10 minutes break ---
Right after we were dismissed, I headed out of the classroom to the toilet.
To the toilet at the level two floors above, where the AV and meeting rooms are at. It's the toilet which Gunjou often visited when she puked from her nervousness. This was where she desperately hid that self of hers which was crushed by the pressure from her commitment to protect her comrades.
"............"
I switch on the lights of the completely dark corridor.
No one is here as expected.
I stare at the ladies, but since Gunjou is no longer here, I enter the gents. Just as I am about to relieve myself at a urinal, Shiro enters the toilet.
Lining up right beside me.
I look at Shiro and say.
"There are three urinals so why are you standing beside me? Don't tell me you are gay?"
"Aren't you saying that because you are embarrassed at being looked at?"
"Shall I show it to you?"
On hearing that, Shiro grins,
"Oh my, you sure are confident. I'll take your challenge."
And, as he starts to turn towards me,
"Huh? Damn you, don't screw with me!"
I holler angrily and step back from the place. I have yet to open up my zipper.
At that moment, Yousuke enters.
"Helloz."
On top of that, Himi and Kiri enter as well.
While looking around, Kiri says,
"Wow, this is the first time I enter a gents ~"
I look at them in blank amazement.
"Why are all of you here?"
Kiri then answers.
"Isn't it because the Hero Team is having an emergency meeting?"
Shiro looks at me. As expected, Shiro's fly is also still closed. Well, that's a given.
Yousuke says.
"Ah, but Shinnosuke, if you can't hold it in, we can go out for a while......"
"Never mind that. It's not that full."
My arms crossed, I look at the assembled Hero Team in the cramped toilet.
Shiro says.
"Ah, anyway for now, can I speak in the role of the person in charge?"
No one objects, and he nods and continues.
"First, let's ascertain our situation. The rank of the labyrinth that Gunjou gave rise to is 42. Even in the world-level perspective, this is a rather high level labyrinth. If we let it become an eternal labyrinth, it will be at a rank of 420 or greater but --- now. Is this something we should raid, or not? Let me hear your opinions. Those who are in favor of entering it, raise your hand."
The way Shiro is seeking for hand raises with clear-cut words and not expecting any opinions, is the mark of someone who is not a follower, but one who has managed a great number of people before.
Despite pretending that he was opposing Gunjou, he really is someone who's used to leading people.
Those who are in favor of entering the labyrinth, raise your hand ---
However, no one raise his hand to those words.
Continuing, Shiro says.
"Then, those who are against entering it raise your hand."
Then...... Yousuke, Himi, and Kiri, raise their hands while looking at one another's faces.
That's natural. Because it's a rank 42.
Only fools will enter it.
Shiro looks at me.
"I'm also against it. And thus, we won't enter it this time."
"My."
"The people who won't be entering it includes you as well, Shinnosuke."
"Ha, you want me to just follow what everyone decided......?"
Shiro then nods readily.
"That
's right."
"Don't include me in your comrade group without asking me."
But Shiro looks hard at me,
"Even if you say that, this is a no-brainer choice for normal labyrinth raiding magicians right? However, if this were a rank 25, I believe we would be able to clear it if this team cooperates."
He said something incredible. Both Himi and Yousuke have looks of surprise on their faces, but Kiri says hesitatingly.
"Eh, eh, don't tell me this is turning into a development of us entering it? It's 42 you know?"
But, ignoring her, Shiro continues.
"Based on what I saw, the Asahi Momoka incident should be a rank 20 or so."
Based on what he saw, he said. In other words, this guy should have at least cleared a rank 20 before.
"And so, if this were a rank 20 labyrinth, this team would be able to clear it. I have never seen the likes of such an excellent group assembled before. If so, if we make our preparations carefully, I think we can even clear up to a rank 20 labyrinth. If Gunjou were at that level, then, well, we probably could do it. But the truth is......"
"42. It's impossible."
Says Kiri.
Shiro nods.
"I also think so. There is no fool who would raid a time-limited rank 42. But Shinnosuke. You came to the classroom despite knowing that it's rank 42. Does that mean you have a chance at winning?"
On hearing that question, I ponder.
Do I have a chance at winning?
Two years ago. When I was fifteen, I had raided a rank 40 eternal labyrinth. It has been two years since. Right now, my strength is of course way higher than that time. The me right now should be able to clear it without appearing unsightly as I did then.
Perhaps, I might be able to raid a rank 55 eternal labyrinth.
But even so, I have no confidence in winning this time.
Only the ultimate fool will enter a rank 42 time-limited labyrinth that has not been fully surveyed. What on earth am I doing?
But Shiro asks me.
"So let me ask something about you. What is the highest rank you have raided?"
"............"
"What is giving you the confidence to be here?"
"............"
"Why are you so fixated in raiding it? Are you going after the reward that you will get just from entering it? Or, is there some other reason?"
"............"
Shiro stare at me and says.
"Tell us the reason behind your obsession in raiding this labyrinth. And, if you recognize us as comrades and ask for our help, we'll help you. But if you don't, meh."
"Meh? Are you a kid?"
On hearing my words, Shiro smiles.
"But that's obvious right. It's a rank 42 you know? Normally, no one will enter. The only choice is to Escape."
He's right.
But Shiro says.
"But you want to enter. Maybe you are way stronger than what I've imagined, and might be able to clear a rank 42 labyrinth by yourself."
That's impossible. Completely out of the question. Two years ago, a hundred men team entered, and I was the only one who barely survived.
Shiro continues.
"But from what I'd imagined, you can't do it alone. In that case, you need comrades. Comrades who you can trust. And this is where we come in."
At that moment, Shiro raises his fist. Fast. He is trying to punch me.
I stop that fist and say.
"You shouldn't be hitting comrades right?"
But Shiro looks hard at me and says.
"If we are comrades, that is. But, I haven't heard it from your mouth yet. Are we comrades?"
"............"
"Do you need our trust?"
"............"
"Say it. If you want our help, then tell us you want us as your com......"
I thrust Shiro's hand away.
Shiro then glares at me and says.
"All right, I got it. You are not our comrade. Then, we won't be entering the labyrinth this time. I won't want to entrust my life to someone who's not our comrade and die."
"............"
"You can enter it alone and die by yourself. Or, maybe, it'd be fine for you to put up your solitary airs and achieve your grand ambition. At any rate, it's probably an ambition you can achieve by yourself, right?"
"............"
Shiro turns his back to me and says.
"Well, we're going home. We're Escaping first. Bye, Shinnosuke."
Yousuke looks as if he wants to say something but Shiro stops him.
As always, Himi looks up at me apologetically, but says nothing.
The three of them exit the toilet.
And with this, everything comes to an end.
Gunjou's fate comes to an end.
Gunjou is gone before we even enter the labyrinth.
Without Shiro and the rest, she can't be saved.
I can't clear a rank 42 labyrinth all by myself.
Then, it can be said that I am the one who has killed her.
Because I can't trust anyone.
Because I can't accept anyone as my comrade.
Because I am a chicken-hearted, wimpy coward, Gunjou dies.
I......
"............"
Kiri touches my elbow gingerly from behind me,
"...... Shinnosuke-kun......"
She says.
"I think this is the correct thing."
"............"
"Even if we enter the labyrinth, it's not like we can save Gunjou-san's life."
No. It's possible to save her. I possess the magic to do that.
However, I am unable to accept the goodwill of others.
Because I'd get hurt if I trust and like someone and she dies.
Because I'm afraid of getting betrayed by someone I trust and like.
But, if I don't trust anyone, will I be able to save anyone hence forth?
Do I really think that I'll be getting to the point of being able to clear a rank 666 labyrinth all by myself?
At any rate, it's probably an ambition you can achieve by yourself, right?
Shiro said that.
I clench my fist.
"...... damn."
I moan.
Kiri's touch on my arm becomes heavier.
I ask.
"Kiri."
"Yeah."
"If I tell you that I'm entering Gunjou's labyrinth, will you follow me?"
"...... Shinnosuke-kun, you wouldn't do such a thing, would you?"
"If I tell you I would?"
"You wouldn't. You...... no, both you and I don't live in that kind of world."
"But, if I tell you I would?"
I ask.
On hearing that, Kiri ponders quietly for a while, and then says,
"...... then, I might just follow you......"
That's an unbelievably foolish response. An answer that I would not have expected from the smart and strong Kiri.
Without thinking, I say with a half-grin.
"...... you must be an idiot. It's 42 you know?"
"Yeah."
"Then why would you come?"
"...... because I like you, I suppose."
"Don't screw with me."
"Or it's because you have saved me before, perhaps? I don't really know. But if you are asking me for real, then I might go. If you truly need me, then I might turn my back on everything and go along with you. I can't just let you die by yourself."
I turn around towards Kiri.
With a worried face, she is looking straight at me.
A genuine face.
Even though there is nothing in it for her, she is worried about me dying, and said that she would enter the labyrinth with me.
A fool.
In the end, she's the same good girl like Gunjou.
Hating to see her comrades die. Unable to abandon friends. Falling in love with somebody, and willing to help that person without getting anything in return; that's the
kind of world she resides in.
Shiro trusts me, and is willing to risk his life to enter a rank 42 labyrinth which he should not enter, if I ask for his help.
Kiri too is willing to risk her life to enter a rank 42 labyrinth if I ask.
A choice that a sane person would not make.
In other words, I am already someone who's trusted by them.
Trusting me unconditionally, in a pushy manner.
All that remains is for me to return that trust. For me to do my best in suppressing my fear, rub shoulders with them and trust them.
"...... damn, damn, damn."
There is no more time.
There is no more time to fret.
In the meantime, Gunjou's life is fading away.
"...... damn, it's your win."
I exit the toilet to go after Shiro. Shiro has never returned all along.
Standing outside the toilet with their backs against the wall, are Shiro, Himi, and Yousuke.
Shiro looks at me and grins.
I scowl and say.
"...... aren't you guys waiting for me?"
Shiro grins and says,
"Those aren't the words I want to hear. Let's go again."
"............"
"Now, there's no more time so say it quickly. Say that you want us to become your friends. Since you're a good guy anyway."
"............"
"You were the one who told us that it was rank 42. It was stated to be a rank 15 at the end of the documents. A lie was written. And so, if you had wanted to make use of us, you would have just ridden on that lie. There was no need to tell us that it was rank 42. But yet, you told us. Why? There are three reasons I can think of.
1. Because you're an idiot.
2. Because on top of of telling us the truth, you wanted our help.
3. Because you like us.
Now, which is it?"
This guy's really annoying. I hate him. I don't want to talk to him. But, there isn't any more time. So I scowl, glare at Shiro, and say.
"...... it's number two."
"What's number two?"
"................................................, help me."
Shiro smiles.
Yousuke smiles.
Himi also smiles.
Kiri comes out of the toilet, looks a little happy, and a little troubled, then looks up at me.
This is the worst.
Really the worst.
However, even if it's the worst, I have to tell them if I want their trust. At any rate, there isn't any more time. Thus, I disclose the information that I shouldn't be leaking out...... to Shiro, Himi, Yousuke, and Kiri.