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Reaching the entrance, I see an out-of-breath Gojima and Mizuki waiting for us. I’m surprised they caught up. Not that we were moving particularly quickly, but we should have been closer distance-wise. And to think that they ran full speed and overtook us. This is unexpected.

“I’m impressed that you made it in time. Did you anticipate this?”
“Not at all. Akira and Kyousuke were drunk, so we left them.”
“We were just on standby in case of emergencies. Who would have ever expected that you’d brazenly leave this late at night.”

Normally, no one would. Once it’s way beyond curfew time, people would normally be all stealthy and sneak outside. Yet we didn’t hide at all; we just confidently walked through the hotel hallways to leave. Still, the moment Mizuki saw my getup, her eyes scared me.

“Why are you wearing something like that with other people when you wouldn’t even reply to my invitations?”
“It was beyond my control.”

I just wasn’t able to prevent it from happening. It’s not like I’m in this outfit because I like it. Moreover, winter is slowly approaching, so this dress is really chilly. I want to have some ramen to warm up ASAP.

“Avoiding something like that would honestly require literal foresight.”
“Anticipating that is impossible even for Kotochan. It’s pretty much almost bullying, after all.”

Who would have expected their clothes to be stolen while taking a bath? I can understand if the culprit was a man, but it’s still a crime. There would have been demands for a thorough investigation. Also, the hotel’s management system would be in question. However, since it was by an acquaintance, that would be blowing it out of proportion.

“Is it something I can’t take reference from?”
“If you do the same thing, I’ll consider you a potential enemy, are you alright with that?”
“I won’t do it, I definitely won’t do it.”

Potential, since there’s a need for proper judgement. I understand her disposition, so I know she’s just joking around. It won’t be serious, just a punishment. What I said right now was only to warn her against it. Still, there was that happening in the morning, so she’ll probably feel threatened on her own.

“Don’t intimidate her too much.”

I was reprimanded by Gojima, but in my defence, I know a lot of people who might just do it. So it’s best to give a warning like that. We continued chatting until we reached a ramen shop. We didn’t particularly make an effort to search, so this should do.

“Reminds me, Kotone, where did you get to know these two?”

While we were waiting for our orders to arrive, Gojima suddenly asked that, but how should I answer? It’s clear as day that he won’t believe me if I honestly tell the truth. They might even bring me to a hospital again. I’m pretty aware that I’ve been acting strangely today.

“They’re acquaintances of someone I met when I ran from home back when I was still little.”

And so I answered with a pinch of truth. It’s not a lie. They really are acquaintances of Souji. I’d have to lie about how we met, though they probably won’t notice that. After all, I don’t think he’ll ask that much.

“There aren’t any records about that though.”
“Ha?”

From what I know, they should have all the reports of Kotone’s trouble-making from the previous security company. And yet the most problematic incident, which is Kotone running away from home, is mysteriously unrecorded. While I hate the bodyguards at that time, I’m sure they properly performed their duties.

“Hmmm, so that’s how it is.”

It’s only my estimation, I don’t have any solid evidence. However, the moment it came to me, the emotions I was holding back overflowed. Ran and Nako next to me should be used to this but they’re pulling away. Gojima and Mizuki are completely on full alert.

“Kotone. You’re showing too much of yourself. Also, that smile is scary. Even we’re scared.”
“It’s giving me goosebumps. You’d definitely scare off people who don’t know you.”

Being my classmates, they’re used to it. They’re confident that there’s no danger to them, which is why they can interact with me normally. On the other hand, not knowing me very long and witnessing this state for the first time, the bodyguards continue to be on guard.

“It wasn’t reported because it would be inconvenient. If not that, they were ordered by their employer to keep it secret. Likely one or the other.”

The whole family knows about this incident. Even Sakiko. That’s why it’s unlikely that this was unreported. They likely got some demand from their client, my father.

“What reason is there to do that much?”
“Either they wanted to keep my encounter with Souji a secret or they don’t want what happened that night to be known. I’m aware that I was acting quite unladylike back then.”

That night, Kotone was just a normal girl you could find anywhere. Enjoying experiences she’d never had before, surprised by things she never knew of. She was simply playing to vent out her frustrations. I went along with that and even taught her unnecessary things.

“What was wrong about that, exactly?”
“Like I’d know. Reading that father’s thought process is impossible for me.”

Rather than impossible, I just don’t want to do it. I might be able to do it if I try, but I can’t imagine anything good coming from that, so I don’t want to do it. I’ll say it as many times, but I have zero proof that I’m correct. Besides, the other party is unlikely to be stupid enough to leave any evidence.

“Is it possible that the meeting with Souji had a negative effect on you?”
“Can’t deny that. I mean, look at me right now.”
“Your similarities with Souji are pretty undeniable. Are you going to go full Tyrant too?”
“Maybe I should, even just temporarily. I’m pretty confident that I can cause enough chaos.”

Tyrant was the name I was given when I went on a serious rampage. At that time, the whole class worked together to stop me. Back then I was in a fit of uncontrollable rage, but I can’t remember what was said to me that caused me to snap. No one would let me remember it.

“Thanks for waiting.”

Our orders are finally here. I gave Ran and Nako a look of gratitude for playing along with me. More than similar to Souji, they know I’m actually Souji on the inside, but there’s people not in the know too. I should keep some level of secrecy about it.

After that, we quietly finished our ramen and went back to the room, but Gojima and Mizuki didn’t speak a single word and had their guard up with me. Maybe I was a bit too blatant. Perhaps I’ve lost control of my brakes ever since the chance encounter with Kotone.

It goes without saying that once we returned to the small conference hall, there were bodies strewn all over the place.