Mob Yandere

[Part 3/4]

"Kuh...? Hwah!!!?"

Then, 'Kamikiri's' head turned to Tamaki with its beak, glaring at her with its insect-like black eyes. Tamaki couldn't help but shudder in horror.

However, that was also its mistake.

"Crush it."

'Grrraaaah?!'

I immediately slammed my fist, crushing 'Kamikiri's' eye. It screamed as it opened its scissor arms wide to catch the tanto and wakizashi that I released. It stepped back, trying to create distance, but it was too late.

'Grrrrrr?!'

'φ(゜▽゜*)♪ I got your back!!'

As I had instructed, 'Kamikiri' was crushed. It was the bear youkai's dive from behind that did it. By the time 'Kamikiri' realized what was happening, it was already too late. The massive bear charged into its abdomen, crushing the youkai, and its exoskeleton was pulverized into pieces.

"Great job."

'Grururū ♪'

'( ´∀｀)b Even if you praise me, it won't change anything, you know!'

Ignoring the smug spider, I praised the cheerful bear youkai for its good work. I remained vigilant for any new threats in the surroundings. It seemed that was the last of them, for now.

"How are you, Miss Tamaki? Are you hurt?"

"U-umm... I'm fine, no injuries."

As I checked on Tamaki, her response was weaker than when we faced the furry monster earlier. While there seemed to be no physical injuries, she appeared mentally exhausted.

"...Miss Tamaki, may I see your Wakizashi?"

I ask, noticing it in the process of observing Tamaki's condition.

"Oh, uh, sure!"

It took Tamaki a moment to realize my request. She looked at the blade of her Wakizashi and her expression darkened. It was understandable since the blade was already chipped.

"Tomobe-kun, this is..."

"You don't have a spare Wakizashi, do you?

To begin with, Wakizashi itself is a spare equipment. There is no such thing as a backup, at least not when you are captured by 'Mayoiga'.

"I'd say you'll be lucky if it can withstand a few more rounds..."

"I'm sorry. It's such a valuable weapon..."

'(. ･`з･)ﾉ I won't forgive you for not taking responsibility for what you did!?'

Tamaki apologized, her face turning paler. Putting aside the irresponsible remarks of the stupid spider, it was fatal that Wakizashi's durability was near its limit while we are in the belly of Mayoiga that could not freely replenish a weapon.

"No, given the circumstances, it can't be helped. However..."

As Tamaki's almost only remaining Wakizashi remained in its damaged state, leaving it untouched felt wrong.

"Miss Tamaki, please take this."

"Huh? This... No, I can't!"

Tamaki was taken aback when I offered her something, hastily pushing it back to me.

My dagger was being pushed away by Tamaki.

"That's a very valuable...! And what about you? Don't you need other weapons too?"

"Don't worry; I'll manage somehow. I have a slingshot, and this..."

I then took out the folding shovel (second generation) that I had on my waist.

"But isn't that... a digging tool?"

"It's specially forged to be able to dig through frozen ground and can function well enough as a weapon."

I showed her the gleaming tip of the folding shovel. It had been strengthened even more than the first generation with a simple enchantment, thanks to Sarujirou's good work.

"I don't mean to be rude, but in my position, I don't want to put you in unnecessary danger, Miss Tamaki. While you have excellent martial skills, spiritual power, and talent, you lack experience compared to me. After your Wakizashi broke, are you confident enough to fight those monsters barehanded?"

"That's..."

Tamaki seemed to understand my point. She also realized the lack of time we had. Without protesting, she accepted the dagger. She hung it on her waist and looked somewhat distressed.

'You're much smarter than trying to put on airs.'

'(≧∇≦)b Papa, I am there for you!!'

The hummingbird perched near my ear whispered softly. It was both praise and mockery. I chose not to respond and believed in preserving her honor and courage. And I had nothing more to say about the silly spider's remarks.

"Well then, I'll take the lead. Miss Tamaki, and you too, bear, I'm counting on you."

'Grrrrrr!!'

After sighing inwardly at the spider's words, I asked for confirmation. Tamaki nodded slightly, and the bear youkai happily growled. The former's response was expected, but the latter's nonchalant attitude was exasperating. Sighing at the bear's carefree nature, I put my hand on the door handle.

"All right, let's go!"

I cleared my mind of unnecessary thoughts and promptly led the way, entering the room with determination.

* * *

As I stepped into the room, the first thing I felt was its "ordinariness." It was neither overly simple nor extravagantly decorated, but rather a well-stocked, quiet, quaint study.

"Miss Tamaki."

"Uh, um... I think this might be it?"

In response to my inquiry, Tamaki answered with uncertainty. The room's lack of distinctive features made it difficult for her to confirm if it was indeed the one she had wandered into.

"It's all right; this is most likely the right place."

'(＾Д＾) I can't tell if this is the room or not!!'

Though the spider's remarks were ridiculous, my words weren't irresponsible. In fact, even without my past knowledge, it was a natural conclusion to reach.

This was a study, a room where scholars and intellectuals read and work. It was a workspace and also the private space of the owner.

And in all the rooms we had explored so far, I had never encountered anything similar.

...In other words, that was what it meant.

'Moreover, its overt simplicity is suspicious. It lacks any eye-catching elements, which is odd. Compared to the rooms we've seen so far, it stands out, doesn't it?'

"Well, then...! So, should we search the room first? If there's something, anything...!"

'φ(゜▽゜*)♪ Try searching! Something must be hidden here!!'

With the hummingbird's keen observation, Tamaki began to search frantically. She understood that time was running out. Opening cupboards and sliding doors, she looked for anything that seemed relevant. She's really putting her life on the line...

"......"

In contrast to Tamaki's desperate search, I calmly explored the room, stepping on the tatami mats, and observing the surroundings in silence.

"Kiryuu Ro'i Sanjou (奇流呂威参上?)... Haha, so this is also being reproduced here."

"...?"

Flipping over the teacup placed on the shelf, there was a message secretly left behind by some overseas brother who had recreated this room in 3D. Tamaki and the others, who couldn't make sense of it, tilted their heads, but it was a revelation for me. This confirmed it.

And at the same time, I acknowledged it. By overlaying the memories of the original work in my mind, I became convinced of his whereabouts.

"...There's a concept of Kamado-gami (Kōjin)."

"Huh...? Hummingbird-san?"

'(´・ω・`) Huh?'

It seemed that the old man had noticed it, much like I did. I theatrically announced my realization to the world, and amidst the commotion, both Tamaki (and the idiotic spider) paused their search and turned to me with puzzled expressions. Well, suddenly being told something like that can be confusing.

"...A kamado is the central part of a house used for cooking and heating, and it's sometimes equated with a deity that protects the house and family from fire dangers, right?"

I elaborated on what the old man was trying to convey, mentioning how some youkai used such legends, stories, or traditions to elevate their "status." The hummingbird, nodded in agreement.

'Indeed. However, the other party is a cunning youkai. They will likely try to deceive us. For example...'

The hummingbird looked around the room, pretending to be dignified, and then fixed its gaze on something. It was the same thing I had been observing since I entered the room.

(...No, that's not the right way to put it.)

Although I was using my past knowledge to deduce, the old man impressively arrived at the answer without any hints. It was commendable.

"Um, both of you? I mean, have you figured out where the youkai is hiding?"

Tamaki asked with anxiety, still unable to grasp the situation. I smiled wryly in response. I wasn't making fun of her. It was a natural reaction for someone who wasn't an exorcist and had no knowledge of what was happening.

"You don't have to make it too complicated. Just think about it straightforwardly... Think about it. Is there a kamado in a study like this?"

Tamaki was confused by my question and shook her head.

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