Mob Yandere

[Part 2/4]

I looked over what was in front of my eyes.

"Haha, these are some bold faces gathered indeed."

In a small building tucked away behind the main building, in the depths behind the garden, sitting cross-legged, I glanced over the list of names for the Jouraku (visit to the capital) party and let out a dry laugh. A wry smile. Laughing, sighing. Why? Isn't it obvious if I look at this personnel list?

"No mercy huh..."

Dejectedly looking up to the sky, I muttered. The courage and audacity of the head to gather this group, along with his thick skin, I was even struck with admiration after going around once.

"The couple heading as the heads of the family on a trip is natural enough."

The Northern region's exorcist family head of the Onitsuki family who had long been bedridden. It was only natural that the heads of the family would go when he finally woke up. The court and other exorcist families, no, even the aristocracy, military families, and merchant families would of course also have interest. Using the Jouraku (visit to the capital) as a chance to show face was rather the family head's duty.

"..."

My gaze headed down below the couple. Lined up were the entourage accompanying the heads of the family.

The first thing to draw notice was Hotoya Tamaki's name. Having her included in the official appointment as an exorcist and conferred an official rank makes sense as well, as expected. The names of Yukine and others accompanying her in that manner are also only natural. As for Hina, there was no need to even mention it. There's no way that man would let go of his most beloved daughter given the current political circumstances.

The problem was the name listed below Hina's. The name of the Onitsuki family's second daughter. Gorilla-sama, Onitsuki Aoi herself...

(How vicious...)

I evaluated as I gazed at the name recorded on the personnel list. There was nothing particularly strange about Aoi being on the Jouraku (visit to the capital) roster. In a certain sense, it could even have been considered expected and natural enough.

If he's taking Hina along, there's no need to take Aoi along too right? Too naive. That would be an unknown pattern compared to even the original game, both going to the capital together. In other words...

Gorilla-sama's grand youkai group r*pe party was a failure, and he himself had been bedridden and in a vegetative state for a long time. This contributed to the faction supporting Aoi growing stronger compared to the original storyline. Ignoring Aoi, in a way that everyone could see, was really risky. It could put Hina's life in danger. This wasn't acceptable for the yandere psycho father. He had to make it seem like he was including her, at the very least.

The cunningness of the family head was only in appearing to take Aoi along. Aside from that, the Aoi faction was almost completely excluded. The Aoi faction members on the list were only powerless helpers like Shiro at most. Or else, they were the incompetent, almost pitiable, useless riffraff among the faction... The numbers made it seem like they were trying to balance the factions, but in reality, it was like rendering them powerless. With this approach, participating in the Jouraku (visit to the capital) as part of the Aoi faction was almost like choosing self-destruction for Aoi.

(Originally in the game, the only one who could go to the capital with Aoi was... Well, that's how it was, I guess)

In the original work's routes, it was set up so that comparatively more minor events and troubles occurred when the protagonist traveled to the capital with Aoi compared to traveling with Hina.

In reality, it was obviously harassment by the family head. The quality of people, goods, and money must have been reduced and the quality of the goods must have been lowered. Otherwise, the protagonist wouldn't have been ordered to do things like side jobs in the downtown area or gather mountain vegetables due to budget shortages. Even though the attitude in ordering it was arrogant, he must have been trembling with humiliation inside. But the protagonist steadily overcoming various challenges for Gorilla-sama's sake with fortitude despite the father's malice in trying to humiliate her before the public. No wonder it would also raise her favorability as a yandere.

...Or rather, leaving her behind might have made her even more yandere huh?

"The problem is, how will it go this time..."

'(^ω^) Exciting incidents, maybe!'

"Don't know."

The stupid spider says that lightheartedly, but... Even if hypothetically speaking they both end up going together, that would be an unknown development compared to the original game, the novel media mixes, or the manga adaptations. It seems the path ahead is completely unpredictable if Gorilla-sama takes this bait...

...A footnote, but Shiro will definitely be included in the Jouraku (visit to the capital) group no matter what since she has to visit the orphanage. This personnel, at worst it could drive a wedge into the relationship with Azuma. I hear there are also plans to merge with the Tachibana Trading Group from the capital mid-journey. After thinking about it... killing two birds with one stone, for the yandere psycho father one thrown stone attracts three or four more huh? Yeah, right.

"But still..."

Even so, personally I wanted Gorilla-sama to stay behind as much as possible in order to follow the original work. And also for the sake of my and Murasaki's survival.

Ako Murasaki... the she whose name is listed there will undoubtedly accompany the trip no matter how the Jouraku (visit to the capital) group changes. It seems she's scheduled to reunite with her family who also made a Jouraku (visit to the capital) in the capital. There are rumors she herself wants to go to the capital together with Gorilla-sama...

(What a carefree story...)

To tell the truth, in Gorilla-sama's current irritated state, just Murasaki voicing the slightest dissatisfaction could make Gorilla-sama blow a fuse and opened a hole in her stomach. Even in each route, she boasts one of the top kill counts by Gorilla-sama. I wouldn't even be surprised if news of her death arrived at any moment. Come to think of it, how is she still not dead!?

"After that is... the Advisor joining along too."

Reading down the list of names, I utter that upon discovering it. To be precise, it was the Advisor and Shirowakamaru as her disciple set. This was also an unknown pattern. A substitute for the fat... Uemon maybe? But given that man is the family head, I can think of any number of contrived interpretations.

"Really can't let my guard down... Huh? Mari? What's wrong?"

'(^ω^) Look at me, I'm adorable!'

As I stare at the list for a long time, I suddenly notice a presence and turn my head to look at her. How long has it been? An innocent looking girl was staring fixedly at me.

No, that was not an accurate description. While her face was certainly turned this way, her eyelids were closed and even if they had been open, her clouded, unfocused eyes would have simply been gazing blankly into empty space.

"Sorry about that. I was muttering about something, so I just unconsciously..."

Sensing my gaze instinctively even without being able to see the light, Mari shrinks back apologetically the moment I look at her. I defend that it's nothing to worry about.

"Sorry, sorry. I unconsciously let some muttering slip out. ...Did it bother you?"

"No, not at all... It was about the Jouraku (visit to the capital) right? May I come over?"

"Yes. That's fine."

'(^ω^) Yeah, yeah, come closer!'

"Why does that sound like a villain's line...?"

"Excuse me?"

"Ah, nevermind. Okay, come over quickly."

To gloss over the stupid spider's joke, I urge Mari to come over hastily, but soon regretted it. To move, with her weak constitution and legs, she had no choice but to crawl on all fours. Naturally, her clothes would droop down in accordance with gravity. In other words... they became visible. The properly developed crevice after a few years.

"Haa... haa... just a bit... haa, please wait."

"Aah..."

'(゚∀゚) Hehehe! This is fun!'

She seems to be serious and desperate. However, her labored breathing imbued her naturally sweet voice with an extremely seductive nuance. ...Somehow I feel like something similar happened before. Looks like people really do repeat the same mistakes. And later, spider, shut up.

"Haa... haa... haa... haah. Tomobe-sama, I've kept you waiting."

While averting my eyes in silence, eventually Mari makes her way over to my side. Sitting down with her legs folded to the side, breathing slightly heavily with sweat beaded on her brow, she sits down with a thud close beside me. Drawing near, looking up at me.

It was an unguarded pose, full of desire for protection yet at the same time provoking twisted sadistic desires.

"...Phew."

'(* ́ω`*) Phew!!'

For now I pressed my fingers to the spot between my eyes and meditated. Calming my mind, and sighing as if spitting out my guilty heart. Good, this is fine. I'm normal. I was wise before sage time. There are no problems whatsoever. Or I wouldn't be able to face Magoroku. The spider feeling relieved about something can be ignored. Can't retort.

"I believe my brother and I were nominated as well, correct?"

The blind girl asks a question, oblivious to my agitation and anguish. I make an effort to maintain my composure and respond.

"Yeah. As my helpers. Seems to be for miscellaneous tasks. ...For helpers of helpers, I wonder what kind of joke is that?"

Saying that much, and once again comprehending the situation, the trifling thoughts in my chest are completely blown away. It's no joke. Even more laughable than a sneeze. They were completely hostages. Furthermore with my sister is going along... Really, utterly thorough.

"Putting my brother aside, me as well... I understand that it's inconvenient for you, but honestly, I'm grateful for the offer. It would be lonely to stay here alone without Iruka-sama here..."

'(^ω^) Eating together with everyone will be fun!!'

Oblivious to or aware of my anxieties and discontent, Mari voiced her honest feelings. Natural from her perspective of course. Being blind, sickly, and unable to even walk properly. Having full household duties is a dream within a dream. Without Magoroku and I, even having enough to eat is questionable.

(It might be better if Magoroku and the others stayed here after all)

To what extent it will follow the original work is unknown, but what awaits over there is hell. My true feelings were that I didn't want to take them into that maelstrom.

"So, did that brother of yours say anything?"

"Dissatisfaction... perhaps?"

"Ah, no. I don't mean it as prying or anything like that. ...Aren't the siblings being getting pushed around? I just figured you two might be having various difficulties."

While it was partly with the ulterior motive of using that Magoroku's complaints as pretext to keep the two here, it was also a genuine question. '(*´･ω･) Is that so?' Can you not make creepy remarks like I'm a monster in a pocket?

"Nothing like that... My brother is always expressing his gratitude to the Onitsuki house and Tomobe-sama. Especially to Tomobe-sama for saving my brother's life, and taking us lowly siblings under your care. We've received a debt of gratitude from both sides that we can never repay. What right do we have to complain?"

While still blind, Mari certainly looked straight at me and answered. Her words were slightly self-demeaning.

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