Mob Yandere

[Part 3/4]

Well, it wouldn't be impossible with the power of psycho father. If they thoroughly brainwash her in the usual way, it would probably be possible. Then I could accept it. Hisame is just a victim. But...

"Princess."

"She's not lying. At least from my perspective."

When I asked the Princess, who was beside me and had put on a simple single-layered kimono, her alluring appearance, she gave a calm answer. She guaranteed that she didn't lie with her observation skills.

(Of course, it would require a disclaimer that it's within her own understanding...)

Even without telling lies, someone could withhold the truth, or choose her words to downplay or exaggerate. I mean, people could even manipulate memories. But Aoi's observation skills were a skill. However, she couldn't see through that. The laborers who framed her probably used that as a loophole. They might have been surprisingly clever.

Well, that's beside the point...

"I'll confirm. Memory manipulation. Is it possible on a large scale as far as the Princess knows?"

"...If it's temporary, it's possible. However, the more changes there are, the more discomfort it causes and the more mentally unstable one becomes."

Aoi explained her knowledge of memory manipulation that she obtained from books.

"Basically, memory alteration through mind control doesn't rewrite memories but rather covers them up. It's more like overlaying paper than painting over it. The real memories remain underneath the fabricated ones forever. There's even a theory that they become stronger subconsciously."

"I see. What happens when it becomes unstable?"

"The mental burden becomes heavier when there's a contradiction and dissociation with reality. Especially when you become aware of it. You can gradually become depressed, insane, or even aggressive..."

"Don't treat me like I'm crazy!!"

Hisame, who recognized that Aoi was talking about herself from her glance, retorted aggressively. Aoi was so overwhelmed by Hisame's force that she almost fell back with her immobile body, and I hurriedly supported her.

"Are you okay, Princess?"

"Yes. I was just surprised...it's like a wild beast."

The opponent's words were so arrogant because she couldn't move. I was inwardly exasperated as I faced her again. Hisame continued speaking immediately afterwards.

"Don't treat this memory as a fake!! I'm aware of the authenticity of my memories!! Much more than you guys...!"

"Is it because of training?"

When I asked the question, Hisame gave me a disdainful look as if I were an idiot.

"Yes, the feeling when memories are restored is really unpleasant. It's a feeling of becoming vague... Princess knows that, right? Memory alteration gradually collapses when you become aware of it."

"Yes... I know."

"My memories haven't collapsed. I can recognize the boundary between the implanted memories and the real memories in an orderly manner. It's not just endurance, you can see that, right?"

"..."

Aoi remained silent in response to the provocative question. She neither denied nor affirmed it. She just observed my reaction.

"But you have a sharp tongue, junior. Are you pretending to be a cat?"

"...What do you mean?"

"I heard that memory alteration doesn't cause a major change in personality. If the clumsy and cute version of you was an illusion, that would be a shame, right?"

"Clumsy...?"

The girl who had been directing her hostility towards me was suddenly speechless, as if she had been caught off guard. Haha, just as I expected?

"Well, I understand now. I have to fight reality, don't I?"

And so, after teasing my junior, I held my head, relaxed my face, cracked my shoulders, and accepted everything.

"Tomobe..."

"It's okay, Princess. There's no problem. Nothing has changed. If anything, the responsibility has become even greater."

Haha, I chuckled bitterly. It really had become a heavy responsibility. It was already heavy enough for one person, but now the responsibility of two people was added on top of that.

"What? Don't look at me like that."

"Don't say that. I don't intend to become your enemy. ...I promised, didn't I?"

"..."

"It's for Shikae too. She asked me to look after you if anything happened."

"Don't mention that name now...!!"

The voice directed at me was filled with an intense edge. Anger and hatred were directed at me. I accepted it without resistance. It was my duty.

"Sister! She was with you, but she died! She was talented! She had more spiritual power than me, and she was skilled with techniques and archery...!!"

She must be remembering her sister. She stared at the ground, grinding her teeth while overwhelmed by sorrow and frustration.

"Why are you the only one alive? My sister died, and you, the servant? It's ridiculous, all the patrols have been wiped out, but you're the only one alive!!"

With a suspicious gaze, Hisame looked at me with suspicion... it was a reasonable question, and I might have been suspected by other servants as well. The only difference was that she had a real family, not just a sense of duty...

"That guy, Shikae helped me a lot. She kept helping me until the end. Maybe she would have survived if I wasn't there."

"You're selfish, aren't you?"

"I guess I am. We'll have to talk about that soon. But think about it. Is your respected sister really the kind of person who couldn't even defend herself against a lower-level surveillance target?"

"You talk like you know everything..."

"I do. I know what kind of person that guy, Shikae, is. I know she has a strong spirit. I know she tried her best even in hopeless situations. I know she summoned the courage to protect her friends. And I know... she loved her family until the very end."

Yeah, and I know what she liked...

"...Want some dried persimmons?"

"..."

Hisame reacted slightly to my suggestion, but immediately fell silent and glared at me. I chuckled and added, "Just say the word if you want some."

"Now then, we're getting off track. There's something else I need to ask you about."

Unfortunately, Hisame's origin and our connection had strayed from the main topic. In fact, there were many more important topics to discuss. The details of the conspiracy, the presence of other assassins... I didn't even know how much the people on site knew.

"How many other people are hiding here? What are their names? ...Well, I guess you won't talk."

I asked several times, but there was no response, not even a glance. Maybe closing her eyes was a sign of determination. I didn't intend to torture her, though.

"Would breaking a finger be enough?"

"Princess, you say scary things... but that doesn't mean she'll tell us the truth."

I was honestly disgusted by Aoi's casual mention of something painful. It was one thing to think about it, but it was another thing to actually say it.

"At any rate, we'll have to wait for a while. Fortunately, we were able to get some equipment. We caught some of their men. The situation is better than it was this morning."

"If you're not counting injuries, I guess."

Aoi showed me the back of her hand, which was covered in congealed blood, and made a sarcastic comment. The trick of switching the decoy and the real target for the purpose of capturing Hisame. For the fake body, Aoi had stuck a needle into her palm and injured herself. She had assumed that her skin color and size could be easily disguised from a distance, and she was right.

...Of course, she had avoided blood vessels and bones and stopped the bleeding, but piercing her palm must have been excruciating. It was understandable that she would complain. I fervently hoped that I wouldn't be killed the moment her power was resurrected.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me for that."

"I don't want your apologies. Show me your sincerity through your actions."

"Okay."

Apologizing for a long time and trying to cover up, only to be cut off in an instant. Maybe the repayment is compounded, and I don't want to go back to the mansion.

"Ahem. Well, let's regain our composure... Oh, Princess. Could I leave for a moment?"

Before doing so, I asked Aoi for permission.

"Oh, why? Are you going to use yourself as bait again? I wonder what you'll catch next?"

The sarcastic remark seemed to mean that I was planning to use myself as bait twice. There was a good chance that some lackeys were still surveilling this place. However...

"At least for now, there shouldn't be a problem. It's night now."

If they were going to attack, they would have already. It would be too late if Aoi's poison wore off. If there were no surveillance, there would only be youkai lurking around. Even if the attacking group came later, they would not be able to get through the deep forest at night. They should have noticed the roar of the youkai lurking in the deep forest if they had to get through the literal demon's den.

"That's right, Hisame?"

"..."

As usual, there was no response, but I didn't miss the slight movement of the gaze. I looked at Aoi. She nodded quietly. As I thought, there is no one nearby who is confident in rough work. There is no time to relax except now.

"Well, there's nothing we can do. So, why do you want to move? To hide and eat? Or are you going to 'play with your skin'?"

"I'm just going to 'pick some flowers'... I'll be back soon."

Ignoring Aoi's teasing, I moved away from the space illuminated by the bonfire. The light faded away. I was enveloped in darkness.

"Well, I'll be back soon..."

I didn't say, "When I finish organizing these indescribable emotions." It was too pathetic to show it to someone younger than me when I couldn't hold back my tears...

* * *

"Hmph. Don't you think it's unfair not to count your own injuries?"

"..."

Watching the servant who was going to pick flowers disappear into the darkness, Aoi muttered. She stroked her injured palm and asked, but the servant did not reply. However, Aoi smiled sadistically at his attitude.

"Anyway, you're so stubborn. Do you know your position? You're just a fish on a chopping board."

She forcibly stretched her numb legs. Her slender white legs like whitefish were visible from under her skirt. Aoi pressed her toes against the captive's cheek and playfully poked them.

"Hmmp!? Nyu!? ...Hmm. Do whatever you want, whether you boil or fry. Your fate won't change anyway."

"The howl of a defeated dog is unsightly. Well, for me, it's comfortable to forget the misery."

Simultaneously with pressing Hisame's cheek with her toes, Aoi gave a sharp retort, demonstrating the intelligence and bad personality of the second princess. Hisame looked at the princess with a bitter gaze. And for Aoi, that gaze was rather delightful.

"Anyway... Sister, huh? I don't understand why you're standing at the forefront of this crazy scheme just for that kind of thing."

For Aoi, who saw her sister as an enemy in every sense of the word, the girl's previous remarks were honestly difficult to understand. It seemed foolish to risk one's life for revenge, even if it meant risking one's own life.

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