Mob Yandere

[Part 4/4]

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It was clear from the fact that no one came out, no matter how long it took, that there was probably a heated debate behind the soundproof Barrier tied shouji paper door.

"..."

In a room of the inn.

In the servant's quarters adjacent to the large room assigned to the lord, Suzune, or perhaps Yukine, sat in seiza and continued to wait in silence.

While waiting, her heart was enveloped in confusion and chaos.

"Am I... forgetting something?"

The words of the blind girl, with whom she had become close for lessons, could have been dismissed as nonsense at first.

The content of her speech was like something out of a dreamy lady's tale, and her brother, as well as she herself and the others, seemed unable to consider it, making it seem appropriate to dismiss it as delusional.

Perhaps it was a misunderstanding born from dreams.

And that was the end... The one who interfered with that preordained harmony was her half-youkai friend, and Suzune could not deny her sentiment either.

Unlike the sheltered koto teacher, she knew this friend was practical and resilient.

The friend... Iruka barged into the lord's room carrying Mari and began a discussion with the other officials of the envoy.

It had already been over an hour and there were no signs of it ending.

"Is Iruka being tricked, or..."

Common sense would suggest that it was natural to think her friend had memories implanted into her, but then there would be no need to do that to Mari.

What would be gained by doing such a thing to a blind and powerless girl?

Iruka's remarks, or Mari's remarks.

If it were only one of them, they might have dismissed it.

But with both being from different positions and roles, the matter shifted.

She couldn't help but doubt her own perceptions.

"If that's the case, this is..."

She touched her chest.

She recalled her inner feelings.

A faint sense of loss.

It was something so trivial that if she didn't mind it, she would soon forget it.

But what happens if she become aware and keep being aware?

Unexplainable emotions just keep swelling up.

Is it just my imagination?

Is it a misunderstanding?

No, it's different.

This feeling is definitely not something so empty.

Definitely....

"Tomobe-san, is it...?"

She hums the name that Mari mentioned.

For some reason, it felt familiar.

She was puzzled, not understanding why her lips relaxed when she said it.

But it didn't feel bad.

(Was it because we had such a good relationship? With a servant? Ah, it was Household Member Coordinator, right...?)

A Household Member Coordinator, much more esteemed than those humans, not even a human servant... she could say it was an ascent.

It was a success.

If that person truly exists, what kind of person is he, and what kind of relationship did she have with him?

"She spoke like that... but it feels overly idealized."

Suzune shrugs, recalling what Mari had said again.

To rise up, one needs a certain boldness.

Looking at Mari's portrayal, it seemed too much like a dreamy maiden's fantasy.

The way he cared for and assisted the blind girl, yet seemed to have no shameful relationship, was the reason even her brother doubted it as a fantasy.

In reality, there must be some bias.

There are no kind people who are kind to everyone.

Someone who can be kind to one person can be cold and indifferent to another.

By chance, the blind girl just didn't touch on that person's dark side... that's probably it.

(So, what about me...?)

Thinking that far, doubts turned back to herself.

What was she like?

Which side of that person was she seeing?

Recalling her relaxed lips, she realized she was starting to relax again, touching her lips with her fingers.

She had been languid, letting out a sigh.

A sigh that suggested allure....

"Haha. No way..."

Suzune couldn't put her mysterious feelings into words.

She just traced her memories, searching for similar feelings and smiled wryly.

Long, long ago, in distant days.

The feelings she once held for the one she relied on the most, the one who brought her comfort, the one she loved above all else.

A loss that will never return.

A wound that could never heal. No... it couldn't be.

Could such a thing exist?

Is she overlapping her brother and that person?

As a substitute for her precious older brother?

"Such a thing... would be rude to the other person."

A cold snicker escaped her lips, trailing into a scornful laugh.

Expecting a stranger to replace her brother—someone she had cherished beyond words—was nothing but selfishness.

If there were someone to accept it, they would be quite strange.

Or is it that she thought unilaterally?

It's hard to believe.

She has understood through her life that people like her brother is not easily found.

To overlap that with some random man... even if what Mari said is true, it feels somehow false.

Was she being led by the words of a shallow playboy?

Or maybe... could it be?

"Ridiculous... such coincidences cannot exist."

Suzune, holding thoughts that can't even laugh at Mari, spits out with a tone full of disgust.

It's a story that's way too good to be true.

She feels self-hatred for even imagining it for a moment.

She collapsed onto her side.

"Of course. Something that perfect... was never real."

The maid muttered weakly, as if convincing herself.

To project the image of a lost loved one onto an unseen, unknown figure...

It felt like the height of disrespect.

Unfilial. Immoral. A betrayal of everything she was.

Reality wasn't so kind.

Life wasn't beautiful.

It was dirty, unfair, soaked in mud and blood.

She was one of the lucky ones.

That was exactly why—

—she could never allow herself to drag her sacrificed brother into such a delusion.

"I don't deserve to be forgiven..."

She buried her face in the cushion beside her.

Suffocating herself in the fabric, shutting out the world, drowning in sorrow.

Thinking of her long-lost brother—wallowing in grief. And then──

"...Huh?"

A sudden realization struck Suzune.

She had been recalling memories of her brother.

But... why were they so unclear?

Old memories fade. That much was natural.

But this... This was different.

"No... No, this can't be..."

The past was slipping through her fingers like mist.

She knew he had existed. Her beloved brother had been there.

She doesn't understand.

It's blurred, vague, and like mist, she can't grasp it.

But... she can't recall the details?

When she try to remember, does it scatter away?

Is she forgetting?

"No, that's a lie! That can't be true!!?"

Suzune instinctively denies her own neglect.

Desperately denying, she tries to remember.

That's right.

What was her brother's name... what was it?

"Why...!!?"

She is stunned.

She can't remember the name of the brother she called many times in her childhood.

She can't recall the figure that came to her when she looked up, covered in mud, calling his name.

The content of his words, as he brushed off the mud and spoke to her, even the tone of his voice, nothing... nothing!!?

"Ugh...!!?"

On the verge of screaming in fear and despair, she held it back because the shouji paper door swung open forcefully.

The servants and members of the Hidden Group who were present hurriedly passed by Suzune, filled with curiosity and impatience.

It was as if they had some mission to attend to.

Noticing the shadow, Suzune turned around.

Tamaki, with a serious expression, and Iruka, looking displeased and unable to hide her irritation.

"Young lady..."

"Suzune, I'm sorry, but could you prepare for departure? It's probably for the best."

With a solemn yet still hesitant tone, her lord commanded.

Iruka seemed furious at someone who was not present.

She looked like she was about to dash off alone at any moment.

"Suzune...? Are you okay?"

"No! It's time to prepare for departure!! Right now!"

Tamaki, noticing her friend's unusual state, called out to her, pale and silent.

Iruka was also just beginning to realize it when Suzune raised her voice in response.

She stood up, bowed, and turned on her heel.

It was to prepare her outfit and pack.

"Ah, Suzu..."

"Excuse me...!!"

Hearing a call from behind, Suzune pretended not to hear and walked away.

Right now, she didn't want to talk to anyone.

She didn't want to face her terrible sins.

She didn't want to think about that possibility.

That's why she immersed herself in the task at hand to escape...

Fanart:

- Hina from New Year: here

- Princess Aoi: here

- Advisor-sama: here