Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

“Asami-senpai, you…”

Just as he was about to say something, the Novelist noticed the dark circles faintly appearing beneath the girl’s pupils. She looked even more lethargic than her usual swaying, sleepy state.

“Seriously, did you not rest well again yesterday?” he sighed.

“Can’t help it. I made a promise to those guys, you know? I won’t let them do as they please anymore, and when it concerns my own affairs… that’s why I’m working so hard.”

Detective-san let out a light hum, shifting the topic to the Novelist.

“…Speaking of which, as my assistant, you’re still indulging in chaotic romantic affairs. It’s absolutely terrible! This is the crucial moment to expose the mastermind behind everything!”

Ever since witnessing him and Miyagi Aki lying on the same bed at Amazu Manor a week ago, Asami-senpai would occasionally make thorny, piercing remarks with a cold attitude.

“No, that’s just a normal classmate…” he explained somewhat guiltily.

“Whatever, that’s irrelevant.”

After interrupting the Novelist’s response, Asami-senpai’s face once again displayed her familiar confidence.

“The culprit has issued a challenge to me. How could I let them have their way…”

The girl opened her palm.

She stared at it for a long time, as if trying to memorize every line on her palm.

“I absolutely… won’t let another victim appear. As a detective who has accepted this challenge, I won’t allow any more innocent people to die.”

For a moment, Senpai showed an uncharacteristically gloomy expression. And those words sounded like she was raising an ominous flag.

But the Novelist decided to ignore this.

“Bringing this up suddenly, does that mean…”

“That’s right, we’re going to prevent… the next mass suicide incident from happening.”

Asami Yuko clenched her fist, raised her head, and declared.

Meanwhile—

At Harumida Girls’ High School.

On the rooftop of the second teaching building.

The empty platform was surprisingly spacious, with an area equivalent to four classrooms when viewed with the same length-width ratio. About one-fifth of it was occupied by a square structure connected to the stairway entrance from below, which looked like a high-voltage distribution room from the outside. Following a small ladder upward led to a water tower and antenna.

The guardrail around the platform only reached knee height, making it easy to climb over and stand just one step away from falling.

Normally, the rooftop key would be kept by a janitor. But now, someone who had leverage over that person had already obediently handed over the key for long-term use.

The usual “Mitsue-sama”—the thick-browed girl—stood by the water tower, looking down at the girls who worshipped her, conducting a group suicide rehearsal.

The spatial vantage point wasn’t just to satisfy her vanity; it went beyond that. There were psychological factors at play. The comparison and correspondence of spatial positions that humans develop as habits would subtly influence their deep psychology.

“We are different from them” “We do not fear death” “We love and embrace the dead”

The high school girls kept their fanatical, worshipful gazes fixed on her while continuously murmuring to themselves. If she continued to expand and grow like this, she might become a new cult leader and never have to worry about making a living again! She was currently immersed in such fantasies.

Mitsue had a morbid love for the feeling of being looked up to by others, especially since these people were not just her mental playthings but also her piggy banks. She was currently improving her lifestyle using the offerings from these high school girls.

Compared to before, the number of attendees at the suicide gatherings seemed to have expanded again. It was probably due to the subway mass jumping suicide incident that had stirred up a social storm—

That was the legitimate continuation of the “suicide wave.”

The death toll had reached an unprecedented 13 people.

That’s quite impressive, Mitsue thought indifferently as she watched the girls below take out craft knives and begin a new round of wrist-cutting practice.

“Alright, alright, everyone… my beloved children, Mitsue-sama loves you all, now let’s hold hands—”

She then walked down the stairs, and surrounded by the crowd, slowly stood on the edge of the rooftop. The girls came up one by one, standing shoulder to shoulder, arms linked and fingers intertwined.

Occasionally, to enhance intimacy with her followers, she would personally participate in group activities. However, wrist-cutting was too painful, so she gave up after trying once. She usually participated in the jumping ceremony.

Their tightly clasped palms were starting to sweat slightly.

Among the thirty-plus people standing on the rooftop, if even one had a genuine death wish and leaped forward, the rest would probably accompany her to the underworld! It’s as thrilling as a rollercoaster at an amusement park, Mitsue thought.

Come to think of it.

…It’s similar.

This thought abruptly surfaced in her mind.

When they affectionately linked arms, standing at the edge of the rooftop, feeling the biting wind from the top of the building. Wasn’t it just like the high school girls on the news who had jumped in front of the train before committing suicide—the same action?

…Just kidding.

Just as Mitsue was about to mock her own thoughts, her expression froze on her face.

What’s happening…?

Her body swayed slightly back and forth, instinctively maintaining a dangerous balance.

…Hey.

Hey, hey?

Is this a joke? Huh?

Who?

This joke isn’t funny at all…

Stop it.

Hey, stop it now!

But nothing changed.

Her steps started to waver too!

Cold sweat poured out in large amounts, instantly soaking her back and sticking her undershirt to her skin.

Who on earth?

Who in the crowd…

—is • pulling • her • down?

Fear completely seized her heart.

Mitsue’s gaze involuntarily drifted downward.

The clean, spotless ground seemed to shift in and out of focus like a camera lens.

You’ve… got to be kidding?!

Driven by panic, she only wanted to break away from the surrounding people and immediately return to safety.

But in this situation, if she didn’t break free from the “hand-holding” state, she would definitely lose balance and fall into the abyss that was just a step away!

In the howling wind on the rooftop, no one dared to speak first. The high school girls were all putting their utmost effort into maintaining their body balance.

She glanced at the surrounding girls.

Cold sweat seeped from everyone’s foreheads; their expressions were filled with panic as they desperately tried to avoid the fate of having their brains splattered on the granite ground—

Who… who is it?!

Is that person truly suicidal?!

Before becoming a member here, she had tested each one of them—

No, wait! At this point, even knowing who it is wouldn’t help, right? Because she couldn’t let go, couldn’t let go, absolutely couldn’t let go—!

…

…It’s not going to work.

At this rate, everyone falling together—it’s just a matter of time.

They’ve won.

That person has already won.

The moment this desperate thought surfaced in Mitsue’s mind, she finally saw it.

Among the girls with panicked expressions, she saw “that person’s” smile.

It was a smile without reservation.

It was a genuine, pure smile.

A smile full of anticipation for future happiness.

…It’s “her.”

I see—

Something flashed through Mitsue’s head, but in the blink of an eye, she couldn’t grasp it anymore.

…

Save me.

Someone… save me!

Save us!

She wanted to cry out for help, but the moment she opened her mouth, a large amount of cold air rushed into her throat, preventing her from saying anything.

And at that moment—

The rooftop door was violently burst open.