Aochi
"A killer…?"
I slowly looked back and forth between Harvester and the man standing beside him.
"You really are slow. The total opposite of the guy with glasses. It’s him—he’s the one who killed everyone lying on this deck."
"What are you talking about? Why would he—"
I looked into the friendly man’s face. All expression had drained from it, like a receding wave, and I had no idea what he was thinking. Without even glancing at me, he turned to Harvester and declared flatly:
"I just make decisions quickly."
Harvester let out a long sigh and released him.
That’s when Oze’s voice rang out.
"Aochi, you okay? Want me to come over there?"
The way he said it, he sounded ready to come over on sheer willpower alone, ladder or no ladder. But I absolutely couldn’t let him come.
After all, the guy who turned those three bodies on the deck into blood-soaked corpses was standing right here. I thought it was the small woman sitting quietly and watching the waves—but no, it was this tall man. Way too dangerous to bring anyone else over.
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"I’m fine! Just a little argument, that’s all. I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, look after Oomi—and Mamoru-kun and Kaori-san too."
Even though I couldn’t see them. But they were a woman and a child, right?And even if Oomi had a strong will, his body looked fragile. I wasn’t too confident leaving them with him.
"...Got it. Just hurry back."
Glad he agreed, even if reluctantly. Now while I’ve got the chance, I need to either tie this guy up or lock him in somewhere.
"Hey, what do we do with him?"
I asked Harvester while glancing around for something to use as rope.
"You’re Aochi, right? Go search the ship. See if there’s anyone else on board. Or... no, you won’t do. Call the one with the glasses over here."
"Wait, what? I can’t call him to a place this dangerous!"
"You can’t see the dead, right? And the glasses guy has to pay for putting down that ladder."
—So he knew.Yeah, it’s true. I can’t see the dead. Harvester probably meant he’d watch the killer here, while I—or rather, the one who can see the dead—checks for any other victims or accomplices. Not necessarily the living kind.
"Fine. But don’t call it ‘punishment.’ Don’t you dare lay a hand on him. Promise me."
"I won’t do a thing. Besides, it’s always you people who break promises, isn’t it?"
"...Oh."
That’s right.He’d said before—if we didn’t get in his way, he’d take us safely home.
But now that we’d lowered a ladder to another ship, we’d clearly interfered.Which meant… we weren’t safe anymore.
"Hey, just one more thing before I call Oomi. Do you know this guy? The killer—what is he?"
"This idiot? He’s the Harvester from this ship."
One of many, then.I remembered now—there were countless ships collecting burning hearts.
"Guess I never introduced myself. I’m also a Harvester. Let’s see… in your terms, I’d be this guy’s junior. Two Harvesters can get confusing, right? Just call me Rhone."
He smiled with easy charm, not a hint of menace in his face.Which somehow made him even scarier.
I couldn’t even respond.Instead, I turned toward our ship and shouted:
"Oomi! Come over here!"