Romantic Troubles of Duanmu-kun

Episode 39: Intersecting Admonitions

A few dozen minutes later, all the high school students who had come for the birthday party were gathered in the main hall, with those previously in the screening room making up the largest group.

Earlier, when the novelist had first pushed open the door, he’d been startled by the unusual scene inside.

Because on that massive screen hung a slightly swaying, suspended figure— Just kidding. Actually, no one had died during the gathering process. However, the atmosphere in the screening room had been identical to that of the theater room ten minutes ago, which had caught him off guard.

As expected, the people in the screening room had received the same “crime announcement” as they had, and they too had learned about Niwa-kun and his middle school girlfriend.

…

“What should we do next?” Ogiwara whispered in his ear.

Everyone had gathered in the main hall, currently forming small groups of two or three, either conversing in hushed tones or maintaining silence. Though they seemed to be keeping their composure for now, it probably wouldn’t last long.

If another incident occurred… no, even if nothing happened, they couldn’t endure this torment indefinitely.

“Simply put, they’re like headless flies buzzing around. If not handled properly, they’ll run about spreading their pathogens to others,” Ogiwara said coolly.

“…Indeed. Panic and fear are emotions that spread easily through a group.”

The novelist nodded in agreement, ignoring the caustic element in the girl’s words.

“At any rate, we need to give them objectives quickly, before they have time to dwell on the dangers in the mansion and elements that could trigger fear. Besides, we genuinely need manpower right now. It would be best to mobilize everyone here.”

Unfortunately, neither he nor Ogiwara could accomplish this.

The novelist’s gaze fell on a certain girl.

…Among those present, perhaps only she had such capability. However, the class rep was currently crouching alone in a corner, surrounded by a gloomy atmosphere.

Her friends, apparently deciding to let her collect herself, watched her worriedly from a distance.

This situation had developed because in the screening room, they had seen new additions to the “crime announcement.” Perhaps due to different equipment, the announcement there had been more detailed, including new documentary evidence.

—For instance, two hospital certificates. Niwa Takahito’s former girlfriend had died while pregnant.

Ogiwara’s earlier casual speculation had unexpectedly been confirmed.

“…No helping it.”

He sighed.

“Let’s give it a try.”

*

“Class Rep.”

Itou Maho, sitting in the corner with her knees pulled up to her chest, flinched slightly.

“What is it?”

The girl’s voice was low and hoarse, lacking energy.

“Let me tell you about my parents.”

“…?”

An unexpectedly strange opening.

The class rep looked up at him, somewhat confused.

The novelist completely ignored her reaction and continued speaking.

“From a very young age, I knew my parents’ relationship wasn’t very good. Though they managed to maintain a loving facade in front of others and me…”

“But once it was late at night, they would have huge arguments in the living room, hurling awful insults at each other. At worst, they would even come to blows.”

Wait, wait! Why are you suddenly telling me such heavy family stories?! Similar thoughts kept flashing through the class rep’s pupils as she seemed to hesitate whether to stop him.

“Several times, I was awakened from deep sleep by their noise, and that’s how I discovered my parents’ usual behavior was just an act. I don’t think they meant to, but back then, I didn’t dare to ask about it.”

“I felt frustrated because I really loved my parents and wanted to understand them better. That’s normal for a child, right?”

“Maybe they had lovers outside, or were they fighting about work? Or was it because of me? I didn’t ask anyone for help, deciding to find the truth on my own. At first, I tried probing with words, then I started following them to their workplaces.”

“Then, one day…”

His tone was calm yet held a certain storytelling charm, and Maho found herself drawn into his plain narration. Originally planning to stay quiet out of politeness despite his bizarre story, she now found herself genuinely listening to his childhood tale.

“…Finally, I learned the truth.”

His tone remained steady, but Maho seemed to hear intense emotions buried within it.

The class rep couldn’t help but swallow.

What could it be…?

It must be some crucial truth, right?

Is it really okay for an outsider like me to hear this…?

“Actually…”

The boy before her continued without hesitation.

“My parents were SM enthusiasts.”

…

…

“…Eh?”

The class rep’s eyes went wide.

“I had it wrong from the start. The insults, the whipping – they were both totally into it. I’d wake up at night because they were getting too carried away—”

“…”

The girl’s cheeks quickly flushed red, her mouth hanging open, completely at a loss for words.

“—So, Class Rep, the moral of my parents’ story is that you can’t judge someone’s character based on surface appearances alone.”

No no no, ending it like some elementary school moral education textbook is way too weird!

Someone seemed completely unaware of how bizarre his story was.

“Just like now, that person only provided death and pregnancy certificates, which don’t explain the specific circumstances. Do you understand? If you’ve calmed down, there’s something I need to ask of you, Itou-san.”

He switched from calling her “Class Rep” to using her more formal surname.

“I need help now. Everyone’s emotions are getting a bit dangerous, aren’t they?”

The girl paused for a moment.

“Re-really… you could have just said that directly, I wouldn’t have refused.”

In the end, she agreed with a wry smile.

*

The novelist returned to Ogiwara’s side.

“You were lying about that story, weren’t you? Is it okay to use your parents to deceive people? And to randomly give them perverted fetishes…”

…You heard that?

“It’s fine.”

The novelist shook his head, his expression indifferent.

“I’ve never met those two people. To me, ‘father’ and ‘mother’ are just meaningless symbols.”

Ogiwara nodded.

“Is that so? I’m very sorry… Come to think of it, my parents are very good to me. Since childhood, my friends have always envied me, and relatives often say things like ‘Those two spoil you too much!'”

Wait, shouldn’t “I’m sorry” be followed by something like “I shouldn’t have asked…”? Why suddenly start bragging?

“But I still hate them. Because they’re way too controlling. I’m a high school student, I don’t need parents managing me.”

You’re just a spoiled child!

“Speaking of which, you have that kind of hobby, don’t you? Like stealing girls who already like someone else… Just like coveting another’s fiancée.”

The topic suddenly veered in an unrelated direction—!

“Didn’t you hear? I was properly consoling the class rep, saying there’s a possibility that Niwa-kun isn’t some scumbag who toys with girls.”

“Is that so? It certainly seems that way now. But what if…”

Ogiwara turned her head away. So he couldn’t see her expression or hear what she said, only catching what sounded like a soft, laughing whisper.

What if…

What indeed?