Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World

Returning to the side hall, the atmosphere remained lively. People on both sides seemed to have started interacting more actively.

"Eh? So you guys are going somewhere else for vacation over the next few weekends?"

Katsura Yukiji was visibly surprised, her expression filled with both astonishment and envy.

"You can't exactly call it all sightseeing,"

Ran replied, her tone carrying some complicated emotions as she thought back on recent experiences.

"Sometimes, unexpected things happen while traveling. For example, once we went to Tsukikage Island and discovered a massive drug trafficking operation hidden there. And there were several murder cases tied to it too."

"A teacher's wedding almost turned into a blood bride incident,"

Kaguya added, shaking her head slightly.

"There was that time when Mouri-san was almost caught up in a murder case,"

Hayasaka followed up.

"On the way back from a trip, we encountered inner turmoil within the Hatamoto family. There was even a near-homicide situation,"

Sakuya chimed in at just the right time.

"And my sister's class reunion turned into a murder case. A former classmate got two others involved over a suicide that happened two years earlier. Even my sister became a target,"

Sonoko added with a sigh.

"???"

Everyone in the room was filled with question marks.

They couldn't quite understand why all their travel stories somehow involved murder cases.

They had heard about the drug bust on Tsukikage Island from the news, but they didn't realize the people in front of them were the ones who had experienced it firsthand.

And then there were the class reunion murders, the blood bride incident—each one more disturbing than the last.

"Why… are they all murder cases?"

Katsura Hinagiku felt it was too much to process.

Going on a weekend getaway only to run into murder cases or drug trafficking rings—this wasn't just odd, it was downright unsettling.

"To be honest, we're troubled by this too. We don't seek these incidents out, but somehow, wherever we go, we run into bizarre cases."

Sonoko looked resigned. She knew these incidents weren't things they wanted to encounter, but trouble always seemed to find them.

"We've kind of gotten used to it. Like, just a little while ago, Nagi was right across from the museum in Shinjuku when the explosion happened. She witnessed it firsthand."

"!?"

Katsura Yukiji and the others widened their eyes in shock. They hadn't expected something like that to happen so close to someone they knew.

The explosion from a week ago had caused major upheaval—especially the one at the Shinjuku Museum, which had more casualties than initially reported.

Though the news had broadcast a string of numbers, it also showed the tragic aftermath. Anyone who saw those scenes wouldn't be able to sum it up with just figures.

Real lives were lost in that explosion.

And then the bomber issued a second warning—the next target was the Todou Loop Line.

That subway line was always packed. Bombs placed along the tracks would cause even more casualties than the Shinjuku Museum incident.

Worse yet, the third target was the municipal building, which was barely announced to the public.

"That's true."

As someone who witnessed the explosion, Wataru had firsthand experience with it.

"The explosion was just too sudden. That day, Nagi…"

Wataru's expression twitched a bit as he recalled how Nagi had lectured him that day.

"If you've got questions, ask me. It just so happened that the museum across the street exploded. Shockwaves from the blast shattered the windows of every shop on the street. The far end was affected the least, but the central area was in complete chaos."

"I've also noticed more police patrols recently, especially around the museum, the municipal building, and major streets."

Many students who went straight home after school had no idea. But Wataru, who ran a video rental business, noticed the difference.

With fewer people on the streets, it was easier to spot unmarked patrol cars.

Wow, so this is the kind of life Nagi and Isumi are living after transferring schools…

Even Hinagiku found it hard to bear.

If she encountered murders or bombings every time she went out, she honestly wouldn't be able to handle it.

Especially after Wataru's very matter-of-fact explanation.

Did Miss Sakuya also go through this kind of life?

Kasumi Aika, who had been listening from the side, silently turned her gaze to Sakuya.

She was now certain something serious had happened behind the scenes involving both Nagi and Sakuya. Sakuya also had something to tell her today—was it related to these events?

"Crack!"

The door to the side hall opened again.

Everyone turned toward the sound. The first people they saw were Nagi and Isumi walking in.

Isumi!

Wataru nearly called out. He hadn't seen Isumi since she transferred from Hakuo.

Though he knew where she lived, he had no proper reason to go visit.

If it were Nagi, he'd have many excuses. Plus, he didn't even need an excuse—she often asked him to find collector's editions of movies and anime. That gave him many reasons to visit her house.

But that same reasoning couldn't be used for Isumi—not anymore.

While Wataru's eyes were fixed on her, everyone else in the room had already noticed something.

Especially as a Spectator, Chika's eyes were filled with subtle sympathy.

Once she switched into Spectator mode, she could read the emotions of those around her like an open book—and everyone's thoughts were currently laid bare.

For instance, Wataru's heart was entirely with Isumi.

Unfortunately, Isumi's gaze remained calm, showing no hint of emotional fluctuation toward Wataru. She was clearly suppressing her feelings. But it wasn't her thoughts about Wataru she was trying to control—it was her thoughts about Ren.

(To be continued.)