Jujutsushi Wa Yuusha Ni Narenai

Since it sounds like a death flag if she said something along the lines of "After the end of this battle", let's hear her for now.

「If someone dies and the plan fails, let's escape, just the two of us.」

「Well, I don't think I can do that…」

Even if someone died during the operation, I would be regarded as fulfilling my duty as long as we defeated Yamata no Orochi. But I could do nothing if someone died and the plan had failed.

「If someone dies and the plan fails, maybe not even I could recover from that.」

「They can't just put all the blame on you, Kotaro-kun.」

「I won't be able to escape from criticism as long as someone among us is dead.」

There wouldn't be such a problem since I had explained the risk, and everyone had agreed to take this plan even after that. This was a matter of emotion.

And that might be the reason Mei-chan was tempting me to escape together.

「I'll stay by your side regardless of the result. I'll clear up the escape route for you.」

「Thanks, it's really reassuring to hear you saying that.」

Though my line might sound fishy, that was the best reply I could give Mei-chan and my true feelings.

That was even more reason for me to do my best to keep everyone alive, including that nagging Sakura.

But if even that failed, I wouldn't go as far as committing Harakiri. I did my best for everyone but, spare me from the death penalty, please.

「But don't worry about it, everything will be fine.」

「I see.」

「Yeah. Though not all of us managed to reach this area, many of our classmates managed to reach this place.」

If this plan doesn't work, we might not be able to defeat Orochi no matter what. Though it sounds embarrassing for me to say this, I think we're well prepared.

「This is the only time all of us can go all out. Everyone can fight with such hope in their heart, thus today is the first and last―― So we have to kick that Yamata no Orochi on the a*s.」

「―― So, you seem to be wanting to talk about something, Takanashi-san」

「Since you secretly called us to discuss that matter, it must be a really important matter right?」

School Tower, 5th Floor, Clandestine Meeting Room.

Three people gathered in this room; two were the Souma siblings who Takanashi Kotori called.

「Uhm…」

It must be a very difficult topic since Takanashi Kotori had a troubled look on her youthful face.

「Don't worry, only Sakura and I have come to this place. No one is eavesdropping on this conversation either.」

「You may talk Kotori. Let us hear the thing you want to tell us.」

The siblings smiled upon looking at Takanashi Kotori, looking around anxiously like a kid.

Following a few seconds of silence, she finally opened her mouth.

「Y-You see, I know that it seems wrong to say this at this kind of timing but――」

Tomorrow was the D-Day of the Yamata no Orochi subjugation plan.

Everyone's morale and spirit were sky-high and fully equipped. They were in the best condition to carry out the plan.

「Momokawa-kun―― Is hiding something.」

「So there's something that he has hidden from us.」

「No doubt about it, that Momokawa is always up to no good, after all.」

「No! I don't mean that… I just feel that he might hide something that might potentially kill… Everyone.」

The smile vanished from the siblings’ faces hearing Takanashi's desperate plea.

They didn't truly believe that Momokawa Kotaro was their comrade.

Sakura aside, Yuuto had always been observing Momokawa Kotaro's every single action.

「I don't think he will backstab us at this kind of timing but…」

He was a sworn enemy who killed Yuuto's childhood friend, Reina.

However, Yuuto also couldn't deny the fact that it was thanks to Kotaro that the class was united, making preparations, subjugation plans, and training until they were ready to face the mighty raid boss, Yamata no Orochi.

There was no doubt about Kotaro's effort in this regard.

「If Momokawa really tries to backstab us, I don't think that he's stupid enough to do that at a crucial moment like this.」

Sakura believed that Kotaro really did his best preparing to defeat Yamata no Orochi.

So no matter how wicked or ambitious Kotaro was, he had to defeat the boss monster that couldn't be defeated with nothing but raw power and correct tactics. And the youth called Kotaro definitely lacked the power to do that.

「But! But… I've got a really bad feeling about this…」

「I know how you feel, Takanashi-san.」

「I agree with you, so calm down. We're on your side, Kotori.」

「Uhm, thanks, Souma-kun, Sakura-chan… But, this bad feeling isn't just Kotori's imagination, I think it comes from my vocation, the 『Sage』.」

「Are you by chance, awakening some sort of precognition skill?」

「Uhm, I don't think it has that kind of amazing power! Nor it's a foresight either but… I just know that something is about to go wrong. I think Momokawa is trying to backstab us or something along that way…」

「Kotori…」

Even Sakura wasn't stupid enough to blindly believe in Takanashi's remark

The reason being Sakura was the one who was most wary of Kotaro among the classmates and always harsh on the latter.

Ironically, that was even more reason for her to believe that Kotaro wasn't a stupid person who would betray them at such a crucial moment.

Because all the preparation work he did until now was the real deal.

「I understand your worries, Takanashi-san.」

「Big Brother, do you believe in Kotori?」

「I don't think Momokawa is going to betray us at this point but… Since Takanashi-san told us to be very careful of him, I guess there's nothing wrong with being prepared.」

「Sorry for saying something like this without any evidence Souma-kun… But, Kotori is happy that you're willing to hear her.」

「Well, I do agree that Momokawa is a dangerous fella. That's why I'll observe him properly.」

「Yeah. Don't worry, Kotori. Since I'll participate in his team for tomorrow's operation, I'll make sure that he won't do something fishy.」

「Uhm, thanks Sakura-chan.」

Maybe because she finally could let go of her worries, Kotori's usual smile returned to her face.

「But, Takanashi-san, keep this a secret between us.」

「Of course, telling this to everyone will only cause unnecessary unrest.」

「It's okay. It's enough as long as both of you believe in Kotori.」

「Yeah, leave the matter of Momokawa to us.」

Thus, without any other topic for conversation, they dispersed.

After that Kotori left the clandestine room and returned to her own room.

The Souma siblings waited in silence.

「What do you think, Big Brother?」

「Let's just do as Takanashi-san had told us.」

Though he couldn't imagine that Kotaro would betray them at this time, he had no choice but to keep his vigilance.

Realistically speaking, that was his only choice.

「You're, right…」

「What do you think, Sakura?」

「Naturally, I'm also anxious about this matter.」

It was obvious that she was shaken after being told that the night before the decisive battle. Not to mention that the other party was Kotaro, an extremely problematic individual for the pair of siblings.

「For the time being, let's just do as per our original plan.」

「I know. Everyone is risking their life after all… I will destroy the core for sure.」

Kotaro's Yamata no Orochi subjugation plan must remain undisturbed.

The preparation they did so far had united everyone in the class. At this point, it was literally impossible to make a change in the plan.

They were prepared―― Or so it was supposed to be alas, doubt formed in the hearts of the siblings.

===

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