The school is divided into 《Normal High School Curriculum》 and 《Labyrinth Diseased Girl Killing Curriculum》, and this is the building for the 《Girl Killing Curriculum》, where people dying is a daily occurrence.
I exit the school building.
As before, the blazing rays are strong enough to make one feel faint.
The schoolyard is filled with the lively sounds of boys and girls.
The schoolyard is shared by both curricula and it was thus filled with the untroubled laughter of boys and girls reveling in their youth.
"...... Ha-ha, reveling in their youth, what fools, ain't that the truth?"
As if I were singing a cursed song, I murmur a rhyme. A dry laugh escapes me when I think of how lame my words were.
I could never understand how they could laugh without a thought in their brains, innocently and unconditionally. Somehow, it seems like ever since my little sister contracted the 《Labyrinth Disease》 and was gone from this world, I had forgotten how to laugh.
But at the very least I am sure that I'm not the only one who can no longer laugh.
The reason being, aside from taking away my smile, this bizarre and strange sickness called the 《Labyrinth Disease》 brought a dramatic change to the world, I supposed.
The sickness is defined as:
* * *
《Labyrinth Disease》 A strange sickness that afflicts only girls who are sixteen or younger.
With herself as the center, an afflicted girl will give rise to an extra-dimensional labyrinth around her.
The scale, structure, and composition of each labyrinth varies. It can take on the form of a shutdown school, an abandoned hospital, a gigantic house, plains like those in a game, et cetera. It appears to be influenced by the past personality of the infected girl.
The area of effect is at least two kilometers in radius and can extend to hundreds of kilometers.
If the girl in the center of the labyrinth is not killed before the enveloped area becomes anchored to the real world as an 《Eternal Labyrinth》, it becomes impossible to return the affected area to normal.
* * *
All these things started just ten short years ago.
The world was of course thrown into chaos.
Most of the countries that were unable to deal with the sickness had their lands transformed into 《Eternal Labyrinths》 and disappeared.
Right now, probably a quarter of the lands in the world have been turned into labyrinths. It was especially bad in the third-world countries, whose military technologies were not that advanced.
Almost all of Africa was transformed into labyrinths.
The mountainous regions of countries like Australia and China were also nothing more than labyrinths.
Even advanced countries like America, Europe, and Japan lost a number of their large cities.
But even so, the human race, tough as they are, survived.
And during that time they raided the labyrinths and brought back from within them technologies that were completely different from the modern sciences, and achieved even greater prosperity.
That new technology was, "...... magic."
In that peaceful schoolyard, I once again snap my fingers.
What humans retrieved from the labyrinths was a technology called 'Diversionary Magic Spoils of Labyrinths'.
Flooding the inside of a human brain with encoded sounds and vibrations, accessing the spiritual domain within the brain and drawing forth something from nothing ——— was the explanation given for this new technology.
I tap the 《Headphone Fuzz》 in my right ear twice.
Depending on whether the headphone is attached to the right or left ear, the magic resounds primarily in the left or right brain respectively. I love to have my left brain jolted. I love to manipulate words to activate my magic.
Exiting the schoolyard, I see a motorbike parked on the street.
Astride the motorbike, looking at me, is a strange-looking girl who wears a white lab coat over the sailor uniform of 《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》.
"Onii-sama...... how was the interview?" asks the girl.
However, it isn't like she's my little sister. She's my cousin.
Sanae Yayoi.
Fifteen years old.
A first-year at 《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》.
The daughter of my uncle who had been researching the labyrinth disease.
The daughter of my uncle who died when he was caught in my little sister's sickness during its onset.
I say, "I thought I said that I don't need you to pick me up."
"But Onii-sama, you are not yet familiar with the area here."
"That's not possible, right? I was born here in Kichijouji you know?"
"That's only relevant until you were eight, isn't it? When your little sister, Saki, died, you immediately left the research faci...... home."
I stare at Yayoi with half-lidded eyes, then start walking.
Yayoi hurriedly gets off her motorbike and, pushing it, comes up onto the sidewalk close to me. Because of her petite figure, the 750 cc looks huge.
"Why are you turning your back on me? Please hop on."
"Because I told you not to come pick me up."
"No way."
"And also, Yayoi, let's get something straight."
"Eh, ah, yes."
I say to Yayoi while smirking, "To me, my little sister isn't dead. She's someone I'm going to save. That's why...... don't go spouting such nonsense. I'll kill you."
Yayoi's eyes widen in surprise. Oh no, she seemed to say. But I ignore her and walk on.
"Well, that's how it is. So don't come talk to me again~"
"...... Ah, erhm, I'm sorry. I don't really mean that."
Yayoi desperately pushes her bike alongside. Since I'm being mean, I don't relax my pace.
Being short of breath, with her chest heaving, fuuh fuuh, she goes, "I, s-spoke out of line. Regarding the research on how to save Saki, I too, am trying to get the maximum amount of cooperation possible. Onii-sama, I do understand that your infiltration into 《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》 is all for the sake of saving Saki."
I look down at her with half-opened eyes and smirk.
"Haha, so what if you understand? All the researchers at the facility laughed at the seven year-old me, didn't they? A girl who has turned into an 《Eternal Labyrinth》 can never be saved. Saving your little sister is just a silly thing a kid like you would say. Didn't they say things like that?"
"Those weren't my words. Besides, I was only six then. I can't remember what the adults said then."
"But that's their research policy. The country's policy."
"But that's not my policy ——— at the very least not the policy of the research lab that I'm in charge of."
I look at Yayoi once again.
Sailor uniform with a white lab coat.
At just fifteen years old, she is a genius entrusted with one of the research labs of Taikou Pharmaceuticals—famous for their research on the labyrinth disease.
Both her father and mother had been researchers at Taikou Pharmaceuticals, and she too is one.
But still, it is common knowledge that from the onset of the labyrinth disease in a patient, she definitely couldn't be saved. No, perhaps it was more like the world's policy was that they shouldn't be saved.
At the onset of the disease in an infected girl, if she isn't killed within a limited time, the surrounding area will be permanently turned into a labyrinth. That's why she must be killed without wasting a second.
Once a labyrinth becomes eternal, there will no longer be any way to find the girl in the labyrinth. The area and its people that have been transformed into the labyrinth can no longer return. That's why the girl must be killed without wasting a second.
This is the common knowledge that the world held.
In other words, after the onset of the disease in an infected girl, she could no longer be saved. To begin with, there isn't any research
being done towards saving them.
Thus, even a company like Taikou Pharmaceuticals is primarily involved in developing 《Medicine》 or 《Magic》 to kill the girl without wasting a second.
Theirs is a completely different ideology from mine, which holds on to the foolish, childish thought of "I want to save my little sister".
Thus I shouldn't have anything in common to talk about with my cousin, who heads one of their research labs.
"Onii-sama," Yayoi says.
"I'm not your big brother."
"I adore you like a big brother."
"You are a bother."
"Onii-sama."
"You're annoying, you know?"
"Onii-sama, you traveled the world...... went around the labyrinth disease research facilities in the world, you managed to find out more about the labyrinth disease, didn't you? I also heard that you did some considerably dangerous things for the sake of saving Saki."
"............"
"So how were the other countries? Like the way they are treating the girls whose illnesses acted up ———"
I interrupt her and say, "So, you are a spy after all? Did Taikou Pharmaceuticals order you to come and steal the intelligence I gained?"
On hearing that, Yayoi shakes her head frantically.
"I-It's nothing of the sort. I just want to be of help to you, Onii-sama."
"You are lying."
"I'm telling the truth. I...... have always been, in......"
The words stop instantly as Yayoi shuts her mouth with a troubled look, for some reason.
"What is it?"
I urge, but Yayoi shakes her head.
"It's nothing. But, please believe in......"
Cutting her off, I say, "I won't believe you. Except for myself and money, I don't believe in anything."
"Ah......"
"Are you done? Then leave."
"Please wait......"
"I won't wait. If someone sees you with me, you will lose your position. Don't talk to me again."
Yayoi's eyes go wide immediately.
"Ah, ah, could it be that your cold attitude is all for my sake......"
But still, I interrupt her.
"Not that. Don't take it wrong, idiot. It's purely because I hate you."
"That's a lie!"
"Whatever. Since I won't be seeing you again."
"Onii-sama! Allow me to prepare a place for you. So let's...... let's both think about Saki's situation and what we should do from now together......"
"You are really annoying," I say, turning around.
With a start, Yayoi quivers.
And with that, it ends.
My cousin, who is on the verge of tears.
The me who is smirking.
"Goodbye then, Yayoi. It was nice to see you."
I wave my hand and leave.
♦
I go home ——— though even when I say that, the place I am staying at is a small hotel.
I have five pieces of luggage in my room.
The red bag contains mostly 《Headphone Fuzz》s for employing magic.
The green bag is filled with fake passports and identification documents which I use for identity fabrication in order to get into the research facilities of various countries.
The remaining bags are filled with my daily necessities. It wouldn't be a problem even if I were to lose them.
I open the green bag used for identity fabrication, which is protected by a high level of security.
Then, from the schoolbag I've been carrying, I transfer the fake documents (relating to my status as a student at Sangenchaya High and my home-stay in America during middle school) to the bag.
By the way, the truth is I went around to various research facilities in various countries. I was even once part of a secret intelligence institution where magicians were raised in inhumane ways.
"...... To think that someone like that could enter a Metropolitan school, Japan's security is really crap."
I smirk to myself.
Furthermore, the place I'm enrolled is the one burdened with the country's most classified military secrets, 《Labyrinth Diseased Girl Killing Curriculum》.
Ever since high-level magic technology was discovered in the labyrinths, the world was caught in an ongoing race of military expansion.
Be it countries.
Be it large scale corporations.
Dangerous radicals, mercenaries, terrorists, and even religious organizations were embroiled in it, gunning to be the first to get more power and technology.
Since whoever can get hold of better and more powerful magic technology will control the world.
Thus, the technologies used for clearing 《Labyrinth Diseased Girls》 possessed by each country become their most important classified secrets.
"...... Or could it be that they were already done with investigating my background?"
Saying that, I take the headphone out of my right ear. What I had been wearing was a 《Headphone Fuzz》 which could be found anywhere and easily handled by anyone.
General purpose, type 2 《Headphone Fuzz》 ———
If I were asked to comment, I'd say such were popular among the brainless magicians who could only be found in a peaceful place without advanced training... like Japan. The one that Sakuma-sensei used was just such a headphone.
However, with these I wouldn't be able to employ the complicated magic that I love and often use. I throw the general purpose type 2 headphone into the red bag roughly and take out a 《Headphone Fuzz》 which has luminous green and black as its base colors.
General purpose type 1 ——— a headphone made out to be activated by a totally different mechanism.
It is a German 《Headphone Fuzz》 called 《Willer Corp. Manufactured Prototype 42》.
Due to the fact that it places an overly large burden on the body and mind, it never entered production, but I loved it. I loved using it to simulate my brain to the point of almost wrecking it.
I put the headphone in my ear and closed my bag. That is all I need to do. With this, I would probably be able to deal with any threat that comes assaulting me. At least, I had always been able to before.
I sit on the bed, and look at the door to my room. If my real identity was found out, and if my real purpose was discovered on top of that, then it wouldn't be strange for 《Metropolitan Kichijouji High》 to set assassins on me, but ——— it doesn't seem to be the case.
"Ha, haha."
I laugh thinly and lay down on the bed, looking up at the ceiling.
"Like I thought, they are all trash."
At that moment, my cell phone rings. I take it out from my pocket and press the 'accept' button. A voice sounds through my headphone.
"Who is it?" I said, and the voice of the caller belongs to the female interviewer from earlier.
"Even the way you answer a phone call is rude, isn't it, Arisu Shinnosuke-kun?"
"Well, I never thought that I would receive a call from Sensei. So how may I help you?"
"Classes start tomorrow so please come to school."
"Where to?"
"The 《Girl Killing Curriculum》 building, class 5."
"Class 5...... I understand. Anything else?"
"Sakuma-sensei was outraged at you treating him like a fool."
"Who cares about that."
"Ah-haha. Your mouth really stinks."
"No, no. It's not my mouth but my personality that stinks, Sensei."
I hang up the phone.
Classes start tomorrow.
Classes for the sake of killing sick girls like my little sister.
I look up at the ceiling with half-opened eyes, and murmur to myself, "...... Well, I've finally returned to Japan, Saki."
♦
The next day.
Was a transfer student's first day, filled with excitement and anticipation.
I walk, smirking.
Silence greets me at school.
In the corridor.
; Looking up at the plate with 《Girl Killing Curriculum Class 5》 on it, my feet halt.
The time is 8:15 AM.
The morning homeroom started at 8:10 AM so I was, without a doubt, late. I heard that transfer students should go to their classrooms a little late. Since during the morning homeroom, the teacher would want to announce that there would be a new transfer student and introduce me, it seemed. But well, it should be a good time now, I suppose.
I open the door to the classroom.
Take a step forward.
The students in the classroom number twenty.
It doesn't seem like there are an equal number of guys and girls. Perhaps, the number of girls might be a little bit more.
While a 《Headphone Fuzz》's power was also determined by the user's sensitivity to the cursed song, according to a certain research paper I saw from somewhere, girls are a little more sensitive than guys in that respect. Though since I'm not a girl, I'm not the least bit interested in that research so I don't really know the details.
The students look at me.
Following that, the person who appears to be the homeroom teacher ——— actually the female interviewer from yesterday, turns her gaze on me.
She seems to be around twenty-two. Deep blue suit. High heels. A 《Headphone Fuzz》 which resembles an earring in her left ear. It seems like she's one who likes to stimulate her right brain. An emotion-type. She is stronger than Sakuma-sensei, I suppose?
"Hi, Arisu Shinnosuke-kun. Welcome to my class."
"This is your class, huh?"
"Ah-ha, I can't have you coming into the classroom with that manner of speaking......"
"So this is your class, huh, Sensei? I'm really honored."
The female teacher's lips, lightly painted in pink, curl up into a grin and she says, "I'm Honjou Tsukasa. Twenty-one. It's okay not to address me as Sensei, so you can call me Tsukasa-chan ♪ ."
"Yes, Sensei."
"You really are an unpleasant guy. Well then, let me introduce the new transfer student. This kid is Arisu Shinnosuke-kun. He's transferring into our school from the normal curriculum of Sangenchaya High. Despite that, as a magician, his skills, learned from heaven knows where, are not too shabby and he probably won't be a burden when it comes to clearing labyrinths. He's only interested in money and fame and power, according to himself. During the interview, I was really surprised to meet a piece of trash who had the audacity to declare that openly. Well, do you have anything you want to add?"
Mokushiroku Arisu - Volume 01 Page 2