Not a detective

Page 171

"The game has been decided, shall we begin?"

Zashiki-warashi no Aki: Chapter 50 The Last Game

(The following exchange between Zashiki-warashi and Asakawa Riku is assumed to be relayed by Shinonome Suetsuki and will not be repeated.)

...

"The rules of the game are very simple—"

"Wait a minute." Asakawa Riku interrupted her, not wanting to be led by the nose: "We haven't even said we have to play. Tell me first, why should I believe you?"

"believe?"

"I believe you will keep your promise and separate Prajna from Xingyu, or I believe you are not talking nonsense and have the ability to do this."

Asakawa Riku was very wary; whether this guy could do it, or even if he knew how to do it, were all questionable.

Zashiki-warashi appeared out of nowhere, and her identity is quite suspicious. It's impossible to simply trust her about her motives or whether she's plotting something.

"Don't worry, don't worry~ The rules are fair, and it is precisely because of fairness that the game has power."

The zashiki-warashi smiled, stretching out her two round hands. Behind her, light and shadow seemed to hold a scale, blending into the colors of the setting sun.

"Once the stakes are agreed upon by both sides, the game begins. The losing side must pay the price, whether they like it or not. This is the power of the rules, which cannot be resisted. Because of this, the value of the stakes must be equal. Moreover, through the form of a game, things that are normally impossible can be accomplished, such as the miracle of removing a possessing monster..."

"This is not my power, but the power brought by the game."

Her explanation sounded reasonable, but Asakawa Riku had no way of verifying its veracity.

The fact that the monsters were born from the rules reminded him of the "Blue Lantern" from before.

These special yokai are different from those like Yamawara and Nekomatsuri, which are primarily based on physical strength, and also different from those like Baku and Hannya, which are primarily based on magical power. Aoandon and Zashiki-warashi are yokai that utilize the power of rules. They can do things that ordinary yokai cannot do, achieving effects that transcend boundaries within the scope of the rules.

Simply put, the shikigami "Ghost Kiku" next to Chizuko can also be considered this type, as she has the rule that "she can cut off a finger after counting to ten".

However, the strengths and weaknesses of these monsters are very obvious. Their weakness is that they must also be bound by rules, otherwise they cannot make a move.

Just like how the Blue Lantern can summon layers of troublesome "ghost stories," it will disappear as long as the source and spread of the ghost stories are disturbed.

Zashiki-warashi seems to exert her power through "games," and if she's not lying, then the power of rules also has limitations on her.

Thanks to Chizuko-senpai's year-long instruction, Asakawa Riku, while unable to give a lengthy explanation of these common and famous yokai, still knew a little about them.

Zashiki-warashi are spirits from Iwate Prefecture legends that live in people's homes and warehouses.

Zashiki-warashi are very mischievous. Sometimes they make loud footsteps in the middle of the night, keeping others awake, or they make strange noises to scare someone when they are guarding their house.

In legend, Zashiki-warashi is a kind and childlike yokai whose purpose is to bring happiness to people. Wherever she goes, misfortune and negativity are swept away. She also warns when a fire will occur, allowing residents to take precautions. It is not an exaggeration to call her a "god of fortune". Legend has it that as long as Zashiki-warashi is around, the family will prosper.

It appears to be a warm, kind, and happy legend, but in essence, it reflects the impoverished agricultural era where families often cruelly killed newborns due to lack of funds to raise them. The spirits of these deceased infants are the true forms of Zashiki-warashi. Some selfish families even hire Onmyoji (exorcists) to use barriers to imprison Zashiki-warashi, preventing them from moving freely.

Zashiki-warashi don't haunt like animal spirits, but if a human accidentally offends her, she will leave without saying a word.

After the Zashiki-warashi leaves, that family will inevitably fall into poverty, and even massacres are common.

This is the epitome of the game. In her rules, living in a resident's home is the experience of the "game." If people get along peacefully, it naturally brings good luck and auspicious omens. But if a resident harbors ill intentions and turns against another, they have lost the bet and will be punished. The scales of the game have been there from the very beginning, with only a thin line separating good fortune from misfortune.

During early childhood, children often stare intently at an empty space, murmuring or giggling; that is the unique inspiration of Zashiki-warashi.

If you see familiar faces among your playmates, but it always feels like there's an extra person compared to the beginning, it's most likely her doing.

She is the yokai who controls the game, and the atmosphere of the school festival at this middle school, coupled with the many trials unfolding in today's Marineford War, has once again awakened this "yokai with a childlike heart".

Now, the Zashiki-warashi has appeared on the school rooftop, placing a bet on Asakawa Riku and Shinonome Suetsuki. If they win, they may be able to create a miracle of good fortune.

But conversely, if you lose... you might fall into an even worse abyss...

"Go for it, just win."

After careful consideration, Asakawa Riku said to Suetsuki.

Perhaps they had no other choice. It is said that people possessed by monsters are beyond saving, and this may be the only chance to save Xingyu.

For Riku Asakawa, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, he will not give up and will definitely give it his all.

"I won't lose any game."

The same was true for Mo Yue. She nodded seriously, and it was rare to see her so serious.

What gives Asakawa Riku the most confidence is this girl's strength. Although the detective girl usually seems unreliable, her performance today can be described as heroic. In the so-called hellish difficulty of the Summit War Trial, she fought her way through and defeated several of the student council's generals. Just being able to complete those games that sound like headaches is already hard to imagine.

"Landmine Jumping Down the Stairs", "Drop the Handkerchief", "Homemade Rock-Paper-Scissors", and "Air Poker" were all breakthroughs made by Shinonome Sugetsuki on her own.

Asakawa Riku couldn't imagine that she would lose; even when facing the trials of monsters, she should have the strength to fight back.

Both of them reached a consensus and firmly issued a challenge towards the Zashiki-warashi:

"Come here on horseback."

The next second, Zashiki-warashi's smiling reply caused their faces to freeze instantly, leaving them speechless with astonishment:

"Wait, I never said I wanted to play games with that woman. I get to choose the players."

"Asakawa Riku, it's you. This final game can only be played if you play it."

Zashiki-warashi no Aki: Chapter Fifty-One: The Bet

……what?

Asakawa Riku frowned and immediately retorted, "It's not me who's going to go on stage, it's her."

Zashiki-warashi shook his head, equally resolute:

"No, only you can play. If you don't participate, the game won't start. You decide."

hateful.

Her demeanor clearly indicated that she had exploited their weakness and was using it as leverage to shamelessly refuse to negotiate.

Asakawa Riku was powerless to do anything about it; if they wanted to save Hoshino, they had no choice but to play by the rules of the Zashiki-warashi.

"It's alright, it's the same if you come."

Mo Yue patted him on the back confidently and said, "You're my assistant, right? You won that game of assassinating the wooden figure, didn't you?"

She was very confident, but Asakawa Riku himself was a little uneasy.

To be honest, he knew that he didn't have the powerful memory and thinking ability of Shinonome Suetsuki, nor could he count cards at high speed and accurately like Hoshino.

If you let him box or go for a run, there's nothing to be afraid of; he could win easily.

The problem is with brain teasers, which are a bit of a headache...

The game of assassinating the wooden figure also relied on physical abilities to exploit loopholes and win. I wonder if it would still be effective against a monster this time.

"I have a question."

Asakawa Riku asked, "I can't see your movements or hear what you're saying. How am I supposed to play games with you under these circumstances?"

Everything now depends on the end of the month for relaying and expressing information, which is very inconvenient. In the midst of a tense game, such information delays and omissions could be fatal.

He couldn't figure out how to play like this; there was no fairness to speak of.

The Zashiki-warashi smiled, as if it had already thought of the answer to this question, floated behind Hannya, and patted her shoulder with its palm:

"Don't worry, I'm not a player, I'm the [Referee]. Your opponent in the game is her—"

The possessed Xingyu stared sharply at Qianchuan Lu.

She said, "I will win you back, Asakawa-kun, just wait for me."

"Since that's the case, let's go for it."

He could still see Xingyu's words and actions, which meant there were conditions for a fair duel.

Now that things have come to this, even if he was apprehensive, there was no reason to back down. Asakawa Riku resolutely took a step forward.

Having said he would save Xingyu, he wouldn't casually hand over this opportunity to anyone else.

Moreover... he silently clenched his fist. If the Zashiki-warashi made any underhanded moves or suddenly turned its back on him, he would have a trump card to overturn the table and fight back.

"The stakes you want are—[Hannya leaving Hoshimi Koyu's body], right?"

Faced with Zashiki-warashi's question, Asakawa Riku and Suetsuki exchanged glances and pondered for a moment, considering whether there were any linguistic traps or problems in the statement.

Suezuki added, "Let's add one more sentence: [Hannya leaves Hoshimi Kou's body, eliminating all the effects brought by Hannya, and can never possess Hoshimi Kou again]."

"They're really cautious."

The Zashiki-warashi smiled: "No problem. Hannya, what kind of bet do you want?"

Prajna coldly replied, "I want [the death of Asakawa Riku]."

"……What!"

Asakawa Riku and Suetsuki exclaimed in surprise at the same time, especially Suetsuki, whose reaction was even more intense: "No, you can't!"

Asakawa Riku didn't understand. Logically speaking, what Prajna should arouse in people is jealousy, not pure hatred. At most, one might want to possess him. Why would one want to kill him?

Prajna quickly answered the unspoken question: "I know... Asakawa-kun, I may not be able to possess your heart exclusively. Your love is broad, everyone likes you, how can that be? In that case, why not kill you and take your body with me, so that you will be mine forever and won't look at other girls... Hahahaha!"

As she spoke, she chuckled softly again, a gloomy expression appearing on her face.

The idea of ​​being corrupted by a demon is truly beyond comprehension... She has gone mad.

At the same time, Mo Yue, who was behind him, grabbed his hand and hurriedly said:

"You can't agree to that...!"

"There's no other choice."

Asakawa Riku shook his head silently.

Indeed, the Zashiki-warashi showed no mercy, declaring, "If you want to save Hoshimi Kohana, the wager can only be an equal life; otherwise, the game cannot stand."

"If that's the case, then I'll gamble with my life!"

Mo Yue gritted her teeth and retorted.

However, Xingyu spoke first, scolding:

"Don't listen to the young lady! Zashiki-warashi, she has the ability to 'resurrect', her life is worthless! This is not an equal gamble!"

"...Your opponents are denying this bet. Unfortunately, it's up to Asakawa Riku to gamble; no one else can interfere."

Zashiki-warashi remained impartial and refused Sutsuki's request.

Asakawa Riku didn't turn around. Even when he heard about gambling with his own life, he was only surprised for a moment before quickly regaining his composure.

"It's okay, didn't you believe in me? I won't lose."

His silhouette seemed to carry the same unreasonable confidence as Higashion Suetsuki.

But now, Mo Yue had lost her former carefree and languid demeanor; she eagerly clung to him, refusing to let go.

"But... I can't let you gamble with your life like that... For Xingyu's sake... I can't let you take such a risk, that would be too selfish of me!"

An important assistant, an important maid—both are important people to her, and she doesn't want to let go of either of them.

That's why she wouldn't let Asakawa Riku risk his life for this, preferring to go herself.

"What are you saying? This isn't like you at all. Normally, you'd be arrogantly ordering me to win, right? This isn't like you at all."

Asakawa Riku turned around with a smile. His warm and strong hand gently grasped Suezuki's slender wrist, and then slowly pulled her away.

Despite feeling only a faint force, Mo Yue was completely unable to resist and could only watch helplessly as he left.

"You...can't..."

Having experienced the loss of her mother in her childhood, Sugetsuki Shinonome learned to use a manic and capricious attitude to mask herself, forming a protective coloration and mask that she has maintained to this day.

Today, Xingyu's possession has dealt her the second major blow in her life. She has already accepted becoming her family's maid and they have always been in a state of mutual dependence.

Mo Yue wanted to save her, but was powerless to do so and could only watch from the sidelines.

As Asakawa Riku walked forward, her heart sank even deeper... as if she were facing her third major loss.

No... Don't go anymore... No, I have to give her up. At least leave one person with me!

In that instant, it was as if the demon of jealousy had seized the opportunity to knock on Moyue's heart, trying to make her utter those despicable words.

The sky had completely darkened, and shadows covered her body.