Bloody

"Huh?"

Koichi Shidou still could not quite believe his ears. What did she just say? Had his impeccable acting gone wrong?

He glanced back at the students who supported him. Everything seemed fine. Why? A young girl who had never been tempered by society was being so opinionated; this was completely beyond his expectations.

"Classmate Tokisaki, you aren't joking, are you? There are so many monsters outside. Leaving the school bus now would surely lead to another bitter fight. In my opinion, we should head to the other side of the bridge right now—that would guarantee our safety!"

Koichi Shidou spoke with absolute certainty, completely disregarding what Kurumi had just said. He turned his head toward Shizuka Marikawa in the driver's seat. "Teacher Marikawa, what are you waiting for? Guaranteeing everyone's life safety is the top priority right now!"

"...Hmm?" Shizuka Marikawa played the airhead with perfect execution.

"I said, get these people off the bus. Did you not hear me?" The icy tone sent a chill through the air, even in the mild autumn temperature. The entire carriage fell silent instantly.

The students watched Kurumi stand up. The blade in her hand, shimmering like Shusui, sent a shiver down their spines. They looked at their elected leader, Comrade Koichi Shidou, in a panic.

Koichi Shidou's pupils reflected Kurumi's murderous silhouette. He couldn't help but swallow hard, his previous illicit thoughts completely suppressed. He finally remembered that this girl, beautiful to the point of being inhuman, was a ruthless character on par with Saeko Busujima.

Moreover, that was a real sword! If she got agitated and accidentally did something to him, given the current situation and the lack of hospital care, he would likely bleed to death!

He let out a nervous laugh, his lips forcing a smile as he tried to figure out the best way to respond. However, the Blondie who had been lying on the floor of the carriage—having climbed up at some point—could no longer contain himself. He was a hot-tempered guy by nature, and the idea of a young woman forcing them all off the bus was simply unacceptable.

Even if she was his Goddess, in his mind, this world was meant to be controlled by men. Wasn't it only natural for women to listen to men? He was willing to accept Koichi Shidou's leadership, but he absolutely could not tolerate a woman bossing him around!

"Tokisaki! You're going too far. For the sake of us being classmates, I'll let it slide this time. If you dare say such unreasonable things again, don't blame me for being impolite!" After speaking, he flexed his slightly muscular triceps.

Takashi Komuro covered his face, unable to watch. He wondered how he had gotten into an argument with such an idiot just moments ago; it was lowering his own IQ. Who was it that had just been knocked to the ground by Rei's staff? And now he was provoking Tokisaki Senpai... He really didn't want to live long.

"Exactly, exactly. Tokisaki, don't be too excessive. Isn't it better to just honestly follow Teacher Shitou's arrangements? That's the only way to ensure everyone's safety, right?"

The students who sided with Koichi Shidou began to clamor. It was always easier when someone else took the lead; even if the nail that stuck out got hammered, it wouldn't be them. Besides, Kurumi's words had truly angered them.

So what if she was a bit pretty? What was there to be proud of? Acting like a spoiled miss at a time like this, she deserved to die! But being this beautiful in a city where order had collapsed was indeed dangerous—bringing them along might even attract thugs!

Beside them, Rei Miyamoto's right hand, not holding her spear, was clenched into a tight fist, her knuckles turning white. Watching the group mock Tokisaki Senpai, she wanted to rush over and smash those ugly faces into the ground one by one.

But Kurumi, the main event, hadn't moved yet. She knew... this Senpai was far more capable than her. When she got ruthless, she was like a Valkyrie! And she acted decisively, dealing with things with absolute, crushing force...

Watching the smile that still lingered on Kurumi's face, she couldn't help but think of a cat playing with a mouse. Feeling slightly reassured, the way she looked at the group was no longer filled with hostility, but rather... a bit of pity?

Koichi Shidou felt that since he had the numbers and Kurumi hadn't spoken yet, he had already succeeded. As for the smile on her face, that was clearly just a facade.

After all, a flower from a greenhouse facing such collective condemnation would have already collapsed into tears if not for an exceptionally strong will.

Looking at the Steel Katana in Kurumi's hand, he thought, If I had a weapon like that, even if it's a cold weapon, I would have a fighting chance against those monsters. Thinking of his previous pathetic flight, his eyes grew even more fervent as he looked at the blade.

Of course, if he could get the girl along with it, that would be even better.

"Classmate Tokisaki, you're so young to be holding such a dangerous weapon. I'm really afraid you'll have an accident. It would be a shame if those hands, as delicate as jade, were to get scarred."

"Besides, we can't let a girl do the fighting, can we? Come, give the sword to me. You can just stand behind me from now on, and I will protect you!" Koichi Shidou put on a self-sacrificing air, carefully walking up to Kurumi and reaching out to grab the hilt.

His voice was full of seduction; a different young girl might have been unable to resist offering him everything. But in Kurumi's eyes, it was truly laughable—even more ridiculous than a variety show meant to entertain. She had watched long enough; it was time to end this farce.

She didn't want her "first" weapon to be tainted by such filth. Even just getting blood on it would be enough to disgust her for a while!

Just as Koichi Shidou thought he had the situation in the palm of his hand, a flash of silver suddenly appeared before his eyes. Then, he realized that the hand he had reached toward the weapon... wait, where was it?!

"Swoosh—thud."

The katana sliced through the air with speed invisible to the naked eye. The sharp blade instantly severed Koichi Shidou's right hand from his arm. The brief moment of numbness didn't even let him feel pain; he only felt his right arm go light... and then he saw a well-manicured man's hand slam onto the floor of the carriage!

"Pfft—" The blood vessels finally succumbed to the pressure, and blood sprayed everywhere! Kurumi stepped back to the side, watching with a calm gaze as Koichi Shidou fell to his knees, clutching his right arm!

"Ah!—Ah!..." The unimaginable pain stimulated Koichi Shidou's nerves. The veins on his forehead bulged, and blood sprayed even more wildly from the stump of his right arm.

His flashy black-striped suit sleeve was already dyed bright red. Inside his white shirt, sweat mixed with blood to create a filthy, murky color. As it dripped onto his trouser legs, he didn't even notice; the pain was enough to drive him insane!

"Bang!—Ugh... ugh..."

Fearing that Koichi Shidou's wailing would attract Dead Body, Kurumi decisively struck him across the mouth with the back of her blade. Several teeth were knocked out instantly, and his gloomy, handsome face swelled visibly! Even his howling was silenced...

His gold-rimmed glasses were knocked away, a crack appearing on the lens. Only then did the others wake up! Blondie and his group looked at Kurumi in terror, retreating unnaturally until they stopped at the back of the carriage.

A faint smile curled on Rei Miyamoto's lips; she felt an indescribable joy. Saeko Busujima only felt her blood heating up; the thrill of such violence almost brought her to a climax! She looked at Kurumi with something akin to obsession, as if she had found a true friend.

Saya Takagi leaned toward Hirono Toda, making the otaku so happy he couldn't find north. Takashi Komuro felt a pang of pity, but after glancing at the emotionless Kurumi, he bit his lip and remained silent.

As for Shizuka Marikawa? Did you really think this natural airhead would show shock?