Bloodshed

"Huh?"

Koichi Shidou still could not believe his ears. What had she just said? Had there been a problem with his superb acting?

He turned to look at the students who supported him. Nothing seemed wrong! So what was this? How could a little girl who had never faced the hardships of society have such strong opinions? This was completely beyond his expectations.

"Classmate Tokisaki, surely you're joking? There are so many monsters outside. Leaving the bus would mean another hard battle. In my opinion, we should head straight across the bridge. That will absolutely guarantee our safety!"

Koichi Shidou spoke with utter conviction, completely disregarding what Kurumi had just said. He turned toward Shizuka Marikawa in the driver's seat. "Teacher Marikawa, what are you waiting for? Ensuring everyone's safety should be our top priority right now!"

... "Huh?" Shizuka Marikawa cutely played dumb.

"I said, get all of you off the bus. Didn't you hear me?" Her icy voice sent a chill through the air even in the mild autumn weather, and the entire bus fell silent in an instant.

The students stared at Kurumi as she rose to her feet. The autumn-water gleam of the sharp weapon in her hand made them shudder, and they helplessly turned to the leader they had elected—Comrade Koichi Shidou!

Koichi Shidou's eyes reflected Kurumi's murderous figure. He unconsciously swallowed, all improper thoughts vanishing from his mind. Only now did he remember that this girl, beautiful enough to seem inhuman, was also every bit as ruthless as Busujima Saeko.

Besides, that was a real blade! If she got emotional and accidentally struck him with it, there would be no hospital to treat him in this situation. He would probably bleed to death!

He gave an awkward laugh and forced a smile, trying to think of the best response. But Blondie, who had somehow climbed back to his feet from the floor of the bus, could no longer hold himself back. He had always had a hot temper. Being threatened by a little woman and told to get off the bus with so many others was simply too much for him to accept.

Even if she was the Goddess in his heart, he believed this world was meant to be ruled 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 ordering him around!

"Tokisaki! You're going too far! For the sake of us being classmates, I'll let it slide this time. But if you say something so unreasonable again, don't blame me for being rude!" After saying that, he flexed his somewhat muscular triceps.

Komuro Takashi covered his face, unable to bear watching. Why had he argued with such an idiot earlier? It had practically lowered his IQ. Who was it that Rei had just knocked to the ground with one blow? And now he was provoking Tokisaki Senpai... He really thought his life was too long.

"Exactly! Tokisaki, don't go too far either. Wouldn't it be better to obediently follow Teacher Shidou's arrangements? That's the only way to ensure everyone's safety, isn't it?"

The students who sided with Koichi Shidou joined in the jeering. It was best when someone else took the lead. Even if the tallest tree caught the wind, it would not be them getting hit. Besides, Kurumi's words had indeed angered them.

So what if she was a little prettier? What was there to be proud of? Throwing a spoiled rich-girl tantrum at a time like this—she was asking to die! Still, someone that beautiful was indeed in great danger in a city where order had collapsed. If they brought her along, they might even be attacked by thugs!

At the side, Miyamoto Rei clenched her right hand—the one not holding her spear—into a tight fist, her knuckles faintly whitening. Looking at the people mocking Tokisaki Senpai, she wanted to rush over and knock every one of those ugly faces to the ground.

But Kurumi, the person at the center of it all, had not made a move yet. Rei knew... this senpai was far stronger than she was. When Kurumi got serious, she was like a valkyrie! And she acted decisively; once she dealt with something, she would crush it without hesitation...

As she watched Kurumi's smiling face, Rei somehow pictured a cat toying with a mouse. Her heart settled slightly, and the way she looked at those people became less hostile and more... sympathetic?

Koichi Shidou felt that he had strength in numbers. Since Kurumi had not spoken yet, that meant he had succeeded. As for the smile on her face, she was obviously just forcing it.

After all, a flower raised in a greenhouse, faced with the condemnation of so many people, could already be considered exceptionally strong-willed if she did not break down crying.

Looking at the Steel Katana in Kurumi's hand, he thought, If I had a weapon like that... even if it's only a cold weapon, I'd have a chance against those monsters. Remembering his earlier desperate flight, his gaze toward the Steel Katana grew even more heated.

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

"Classmate Tokisaki, you're so young, yet you're carrying such a dangerous weapon. I'm truly afraid something might happen to you. It would be terrible if those delicate, jade-like hands of yours were scarred."

"Besides, we can't possibly let a girl go fight on the front lines, can we? Come, give me the blade. From now on, just stand behind me. I'll protect you!" Koichi Shidou put on a self-sacrificing expression and cautiously approached Kurumi, reaching out to place his hand on the hilt.

Those bewitching words would probably make any ordinary young girl willingly offer him everything. But in Kurumi's eyes, they were laughable—more amusing than any variety show meant to entertain people. After watching for so long, it was time to end this farce.

She did not want her "first" weapon to be tainted by trash like him. Even if it was only stained with blood, it would disgust her for quite a while!

Just as Koichi Shidou thought he had everything under control, a flash of silver suddenly flickered before his eyes. Then he discovered that the hand reaching for the weapon... was gone. How—how was it gone?!

"Swish—thud~"

The katana cut through the air at a speed too fast for the naked eye. Its sharp edge instantly severed Koichi Shidou's right hand from his arm. The brief numbness kept him from feeling pain at first; he only felt his right arm suddenly grow light... Then he saw it—a well-maintained man's hand, falling heavily onto the floor of the bus!

"Psh—" His blood vessels finally gave way under the pressure, and blood sprayed everywhere! Kurumi stepped back to the side, calmly watching Koichi Shidou collapse to his knees while clutching his severed arm!

"Aah!—Aah!..." Agony beyond imagination assaulted Koichi Shidou's nerves, the blood vessels on his forehead bulging high. Now, blood sprayed even more violently from the stump of his arm.

The sleeve of his flashy black pinstriped suit had already been dyed crimson. Beneath it, sweat and blood mixed through his white shirt, turning it filthy and murky as they dripped onto his pant legs. Yet none of it drew the owner's attention. The pain had driven him nearly mad!

"Bang!— Mmph... mmph..."

Afraid that Koichi Shidou's shrieks would draw the Dead Bodies over, Kurumi decisively struck his mouth with the flat of her blade. Several teeth were sent flying, and his gloomy, handsome face visibly swelled! He could not even scream anymore...

His gold-rimmed glasses were knocked aside as well, a crack appearing across one lens. Only then did everyone snap out of their stupor! Blondie and the others stared at Kurumi in terror, backing away stiffly until they reached the rear of the bus.

A faint smile curled Miyamoto Rei's lips, and an indescribable joy rose in her heart. Busujima Saeko only felt her blood rush hotly through her veins. The thrill of that violence nearly brought her to climax! Her gaze toward Kurumi was even somewhat captivated, as if she had found a true friend.

Takagi Saya awkwardly edged closer to Hirono Toda, delighting the fat otaku so much that he nearly lost his bearings. Komuro Takashi felt a little sorry for Koichi Shidou, but after glancing at Kurumi's utterly emotionless face, he bit his lip and still said nothing.

As for Shizuka Marikawa? Did you really think an airhead like her would show any shock?