"Sensei? Sensei?"
"Big Bro Sasaki? Big Bro Sasaki?"
Tōru Mutsuki and Ginshi Shirazu called out to Haise Sasaki over and over, trying to bring him back to his senses.
The voices drew closer within his consciousness. A fine sweat broke out over Haise Sasaki, his pupils alternately focusing and dilating as his body trembled faintly.
Just as Haise Sasaki's own consciousness was gradually being consumed, their voices echoed through his mind. Hearing them, the shadow gave a strange laugh, low and hoarse. It seemed to realize something, then released Haise Sasaki. "Family..."
Hah! Hah... hah!
"Thank you... I'm... I'm sorry."
Sasaki looked at the two of them with lingering fear. If they hadn't woken him in time, there was no telling what would have happened next.
"Big Bro Sasaki, what happened just now? Should you get yourself checked out?" Ginshi Shirazu asked with concern.
"N-no... nothing."
Haise Sasaki forced a smile, but the name Rise had planted itself like a seed deep in his heart.
He... his past self had resurfaced because of that name... even though his consciousness hadn't been weakened.
When Haise Sasaki looked toward the twins again, they had already vanished, while the two shop clerks sat together discussing something.
After a long discussion.
Yomo chose to make that call.
Half a month later.
Huiqi and the two Yasuhisa sisters put on their masks and headed to the Church.
Big Madam had organized this auction, with Aogiri Tree providing security and members of the Clowns handling the bidding.
Midnight arrived.
The three entered the Auction Hall, Kurona Yasuhisa and Nashiro Yasuhisa flanking Huiqi like a pair of bodyguards, while two clowns gave a clumsy performance onstage.
As they watched the performance, the fat clown toyed with a human eyeball in his hand, while the short one assisted