"Um, Tsukami-san…"
"Hm?"
Tsukami-san looked at me with a curious look with my nervous call out, as the cloak man also stared back at me with a rather lifeless gaze. Gathering all my remaining courage, I stared at Tsukami-san with teary eyes and asked him out, all while pleasing god not to intrigue them by any means…
"May I… have a moment with you, alone?"
"… Sure."
With that confirmation, I dragged him just outside of the living room, as both of them were staring at us with a scary yet curious gaze. Once we were completely out of their sight, I asked him with a rather rash tone.
"What are they, Tsukami-san?! What are you doing leading them here?!"
"Well, that's a long story—"
With that, he slowly explains the reasons for his actions, including the deals with a certain retired mafia, which I have no idea whose. But still, even after his explanation, I still feel kinda puzzled with how all of this turns out.
And yet, while I was really confused about all of this, there's one more thing I wanna ask him…
"So about the one you save… why did they lock him up?"
I slowly peeked out of the doorframe back at the one he mentioned, the boy with mixed black and white hair now staring blatantly at my direction with a sinister look, and immediately turned back at Tsukami-san subconsciously.
Seriously though, how's the guy having so much devilish aura like that…?
"Well… he's been locked up because of his ability."
"Ability?"
I tilt my head as if confused, as Tsukami-san oddly let out a sorrowful sigh before continuing to explain it all.
"His ability allows him to control others' minds, particularly their mental state… But his power mostly made everyone else go lunacy and went on a rampage, hurting everyone in the process."
"…"
I widened my eyes in terror with Tsukami-san's explanation, as fear slowly creeped up in my body. This guy, who looks even younger than me, possessed such a disgusting ability?!
"And the trigger for his ability to activate… is him getting hurt."
"Eh?"
I let out a weird sound with the shocking revelation, but Tsukami-san just ignored it and continued with his explanation.
That sounds horrible honestly, to curse others using his own pain… I wonder how he found out how it works in the first place…
"Everyone wanted a piece of him due to his ability, so I kinda upper their hand first and bailed him out from the Mafia—"
"Mafia?"
"Yeah, the guy's been with the Port Mafia for half of his life, and then got locked away due to his ability to kill a lot of their people…"
I subconsciously asked Tsukami-san with that last part, but he seemingly didn't mind it at all and even explained it to me.
But Port Mafia… I've read about them before through countless crime acts they commit, as they're the one responsible for all the conflict in this city…
And this guy's just been sticking with them all the time… Crazy.
"… How long has he been with them, Tsukami-san?"
"About 7 years, I think."
7 years?! The kid's been with them for that long?!
Wait, 7…? If he's been with them for that long, and it's only half of his life, that means…
"So the guy… is 14?"
"13 to be exact, I think he's been with them since 6… And for your curiosity, his life with them isn't exactly 'peaceful'."
… Oh god, how much worse this guy's life can be… He has an ability that exists solely to hurt others, activating by mere pains, being with a literal Mafia for over half of his life…
Compared to him, even just by Tsukami-san words, I feel like my life is so much better in comparison… I probably should stop complaining about my life from now on…
"And that's why I brought the kid here, for you to watch over him for now."
So Tsukami-san wanted to watch over this guy—What?!
"Eh?!"
I let out a dumbfounded sound with a confusing yet surprising expression, as I now once again feel horrified with what to come.
So let's go over it again. Tsukami-san save this guy, who's been locked away by the Mafia and bring him here for me to watch, despite the guy being older than me?
… Great, more things to upset dad now.
"… Why?"
"Well, I have no other place in my mind to hide him right now. Besides, this guy's too dangerous to let him under someone else other than your watch."
"… So I have to protect him from everyone for now?"
"Exactly ~ You're the only I can trust with this task"
… Why do I have a feeling that Tsukami-san is telling a lie right now?
But still, even if I racked my brains, what he said did make sense. He's been here only for a few days, and although he was absent for most of them, I doubt he could make any friends in such limited times…
But… even knowing the guy's capability, and even being frightened by his creepy smile… What would I turn out if I just turned away?
After all, I already made an oath with myself since that day… that I won't let anyone else suffer under my watch anymore…
"Fine, I'll take care of him."
"Great! I'll send you money to bought him necessity, and here have this ~"
With a bright smile, Tsukami-san handed out something to me, as I slightly glinted my eyes to check it closely. Turns out that he handed me a phone, and the newest model at that…
Wait, how did Tsukami-san even have the budget to get this? Doesn't this cost more than 10.000 yen to buy?
"Why did—"
"Don't question that…"
Without letting me finish my question , he put the phone in my pocket with an oddly difficult expression and then went back into the living room, not letting me questioning furthermore.
While Aya still wonders what's wrong with him, back in the living room…
What's with that hurried attitude of his? I don't remember being like this ever…
"Are you done?"
Once I returned to the living room again, Akutagawa asked with a nonchalant expression, as I clapped my hands with an apologetic manner.
"Sorry, senpai ~ The explanation took longer than I thought."
"Hm…"
Akutagawa just let out an indifference huff with what I just said, while the others just blatantly stared at me, hand still holding tightly a disgusting looking doll.
"Say, you're interesting ~ To actually accept my gift willing, you're the first ~"
"… Thanks for the compliment."
As I returned his compliment with a hint of sarcasm, I silently touched my neck, where the handprints blotch vaguely revealed through the shirt, with a silent concerned expression.
Yep… this is a sign signifying the curse placed by Kyusaku Yumeno, or Q. Which means, along with many more, I'm one of those who are under his mercy for now.
Once he ripped the doll, even in the slightest, I'll truly lose it… Damn it, why do I even let myself be cursed by this kid…
"You sure this is a good idea, newcomer?"
"Started to feel regret after all this, but yeah this is the best idea for now… Also, why that nickname. I have a name you know?"
"Whatever you say, newcomer."
… That kinda hurts, for him not to even acknowledge my name even after all those days… Oh well, not like I care that much about that in the first place. After all, if my calculation's correct, I won't be with them any longer…
"Wait a sec, senpai. I need to talk about something with this guy."
"Hm…"
With another small huff from the guy, I make my way and kneel in front of this "cursed child", as they said. I then inform him about his stay at Aya place for now, as he just keeps giggling with a weird expression which honestly kinda grossed me out…
"I see, then as you said I'll be a good kid and be here… But I hope you keep your end of the deal ~"
"… Of course."
The kid glints at me with a creepy grin while holding that hideous doll of his, as I nod my head feeling all defeated.
Haiz… This kid's truly problematic, dang it… Now I know Dazai's feelings a bit when sealing him away, not accounting for the massacre thing…
… If this small gamble of mine didn't work during this time, I'll officially off'ed myself after all of this, if this curse didn't go away by then…