Morpheus finally spoke up. "How many died?"
He knew how capitalists operated. A death or two on a construction site was routine. If properly compensated, work wouldn't stop.
But Haruno Yukinoshita said the project had halted.
That meant the death toll was far more than one or two.
Haruno was surprised Morpheus zeroed in on the key point so quickly. Hesitating, she gritted her teeth and said, "Seven. One per day for seven days."
"The workers are too scared to continue, even when we raised wages tenfold."
Yukino's eyes widened in shock. "Why didn't I know about this, Sister?"
How could such a serious family matter have been kept from her?
No one had even mentioned it.
Haruno gave a bitter smile. "What could you have done if you knew? Could you solve it?"
Yukino fell silent.
The words hit hard.
Indeed, what could she do?
Yukino knew her limits.
Saeko Busujima interjected, "Seven deaths in seven days, one per day. Sounds like you crossed someone you shouldn't have."
Haruno insisted, "We haven't provoked anyone."
Hitomi added, "A Chiba family trying to break into Tokyo, competing with the locals? The Tokyo elite would definitely make things difficult for you."
Hana blinked, confused. "Is that how it works? But killing people seems excessive."
Hitomi snorted. "To those at the top, ordinary lives are expendable. That includes her."
Hana puzzled asked, "Really?"
Hitomi continued, "Knowing there's a problem at the site but continuing work, luring workers with high pay? That's treating them as disposable."
"The only reason the site stopped is because the workers refused to risk their lives for money."
Hana's eyes widened in realization, her gaze shifting to Haruno as if seeing a villain.
As a high schooler, Hana's mind was pure, unburdened by adult calculations of profit and loss.
"You're awful."
Haruno with head bowed gave a wry smile. "I know it's wrong, but the Yukinoshita family has already invested heavily in that land."
"If we abandon it now, our earlier efforts are wasted."
"The family could be crippled, maybe even collapse."
"We've made enemies over the years. If we fall, they'll swarm us."
"The Yukinoshita family could go bankrupt."
"Neither I nor my sister would escape becoming pawns for the powerful."
"To avoid that, we had no choice but to take this path."
Yukino stared at her sister in shock, unaware the family was teetering so close to ruin.
Just a step from bankruptcy.
Medea narrowed her eyes. "Whoever set this trap is clever, striking at your weakness and leaving you no way out."
Haruno nodded miserably. "Exactly. And the worst part? We still don't know who our enemy is."
Morpheus asked, "So, you want me to solve the deaths so construction can resume?"
Haruno nodded.
Morpheus pressed, "The deaths are likely the work of spirits. Haven't you consulted an onmyoji?"
A family like the Yukinoshitas would surely know of onmyoji.
Haruno replied, "We did, but they said there was no problem."
Medea scoffed. "No problem is the biggest problem. Even the onmyoji won't cross whoever's targeting you."
Haruno's bitter smile deepened. She knew that all too well.
One death a day for seven days.
And the onmyoji claimed the site was fine?
What a joke.
But with the onmyoji's word, what could she do? Confront them?
The Yukinoshita family might be prominent in Chiba, but they were mere merchants compared to onmyoji.
In ancient times, the Onmyoryo, under the Ministry of Central Affairs, oversaw divination, astronomy, timekeeping, and calendars, wielding immense authority.
Onmyoji were untouchable, far above merchants.
Even today, despite merchants' elevated status, they couldn't compare.
An onmyoji's glance or spell could end you silently.
Who would dare challenge them?
So, despite knowing something was wrong, Haruno stayed silent, swallowing the loss and searching for a solution in secret.
After hearing about her sister's ordeal from Shizuka Hiratsuka, Haruno saw an opportunity.
She questioned Yukino, learned about the previous night, and realized this was her chance to break the deadlock.
Someone who could defeat an Oni and an Arakumo in seconds might solve the construction site's problem.
So, she rushed from Tokyo to Kyoto and, as hoped, met Morpheus.
Now, her task was to persuade him to help.
As for how to persuade him…
Haruno was prepared for the worst. "If you help the Yukinoshita family, my sister and I are willing to serve you, at your command."
Yukino gasped, staring at her sister in disbelief.
So that's why Haruno brought her along.
Morpheus was surprised too. In the original story, Haruno doted on her sister. Why was she so quick to offer Yukino up?
It didn't align with the source material.
"You're sure you want to sell your sister to me?"
Haruno replied calmly, "If the Yukinoshita family goes bankrupt, with our looks, we'd become playthings for the powerful, humiliated endlessly."
"Better to serve you, my lord. Perhaps we could even save the family."
***
If you like the Classroom of the Elite and Danganronpa series, don't hesitate to check out the new project I'm currently working on:
[COTE: The True Perfect Human]
Synopsis:
Since the era when humanity was still focused on steam and coal, people have already been questioning what the Perfect Human truly looks like.
Some say the Perfect Human possesses overwhelming physical strength… others claim the Perfect Human has unparalleled intelligence.
Of course, there are also those who believe the Perfect Human possesses both... strength and intellect.
Like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
That's why when people ask who the most perfect human in all of fiction is, they often point to the Masterpiece of the White Room as the Perfect Human.
But… only the OGs know that the only Perfect Human who has ever walked this earth is...
The Ultimate Hope…
Izuru Kamukura.
...
This is the story of Izuru Kamukura as he challenges Classroom of the Elite searching for whether there is anything in this world capable of dispelling his boredom.