Chapter 45:

Kotaro and Jiro

I’m Taking Revenge for My Murdered Classmates Using Weapons Made from Their Souls


When we were kids, Daigo and I used to build sandcastles in the playground sandbox.

I wasn’t sure how many hours had passed. By then, the sun had set, and the sky had taken on a reddish-orange hue.


“If we don’t go home soon, we’ll get into trouble, Ryo-chin.”


“We’re almost done, Dai-chin. Let’s finish this before we leave.”


“But Ryo-chin, it’ll be gone by tomorrow. Why work so hard on something that won’t last?”


“Whether it lasts or not isn’t important.”


I thought I’d lost everything when my parents died in an accident, but I was mistaken.


“Even if they’re no longer here, their memories will live on within me.”


While the harpies were distracted by Hironobu’s shadow clones, Shoko and I carried Kotaro and Jiro outside the ravine.


Their bodies were no longer recognizable, having been pecked apart by the creatures’ sharp beaks.


“Shoko! Take them and head back to camp first!!”


I yelled frantically, but Shoko shook her head.


“It’s no use. They’re barely breathing. We won’t make it!!”


“I don’t care! Just take them!”


“No! We have to leave them behind and rescue the other three!”


I looked at Kotaro and Jiro.

The two teenage gangsters had always hung out together.

I’d found them collapsed on top of one other in the same spot. Jiro was covering Kotaro’s body, most likely trying to shield him from the attacks.


“I wanna save them both!!”


There weren’t many of Hironobu’s clones left.

It was only a matter of time before the harpies noticed us.

Tsuyoshi was carrying a limp Kyoya on his shoulders, but his gait was slow due to his injuries.


“I don’t think we’ll be able to save everyone. It’s cruel, but we might have to choose who gets to live and who doesn’t. Be prepared for the worst.”


Mirai’s words replayed in my head.

Still, I couldn’t move.

When I first heard that statement, I thought I had the resolve to push through no matter what.

I hadn’t understood what it meant to abandon my classmates, who were still alive.


“G-go...”


His voice was barely above a whisper.


“L-leave us...”


“And g-go...”


Kotaro and Jiro groaned, using what little strength they had.


“It’s gonna be okay! We can fix you when we get back, so come with—”


Smack! My cheek stung from the force of Shoko’s slap.

She screamed at me, blinking back tears.


“Don’t let their efforts go in vain!!”


My mind went blank for a second.

Shoko was right. If I went on like this, I wouldn’t be able to save anyone.

I looked back at Kotaro and Jiro.


“You’ve got an attitude, doncha, tough guy?”


“You messing with us? Better watch it!”


I argued a lot with Eiko’s group, especially over Daigo.

Every time I ran into Kotaro and Jiro, the three of us simply glanced at each other with disdain. We’d never once had a proper conversation.

I never thought of getting to know them or opening up to them.

For the first time, I found myself talking to them face to face.


“I’ll be back soon.”


In reply, the two of them gave me a thumbs up. Their hands hardly had any fingers left.


“See ya.”


“Take care of the rest for us.”


I felt them calling after me loud and clear, so I answered with a reassuring “leave it to me” in reply.


That was the last time I ever spoke to them.