Chapter 12 - Todoroki: Roar

1

After attaching the rope ladder to the lip of the well, Shun began carefully climbing down. One slipup, and it would all be over. Sweat naturally began forming on the palms of his hands.

Takeshi had said he’d check out the path before jumping in while still in monster form. Shun had been momentarily concerned, but there was a loud thump before Takeshi’s cheerful voice had beckoned him to come down, too. Apparently he was perfectly fine. The monsters were quite sturdy, after all. And so Shun began his descent into the well.

Just as his hands were starting to go numb, he finally managed to reach the bottom. A torn rope ladder lay on the ground there. It must have been the original, probably what Anna used to help Shun escape the Jailhouse.

Shun looked up to see a tiny speck of light. It was the stars sparkling in the night sky overhead. When he realized how far down he’d actually climbed, the pit of his stomach dropped.

“What took you so long? I was getting bored, man,” monster Takeshi half-yawned.

The bottom of the well was only dimly lit. There was a tunnel that extended from where they stood, with naked lightbulbs hanging at regular intervals along the way.

“Let’s get going.”

Shun glared down the tunnel. If reality followed the game, then going straight would lead them right back to the Jailhouse. There was no telling what was lying in wait for them. Steeling himself, he hurried forward. The tunnel was narrow and cramped, so even Shun had to hunch forward while walking so as not to hit his head on the ceiling.

“Hey, wait for me, will you?” a pathetic voice called from behind.

Shun turned around to see the monster flailing about, only its head really visible. Its shoulders were stuck, wedged in between the walls of the narrow tunnel.

“What should I do?”

“Why are you still in that form? If you turn into Takeshi, you should be fine.”

“Whaaat? But I like this body better...”

It must have been a dream come true for him to be so big and strong.

“But I can’t move, so... Guess I have no choice.”

The monster grumbled quietly, closed its eyes, and concentrated. Then suddenly...

“Shun, get away!” a familiar, reassuring voice shouted from the depths of the tunnel.

Shun turned to see Hiroshi running toward him with a shovel.

“Hold on a second, brainiac! It’s me, it’s me!”

The monster freaked out, afraid of being attacked while it was helpless, and quickly reverted to Takeshi form.

“Takeshi... You’re okay!”

A slight smile cracked Hiroshi’s stoic mask.

“Thank you for saving me last time,” he said and slowly lowered the shovel.

“That’s right! You owe me your life, man. You sure are cold-blooded, coming at me with a shovel like that,” Takeshi said in his usual joking tone.

“I’m sorry. But to me, it appeared as though Shun was being attacked.”

“What’s that shovel for, anyway? Where’d you get it?”

“It was leaning against the wall at the entrance to the tunnel. There was a blockage partway through, but I managed to find a spot where I could feel a draft coming through it. On a hunch, I used the shovel to dig at the spot, which—just as I suspected—revealed a new path. I followed it, and that brings us to the present.” Hiroshi wiped the sweat from his brow as he answered. Both his clothes and face were covered in dirt. “The scent of the air changed, so I assumed I was close to the exit. Imagine my surprise to find you two here!”

“Hiroshi, the exit is just beyond. Climb up the rope ladder, and you’ll be in the hills behind school. Go, and run while you still can,” Shun instructed him, speaking rapidly.

“And where are you two going?”

“To find Takuro and the others.”

Shun recalled his encounter with Anna in the guest room. She was talking to Naoki. Shun couldn’t hear what Naoki was saying, but judging from Anna’s replies, he could surmise that Naoki was planning something nasty for Takuro.

“Takuro should be in the dining hall. He told me he was having dinner with Mika,” Hiroshi said and grabbed Shun by the arm. “Let’s go together.”

“No. You need to get out of here—”

“Are you planning on leaving me out?” Hiroshi asked, fixing Shun with a stare. “I can help you navigate the mansion. I’ve investigated every nook and cranny, after all.”

“...Thanks, Hiroshi.”

Shun bowed his head, and Hiroshi gave him a small smile.

“Now that that’s decided, we should hurry. Follow me.”

And with that, Hiroshi took off back down the tunnel.

Takeshi then turned to Shun and said, “If anything happens, you can count on me. I’m twice—no, thrice the man I used to be!” before taking off himself.

Shun wasn’t sure he’d ever been so touched, or so relieved. So many horrible things had happened to them in the Jailhouse. How many times had they been plunged into the pits of despair? But this time would be different. Together, they could overcome any difficulty.

Shun kicked off from the ground, running as fast as he could to catch up to his two companions.

2

I wonder if he managed to meet up with Hiroshi...

After following Naoki’s instructions and carrying Takuro and Mika to the chairs he’d prepared, Anna’s thoughts turned to Shun. She hated Takuro with every fiber of her being. She really did. The cruel torture Naoki had in store for Takuro was simply karma. And if torturing him would save Naoki’s soul, she was happy to help. But she couldn’t allow Shun to get involved.

That’s why she’d pretended to attack him—in order to fool Naoki and get him out of this. There was a network of tunnels under the Jailhouse, ultimately leading to a well in the hills behind school. This she’d learned from Naoki. So, after ascending the well and depositing Shun outside, she’d returned to the Jailhouse with the intention of leading Hiroshi to safety, too, hopefully ensuring the two of them could escape together. She’d been unsure of how to locate Hiroshi without Naoki finding out, but she got lucky. Upon returning to the Jailhouse, she’d stumbled across him loitering at the tunnel entrance. She should have known. Of course Hiroshi would find the way out on his own. She was once again astonished by his exceptional intellect and powers of deduction.

However, he seemed to be struggling with the last piece of the puzzle—finding the secret path. He just kept going in and out of the tunnel, holding the shovel. So Anna helped him out by digging a small hole in the tunnel blockage, essentially telling him a path lay beyond it, then took a different route to get back to Naoki. The only thing she hadn’t accounted for was her weight as a monster, which had snapped the rope ladder while she was helping Shun. But she was sure that Hiroshi would be able to come up with an alternative solution. Anna wasn’t worried.

“Still not awake, huh?” Naoki said listlessly as he peered at Takuro’s face. “I guess the drugs worked too well. I wanna get started with the torture already!”

In a corner of the room was a spread of tools Naoki had hand-selected, including a saw, electric drill, pick, and hammer. They all had the Smile logo on them. It was no coincidence that he’d gotten tools from Takuro’s father’s store.

Naoki grabbed the chair Mika was restrained to and turned it so that it was directly facing Takuro. He intended for her to have a front-row seat for what he was about to do to Takuro. Naoki was getting beyond sadistic.

“Anna, I need your help,” he turned to her and said.

“I...”

“Nuh-uh-uh. You can’t refuse. Takuro can’t see me, after all. That negates half the point. Which is why I originally wanted Shun’s help, but you ate him.”

“...I’m sorry.” Anna bowed her head.

She had to cover up what she’d done or else Naoki would find out and Shun would get dragged into this all over again.

“It is what it is. There’s no denying the monster’s hunger. Anyway... Now that you’ve killed Shun, I see your determination is set. All that’s left now is to kill Takuro.”

A grim smile flashed across Naoki’s face as he ran his hand over the variety of torture tools on the table. It eventually came to rest on the saw.

“Anna, are Takuro and Mika’s souls nearby?” he asked, gazing at the serrated teeth.

Anna shook her head. That had been bothering her for a while. As long as their bodies existed, even inside the monsters, their souls should remain close by. Yet she hadn’t seen them anywhere. Most people assumed that spirits couldn’t interact with the physical realm, but that wasn’t true. That Naoki had stolen tools from the hardware store was proof. So if they wanted to, Takuro and Mika’s souls could grab a weapon from the table and attack Naoki. It wouldn’t actually hurt him since he was a spirit, too. But at the very least they could try and stop him from mutilating their bodies.

And yet... Takuro and Mika were nowhere to be found. They’d abandoned their bodies. Maybe they were grateful that their monsterfied bodies would be killed, or maybe they’d just given up all hope of being saved. Anna didn’t know. But if they’d accepted their fate at Naoki’s hands, then Anna understood why they weren’t here. No one would want to watch themselves being tortured.

What does my soul think of all this? she wondered.

But she already knew the answer. She probably hated her monster copy. Especially since it was a nasty, man-eating monster. There was no point in carrying on like this. She was just a beast that was a threat to the lives of her friends and family—that must be what her soul was thinking. If she really loved them, she needed to end her own life before she lost the last of her humanity. Anna resolved herself then and there: once Takuro and Mika were dead, she’d put herself out of her misery too just as Naoki had suggested. Then it would all be over.

“I can’t wait any longer. Let’s just get started already,” Naoki said, pressing the sawblade against Mika’s arm.

Blue blood dripped from the line of tiny wounds.

“Mm... Mmgh!”

Mika’s face wrinkled in pain as she opened her eyes.

“Ow! Eek! Oh, God! What’s going on?”

She screamed at the sight of the floating saw. But when she realized she was bound to a chair, a bolt of fear shot through her. Her face paled.

“Now let’s get this show on the road and have some fun! Anna, would you be so kind as to relay my words to Mika?”

Anna nodded meekly.

“Good morning, Mika,” she said as she slowly approached her classmate.

“What the hell is this? Why am I restrained? I can’t move! Get me outta this! Now!”

Anna ignored her and continued, “Naoki says, ‘I’m about to begin Takuro’s vivisection. Keep your eyes open, and don’t look away.’”

“Vivisection? What? If this is a joke, it’s not funny.” She stared into Anna’s eyes and paled some more. “Are you serious?”

Anna nodded.

“Don’t do it! Anna, you’re crazy!” Mika screamed.

“How could I not go crazy after ending up like this?” Anna replied, scoffing.

She was really scoffing at herself.

“I don’t want to keep dishonoring the memory of my life. And staying alive only means we’re risking hurting others, so let’s all just die already.”

Naoki had moved over to Takuro while they were talking.

“Stop it, Anna! Don’t you dare touch Takuro!”

Mika’s screams echoed throughout the room. She was as fierce as a demon, and she glared at Anna with a wicked fury in her eyes. Since she couldn’t see Naoki, the saw appeared to be floating in the air. She probably assumed it was all Anna’s doing.

“Anna, be sure to tell her that it’s me killing Takuro,” Naoki said, an unsatisfied look on his face.

He lowered the saw in his hand until it was just touching Takuro’s right wrist. That was where he planned to start.

“Mika, Naoki is here with us. He’s the one holding the saw. He hates Takuro more than anything. But that’s only natural, right? Takuro basically murdered him, after all,” she quickly explained.

“Don’t play games with me! I’ve had enough of your crap!” Mika was in no state to listen. “Naoki died in an accident! Sure, maybe he hated Takuro, but the dead can’t enact vengeance!”

“I’m right here!” Naoki shouted at the top of his lungs. “Why is it always like this? Why does everyone ignore me? I’m right here! Fear me! Piss yourself in my presence! Me, Naoki! I’m right here! Here! Why? Why?! WHY?!”

Spurred by his raging emotions, Naoki pulled back on the saw. Blood shot out of Takuro’s wrist in a small, red geyser.

“Stooooooooooop!” Mika cried in despair.

“...Anna?”

Whether it was the pain in his wrist or Mika’s screaming, Anna didn’t know. But Takuro finally opened his eyes.

“What happened? Hiroshi left, and then I was having some of Mika’s soup...” he mumbled, looking at Anna. “...I see. So that’s what it is.”

It had apparently only taken him a second to read the room and figure out what was going on. However, he didn’t show any signs of panic.

“Anna, listen. I’ve always wanted to apologize to you. I’m sorry for throwing your life into chaos,” he said quietly, looking directly at her. “If killing me will ease your pain, then...”

“Shut up! SHUT UP!” Anna shrieked. “It’s too late to pretend to be a good guy now! It’s too late for everything!”

She snatched the saw from Naoki’s hand. He was probably planning to torture Takuro for hours before killing him, but the waiting was killing her.

I should kill him right now!

She intended to end everything before her feelings wavered again.

“Ahhhhh!”

Anna shouted and brought the saw hurtling down toward Takuro’s head.

“Stop!”

A loud sound came from behind her. Surprised, she turned around. But the next thing she knew, she was slammed up against the wall.

“Anna, I can understand how you feel, but doing this won’t save you!”

Mika was standing in the center of the room. She’d busted out of her restraints, their remnants lying on the floor. Anna could have sworn she’d fastened them tightly enough, but the adrenaline rush in the heat of the moment must have given Mika unimaginable power.

“You’re a smart girl. You’ve probably already figured that out, haven’t you?” Mika spat before hurrying to undo Takuro’s restraints, too.

“Don’t interfere!”

Anna got to her feet and launched herself at Mika. She grabbed her by the left cheek and brutishly pulled her off of Takuro. Mika clutched her face in pain and glared daggers at Anna.

“No matter what happens, I’ll protect Takuro! You butt out!”

Mika’s open palm flew at Anna’s face. It struck her so hard she nearly collapsed on the spot. Anna steadied her shaking legs, somehow managing to withstand the blow.

“I’ll kill the two of you and then kill myself. But I’m only doing what’s right! We shouldn’t even be alive!”

“You’re so stupid. Who decided that? Who says we shouldn’t be alive? Everyone deserves a chance to live.”

“Don’t you get it? We’re monsters! Our very existence is a danger to other people! We only bring pain and misery!”

“Why are you jumping to conclusions like that? Don’t treat life like some test at school. There’s not just one right answer. There might be a way for everyone to be happy!”

A way for everyone to be happy? Is there really...?

Her heart fluttered for a second.

No. Don’t get taken in.

Anna focused as hard as she could, concentrating her rage in her temples. There was no point in arguing. She’d just have to transform into the monster and show her who was right. Seeing Anna transform, Mika began concentrating, too. Apparently she also knew how to control her monster form.

Mika’s giant left hand struck Anna’s cheek. There was a ridiculous amount of power behind it. She felt her brain jostle a little in her skull, but she couldn’t afford to go down now. She slapped Mika’s cheek back as hard as she could. It must have torn up the inside of her mouth, because she turned and spat blue blood.

“No matter what anyone says, I’m going to survive,” Mika said, wiping her stained lips. “I may be a monster now... No, it’s because I’m a monster now that I’ve realized what’s most important to me.”

She stroked her disfigured head with her right hand like she was brushing hair out of her face, then glowered at Anna.

“I can overcome any obstacle as long as I’m with Takuro. I won’t let you tear us apart. We will survive at all costs.”

“Open your eyes, Mika! You’re just blinded by temporary happiness.”

“How do you know that? You don’t know anything about me.” Mika bared her fangs and let out a low growl. “If you won’t back off, then I’ll just have to kill you.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Anna snorted.

That seemed to touch a nerve. The glinting look in Mika’s narrowed eyes grew even sharper, more dangerous.

“You’ll never understand!”

Mika suddenly leaped at Anna, grabbing her shoulder.

“You’re the one who doesn’t understand, Mika! You’re dead! You’re not you! No one wants us alive!” Anna shouted, gripping Mika’s wrist. “Not even our souls! That’s why they left us! We’re not supposed to be here! We need to die—”

Anna stopped there, swallowing her words.

“It can’t be...”

She was dumbfounded by what she saw.

For some reason, Takuro’s restraints were on the floor. Mika had cut him free. But not monster Mika. Standing by Takuro’s side was Mika’s soul.

“No! Let go!” Naoki shouted as he struggled in a corner of the room.

Takuro’s spirit was pinning his arms behind his back.

Why did they come back...?

“I’ve never hated that me over there,” Mika’s spirit declared, as if in answer to Anna’s question. “I know life is more complicated with that new body, but I still want her to live. That way, I can still be with the people I love. I can still talk to them through her.”

“As if I’d abandon myself when I’m being tortured!” Takuro chimed in. “We were busy looking all over the mansion for a way to help save him.”

“Yeah, that’s how we found this to get through the chains.”

In Mika’s hands were electric cutters.

“No way...”

Distracted by the souls, Anna let down her guard. The monster rocked her with a fierce headbutt, knocking her to the ground. She tried to stand, but her legs were too wobbly.

I... I’m a man-eating monster. I can’t be allowed to live. I have to die. I have to kill Takuro and Mika, and then it’s my turn.

Suddenly, tears began overflowing her eyes.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself...”

She heard a faint voice from somewhere. Was it hers...?

“I feel the same way they do. Right now, I can’t talk with anyone. I can’t relay my feelings, but you’re different.”

She felt a warmth at her feet. That must be where she was.

“Are you saying... it’s okay for me to live?” Anna asked herself between sobs.

She could swear the faint shadow at her feet nodded.