King's game : purgatory 10.29 ep 9

..............

[Monday, November 1, 11:52 am]

After washing his face and returning to the classroom, the boys were gathered around Souta. Seeing that face, Yumeto stiffened.

"Oh, you're a transfer student?"

Seiichiro lifted one of the corner of his lips.

"It was the first time we talked. For now, let me say congratulations."

"Congratulation?"

"Yeah. It looks like the demon won the tag game. Souta told me about it in an email."

"So you came back to the classroom before 12:00 pm ?"

"That's right. I heard from Souta in an email that he promised not to catch us, but there's no guarantee he'll keep it."

"You're cautious, aren't you?"

"Of course! We are participating in a game where you die if you make a mistake. We have to."

Seiichiro turned his gaze to the window in the corridor.

"The chairman's group is more cautious, though. I think they probably won't be back at school until after midnight."

"Seiichiro-kun"

Satoshi Kumagai, who was behind Seiichiro, let out a gloomy voice. Satoshi was a fair-skinned boy who belonged to Seiichiro's group. He is over 170 centimeters tall, and his limbs swell like tree branches, his chapped lips mumble.

"Ryuji died because of him, right?"

"That's right. Certainly, the transfer student's speech solidified the vote for Ryuji."

"Then let's kill him now."

At Satoshi's suggestion, Yumeto's body started to move. Seeing that, Seiichiro let out a growl.

"Killing...Huh... That's possible too."

"Yeah, right now, we're the only ones here, and if you die in the king's game, it won't be a crime."

"... I see. Is it okay if I take revenge on Ryuji?"

"Wait! You shouldn't do that."

Souta cuts in between Seiichiro and Yumeto.

"Killing Yumeto-kun is pointless, and on the contrary, it might turn out to be a disadvantage later on."

"What do you mean by disadvantage? Souta."

"Yeah, there is a high possibility that the King's game will continue. At that time, it would be bad if there were not many people to be punished."

Souta puts a hand on Yumeto's shoulder.

"Also, there is a way to get Yumeto into our group. He seems to be the type with a strong core, so as he is like that. I think it will surely be useful if we become friends."

"I refuse."

Yumeto answered firmly.

"I will not participate."

"Hey, are you saying that in this situation? You're brave or do you want to die?"

"I don't want to die, so I won't be your friend."

"What do you mean? I think there are a lot of orders that give you an advantage if you have friends in the King's game?"

"It's about Tomoki-kun. You were bullying Tomoki-kun, weren't you?"

"What's wrong with that?"

"There's a high chance that your group is the king's ultimate target."

Seiichiro's expression tightened at Yumeto's words.

"We are the target?"

"That's right. I don't know who the king is, but I'm sure they're angry at Tomoki-kun's suicide. If that happens, your group will be in danger. The current king says that everyone in our class is fault. It's like they're thinking like this for now, but I don't know when it's going to go out of control. The next order may be 'Seiichiro and all of the group should commit suicide.'"

"Huh? What the hell with that order?"

"It's a parable, but you should know that the King can give you any command, and you are hated by them."

"Hey! Don't talk too much, transfer student."

Seiichiro narrowed his eyes like needles and glared at Yumeto.

"Well, it's fine. It's just like Souta said, no one should be die pointless. Right now, it's important to buy time for Sousuke before he gets caught by the police."

"Seiichiro-kun, you think Sousuke-kun is the king, isn't it."

"Oh? Who else is there? He's missing. If he's not the king, why is he gone?"

"I thought it was different from Seiichiro-kun's opinion."

"That's right, I don't think Sousuke-kun is the king too."

Souta replied.

"It's just a guess, but I feel like the king is a girl."

"Is the king a girl?"

Yumeto looked at Souta with a surprised face.

"Why do you think it's a girl?"

"No... I can't say for sure, but I feel like they're a little girlish."

"That's not true! Souta."

Seiichiro denied Souta's opinion.

"Didn't the king stab a Reborn follower to death with a knife or something? I don't think a girl could do that."

"No, if you stab someone from behind with a knife, even a girl can kill someone. The point is whether or not you are prepared to kill people."

At those words, Yoji Hamatani, who was next to Satoshi, nod his face.

"Seiichiro-kun, Souta's predictions are often correct. It might be better to think about women's side as well."

"But that would mean that there is a king in the school. There are no girls who are resting at home."

"That's why it's still prediction."

Souta gave a wry smile and shrugged his shoulders.

"Honestly, without more information, I can't be sure. Well, if they're not a king, you can understand."

"You mean us?"

"No, it's not us, it's Yumeto-kun."

"Is a transfer student?"

"That's right. he's a transfer student, so I know for sure that he's not the king. Because he don't have any contact with Tomoki-kun. Or isn't you a relative or something?"

"No"

Yumeto answered immediately.

"I don't even know Tomoki-kun's face."

"Haha... Yes, it's the same. So, it's certain that even if you kill Yumeto, the King's game won't end."

At that moment, Yumeto's smartphone rang. At the same time, Souta's smartphones and mobile phones also make sounds.

"Next order, huh..."

Yumeto lowered his gaze to the smartphone screen.

[11/1 12:00 pm.

Sender: King

Subject: King's Game

Text: This is the King's Game played by Akaikeyama High School 2nd year Class A students and homeroom teacher Kazuyuki Iwamoto.

*The King's orders are absolute, so be sure to obey them.

*Withdrawal is not permitted.

*Order 4: Find the playing cards that the king hid in the school grounds After 24 hours, punish the 3 players with the lowest number card total. Passing the card to another person is allowed, but the act of forcibly stealing the card is prohibited.

END]

"Are you going to treasure hunt this time?"

"It looks like it."

Souta answered Yumeto's mutter.

"I think it's better to think of trump as one set, but you'll find out if you really look for it."

"Why do you know when you're looking for it?"

Yumeto opened his mouth to Seiichiro's question.

"If you don't have the same cards, you're in a one set, right? For example, if you're looking for a card, and you get one neat set card from the Ace of Hearts to the King of Hearts, then, that's a good chance."

"Yumeto-kun, you're right! You have a quick brain."

While applauding with a smile, Souta turned his gaze towards Seiichiro.

"So, Seiichiro-kun, let's start searching for cards. Right now, we're at an advantage over the other groups that we are in the school. It looks like we'll be able to exchange cards, and if things go well, we all will not be punished."

"Alright! Everyone, let's split up and look for cards!"

Seiichiro glanced at Yumeto as he headed down the corridor.

"Transfer student, you should do your best too. Unlike us, you're a lonener, so there's no one to share your cards with."

With a malicious smile, Seiichiro and the others left the classroom.

.................

[November 1st (Monday) 00:32 pm]

"Ah, Yumeto-kun."

Yuna runs up to Yumeto, who is looking for a card in the gym. She also has Yohei behind her.

"You are here... Did you see the email about the King's Game?"

"I'm looking for a card right now."

Yumeto smiled with a pale face.

"The hand that killed our classmate just now."

"Ah..."

Yuna's expression darkens.

"Who died?"

"Shiro-kun, Noa-san, and Junichi-kun. I caught Junichi-kun."

".....I see. Yumeto-kun, who was a demon, is still alive, so that's what happens."

Yohei spoke in place of the silent Yuna.

"That can't be helped. If no one was caught, Yumeto and the others would have been punished for the demons side, and either way, three of my classmates would die."

Yohei taps Yumeto on the shoulder.

"Even if you say you don't care, you'll still probably care, but right now there's no time to worry about it. The later group who was the chairman, also came down from the mountain and is looking for cards. And other groups too"

"....That's right. Somehow, we have to collect cards so that the total number is 16 or more."

"Over 16?"

"Yeah. If the total number of cards is 16 or more, you'll be fine. As long as trump thinks like it's a deck."

Yumeto gave Yohei a piece of his notebook. There are numbers written by Yumeto.

"I just did the math, but there are 25 survivors, so if the total number of cards is 15, there's a chance you'll be punished. Well, in reality, I don't think it's likely to be in such a situation, but there is still chance. Because I think there are some cards that we can't find"

"it will be okay if it's over 16?"

"Yeah. You'll no way to get punished. I think other groups are probably noticing it. I'm sure they'll adjust it so that it's 16 or higher between groups."

Yumeto pointed to the numbers written on the paper.

"For example, if you get '3' , '4' , '12' , '13' cards in a group, divide them by '3 and 13' , '4 and 12' , you'll get 16 or more. That way we won't get punished"

"What will happens when there are more than two decks of cards?"

"At that time, the calculation will change again, but I think you'll know that if you find the card. If you find two or more of the same card, it means that 2 or more decks of playing cards are hidden."

"Does that mean that information is important too? Hmmm....."

Youhei growled and folded his arms. His thin eyes stare at Yumeto.

"....Hey, Yumeto. Why don't we form a group too?"

"Group?"

"Yeah. You're trustworthy. I heard from Yuna. You asked Narumi and Souta to think of us like a friend who don't need to catch, right?"

"...Yeah. Yohei-kun taught me a lot about the class. Or rather, the only classmates I'm talking to are Yuna-san and Yohei-kun."

"I don't care what the reason is. It's true that you tried to help me. And rather than that, it's about creating a group. With this order, we who are not in the group will be at an overwhelming disadvantage, right?"

"Yeah. It's better to have friends."

Yumeto answers.

"We can pass cards to each other, and it's easy to see which cards are left. Because we can share the place to look for."

"In that case, let's team up. Gather people who don't belong to any group and make a new group!"

"A new group?"

"Yeah. Honestly, if you don't do that, you won't be able to compete with other groups. Of course, you can be the leader. You look smart."

"That ....might be good."

Yuna put her hand over her mouth.

"I'm sure Fuka will come in too."

"Fuka, huh. Also, the girls who aren't in the group are Kanon and Riko. The boys are Seiya and Tokisada. Seiya is a quiet guy, so if you invite him, he'll probably join. I don't know about the others, though....."

"If it for girls, I'll try calling them out."

"Well then, let's we talk to the boys. Is that okay? Yumeto."

"Yeah. It's better to have more friends."

When Yumeto said so, Yohei slapped his palm with his fist.

"Alright! It's time to form the Yumeto Group!"

.................

[Monday, November 1, 01:15 pm]

When Yumeto returns to the school building, he hears Seiichiro's voice. Seiichiro can be seen talking to Seiya in the hallway in front of the staff room.

"Hey, isn't that okay?"

Seiichiro put his hand around Seiya's shoulder.

"I'm not saying I can get it for free. I'm saying I'll buy the card you found for 100,000 yen."

"No, but..."

Seiya lowered his gaze down the corridor, still clutching his cards.

"Because cards are more important now than money."

"You just need to find another card, right? It's okay."

"....."

"Hey! Are you listening?"

Seiichiro hit the wall in the corridor with his fist. A loud bang was heard, and Seiya's body reacted with surprise. A frightened color appeared in the eyes behind the glasses.

"All right, give me that card. I'll definitely pay you 100,000 yen. Why not just use it to buy the latest personal computer? Do you like computers, right?"

"Don't do that"

Yumeto called out to Seiichiro. Seiichiro slowly turned around.

"Transfer student....don't disturb me. I'm talking to Seiya."

"Are you talking? You just look like you're threatening him."

"I'm negotiating. If you have a card, I'll buy it for you."

"Unfortunately, I haven't found a single card."

"Then, you have no use for me."

Seiichiro returned his gaze to Seiya.

"So, Seiya. What are you going to do? There's still plenty of time, so you've got at least one card to spare."

"Oh, I'm....."

Seeing Seiya shaking his legs, Yumeto opened his mouth.

"If you don't like it, you can refuse. After all, the act of forcibly stealing a card is prohibited."

"Yumeto-kun....."

Seiya looks at Yumeto with a surprised face.

"Hey! I'm talking to Seiya!"

"I also have something to talk to Seiya-kun."

Pushing Seiichiro aside, Yumeto stood in front of Seiya.

"Seiya-kun, would you like to join our group?"

"Yumeto-kun's group?"

"Yeah. It's advantageous to have friends with you for this order, so I'm calling out to people who aren't in the group. Seiya-kun isn't in the group, right?"

"Uh, yeah. Because I was alone a lot."

Seiya lowered his head in embarrassment.

"Who else is there?"

"For now, it's me, Yohei-kun, and Yuna-san. I think it will still increase."

"... I'm going in. No, I want you to count me in too."

Seiichiro raised an angry voice at Seiya's words.

"Are you insane! Are you willing to team up with the transfer student?"

"I think it's better than teaming up with you guys."

Yumeto glanced at Seiichiro.

"If it's the way it is now, even if Seiya-kun joined Seiichiro-kun's group, he'd probably just get his card taken."

"Oh? Don't judge me. Hey, Seiya. Are you really going to join the group of transfer students?"

"I.....I'll join. I'll join Yumeto's group."

With Seiichiro's question, he was trembling, but Seiya answered firmly.

"...I see. All right, I understand. Seiya, don't regret it."

Seiichiro clicked his tongue briefly and walked away from Yumeto and the others. Seiya's face turns pale.

"Seiichiro-kun, he was angry, wasn't he?"

"There's no use worrying about it. Finding cards is more important now."

"That's right. I also found one card, but I'm worried if this alone will be enough."

"What with that cards?"

"Well, it's the 6 of spades."

Seiya gave Yumeto his playing cards. The card is made of plastic and has a geometric pattern on the back. It looked like an ordinary playing card.

"Where were you found this?"

"It's the desk drawer in the staff room. I think that was Iwamoto-sensei's desk."

"Professor Iwamoto's desk..."

Yumeto let out a growl while staring at the cards.

... I understand the pattern of the card, but this one is still not enough information. I need to collect more cards in group.

"Thank you, Seiya-kun."

Yumeto returned the playing cards to Seiya. Seiya opened his mouth wide open.

"Ah..."

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"No, nothing."

Seiya carefully puts the playing cards into his pocket.

"So what are you going to do now?"

"For now, let's meet up with Yohei-kun and the others. They should be scouting other people."

Yumeto went to their classroom with Seiya.

...............

[Monday, November 1, 02:03 pm.]

"So, this is our group mate?"

Fuka looked around at Yumeto and the others in the classroom.

"I thought Seiya-kun would join, but I didn't expect Tokisada-kun to join too."

"I don't want to die either."

Tokisada, who was sitting on a chair, answered in a dark voice. Tokisada was nearly 180 centimeters tall and had a good physique. He has broad shoulders and long legs. His hair was messy and he looked like he was cut it himself. Tokisada casts a sharp gaze at Yumeto.

"I agree with sharing information in groups and looking for cards, but what about the distribution of cards?"

"It should belong to the person who found it."

Yumeto answered Tokisada's question.

"However, if the sum of total numbers of cards you find is 16 or more, I would like you to exchange them within the group. If you have it, for example, if Tokisada has cards of '10' and '8' , and I have cards of '8' and '6', I would exchange Tokisada's '8' and '6' of mine. Then, we both will have 16 or higher."

".....I see. The whole group should be unpunished."

"Yeah. Of course, in the opposite case, I can help Tokisada-kun."

"Help me... Hey...."

Tokisada brushes his ragged hair with one hand.

"I'm sure you don't know me as a transfer student, so I'll tell you, I had very little to do with people in my class. It wasn't like I was being humble alone. I'm just not interested in that sort of thing."

"You're not interested?"

"Yeah. Besides, I don't have time to play. My father runs a town factory, so I need to help him."

"Even though you're in high school?"

"Don't tell me about the Labor Standards Act is. Although it is run, it is still a small factory with only family and relatives working. I'm a subcontractor, so I don't make much money."

Tokisada got up from his chair and approached Yumeto.

"I don't trust others, especially those in this class."

"What about the people in Seiichiro's group?"

"The same goes for Narumi and the others, and so do the others. After all, we are strangers. That's why I use you guys to survive. You should use me too, don't expect anything else from me"

"....that's oky"

Looking up at Tokisada, who was taller than himself, Yumeto replied in a calm voice.

"I think it's hard to trust people in a situation like this, but I..."

"But what?"

"No, it's pointless to say that."

At that moment, the classroom door opened and Yuna entered.

"Yumeto-kun, Kanon and Riko were no good."

"No? You mean they can't join our group?"

"Yeah. The two said they were going to join Seiichiro's group. It seems Souta-kun invited them."

Yuna let out a sigh.

"Because those two love Souta-kun."

"I see. Seiichiro-kun and the others have also moved. With this order, the more people there are, the more advantageous it will be."

When I turned my gaze to the window, several female students were walking around the corner of the playground. It looks like they're looking for a card.

"Is that Yoko-san and Ai-san?"

"That's right. It's a girl in the chairman's group."

"Hey! We have to find the card soon too!"

Youhei approached Yumeto with an impatient look on his face.

"We only have a limited number of cards. If we don't hurry, one of us may will be punished!"

"I know. Let's move too!"

Yumeto and the others gathered at the window and began to discuss.

............