"Mukuro, there's no need to fuss with monkeys."
Suguru glanced at his friend, a relaxed smile returning to his face. This time, though, it carried a trace of relief, as if he had finally let go of something heavy.
After seeing the difference between humans and monkeys with his own eyes, he could finally smile from the heart in this cruel and unfair world.
"Monkeys? Is that what you professionals call these monsters?"
The two had never bothered lowering their voices, so the villagers behind them all heard it, and many looked confused as they asked with curiosity.
"It's better if you don't know."
Mukuro placed a hand on the iron bars of the cell door. With one small pull, the solid rods bent out of shape, tearing open a wide gap.
"We're taking them. The rest of you should just live your lives quietly. Come on, let's go."
Suguru smiled at the two little girls shrinking in the corner and gently reached out his hand.
"Mm…"
The sisters didn't hesitate. They stepped forward and grabbed the offered hand.
This place had always been hell. Even the smallest ray of light was worth clinging to with everything they had.
"Wait! What do you think you're doing?! They're the culprits behind the tragedies in our village!"
The old woman who had accused the girls shouted. Her sharp voice echoed through the room. Seeing the so-called "culprits" being treated gently, she pointed her bony finger at Mukuro and Suguru, questioning them.
"It wasn't us!"
The girls still fought back, refusing to accept blame for something they never did.
"Both of you, please dispose of these monsters here. Otherwise, they'll remain a danger to our village."
The village chief ignored the girls completely, face stiff as he spoke.
"That's right! Deal with them right here!"
The villagers around him agreed with him loudly, almost like forcing a verdict.
"This question might be unnecessary, but let me ask you anyway. How many of you support killing them?"
The two small curses still floated beside the sisters, whispering comfort. Suguru turned to face the twisted expressions of the villagers.
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
The chants rose and fell.
Not a single opposing voice could be seen anywhere. Even outside the house, villagers were shouting like they were chanting slogans, determined to wipe out two girls barely a few years old.
"Looks like there's no doubt." Mukuro crossed his arms and spoke with a mocking tone.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Mukuro. You're better at this kind of thing. And you won't leave evidence."
Suguru rubbed the back of his head with an apologetic smile.
"If something like this happens again, just wait for the cursed spirit to kill the monkeys first."
Mukuro advised casually but didn't refuse.
"Yes! Hurry! Kill those two monsters—"
The old woman thought they were still talking about the girls. She grinned viciously and yelled.
But her words stopped abruptly.
A spray of blood burst through the air. Before anyone noticed when it happened, her outstretched arm dropped to the floor with a dull thud.
Mukuro held a long blade, the edge so clean it didn't even stain with blood.
"Ahhhh!"
The old woman looked at her missing arm for a whole second before pain finally hit. She then collapsed to her knees with a scream like a pig being slaughtered.
"Uh…"
The sisters stared, stunned. The scene was bloody, yet their hearts felt strangely light.
A pair of hands covered their eyes.
"Mukuro, there are still two kids here."
Suguru sounded helpless, yet a hint of praise hid under his tone.
"You devils! You're working with monsters! We'll report all of you!"
Only now did the village chief snap out of his daze and shout in panic. Behind him, villagers grabbed whatever weapons they could find. They had clearly prepared for this.
"Survive first."
Mukuro looked at the crowd blocking every path and swung his blade once across the wall beside them. It crumbled like fragile tofu, creating a new exit.
"Let's go. And don't get too close to the monkeys. You'll smell awful if they rub off on you."
Suguru took a girl in each hand and left through the opening.
"You can leave! We won't stop you!"
With the chief giving in, the other villagers began shouting as well, insisting they would no longer pursue the matter.
That strike Mukuro dealt earlier was too fast and too vicious. Even the way he cut through the wall… none of it looked like something a human could do.
Right now, saving their lives mattered most.
"Um… will we bring trouble to you both?"
One of the girls beside Suguru looked up and asked hesitantly.
Escaping hell was like a miracle for them. But if the price was dragging these good people down… what then?
"If monkeys want to hurt you, killing them is only fair."
Suguru paused for a moment, his new belief settling even deeper. He patted the girl's small head.
Meanwhile, Mukuro didn't continue killing. His blade slowly faded away as he slid his hands into his pockets and followed.
The four of them rode two manta rays through the dark sky under the bright moon.
"My name is Suguru Geto. How about staying with me from now on?"
Up on the manta ray, his smile looked even warmer than the moon, shining on the two trembling little girls.
"Master Geto… I'm Nanako (and Mimiko)! Please let us follow you!"
Tears rolled down their cheeks. To them, the world looked more beautiful than ever.
This day would be in their memories forever.
"Hey, Mukuro. Introduce yourself too."
Suguru looked at the boy sitting on the other manta ray with his chin propped on his hand.
"I'm Mukuro Fushiguro. But don't even think about following me. I don't babysit little brats."
He responded lazily, the number "3" shining in his right eye.
Under the moon, the manta rays soared toward Kyoto.
* * *
Back in the village.
"Chief… are we safe now?"
Once the four figures faded from sight, the villagers finally relaxed. The old woman lay unconscious in her blood.
"They took the monsters away but still hurt one of ours. This isn't over!"
The fat chief regained his courage and barked loudly.
He pulled out his phone at once, ready to report Mukuro and Suguru to the officials.
"...No signal?"
He didn't think much of it. This village was too remote, and no signal wasn't unusual. At worst, he'd go to the city tomorrow to report them.
"Huh? Look! What's that?!"
A sharp-eyed villager suddenly pointed at the sky.
"What? There's nothing there…"
Others looked up but saw nothing unusual.
"You really don't see it? It's right there!"
He tried his best to describe it but couldn't form the words.
In the sky, a curtain was slowly descending.
"Grrrr!"
A beast's low growl echoed from nowhere.
"Help! Help!"
Then desperate screams spread across the entire village.
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