---

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I was the one who first suggested we try doing that kind of "event." The old man had quit his job and seemed bored, just grumbling about society this and that, like some big piece of trash taking up space in the room, so I figured someone had to make use of him, you know? No, it's not like I took the initiative or anything. But, well, there was no one else but me.

Huh? Why the long face? Wait, can you even see with those eyes? Eh, ahh, you have a friend like that? That must be tough. Anyway, back to the topic, right, right.

The old man had hunting rifles at his house, so we decided to use those. The plan was for the old man to act like the main culprit, while I played the role of a collaborator pretending to be a victim. I procured the gym keys and stuff... Huh? The reason I wasn't the one doing the shooting?

Ah, well, yeah, that would have been more "special," wouldn't it? No, I think it still would've been shocking if I'd shown up one day carrying a gun, seriously. Silently blowing the head off the girl I had a crush on... It's no lie that it sends shivers down my spine. ......No, no, it's not like I enjoy killing people. Don't go writing whatever you want in the report. Although, I bet the public will say I was mentally ill or something. I get that it's easier for everyone if they can accept a fabrication, though. ......So, what was I saying? Ah, right, her head. See, it's that feeling – the way an abnormal experience just *gobbles up* everyday life like *pac-kun* – that's irresistible. Wanting to be the star of something like that if possible... that's normal, right? Am I wrong about something?

Like, when you're sitting on a bench at the bank, what would you do if guys with handguns burst in? Or you get a knock on your hotel room door, open it, and there's some psycho dude standing there gripping a knife.

When you spend every day imagining things like that, just thinking about it in your head isn't enough anymore. But back then, I didn't have the drive or the guts. It's different now, I've broken free. You could say I've come to terms with it, that's fine too, but I was finally able to objectively measure my own limits. It was a good experience. Not that I have any hope of putting it to use, though. The important thing is taking it to the grave... Whoops, sorry, got sidetracked there. Please don't get so mad, especially you, Mr. Beard in the back.

Hmm, what was I supposed to talk about again? You know, I haven't had many people listen to me this seriously before, so I kinda got carried away with happiness. Though I was disillusioned when I found out they don't actually treat you to katsudon during interrogations. Ahh, sorry, sidetracked again.

Alright, let's get back on topic. We used guns, and the reason we staged it like that was because the old man was a better shot. Apparently, he used to run around shooting in the mountains without permission all the time. Guys like that are really dangerous, you know? You police folks really need to find them before they do something....... Whoa, sorry, got a bit carried away there, my apologies.

I'm in a good mood right now, so cut me some slack, okay? I'm spilling my guts honestly like this, after all. Besides, my life is pretty much over with this, right? Don't think I'm audacious enough to wish for a long, pure, and happy life after doing something like this. I spent the rest of my life to cause this incident.

The results weren't great, though.

But you know, I'm actually quite happy. I mean, I'm being interrogated, right? That's not normal, is it? Even if the official record isn't accurate, for the people involved, it leaves a good, correct memory.

Hey, listen, I was… Huh? You're actually listening? You guys are nice people, or maybe you've got something wrong upstairs. But you seem kinda angry, Ms. Blondie. Ah, you *are* angry.

I guess that's your job, huh? Oh, it's personal? Are you sure you should be saying that? Your colleague can hear you… Oh, it’s fine? Is that so. Well then, maybe I'll talk about my personal stuff too.

See, I kinda longed for some kind of special circumstances. That's why I joined the drama club, hoping to snag a leading role and become special. I know it sounds childish, but hey, I'm technically still a minor, so being a kid fits, right? So, special. Like being kidnapped or held captive. That's the kind of past I wanted. There's that famous case in this town, right? The one Sugawara and Misono got caught up in. I thought, wow, that's cool. Gives you that "with a backstory" feel, a bit of darkness.

You need one big chemical change to overturn a fixed daily life. That's why I wanted to get caught up in an abnormal situation, to change my values and how others saw me.

It was about living life more enjoyably. That was my goal. There's jealousy too, you know, towards guys like Sugawara. Having such an enviable experience and getting treated as special. Because it happened to someone else, you know? If you actually experience it, your perspective changes, but that change was what I wanted. Just telling me about it won't make me reflect or feel sympathy.

It's not like they wanted that, right? They looked like they wanted their classmates to just leave them alone, especially Misono. Well, that's a world I, lacking that perspective, can't understand.

I chose the school as the stage because that place *was* my boring daily life. That's why I wanted to smash it to pieces. And the plan was to use that to secretly become a hero, you know? But it seems the old man went a little berserk. Like, when you dangle the bait of "being able to shoot humans" in front of someone, they shoot the person holding the bait and start doing whatever they want.

Giving people the impression that a familiar presence could transform like that... it's kind of like rabies, isn't it?

Shooting so indiscriminately like that wasn't part of the plan. I wonder if shooting people was just that much fun for him. Can you folks relate to that at all? Ah, you can't? I see.

So, the old man's objective was whatever he was rambling on about, and he must be pleased as punch, but what about my position, the one who got the keys and everything?

That's why I tried my best to correct the course. I tried to talk to him somehow, but there was someone who got in the way… that idiot Inazawa. He's in the same drama club, but man, he's top of the list of people who should just die. He gives off this artificial Blue No. 1 vibe but is completely clueless about reading the room, that fake refreshing bastard. He was popular with the girls, wasn't he? Well, I guess he was fundamentally loaded with kindness, even if it was misguided. Ah, not that I'm jealous or anything.

But just having Inazawa in the same club made my everyday life plagued by the wrinkles of boredom.

I often wanted the same roles as him, but naturally, Inazawa always had the advantage. They'd say his acting was better, or he had more stage presence… But I proved them wrong this time, didn't I? Acting with sweat, snot, and tears streaming down my face like that, I think I played the ultimate victim role. In my life, it's the thing I can be proudest of, second only to getting the silver prize for a book report. Only one person noticed, but that one person is also incredibly annoying… Edase. Well, let's talk about Edase later, right now it's Inazawa.

When the old man shot his leg, I struggled to hold back laughter. And anger from frustration too. He could have just put another one right between his eyes, but no, he was too busy having fun, completely ignoring his accomplice. Repaying the favor of providing the venue with such malice… my guts were boiling over. I felt like I'd get burned. And Inazawa is still alive, right? Figures, a guy practically oozing xylitol would be different, not that it matters.

Thanks to him, my momentum was broken right at the start, and I just got swept along.

It was just like back in first year, participating in club activities. Somehow, everyone just gets pulled along by Inazawa.

Besides his initiative, maybe it's his face? He's got that look like the culmination of good-natured and refreshing, so naturally, the girls are drawn to him. Doesn't matter now, though.

I tried to stand my ground and change things, but I figured if I tried to interfere with the old man any further, I'd get shot too, so I had no choice but to wait for an opportunity. If I pushed my luck and got shot, I'd just end up as Victim A, wouldn't I? That's too much like my usual self.

You see, I wanted to change things. My seriousness was different from the old man's pastime. Just for a moment would have been enough. Just for the few dozen minutes, the few hours until the old man confessed to the police that I was his accomplice. I wanted to try taking the lead role.

It's a guy thing, you know? Dealing calmly with someone holding a deadly weapon, somehow bringing the situation together, talking properly with people who could manage things, and putting myself at the center. This was supposed to be the stage for that.

But then the second nuisance and object of envy, Edase-kun, had to go and stick his nose right in. He was in a safe zone in a different sense than me, so he could just give a grand speech and say whatever he wanted. Maybe I should have started from a position like that too, although with the title of "collaborator," if I was too far away, it might have been like, "death to the traitor," or something.

No use crying over spilled milk, but you can let me vent a little, right? This will all get summarized in two or three lines in the report anyway, with no room for my actual words, just some stiff official text. The truth and facts will belong only to the esteemed police officers listening right here. Isn't that valuable? Ah, got carried away, sorry. Deep reflection. Was that the third time I got sidetracked? Alright, let's talk about that idiot Edase.

Why did he do something like that? If he'd just left it alone, the police would have shown up eventually and taken care of things. Does he have hero aspirations like me? For someone a year older, he's pretty damn stupid. Or maybe, being the blood relative of criminals, his sense of danger is numb? Or rather, is he just plain broken? Including his sense of justice and everything else.

Like maybe he thought, "I've gotten through dangers like this before, so I'll manage this time too," – optimistic, or rather, not knowing his place. Sure, he probably had more experience than anyone else there, but relying too much on something like that is just asking for trouble. Seriously, how did he even manage to advance to the third year? He skipped tons of school in the second half of second year. Thanks to that, his faint shadow – his presence, basically – was lost for that brief moment, which is why the old man failed to get everyone lined up. And he shamelessly used that opening as a chance to stand out, acting all high and mighty riding on someone else's coattails… that speech made me want to puke. But I swallowed it. I mean, I could have thrown up, but I don't like that kind of attention.

But, you know, halfway through, I keenly felt that Edase's mocking way of talking and attitude actually had a point.

Ever since the old man started talking to Edase, an overwhelming aura of defeat surrounded him. He must be the type who's weak to bluffs, authority, and appearances. Maybe his ego was just inflated because of the weapon. I was almost crying from the mid-point on, realizing my mistake in choosing him. Ahh, this old man's going to lose, I thought. When Edase started talking about cell phones, his face subtly turned into that of a loser. Turns out that was all a big lie in the end, though.

We actually managed to bring it to a mutual takedown, but hey, if I can say something presumptuous, maybe it was thanks to me. To convey Edase's unclear location without seeming unnatural, I went out of my way to climb onto the stage and run towards him and everything. When the old man started sniping midway through, I didn't know if it was acting or for real, so I couldn't help but make a serious face – I think it was pretty convincing. My only regret is that nobody was there taking pictures like at the school festival play.

Huh, motive? You keep asking that. What, you want to stick me in an album or something? I didn't want to lose to Edase, or rather, I thought, maybe it's okay if this guy dies. With that feeling, I halfway gave up on my own goal and cooperated. Because, hey, that guy's dangerous. You never know when he might kill the person in the next seat. When interacting with someone who seems influenced by criminals, you should be prepared not just for connection, but also for having a weapon pointed at you. That's how it feels. So, we had to take him out first.

Come to think of it, I wonder what the scenery looks like in Edase's daily life. Is it distorted, are the colors different, do the people passing by look like sunflowers or pigs? Something like that. Sugawara, at least, I think didn't have the kind of eyeballs that could judge humans as allies. Biwashima-san, I don't know. I knew nothing about her at all until I heard she was caught.

So, Edase's eyes. I really think they're special. Even if it's a normal field of vision for him, I bet there's definitely a difference in perception compared to us. The experiences in his past are valuable, and also harmful and malicious. They've undoubtedly caused a malignant transformation in his personality.

Otherwise, you normally couldn't stand up to something like that, right?

For example, even you guys would be scared if you saw a decapitated corpse, wouldn't you? Your eyes recognize the fear, it goes to your brain, and it paralyzes your actions. But Edase, I think even if he feels that, he keeps it separate. Sure, I bet a hunting rifle is scary, but for him, it's like, "that's that," and he acts detached from it.

His heart doesn't get entangled. Other emotions, probably.

That's why feelings like "casually terrifying" and "stupidly brazen" don't bundle together; they all assert themselves individually. That's why he could face the gun and get shot – achieving that stupid conclusion.

It's great, isn't it? I wanted what he sees to be *my* everyday life.

It seems like every day would be fun, leaving boredom behind as I walk along. Maybe I could walk the Earth like that.

Or maybe head straight down the criminal highway. I got the feeling he's already killed two or three people. Or left them to die, maybe. He definitely seemed like someone who'd seen quite a few dead bodies.

Well, it's not really my place to say, though.

But coming from me, doesn't that sound kind of convincing?

But you know, while I have tons of thoughts like that about Edase, I'm surprisingly uninterested in Misono. No, no, it's not *that* kind of interest. But Misono isn't really my type. I prefer someone more, you know, modest and graceful. I'm not into the same stupid tastes as that idiot Inazawa.

Misono, she finally got those special circumstances, but she doesn't even try to look around her. She just sleeps in the classroom all the time. Maybe she started being a bit more active after getting close to Edase.

I do think it's a waste, but it also means that if you break that badly, you can't enjoy it anymore. Maybe the danger signal is flashing – "Don't want to end up like that" – so people put her on a pedestal, like a god you don't mess with.

Still, that bastard Edase, throwing someone off a place like that. And here I was, all set to push him down first.

I should have realized something was up when he didn't untie my legs. A careless mistake.

I'd really like to bill him for the treatment costs for my left cheek and the whiplash-like thing on my back.

......But hey – how did Edase figure out it was me?

That guy, maybe the mysterious or weird things about him aren't all bad. Like the power to see through lies... Maybe if you see things differently from other people, you can see right through the surface of their faces?

If so, then yeah, I'm incredibly envious. Way too jealous.

...........Well, I guess that's about the end of my story. Ask the old man for the rest. I'm not going to say things like "I didn't hurt anyone." I was an accomplice too.

Yes? Still lots more to ask? Seriously?

But, before that.

I've talked this much, so it's fair if I ask one question, right?

Ah, no? So strict. Even with such a beautiful lady with lovely hair present.

......Fine then? Okay, thanks.

So, I'll ask. I heard it when I was getting my face treated at the hospital, that one student died that day. The ones the old man shot for fun didn't seem to have fatal wounds, so that leaves Edase or Misono, who took a lead bullet straight to the torso without hesitation.

Man, those two really are special, aren't they? Not just the process, but even the way they die is extraordinary.

Normally, you don't have people around you who died from being shot by a gun.

How admirable, how splendid. Enviably so...... Hey, Ms. Nee-san over there, please don't glare at me like you're seriously going to shoot me. What, are you related to Edase or Misono? Ahh, I won't pry. Not interested anyway.

All I'm interested in is the final chapter for my beautiful classmates.

So.

Which one of them died?

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**Afterword Translation**

**Pointless Spoiler Part 2.**

The editor was the one who decided *that* about a certain character's chest in the story.

When I read novels or manga, I always find myself rooting for the villain or the rival.

In stories, unless it's a special format (like one where the protagonist dies at the beginning and the story depicts how it happened, or an ensemble cast piece, or one where the protagonist *is* the villain, etc.), the narrative unfolds so the protagonist wins (especially in terms of the process). This means that the moment a rival character shows their face, their defeat is already decided.

Tournament arcs in sports manga make this extremely clear. Since the match against Sannoh Kogyo was coming up next, Toyotama High was fated to lose to Shohoku High, no matter the circumstances.

Even in battle manga, characters like Dio or Diavolo appeared as formidable beings, but I read knowing they were destined to lose in the end. And perhaps precisely because of that, their actions caught my eye.

While thinking "life is difficult," maybe what makes it fun to watch is when their efforts make you think, just sometimes, "Maybe this will turn out differently than expected."

So, when I submitted the previous afterword, the editor pointed out, "You don't have any material (for the afterword), do you?" So I somehow managed to think this up. But really, what should one write in an afterword?

Anyway, apologies for the delay, but hello. It's me, the guy who's sort of not quite a rookie anymore.

I still can't quite believe I'm publishing books. While I'm writing the manuscript, I feel like it's me, but once it becomes a book, I just tilt my head going "Hmm." Maybe I still haven't shaken off the feeling of being an aspiring writer submitting manuscripts?

To my two editors, thank you so much for all your help again this time. It makes me irresponsibly admire how the world works surprisingly well, how unreliable people like me get supported by steady people. Thank you very much.

Also, to Hidari-sama, who handles the illustrations every time. An unreliable person gets supported by a steady (rest omitted).
I'm extremely grateful to receive such truly solid illustrations, and I find it very reassuring. Oh, and also to my father, who goes around saying "I've never published a single book, but I'm actually a novelist," and my mother, of course, I thank them too.

Thank you for sticking with me this time as well (Surely, coming this far to Volume 6, there isn't anyone starting here... I feel like. If there is, I apologize, but I'd like to ask why you're being so contrary).

Please look forward to Iruma Hitoma-sensei's next work! Since this isn't a magazine, I tried writing it myself.

Iruma Hitoma

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**(Author/Illustrator Bios & Publishing Info)**

**Iruma Hitoma**
*(Photo Description)* The photo above is the first author portrait in six volumes. By the way, the location is the new AMW office building (under construction at the time). Turns out I was the first author to visit. I was pointlessly happy about being number one just for something like this, and got snapped while swinging around excitedly.

**Hidari**
A freelance illustrator living in Yokohama City, Gemini. Primarily works on card games, magazine pinups, etc. Lives like a hermit, out of touch with trends.

**Liar Mii-kun and Broken Maa-chan 6**
**The Value of Lies is Truth**

**Iruma Hitoma**

Distributed March 28, 2013
Publisher: Tsukada Masaaki
Publishing Office: ASCII MEDIA WORKS Inc.
〒102-8584 Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku, Fujimi 1-8-19

(C) 2008 HITOMA IRUMA / ASCII MEDIA WORKS