Achieving Thermal Equilibrium | ac

11. CHARRED

After Kayano's immediate worry for Itona dissipated, a fuckton of other emotions swiftly surfaced.

She was scared that Itona would hate her for suggesting him to leave Yanagisawa. She also hoped he wouldn't be a snitch, but she had no way of making sure Itona would stay silent.

In addition, Yanagisawa disgusted and disturbed her. Not only did he risk her life (they were supposed to be allies!), he also risked her classmates' lives. Her beloved classmates. Nagisa, Sugino, Kanzaki, Okuda, Kataoka... they were all in danger because of that fucker.

Plus the way he treated Itona was unacceptable. Just thinking about it made Kayano's blood boil and her tentacles twitch. Yanagisawa clearly didn't care about Itona at all. Not only did he casually shoot him with a tranquilizer gun, he also oh-so-casually isolated him from everyone else. In fact, Kayano was sure she was strategically invited to visit Itona to stop him from going insane. She was there for science.

And that was why Kayano had to break the news to Itona even though she knew he might despise her for it. Itona had to know that his guardian didn't care. That he would only suffer in Yanagisawa's lab.

... At this point, Kayano couldn't care less about the agony the tentacles gave her. Now that she was used to it, she was certain she could deal with physical pain. In fact, the only reason she was affiliated with Yanagisawa was to keep an eye on Itona... sure, she couldn't see him much now, but at least she might have a chance.

Besides, she'd seen how he reacted to her. Itona probably thought she was the only person who understood him. Even if he didn't like her, Kayano thought he would still be devastated to learn she abandoned him.

Every time Kayano was in the facility, she wondered where Itona was. Where had Yanagisawa hidden him inside the concrete labyrinth of winding corridors? What sort of freaky chemicals was Yanagsiawa injecting in Itona's body? Just thinking about that made Kayano shudder.

In addition, Kayano surprisingly started to doubt her original motivations. Korosensei was ready to risk his life to save their class even though they were a bunch of immature kids he'd known for two months. Why would he care so much? And if he genuinely cared about them, was he cold-blooded enough to murder Aguri–

STOP! Her tentacles screeched, cutting her train of thought. Kayano felt her tentacles spring to life again. He murdered your sister! There's no way he's good–

Kayano's stomach twisted with unease. But what if I'm wrong about him the whole time? Kayano argued. Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. It could be a misunderstanding–

You wanted to be a killer, the tentacles told her sternly, you can't take it back.

Kayano shut her eyes. The burning pain was starting again..

.

.

.

Kill him. Kill him. KILL HIM.

.

.

.

Almost against her will, her old bloodlust returned with full force.

.

.

.

You don't have a choice, Akari.