Everything happened in an instant. All they saw was Masashi suddenly stand up, make a quick movement with his hand, and then deliver a swift kick to Maruo. Just like that, the infamous Tokyo Ripper lay motionless on the floor. The process was so simple and fast it felt almost surreal.
"You must have been terrified. It's over now," Masashi gently stroked Kazumi and Rumi's faces.
The two girls stared at him, and tears began streaming down their faces.
After he freed them, the two girls clung to Masashi, trembling, their hands gripping his clothes tightly.
Seeing how shaken they were, Masashi regretted not stepping in sooner. Maruo had hidden his true nature well; even while Masashi was a guest at his house, he hadn't noticed anything unusual. But as soon as Masashi tasted Maruo's cooking, he knew something was off—this seemingly honest man wasn't what he appeared to be.
Though he couldn't pinpoint exactly what Maruo had put in the food, he knew it wasn't just seasoning. Perhaps others wouldn't have noticed, but to someone like Masashi, who had lived for centuries, it was child's play to recognize.
At first, Masashi thought Maruo might be one of the black-clad people Railei had warned him about, or at least an accomplice. To confirm his suspicions, he pretended to pass out like the others. Only after hearing Maruo's speech did he realize this man was nothing more than a delusional psycho.
"It's okay now. It's all over…" Masashi kept repeating, gently running his hands through their hair.
After a while, the two girls gradually calmed down, but they continued to cling to him tightly.
With no other choice, Masashi took them with him as he moved to untie the others.
Everyone, except for Shizuko and her boyfriend, thanked him gratefully upon being freed. Many were weak and unsteady from being bound for so long, but all were filled with relief and gratitude at their survival.
"Gennai…" Sakurako called out Masashi's name as she stumbled toward him.
"Are you okay?" Masashi held out a hand to steady her, worried she might fall.
Sakurako wanted to hug him and cry, but Kazumi and Rumi were already holding onto him, leaving no space.
"Sakurako, are you alright?" Murata came over as well.
"I'm fine," Sakurako replied, casting Masashi a wistful look.
"Let's get out of this horrible place. I don't want to stay here a second longer," Murata said to her.
"The police will be here soon. Let's head down," Masashi replied, not wanting to get caught up in any tension between Murata and Sakurako.
By now, most of the students had already left the room.
Suddenly, a girl screamed. Masashi and the others turned around to see that Maruo, who had been lying on the floor, was somehow awake. The girl who screamed quickly ran out, and everyone else followed suit. Even Sakurako was dragged out by Murata. In an instant, only Masashi, Kazumi, Rumi, and Maruo remained in the room.
The once-proud Maruo was now gasping for breath, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
Even in such a sorry state, he glared at Masashi with intense hatred.
Looking at this defeated man, Masashi felt a strange sensation rise within him.
They stared at each other for about three seconds, then a barely perceptible smile crossed Maruo's face.
"It's too late. I'll take you all down with me," Maruo suddenly said, laughing.
Before he could react, Masashi grabbed the two girls and jumped out of the nearby open window.
After Masashi disappeared through the window, Maruo glanced at the timer on the bomb hidden behind the sofa and let out a bitter smile. "I lost again."
As soon as he spoke, the timer on the bomb switched from "00:00:01" to "00:00:00," and he saw a blinding white flash…