"Wake up, mon amie."
I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes. I could see Weise was gripping to my right arm, shaking it over and over.
Heh...guess I won't be able to speak with Fifty-three for now.
"...Woah there…" I sat up, yawning. "You're looking a little...excited to get up this morning, huh…?"
He let go of the sleeve of my hoodie, shaking his head. "Non...the morning bell rang."
"Ah, alright." I slowly laid down again. "Give me...hmm...ten minutes."
"T...Ten minutes?" He looked at me, surprised. "But we have to get ready for the day!"
"Heh...you're acting like you've never slept in before." I smiled.
That smile faded away when he continued to stare at me, still surprised.
"...Wait, wait." I slowly sat up. "You've never slept in before? Never, never ever? Not even once?"
He slowly shook his head. "Non. Mes parents taught me to always be sharp to the clock."
"Oh yeah?" I crossed my arms. "Well...that sounds very…"
"Healthy?" He asked, blinking.
"No. Stupid." I shook my head, exiting the tent as Weise was leading me to do so. "You act like you never take time off for...yourself."
"...Eh bien...I've always been busy with things to do." He crossed his arms behind his back, looking down. "C'est...probablement the first time where I don't have my whole day already planned out for me…"
"Hmm...alright. If it makes you feel better, I'll let you control the schedule." I prepared to walk out of the room.
"...Wait." He tugged on my arm.
I turned around, confused. "What's the matter?"
Weise shook his head slowly, then looking back to me. "...I...rien. Just...had a nightmare last night."
"Are you feeling alright now?" I asked him, worriedly.
He glanced around, avoiding eye contact with me. "...Non."
"Well...you can tell me about it." I took a seat on the floor with him, trying to encourage him to open up. "What happened?"
"...You told me to remember." He felt at his head. "Mais j'ai forgotten...what I was supposed to remember?"
I blinked. "...Huh?"
"Kozaki...you told me, last night…" He looked me in the eyes. "...You told me to run away, and to remember qu'est-il arrivé. Do you remember that?"
I shook my head, slowly.
"It was scary." He shivered. "All I can remember is...there were so many masked people, and they were chasing us. You were trying to fight them off when you told me to run."
Unable to completely understand the situation, I pressed him for more information. "Where did you run to?"
"I didn't make it far…" He gulped. "J'ai caught and...they knocked me out."
I crossed my arms and looked to the side. "...They might've brought you to where Anne was."
"What do you mean?" Weise looked up.
I sighed. "Mei also has these… 'visits' at night. They might've separated her from Anne like you and I were. Possibly...keeping you asleep while they did their...whatever the hell they do…"
"...Why are they taking you away at night?" He asked, worriedly.
"Hah. Boy, do I wish I knew." I slowly stood up. "Something about not installing Zepto, or so I've heard. But they say I keep rejecting it so...I guess it'll never end."
"...Sont...you okay?" Weise asked, twiddling his fingertips.
"Haha...fuck no." I sighed, standing up. "But...I haven't died yet, so...guess in a place like this, that's all that matters."
Weise stood up with me, looking to the side. "...Je suppose so…"
"There's nothing I can do about it. That's just...how it is...and damn, do I hate it." I turned to leave. "...Can you keep this between us?"
The fashion designer took a while to reply. "Shouldn't...shouldn't we stop keeping secrets? It only leads us to...to…"
"...Those secrets are different." I looked back to Weise. "I promise, this secret is something nobody needs to worry about. It doesn't affect them anyway. If a bunch of crazy cultists kill me, well...that's just how it will be…"
He looked me in the eyes, shaking his head. "...Non. I don't want that. You're my friend...I don't want you to die…"
Sighing, I gave Weise a quick hug. "And you are my friend as well, so...I want to protect you. Come on, then. Let's get ready and go eat breakfast."
"...Kozaki?" Weise looked down. "Do you think...Ingreis and Riko are bien?"
"Well...I believe in them. If something did go wrong...I'll fucking stab myself for letting it happen." I frowned, pointing at myself with my thumb.
"Non, non...please don't do that…" Weise was saddened. "I...I believe they are okay."
A short silence.
"...Let's go, Weise." I sighed, shaking my head. "...If there's anything more you want to tell me, do so."
"...C'etait effrayant, oui..." He closed his eyes. "I've never...seen that side of you before. And...the only thing that I can clearly remember is...your eyes. They were..."
I walked towards the door with another sigh, gently tugging Weise with me. "...Please, I...don't want to hear about it. Maybe ignorance is stupid, but…" I closed my eyes, holding my right arm. "...Ignorance is bliss."
Without another word, we exited his dorm room.
Breakfast filled me with a sigh of relief. Riko and Ingreis were back from the Puzzle Room, and they seemed to be unharmed.
"Kozaki!" Riko smiled, waving to me. "We did it!"
I wanted to run over to the pair to make sure they were alright, but...I didn't want to cause Weise to go flying behind me. "I'm...I'm really glad."
"Oh, Weise! We got something for you!" Riko eagerly reached over to the table. "I think you'll really like it!"
Weise's eyes went wide as he gasped. "T-That's my…!"
"Yup!" Riko smiled, handing Weise his precious item. "We found your sketchbook at the end of the puzzle!"
He hugged his book, starting to tear up. "T...Thank you tellement de…"
"We also found Soro's camera." Ingreis motioned to the cinematographer.
Soro was busy taking film shots of the breakfast gathering, sticking it into people's faces for the most part…
"There was one more thing we found, too." Riko motioned to Neizami.
"Ah, her art tablet." I smiled. "Good for her."
"I'm...sorry we didn't find your item, Kozaki. Those were the only three we got." Riko held her hands, sadly.
"Er…" I looked to the side. Perhaps...that was for the best. "Don't worry about it. I'm...sorry you and Ingreis didn't find your items either. After all, you two were the ones doing the puzzle…"
Smiling lightly, Riko nodded politely. "Thank you, Oh kind one."
"...'Oh kind one?'" I raised an eyebrow. "Please, I think you're at the wrong address with that title."
Riko smiled, rolling her eyes. "Alright then, Sir Ars-"
"No, no! On second thought, I like 'Oh kind one' just fine!" I waved my hands, nervously. If she called me 'Sir Arsonist' in front of everyone, I'd...be absolutely burnt to a crisp.
Specifically by Mei.
"...Sir Arse?" The vigilante sneered. "That's a good one. Though, you just can't replace Dunce-suke with that."
Embarrassed, I covered my face. "How...thoughtful of you…"
After things calmed down for the moment, I noticed Mest was sitting besides me at the table.
"Hey, Mest...why do you come down here with us if you never actually eat?" I pointed to Zraiko. "I mean, outside of being handcuffed...you always just sit and watch."
"...It's good to be kept in the know." He leaned back in his seat. "...I...take my dish with me to eat on my own anyways."
"...Is there a reason for that?" I blinked. "You could take your mask off and eat here. I won't judge if you do."
Mest shook his head. "No...it is...my private matter."
Zraiko adjusted his glasses, seems he was...uncomfortable over the topic of what's hiding beneath Mest's mask.
"Is it...some kind of deformity?" I blinked.
"Kozaki, show some respect." Zraiko glared at me.
Gulping, I looked away. "S-Sorry...I didn't mean to be a bother…"
With an awkward tension in the air, Weise tugged on my sleeve.
"What's the matter?" I looked over to him.
Cheerfully, the fashion designer showed me a sketch from his design book.
It was my outfit...but I suppose more...not like my outfit, and...like a tuxedo...somehow…?
...The more I looked at it, the more confused I got.
"Wow, Weise...that is uhh...unique." I nodded.
"...Do you j'aime ca, or...non?" He seemed to be worried by my reaction.
"Uhh...oui…?" I gulped.
He puffed his cheek. "Oui?"
"Oui oui." I nodded.
"...Oui oui oui." He looked back to his sketchbook. "...Non. It's wrong. I'm going to draw it again."
Sighing, I looked down. "...Understandable."
"...Well, everyone." Ingreis cleared her throat. "Riko and I also would like to tell you the clue we found, correct?"
Riko smiled. "That's right!" She unfolded a slip of paper and read it out loud. "If escape is what you seek, solve this riddle as follows…"
Five tokens of the New World walk among sealed walls.
The first, Defiance.
The second, Justice.
The third, Spirited.
The fourth, Visionary.
The fifth, Adventurous.
Would you surrender their lives for your own breaching, or give up yourself for their task beseeching?
...What?
"...I'll be honest. Movie tropes are my thing, yeah?" Soro felt at his cap. "I got no damn idea. Maybe these are...items here?"
"Hey...t-that could be." Neizami nodded. "I-If each of these five things are meant to be symbolic of o-our precious items…"
"Then...let's see!" Anne smiled. "I think we can knock one out right away. Mei's gun, wouldn't that be justice?"
"...I think that's more...about defiance, eh?" Tikari felt at her beanie.
"Pero...a vigilante defines que es justo." Fraize crossed his arms. "Mei defines her justice."
"...How about the other four?" Kyohi asked, swinging his legs.
"Don't know…" Sayino crossed her arms. "I damn bet Neizami is one of them. The visionary. Her talent is all about art."
Neizami looked to her tablet. "B-But...I don't want to give up my tablet. N-Not...not when I just got it b-back…"
A short silence.
"...Hey. Maybe we should take some time to rest before we really turn our brains on?" Riko smiled. "See, Ingreis and I were talking a lot last night."
"Would you all like to watch us skate the rink?" The figure skater smiled with pride. "Surely it will inspire you. At the very least it will put my ego on display."
...She wasn't even ashamed to admit it.
"Oui, j'aimerais regarder." Weise smiled. "Oh, Kozaki! Come on, please. Let's watch them!"
"W-Why are you asking for my approval?" I gulped. "I mean...sure we could, I just-"
"Let's all watch, eh?" Tikari smiled, taking a bite of her muffin.
"I-It will give us the emotional m-momentum we need r-right now." Neizami tapped her fingertips together.
"Sounds like she's looking to put on a show for the whole TV audience or...whoever the hell is watching us." Soro felt at his cap.
"It could be a good idea, though! If the audience gets to know us better, they would want to help us instead of watching a killing game, eh?" Tikari defended the figure skater.
"Perhaps...Alestar will see me." Ingreis smiled, dreamily.
A short silence.
"...Let's go see Yuuta and Kamiyaki." Riko nodded, solemnly. "And then...make our plans for today."
And visit them we did. We were feeling more hopeful than yesterday, trying to believe in our wish to have not one single death added to the count.
"Riko and I will spend today preparing for the show, then." Ingreis nodded. "Soro, I want you to join us after lunch."
"Why me?" He frowned, feeling at his cap. Seems he was disinterested in the figure skater's ego-festival.
"...So you can make good use of your camera." She smiled, smugly. "Right…?"
"...I...will not comment on that." Soro sighed, rolling his eyes. "Fine then…"
"For now, m-may we go to my Shift Room?" Neizami clutched her tablet, stars in her eyes. "Please, p-please...I want to draw something, a-anything! I...I feel this e-energy that I haven't had since I came here and...I-I have to let it out…" She smiled, sheepishly.
The cinematographer shrugged. "I mean...go for it…"
Gleefully, Neizami was on the verge of bouncing up and down. "Oh, t-thank you, thank you!"
"We'll meet for lunch, in that case." Anne smiled.
"Hold it." Zraiko frowned, adjusting his glasses. "I need to use a Shift Room to program. You both can't take on-"
Mest began to drag Zraiko out of the room.
"W-What are you doing?!" The hacker fumed. "I'm trying to get us out of here!"
"...You need a vacation." Mest nodded, simply. "...And frankly…"
They stopped for a moment. Mest turned around, emitting a...grisly aura.
"If I see...one more line of code within the next forty-eight hours…" He placed his index finger just above his lip. "...I will tattoo a mustache onto your face."
"W...What?!" Zraiko frowned. "I object to this!"
Objections disregarded, Mest proceeded to drag Zraiko out of the room.
"...Hey, Kozaki." Weise tugged on my arm. "Let's go spend time with Neizami and Soro."
I looked over to my partner. "You artists have a thing where you like to work together, right?"
Cheerfully, Weise hugged his sketchbook. "Oui...I want to draw with her. Perhaps I'll revise your ridiculous suit design I came up with."
...It was his own design, and yet...why do I feel insulted by that?!
"Come on, Kozaki. Why not buy this shirt?" My mother asked, lifting up a T-shirt with a stegosaurus printed on the front.
"Mom, please…" I frowned. "I'm too old for a dinosaur shirt."
"Aww, but he's got a little smile! Isn't that cute?" She pointed to the face of the stegosaurus. "Let's buy it!"
"But Mom...I'll look weird wearing that!" I shook my head.
"Hey, Zaki...Zaki!" Mikanne walked over to me. "We're waiting for you at the entrance to the store. Did you finally pick a shirt?"
Sighing, I looked away. "N...No...I don't know what to get."
"That dinosaur shirt looks cool~" My mother whispered behind my ear.
"M-Mom!" I turned around.
"That's a cute dino shirt!" Mikanne smiled. "You should get it."
I looked back to Mikanne. "But Mik...the other kids will think I'm...a baby…"
Mikanne walked over to the rack where my mother found the shirt. He picked up one for himself. "There. I'll buy one with you!"
"Mik…" I felt at my right arm.
"We can wear the shirts together on the same day!" Mikanne smiled, encouragingly. "What do you say, Zaki?"
"...Okay…" I sighed, taking the shirt off my mother's hands.
Little did I know I would make many memories in that stegosaurus shirt. Mikanne and I were the dino duo whenever we twinned. A pair of rascals, mischievous kids who just wanted to have fun.
I was sad when I outgrew that shirt. Although Mikanne had done so before me, I wasn't ready to let it go. The shirt barely covered my chest, squeezing against me. It didn't bother me, though. I ignored it because I didn't want it to be thrown out.
Well…
We didn't throw it out at the end of the day. I wouldn't let them. Instead, my mother gave the shirt a sewing machine treatment, allowing for it to fit on my teddy bear.
It didn't matter if I wasn't wearing the shirt. To me...as long as we didn't throw it away...I would be happy.
Neizami was awful giddy. I watched as she swung her legs excitedly in her seat, tapping her fingertips together.
"W-What should I draw? Oh...oh...what...what s-should I draw?!" She started to bounce in her chair. I've...never seen her with this much energy.
"Woah. Who are you and what have you done with Neizami?" Soro blinked, surprised by her sudden change in personality.
"I-I...I'm sorry." Neizami smiled, sheepishly. "I always get excited when I draw...I really do love it."
"I'm happy for you." I nodded, offering a smile. "It's nice to meet the real Neizami."
Neizami's Shift Room was designed to look like the room was nice and open. There were windows installed that had some sort of hologram displaying sunny weather across a vivid forest. There were several beanbags scattered across the floor, off to the side was a miniature kitchen for her to make herself a nice cup of hot tea. At the center of it all was her computer and drawing tablet.
"I'm...I'm going to draw...umm…!" She looked over to the window, glancing around the 'outside' world. "Oh...oh...I'm not sure!"
"Hey, hey!" Weise raised his hand. "Draw a...a butterfly!"
Seems that these two artists were really resonating with each other. Weise stood up on his tippy toes to peek over Neizami as she drew.
"Non, non. Wait. It needs...a flower." He pointed to the bottom left corner. "Ici."
"N-No, it should go on the other side." Neizami shook her head.
"Non...it should go here!" Weise frowned, puffing his cheek. "It looks faux otherwise!"
Neizami frowned, looking over to Weise. "I'm...drawing...it...how I want to!" She then turned back to draw in the flower how she so desired.
Weise's cheeks puffed up even more. It was clear he disagreed with her choice of placement.
Soro and I attempted to take a step back from our partners, though it was difficult due to the handcuffs.
After a moment to calm down, we stood back to admire Neizami's finished artwork.
"What do you think, hmm...hmm?" She tapped her fingertips together, eyes sparkling. "Isn't it...isn't it great? Isn't it? I-Isn't...isn't it?!"
"Woah, woah…" Soro felt at his cap. "Calm down, Neizami…"
"Ah, I…" Neizami felt at her scarf, taking a deep breath. "I...apologize. I didn't...have the intention of being...childish…"
"Oh no, no!" I shook my head. "I'm really glad to see you still have a sense of yourself hidden away."
"Truthfully...I am...usually more like this." Neizami continued to feel her scarf, seemingly ashamed. "But...when...when I heard about the killing game, I...f-felt being myself would...m-make me a target…" She gulped. "S-So I tried to...be more mature…"
I looked to the side for a while. Seems that I'm not the only one keeping secrets about myself from the group. "...I understand what you mean, Neizami." I looked back to her. "But please...I would rather have it you be lively! It shows you won't let Monobotto get to you, and that...that energy will keep you going."
Smiling lightly, Neizami nodded. "T-Thank you, Kozaki…"
Looking at her butterfly for a while, Weise looked back to the digital artist. "...The flower looks...fine." He puffed his cheeks. "But my idea would've been better…"
Sighing, Neizami simply shook her head. "...N-No, it wouldn't have been."
I sighed and turned to the cinematographer. "Did you have a chance to check out your room?"
"Shift Room? Naw." He adjusted his cap. "If I have the chance to before lunch, I will. It's just…"
We turned back to see Neizami and Weise continue to bicker over her art choices.
"...She seems to be...in the zone." Soro chuckled. "When you're in the zone, it's hard to get out of it. One time, I was so focused on doing a shoot, I skipped breakfast and lunch. I was damn hungry after, I'll tell you!"
"In...the zone?" I asked.
"It's a thing we artists have." Soro pointed to his head. "We get these rushes of creativity, and...it's hard to get out of them until we're satisfied."
"Damn...I wouldn't know." I chuckled in return. "Can't say I've ever invested that kind of time to...anything."
Soro nodded. "We can't all be artists. I'm sure your untalented ass will find something in the future."
...I...I'm not sure if that was meant to be encouraging…
"Th...thanks…" I felt the back of my head.
"Non, non! What is this putrid couleur palette?!" Weise exclaimed in dismay.
"I-I like these colors!" Neizami frowned, looking to the fashion designer. "I-I haven't seen your drawings yet, s-so why don't you show me?!"
"Fine then!" Weise took out his sketchbook and put his designs up for display. "Feast your eyes on the great art of Weise Vayrne!"
Neizami blinked. "Wh...a-and people are supposed to...to wear that?!"
Weise puffed his cheeks. "Oui, they are!"
"I-I wouldn't even wear that if I went to a...a costume party!" Neizami shook her head. "I'm not t-taking any advice from you."
Weise frowned and closed his sketchbook. "Hueh?!"
I quickly tried to think of a distraction for Weise. "Hey, hey. I want visit somewhere else. It's my turn to decide where we go." Playfully, I tugged on his arm. "Oui, oui, ouiiiiiii!"
Weise pouted, crossing his arms. "Are you...making fun of me?"
"Whaaaat?" I asked, sarcastically. "Non, non...by the way, Neizami is right. Your design was...pas bon!"
He gasped, clutching his sketchbook.
"Ah, I have so much money! I'm going to...make a suit out of gold! Look, look at this, it's fantastic, non?!" I laughed.
Sniffling, he began to tear up.
"I…" I gulped, holding my right arm. "W-Weise, I'm sorry...I was only trying to be playful…"
He looked down, not granting me a reply.
"...Come on, let's go and hang out!" I smiled, leading him out of the Shift Room. "We'll eat lunch together, and it will be fine!"
"...Are my sketches really pas bon?" He looked at me, eyes twinkling.
"No, they're not." I patted him on the head, gently. "They're very...imaginative."
"...That sounds like you don't like them." He puffed his cheeks, sadly.
Closing the door as we exited, I sighed. "Well...truthfully...my family doesn't have a lot of money. I don't know...how to appreciate your art."
No clue in the slightest.
I'm...I'm…
I want to have as much money as he does. I want my family to have that money…
And...he has...he has all that. He has so much money…
Why...why can't I…
…
I feel like I can't hold back any longer, that I'm about to explode.
That money...that money my parents don't have…
…
That money that Weise has…
...
...I want it…
...
...Was this...my motive?
"Mom, look!" I pointed to a video game in the toy store. "Can I have that for my birthday?"
My mother looked to the game in question, seeming to be dissapointed. "I'm sorry, sweety...we can't afford it."
"...But...why not?" I looked upwards, to her. "Isn't Uncle Haiji helping us with the money?"
"Not anymore, sweety." My mother led me away from the electronics section. "We couldn't accept that money."
"...Then...Dad was really serious?" I closed my eyes. "Uncle Haiji...did you really kick him out...forever?"
Sighing, my mother looked back to me. "It's for the best you forget about Uncle Haiji. He made the money from selling drugs."
"I know, Mom. But...doesn't he deserve a second chance?" I squeezed her hand.
My mother walked me over to the classical toys section. "No. He's had too many chances. That was his last chance. He crossed a line."
"...Mom…" I stopped walking. "Do you...hate Uncle Haiji?"
She didn't reply, only turning around and looking me in the eyes.
They were...filled with an emotion I've never seen from her before. I couldn't...couldn't tell what it was.
"Kozaki...come on. Let's get you a nice...board game. We'll play it when Mikanne comes over for your party, okay?" She changed the subject.
"...Okay, Mom." I sighed.
When Uncle Haiji left, the amount of money my family had shrunk dramatically. We couldn't afford the nicer clothes and toys anymore. We couldn't go out to eat at restaurants, we couldn't even buy juicy steaks anymore. Not unless it was really a special occasion…
I didn't realize how much I took for granted until it was stripped from my hands. I didn't realize...how fortunate we were to have that money.
...But…
If that money came from a terrible place...maybe Mom and Dad were right to refuse it.
…
And now...I have to find some way to bring back all those nice things we used to have. I'd do it with my own hands.
…
I'll do anything...to get them enough money...
Weise unpuffed his cheeks, looking at me with worry. "...Not a lot of money? But...surely you have enough money, right?"
Saddened, I shook my head. "No, Weise. My family...doesn't have enough money."
The fashion designer looked away. "...I'm sorry, mon amie. I...didn't mean to make you feel…"
"Weise, please." I tugged him lightly, getting him to walk with me. "...Don't call me your friend."
"W-Why not?" He asked, surprised.
With a deep sigh, I shook my head once more. "I don't have any friends. It's better off if it stays that way."
Weise fell silent.
"...You know me. I make shitty jokes that can hurt people's feelings. I'm not funny, and I'm an absolute mess. Honestly...I've done more harm than good. And don't try to deny it." I looked back to him. "Because of me...you're getting dragged along in whatever hell they put me through during the night. Weise...you should hate me."
…
No response.
"...Do you...understand now, how I feel?" I looked forwards, opening the door of my room. "I...need to rest. If you want, you can draw in your sketchbook."
My mood was swinging, faster than the pendulum of a grandfather's clock. I just...I didn't know. I suppose spending time with Weise was getting to me, the constant reminder that my family would never have as much money as his.
I sat against the wall of my room, closing my eyes. My right arm was lightly jittered back and forth as Weise used his left hand to draw.
Neizami was able to turn herself around for the better, and I...well…
Here I am being a selfish, depressed...pathetic…
…
I was getting ahead of myself, thinking that I could be friends with them. I have to remove myself. I can't let them in...I can't let them see the me that I hide inside…
...I'm lonely, so damn lonely. It's my choice, but…
I need to stay lonely, so that nobody is hurt because of me.
So that they can find a way to be happy here, like Neizami.
...
If the cuffs only break if someone dies...maybe...maybe I should…
…
I'm being stupid, so...so fucking stupid! Just when things were getting happier, I went and blew it. Over my selfishness, I blew it.
…
...This must've been why Weise and I were paired together. Because...Monobotto must've known I would be...jealous of him.
…
I can't stoop down to that level. I'm not going to be an idiot…
…
I will not hurt him just to get money. I will not end up like my uncle.
I swore...that I would never kill someone.
"Weise, I'm...I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to act up like this. It was wrong of me to vent off to you like that. You're under enough emotional pressure as it is." I looked over to the fashion designer. "Please, call me your fri..."
He was unconscious.
"...Weise…?" I shook him, gently.
"Fool. He-will-not-wake-up-for-a-few-good-minutes."
I turned around to see Monobotto holding...a used syringe.
"Now-we-can-speak-in-privacy." Monobotto casually dropped the needle into the trash. "I-have-to-give-you-your-instructions."
"W...What the fuck…" I sat upright, cold sweat slipping down my face.
"You-have-continuously-failed-the-installation-of-Zepto. You-and-the-others. This-has-caused-quite-a-few-issues."
"...Good." I frowned. "The more I can do to spoil your day, the better."
"Kozaki-Daisuke. It-seems-you-need-an-emotional-kick. Perhaps-pairing-you-with-the-wealthiest-was-not-enough. Perhaps-learning-about-your-real-age-and-new-sibling-and-parents-was-not-enough. So-tell-me-this. What-makes-you-tick-?"
Glaring at the bucket of bolts, I chuckled lightly. "And you expect me to just tell you?"
"Why-yes." It replied, simply.
"Maybe I'll tell you after you explain to me what you're doing." I leaned back.
"I-don't-owe-you-any-explanation-you-fool. We-have-to-change-the-whole-program-now-to-adapt-to-you-fools." Monobotto pointed to me with one of its arms. "You-are-going-to-have-to-accept-any-experimentation-coming-your-way."
…
"Well...what if…" I gritted my teeth. "I don't want to just accept it?"
"Fool." Monobotto rolled closer to me. "Your-instructions-are-simple. Do-the-following. You-must-"
"How about...fuck you and your instructions?" I rolled my eyes, turning away.
"Listen-here-Kozaki-Daisuke." Monobotto grabbed me by the collar of my sweater, forcing me to look it in its soulless, glassy eyes. "This-is-simple. You-must-solve-the-riddle."
I blinked confusedly. "W...What? Solve…"
"Bring-the-five-together. That-is-your-task. That-is-all." Monobotto lowered me.
I shook my head. "Who do you take me for, one of your cultist henchmen? I'm not going to do shit for you."
"Is-that-so-?" Monobotto beeped. "Perhaps-you-need-more-motivation."
Monobotto reached over, beginning to stroke my hair.
"S...Stop that!" I struggled, trying to pull away.
"You're-my-little-sweetie. Oh-how-you-mean-the-world-to-me. Kozaki-Daisuke-my-sweet-little-ray-of-sunshine." Monobotto mocked me.
"I...I said stop that!" I had to restrain myself from attacking Monobotto. Otherwise...I'd be shot on the spot.
...This...this isn't fair...there's...nothing I can do to stop it…
I can't break the rules because...I know I can tough this out. I'm not going to waste it on me.
"Oh-how-I-love-you. I-am-so-proud-of-you." The bucket of bolts continued. "Please-come-home-to-me-my-child. Oh-sweet-child-of-mine."
"Get...get off!" I yelled out, trying to get someone's attention.
I wanted so badly to kick it away. It took everything I had to stop myself.
Don't break the rule.
Don't break the rule.
Monobotto continued to torment me. "You-are-my-sunshine. My-only-sunshine."
"Fucking leave me alone!" I was quickly losing my temper. Surely...it was trying to get me to snap.
...But I couldn't help it. This was personal now.
It replied, almost like a tease. "All-you-have-to-do-is-say-yes. Say-yes. Do-it. Do-it-Koza-"
There was a sudden SMACK sound. Monobotto slowly turned its head around.
It...it was...
W...Weise?
"...He told you...to get off him, non? Fas ca maintenant…" His hands were shaking.
It looks like...he smacked Monobotto with his sketchbook…
...Oh no…
"...Oh-my. What-an-interesting-development." Monobotto released me. "Weise-Vayrne. You-violated-one-of-the-rules."
He gulped, nodding. "O...Oui…"
"I-have-no-choice-but-to-enforce-the-consequences." Monobotto grabbed him by the collar. "And-that-would-be-to-eliminate-you-where-you-stand."
"S-Stop! Get off him!" I tried to push Monobotto away. "You don't even have a single dent! Not even a scratch of paint! Leave him!"
"Rules-are-rules-you-fool." Monobotto sprouted an extra arm with a needle with some substance. "Hold-still-now. This-lethal-injection-will-make-your-death-quick-and-clean."
Weise squeezed my hand, unable to find anything to say. He was petrified...desperate…
"Hey! Mono-fuckface! I said leave him!" I yelled, trying to do something. "You said one rule could be broken, didn't you?! Maybe it fucking blows your ego, but Weise should be spared!"
…
Monobotto...stopped.
…
The wingnut suddenly turned to me. "...Understood. I-will-follow-these-new-instructions."
...New instructions?
"Kozaki-Daisuke." Monobotto teased me. "Perhaps-you-are-willing-to-make-a-bargain-?"
I gulped, knowing exactly what it was asking of me.
"And...and you'll leave him?" I asked, squeezing Weise's hand.
"Well-yes. However-actually-not-quite. I-will-not-euthanize-Weise-Vayrne. He-will-receive-different-consequences." It paused. "As-you-said. My-ego-has-been-blown."
I…
"...Yes, I'll follow your stupid instructions! Leave him, please…" I begged. "Please, put him down…"
Monobotto seemed to be quite amused as the arm holding the needle retreated. "Thank-you-for-your-compliance. However-I-will-not-release-Weise-Vayrne. I-shall-formally-invite-you-two-to-await-his-consequences-in-the-confinement-cell."
I was suddenly grabbed by Monobotto as well. It dragged us both out of the room, down the hall…
Towards the library...
I just could never sleep, and I never knew why.
Was it because of the cold left inside me after Mikanne moved away? Was it because I had no warmth when lost my friends?
...
I'm always feeling cold, even when I'm wearing lots of layers. Even when I wear my hoodie over my warm sweater, I still get goosebumps. I still shiver, I still feel...frozen inside.
It's ironic to say I hate the cold, because I love winter. The snow sparkling and icicles glistening...it's magic.
Mikanne and I would take snow to make anything out of it. Things like the obvious snowman, a cave, snow angels...we once made our own kingdom of ice and ruled over little pebbles. Our imagination would run wild.
And when he left...all I had was the cold snow...and no imagination to make dreams out of it.
I feel cold. I feel empty. I don't know what I'm going to do now.
What am I going to do? Where am I going to go?
I wanted to believe maybe I was good enough, even though I knew that I wasn't. Now here I am, all alone and cold. I should've known.
I did know, but I let myself be naive and hope there was a chance.
Mikanne isn't coming back, but I kept standing out in the snow to wait for him. Every day, I kept waiting and waiting.
But no, he never came back. I was left there outside in the blizzard.
Now I just feel cold. I'm not crying, nor will I cry because I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself, because I'm tired and I just want it to be over.
I tried to go and do things that would usually make me feel better, things that would bring a smile to me or get me to laugh...but I feel empty. I feel like nothing, because I am nothing.
I'm nothing...without Mikanne...
Where am I going to go now? I hoped too much, I dreamed too big, and now what?
There's nothing for me, is there?
Is there a tomorrow for me?
Is there anywhere I can go, or am I just going to be left here alone in the cold?
Am I going to slip away like I should've years ago?
I don't know who I want to be anymore, I don't know what I want either. I just want everything to stop and leave me alone, to stop and let me release all the feelings I keep inside me. Atleast to release them somehow, since nobody would care otherwise...
Nobody ever cared like Mikanne did…
The snow eventually melts, much like when I'm hit with the realization everything is impossible. Winter...it's so beautiful, and yet...if I stare for too long and spend all my time wondering instead of reaching those dreams, it all melts away.
The thing is, I need that cold in order to keep the snow there. That coldness is like determination, fighting against the wind to get as far as I can. Trying to resist the warmth that steers me away.
I need the cold, I need that drive...but I always fall back into the warmth and let things melt away. No matter how much I need that coldness to last, it hurts so much.
That's why I hate the cold, and I'll always be stuck living with it...
Monobotto dropped us roughly onto the ground against one of the bookshelves. It began to fiddle with some of the books. Speaking to us with a threatening voice, it worked with manipulating the many books on the shelf. "You-will-be-kept-here-until-I-receive-further-instructions-on-the-consequences-for-Weise-Vayrne."
Weise squeezed my hand. I feared for what would be coming his way.
"How-does-one-hour-sound-?" Monobotto taunted us. "Perhaps-even-more-? Maybe-I-will-leave-you-fools-to-rot."
The bookshelf was opened to reveal...a portal into a realm of darkness.
"Make-yourselves-at-home." Monobotto threw us into the room, slamming the door shut.
Pitch black...it was freezing…
…
I…
I don't understand…
...
"...Weise...why...why did you?" I asked him.
...No response. He was still shaking.
I squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him. "...Weise...it's okay. I'm here for you. I won't leave you. Talk to me...ok?"
"...I…" He squeezed my hand in return. "You promised you would protect me...so I...I wanted to protect you, too…"
A silence. I...I didn't know what to say...
"...Weise...I'm so sorry for being...selfish…" I looked down. "I never meant to hurt you...but I guess I'll never be able to stop...hurting others…"
"Non...I didn't realize I was making you upset. I'm...a friend, pas bon…"
We sat in silence for a while.
"...Je reste...want to be your friend." Weise whispered. "Please…"
I nodded, slowly. "I...want to be your friend, too…"
"Are we...going to be stuck here for a whole hour?" He was scared. "It's...il fait si froid…"
I gave him a hug, trying to comfort him. "It'll be fine. We can make it through."
Weise hugged me back, slowly.
"...Let's just...think about nice things, okay?" I smiled.
"Okay…" He relaxed.
"Can you draw? Will that help take your mind off of this?" I asked him, trying to be of some help.
He sighed. "Non...It's too dark…"
"Okay, okay." I whispered, patting him gently. "Try to imagine a new design instead, yeah? The design of your dreams."
"It's...too cold to think…" He whispered to me in return.
…
Damn...what do I do?
...Useless, I'm such a useless friend.
"I'm...I'm here, Weise. I won't go anywhere. Let's...just rest easy, okay? I'll protect you, just like I promised."
Weise gave me a slow, gently hug. "Merci, mon amie…"
…
It wasn't long before I could barely feel my fingertips. I was shaking, trying to salvage some form of heat. The frigid air made it hard to breathe, my teeth chattering like crazy.
"K...Kozaki…" Weise whimpered. "I...I'm so...cold…"
"Y...You can...think about...w-warm things…" I replied, knowing that was...stupid to say.
"I...I can't feel my fingers or toes…" He shivered.
I slowly rubbed his shoulder, trying to be of any help. "Just...close your eyes...try not to...t-think about it…"
It took what felt like ages for the door to open. I weakly looked over to see Zraiko and Mest.
"Hey, are you alright?!" The hacker asked, this probably being first time I've ever seen him worried.
I...didn't have the strength to respond.
The pair walked in, helping to walk us out of the frozen prison.
"We were all worried about where you two disappeared when you never showed for lunch." Zraiko adjusted his glasses. "...Who'd have thought…"
They walked us to the Mono-shift Room. Seems the storage closet had some heaters and blankets.
The room was filled with shelves cluttered with various tools. A ladder was leaning against the wall to an air vent. To the side were several bags of salt.
"Hey...say something." Zraiko shook me.
"...We saw...Monobotto drag you two and lock you into that room." Mest felt at his forehead.
"That damn robot was going to leave you two to die, I bet." Zraiko frowned, bitterly.
I looked up to see the others were all standing outside the doorway.
It seems Soro, Neizami, Ingreis, and Riko all stopped their practice just to check on us.
"S….Sorry…" I closed my eyes. "So...so sorry…"
"Hey, stop acting like you're about to die." Zraiko shook me again. "Monobotto said you broke the rules, this is serious!"
"N...Non...c'etait moi…" Weise shivered. "...Kozaki...wanted to...help him…"
"...We have to be extremely careful now…" Mest crouched down, looking at us. "I'm sure if this happens again...you'll be killed…"
A very tense silence.
Nobody knew what to say. Weise was still shivering, so I gave him a light hug.
Monobotto...it's going to punish him in some way. I'm scared for him. Weise...he...he didn't have to help me…
...Now he has to be punished...because of me…
…
No. I promised I would protect him.
I...I'll take his punishment in his place. He doesn't deserve it, after all…
…
"What should we do?" Kyohi asked, feeling his right shoulder.
"Should...should we c-call off the skating performance?" Neizami asked to Ingreis.
Ingreis crossed her arms, looking to us. Her face...she wasn't sure what answer to give. She was a person to live by the schedule, after all. But…
Soro felt at his cap. "Damn...I sure didn't see this coming."
"Perhaps...we should postpone it…" Ingreis sighed.
"... Actually." Riko smiled, holding her hands together. "Let's have the show just as we planned."
"R-Really?" Neizami looked over to the clarinetist.
Ingreis nodded, slowly. "...Those two are clearly in the need of resting their minds…You may have the right idea, Riko."
Riko gently pumped a fist. "We'll put on a...a great performance. That way...Kozaki and Weise will be able to rest easy, right?"
I...I wasn't so sure…
...But…
"Are...are you sure?" Kyohi looked to us, worriedly. "Maybe they need to rest…"
Weise looked up. "Non...please, I want to watch…"
Everyone exchanged glances.
I nodded. "We'll be fine. Just...get everything ready, okay?"
Ingreis crossed her arms to think. She then nodded to me. "Alright. We'll have everything ready whenever you two are."
...Ingreis being flexible? Weird…
I guess she really does have a heart.
"Come on, then." Mest extended both his hands out to us. This caused Zraiko to strumble lightly, but he sighed and allowed the tattoo artist to be in control this time.
Weise and I looked to each other, then taking Mest's hands.
"We'll get everything prepared right away!" Riko smiled, encouragingly. "Please...go and eat something."
Anne smiled. "Mei and I will fix you two something spicy to warm you right up!"
Mei raised an eyebrow. "...We will?"
Cheerfully, Anne dragged Mei out of the room.
I needed Mest to lead me all the way to the dining room because of how out of it I was. I felt like...wherever we were...it wasn't just physically cold.
I couldn't...make any sense of reality.
Nothing was making sense…
…
I remembered what Mest told me. That...Monobotto was interested in me…
…
Why does it want me to 'solve the riddle' so bad…?
…
Mest...Mest could be right...after all...if I didn't agree to whatever command Monobotto gave me...
…
What's...going on here…?
Weise was still shivering, clutching his sketchbook.
"...Weise…" I patted him on the shoulder. "You should...draw something to relax, okay…?"
He nodded, silently pulling out a pencil from his inner vest pocket.
"How long were we in there?" I asked, turning to the hacker-tattoo artist pair.
"No clue…" Zraiko felt at his temple. "Though it sounds Monobotto had the intention of keeping you two locked in for much longer. We all had to threaten it to unlock the door."
"Y-You...threatened Monobotto?" I asked in disbelief.
Mest nodded. "I was testing my theory...and I seem to be on the right track." He pointed to me. "You are...of some sort of value to Monobotto. When threatening to reveal a huge secret about you, it started...sweating oil…"
"That...sounds absolutely fucking disgusting." I felt my guts twist in discomfort.
"...Oui…" Weise looked over. "How can a robot even sweat? Est-ce...programmed to have the function?"
"Probably to emulate emotion. After all...its face is certainly lifeless." Zraiko adjusted his glasses.
…
Back that up.
A...secret...about me?
"...Wait...w-what secret?" I gulped.
Mest slowly leaned in, whispering into my ear. "...Arsonist."
My eyes widened slowly. "W...What…?"
Mest leaned back out. Zraiko and Weise were confused by my reaction. It seemed they didn't know...
...How...how did Mest know?!
"When you quietly observe...you learn about many things." Mest tapped his forehead. "I've already collected secrets about everyone here."
I felt...quite afraid. I didn't know how my relationship with Mest stood.
W...What if he...told everyone?! I'd be...ruined...fucking burnt to a crisp!
And...why did Monobotto care…? After all...it would only make things more chaotic, right? So then…
…
Why does Monobotto think my talent is important to be kept secret?
I mean...I was going to keep it a secret anyway, but…
…
Maybe this is a sign that I need to tell them the truth...before it's too late…
…
No…
Another time.
I'm not...ready...
"On a lighter note!"
We turned to see Anne and Mei walk into the room, each carrying a bowl of soup.
"Here you are!" Anne smiled, placing the bowl gently in front of me. "Please, I...I hope you enjoy. It should warm your heart right up!"
The fragrance was incredible. I could feel my stomach grumble, excited to take a bite.
...It was spicy, so...so fucking spicy…
But...so good…
The shrimp were cooked perfectly, and there was a vivid wave of cheesy-goodness.
One spoonful was enough to throw me onto a beach in Latin America. The sun's rays reaching across the sky while the ocean's waves splashed against my toes.
"W-Wow…" I lowered the spoon. "This...this is amazing…"
"It was Mei's recipe!" Anne smiled, looking over to her spicy partner.
Mei nodded, feeling at her jacket. "Abuelita's recipe...Chupe de Camarones."
I couldn't stop myself from gulping it down. The heat was pounding within me, this may be up there for the spiciest thing I've ever eaten…
But...it was good...so good…
"Weise, isn't this great?" I looked over to the fashion designer.
His cheeks were all puffed up, eyes teary, face red. It seems...it was way too vibrant for his delicate palate.
"W-Weise, are you okay?" Anne gulped, feeling at her apron.
"O-Oui...it's...g-great…!" He gulped it down, coughing lightly. "I-I...l-love it…!" He took another spoonful to eat.
"Y...You don't have to eat it if it's too hot for you." Anne felt at her cheek. "I won't be offended if you don't like it…"
Weise ignored her and drank down the soup all at once. He burped lightly, sweating like a madman. "Ce..ses f-fan...fanta…" He coughed. "W...W...Waa...Waaaater!"
Anne quickly reached over for the pitcher of water that was resting on the table. "I-I got it!"
Weise stopped her from pouring it into a glass and began to drink straight from the pitcher. It took a good five minutes before he was able to catch his breath.
"...Lo siento. Was it too...picante for you, Vayrne?" Mei asked, seemingly feeling worried for the poor fashion designer.
"...Non, non...I needed it." Weise sat upright, looking back to me. "Oui, Kozaki?"
"Uhh...Oui." I nodded, trying to make him feel better.
"...Hmph." Mei tugged on her jacket, turning away. "Hurry up, then. Arinama's little espectáculo is about to begin."
"Maybe...maybe they should sit out…" Anne looked to us, worriedly. "Wouldn't it be best for them to get some rest? We...we could explain to Ingreis and Riko..."
"Non, please." Weise stood up. "I want to watch them skate, oui..."
It seems as though Weise was looking for something to distract him from all this.
...Damn it...I...I should've known I was a madness magnet. And...n-now I'm dragging Weise into all of my problems.
...
W-What if...what if he can't take it?
...
"...Yeah, I'll be fine...I'll watch it as well. I don't have a choice, anyways." I chuckled, awkwardly looking to the handcuffs.
"Then let's go." Anne cheerfully clapped her hands. "I'll make us some nice hot chocolate afterwards!"
With that in mind, we all walked as a group to go to the figure skating rink.
Weise and I stopped by the entrance to the rink to see Ingreis and Riko speaking to Soro and Neizami. It seems they were just about ready to begin.
"Hey, Kozaki and Weise!" Riko smiled. "Are you two alright?"
"Could be better…" I sighed, showing a smile. "But...here we are."
Soro felt at his cap. "You guys really wanna watch? You're not...exhausted?"
Weise looked down. "Well...je suis, mais...I don't want to miss this."
Ingreis smiled, crossing her arms. "It's...quite alright if you need to pass. I can always skate again for you if you wish."
Weise looked up to Ingreis, shaking his head. "Non. You worked so hard to make sure this will be perfect!"
"Right…" She sighed, looking to Riko. "Setup was quite...difficult."
Riko held her hands together, nodding. "Happens when things need to be just right, don't they? Especially for...Alestar, right?"
Ingreis nodded, dreamily. "Yes. I do hope Alestar will see I haven't lost myself here. I'll show him my strength." She pointed to Riko. "And you too, Riko. You'll show your family you haven't let this place bring you down."
Riko clapped her hands. "That's right. We're going to fly together."
"F...fly?" I blinked.
Neizami felt at her scarf. "T-That's right. I named their performance. It's called…"
"The Ballad of the Swan and the Sky." Ingreis looked to Neizami. "Very poetic. Thank you for your contribution."
It seems Ingreis was very excited to show her stuff to her skating partner. I think that's...very good on her. After all...showing that she wouldn't let this hell bring her down...showing that her spirit would continue to soar…
…
"Good luck, you two." I smiled.
Riko took my hand for a moment. "I do hope you'll see how hard I've been practicing, Kozaki. I want to make sure you can rest easy."
"This will raise our spirits." Ingreis glanced over to Riko, then looking back to me. "Riko and I will put on a memorable show."
"A-And then...Monobotto will completely forget about punishing Weise!" Neizami tapped her fingertips together. "B-Because...it will be completely captivated by their performance!"
"I...I don't think that's how it works…" I chuckled, awkwardly.
Weise squeezed my hand, worriedly.
I looked over to the fashion designer, sighing. "Don't worry, Weise. I won't let that wingnut hurt you. I promised."
Weise looked to me, smiling lightly. "Merci."
"Alright. We have a show to do." Soro nodded, feeling his cap.
"You two should take your seats." Ingreis grinned, pridefully. "I want only smiles to be on your faces after this, got it?" She pointed to Weise. "You especially."
"M-Me?" Weise puffed his cheeks, nervously.
Ingreis nodded, patting him on the head. "You have to show that robot you won't let it scare you. Weise Vayrne is a confident boy, isn't he?"
Weise smiled, crossing his arms behind his back. "Oui. I am!"
"Good." Ingreis pulled her hand away. "Later, you and I can go skating together in private. You still have much to learn, little boy. And trust me, who would be a better teacher than I, the great Olympic skater from Munich?"
O-Olympic skater…?
Damn. I thought Ingreis would be loud and proud about that, given that this whole thing is for putting her ego on display.
It seems...maybe there's a reason she was hiding that detail.
…
In any case, that's...pretty damn impressive. No wonder she's the Super-Highschool-Level Figure Skater...
Stars in his eyes, Weise nodded. "I-I'll make you proud, Ingreis! I'll...be your best student!"
Riko gasped, sarcastically. "What? Does that imply I am not a good student?"
Ingreis chuckled, patting Riko on the shoulder. "No, dear. You are quite a fast learner."
"Thank you." Riko curtsied.
Soro then pointed to the camera. "Should I get ready, then?"
"Yes, please." Ingreis nodded. "And then be sure to go control the lights as I asked, alright? Exactly. On the dot. It HAS to be perfect!"
"I-I'm on it!" Neizami tapped her fingertips together. "I practiced quite a lot, so I hope it'll be j-just as you expect…"
With that, Neizami and Soro headed off, both of them exchanging glances with worry.
"You two should get to your seats now." The clarinetist smiled. "I do hope this will make you feel better."
The figure skater motioned over to the bleachers. "Just over there. Sit towards the top, it's the perfect view."
"Will do." I nodded, turning to Weise. "Come on, buddy."
With that, we headed off to sit with the others.
I took a seat at between Weise and Fraize. The air was cool...but certainly not as awful as the air in the...the dungeon...
"Amigo…" Fraize looked over to me with worry. "Esta bien?"
"Ah...y-yeah. Mei's soup really warmed me right up." I smiled, feeling the back of my head.
Sitting behind me, Mei sighed. "...Gracias, Daisuke…"
"I hope the show will go well, eh?" Tikari smiled, feeling at her beanie.
"Yeah...say, where are Soro and Neizami?" I looked around. "I thought they were setting up the camera?"
"I think they already finished.." Sayino pointed towards the pair. "See, they're walking back to Ingreis and Riko right now."
"Oh, I see." I nodded, thoughtfully.
"All nice and warm, are you?" Anne smiled, kindly.
"Mhm. The food really helped, thank you." I nodded once more.
"You can't be cold for long, right amigo?" Fraize smiled. "After all, you are el estudiante superior de incen-" He cut himself off.
It...it seemed like the word he was going for was...incendiario...arsonist...
...Oh fuck…
And Mei...is sitting right behind me…
"...De…?" The vigilante leaned in, squinting her eyes.
"D...De incendio!" Fraize smiled. "Kozaki is the more fiery out of us, n-no?"
Mei frowned.
"...Fraize...you don't have to come up with a talent for me." I lied, shamelessly. "I'm fine with Kyohi's title."
Kyohi smiled, giving me a quick wave. "That's right! After all, you're the only Kozaki we have!"
Mei rolled her eyes and leaned back in her seat, seemingly because the show was starting.
Riko and Ingreis stepped onto the ice, giving us all a quick wave. With that, they began to glide across the rink.
It was magical, like watching a princess and her prince dance around together in a mystical forest. Souls in harmony, flowing with nature…
The Ballad of the Swan and the Sky, right?
Perhaps Riko is the swan, then...and Ingreis is the one lifting her into the sky.
It's...like a fairy tale.
While watching Ingreis and Riko skate around, it felt as though the air was getting colder. I couldn't tell why, but…
…It must be just me...
The two continuing to skate around, Ingreis and Riko jumped together into the air. Riko was able to land perfectly with Ingreis' guiding and support. They spun around, glided, flew on the ice in perfect harmony.
...and then the lights went out.
I looked around, trying to see what Ingreis and Riko were doing. It was difficult to tell, but...it seems they're continuing. I guess this was intentional?
The lights suddenly came back on. Huh...might've been a mistake, then. The pair seemed to be confused, but carried on. The lights went out again, flashing on and off quickly as though a paparazzi was snapping pictures of their performance.
The lights then stayed off.
This is...some pretty strange lighting direction, if I do say so myself. Ingreis seemed to be a little bothered, as her perfect plan wasn't being followed to a T.
…
Another ten or so minutes of impressive skating tricks. Honestly...I can't believe they're not showing even a hint of exhaustion. Must be because Ingreis was an Olympic skater. Riko...must be giving it her all.
...What's that...sound?
"...Do you hear that?" I turned to Fraize. "That...that sound?"
Fraize looked back to me. "Sí...what is it?"
"...No clue." I looked back over to the rink.
The noise began to grow louder and louder. Was it...some weird air conditioning? After all...everything feels to be growing colder and colder...
Weise tugged on my arm. "Kozaki, I don't think this is supposed to happen…"
"...Seems they both know about that. Ingreis must have a 'the show must go on' mentality." I leaned back on my seat, looking around. "Maybe...the air conditioner is acting up."
Ingreis then spun around with Riko again. I suppose if they're not distracted by the noise, I shouldn't be either.
…
And ignore the sound they did. Ingreis seemed to be even more bothered, but shook it off. Riko was worried, but was reassured when Ingreis gave her a confident nod. Picking up speed, they glided before launching into the air.
They were flying. Really, truly flying. It was as if they were going to fly out of this hell, soaring far from here.
…
There was an echoing snap sound. As though Hell itself was listening, it threw the sun upon them.
A crash...and silence.
...
I couldn't see them anymore.
...No...no.
The handcuffs are still in tact. I...I can…!
I ran out of the stand, pulling Weise with me. I wasn't thinking...I was…
I leapt over the barrier, Weise scrambling to keep up with me.
There's blood. A splatter.
No...no, no…
I can't...I…
"...Help...Kozaki…" Riko reached out to me with her right arm.
Her left arm was crushed underneath the giant light, pinning her down.
Her left arm was the one cuffed to Ingreis...I…
I couldn't see her.
"Weise, please. Help me lift this!" I attempted to push the fallen light off.
Despite the fashion designer being much shorter and less muscular than I, Weise did his best to help me.
When we pulled off the light...I was hit with the wave of reality I was trying so hard to deny.
And to confirm it...the handcuffs holding Weise and I together broke, the needles being the only thing keeping them stuck on.
There laid the body of Ingreis Arinama, the Super-Highschool-Level Figure Skater.
...Killed...right before our eyes…
Ding Dong Dong Ding
"A-body-has-been-discovered."
There was panic spread throughout the rink. Discord spread like a virus all throughout the bleachers.
I shook my head over and over...this...this can't…
"Please-go-over-to-the-location-of-the-body. Oh-who-am-I-kidding-? You-fools-are-already-there."
Soro and Neizami slowly walked towards the wall of the rink from wherever their light controls were set up, both of them looking over in disbelief. After all...they were just trying to do as they were told, and must've been hit with a wave of shock that they were struggling to process...
Ingreis...how? How did this happen?!
I started to hear...someone sniffling. I turned to see Weise...was tearing up.
"It's...it's happened again…" He covered his face. "Non...non...non…"
I hugged him tightly, trying to comfort him...even though there was no way I could.
"...Hey...hey...I'm here...don't cry…" I tried damn hard, but...my own voice started to break.
Riko tried to hold her hands together, but...it seems her cuffed arm was broken. Instead, she placed her good arm over her heart tearfully.
"Why...did this happen?" Weise asked, shaking. "W….Why is...why is everything going into madness?"
Trembling, feeling as though I would collapse...I shook my head. "I...I don't know…"
"N...Non..." Weise dropped to his knees.
I...I couldn't support him. It wasn't enough...
He began to cry out loud, the weight of it all being...too much. Just...just too much…
"Weise...Weise, please…" I knelt down besides him, rubbing his back. "I'm here, okay? I'm…" I closed my eyes, feeling myself crying as well.
...We have to do this again…
We have...to...do this...again…
…
Have to have another trial, have to have another execution…
…
Damn it all...
~Chapter One, Daily Life Part Three, End~
~Chapter One, Deadly Life Part One, Start~