No one really seemed to be talking. Not about real things. A-ya was floating as he walked, every word that passed him as he, Izaya, and Rika returned just went straight through him. Rika was silent, eyes shrouded. Minene was growling at Rika that she shouldn't disappear like that, apparently having been worried even though she masked it now with anger rather than relief. Celty began typing rapidly every question she had in the meantime, worried for everyone's well-being and wondering where Roy might be. Suzuya seemed only vaguely concerned. Twelve seemed to hold worry, but he was still an odd shade of optimism. Yukiteru and Akise approached A-ya, Yukki desperately asking whether he was alright while every word that escaped his mouth made A-ya's insides twist further.

"Please, please, don't harass A-ya-kun too much on the matter," Izaya had said. "Roy-san won't be coming back…"

It was A-ya who told the story, nearly falling into total hysteria in the midst of his tale. It was Yato. He killed Roy, all because of a foolish exchange between A-ya and the god that only resulted in Yato's outrage. Roy had saved him only to get sacrificed in the process. "It's because of me," he insisted repeatedly, tone rising and rising in a tumultuous whirlwind of emotion while everyone else assured him that it wasn't, it wasn't his fault even though he knew, he knew that he was the one who had killed Roy, they were wrong and… only he…

…At least the story was believable.

As they moved locations to one of the larger shops nearby, the sun began to rise. Yukiteru was assuredly holding onto A-ya's arm, but he couldn't feel it. It felt strange. Yukiteru said, "Ah, the sunrise… It's so beautiful."

A-ya looked at it. "…Yeah…," he agreed distantly. The thought that Yukiteru could still feel the sun's warmth comforted him, somehow. Noticing the pressure of Yukki's arm with his own, A-ya tried to return the gesture. Yukiteru's expression melted into something like relief, but A-ya still couldn't look at him.

Celty had suggested that they all settle somewhere to rest for just awhile longer in order to recover from the previous incident. Yukiteru agreed whole-heartedly, and so they went to rest up. On the second floor of the shop, there were three bedrooms and a small living space. Yukiteru, Celty, Twelve, and Suzuya hung around in the living area, remaining rather quiet. Twelve was leaning comfortably against the back of the old and worn couch placed in the room. He seemed like he might fall back to sleep anyway, though Suzuya was peering at him, hanging upside-down as he leaned backwards off the arm of a cloth chair. Celty, Minene, and Yukiteru were just too riled up to want to go back to sleep, so they merely took rest with the other two. Rika had retreated to one bedroom, A-ya resigning to the next. Izaya and Akise had gone out to the roof to stand guard together, Izaya's amusement at his partner choice evident.

Within Rika's chosen bedroom, Hanyuu hovered at her bedside, brow furrowed as she looked down on the ten-year-old lying on her back, no sheets to cover her. Hanyuu couldn't quite tell whether her light purple eyes held conviction or emptiness. "I… I don't really like how—how that went," mumbled Hanyuu, and Rika closed her eyes.

"Roy is dead again," she agreed quietly. All of her memories of previous games came to mind. It was strange, really… Unlike the typical memories of previous routes in her own world, in these games she could never remember anything past the point they were at now… no, not unless something painfully obvious like Roy's death had triggered a memory of where this was headed: Demise.

"But something changed," Rika added, opening her eyes again. She began to smile. "Izaya's never intervened like that."

"I—I know, but… but I don't really like that guy," frowned Hanyuu, and Rika chuckled.

"Izaya?"

"Yes. Him."

Rika sat up, beginning to smile. "At least he's interesting… He was right, though… So I won't give up just yet."

The goddess only drew her lips into a thin line, almost pouting. She didn't know whether to be happy that Rika had gained motive for action back, or upset that it was Izaya Orihara that did it. Sighing, she sat at the edge of the bed as Rika laid back down and closed her eyes. They'd remain there for some time.

Just behind the head of the bed where Rika's head rested, there lay A-ya behind the wall, curled up beneath the blankets with the pillow over his head.

Keep in mind, you can't control me…

He was so exhausted, but he knew he couldn't, shouldn't sleep. Not that sleeping would help anyway, seeing as Kuroha was awake when he wasn't… meaning his body never rested, even if he did. What was the point? Knowing the things Kuroha could do, it's not like it would help A-ya's mental state to sleep.

Can't sleep, Loner? An amused hiss. The serpent's voice was resounding through his thoughts as he lay there, wishing for sweet isolation. You chose this. You chose me.

He thought of how it had felt, his own body taking Roy's life. He needed to go anyway – he'd almost found out.

But Izaya and Rika know now, too…

We could kill them too, if we need to.

Ah, what have I…?

That's right, wallow in blame – it's your fault, after all. You knew from the start that this would happen, didn't you? You claimed to be ready for any consequence… Well, here's one petty death, and that's just the beginning…

…

So, were you ready, Loner? The demon sounded increasingly pleased. It's too bad, really. You'd given such a good show in the beginning, Loner… Ah. Who should we kill next? Look at what you've done… how will Observer accept the truth of you now?

You're nothing but a monster… You've always had the potential to be one, you know.

Haven't you noticed?

Keep in mind… this is your wish… You wanted this, didn't you?

And if you want Observer to remain at your side… you understand, you'll have to kill more of them, you know?

A-ya didn't respond to the snake, lying in the darkness underneath the blankets of the bed.

Ah, as expected… He could feel the demon smiling within. …You're so incredibly helpless.

A-ya twitched. C-ta's catchphrase… huh…?

The dark-clad boy felt his mouth twisting, his body trembling as he took to laughing. "Helpless, am I?" he murmured, and emerged from beneath the pillow, turning onto his back and lying like that, staring at the ceiling. "…I'm sure you're right…" ...But Izaya reminded me why I made this decision in the first place… Ah, and Rika… her views are exactly as my own… Who cares for the ordinary, mundane everyday when this… this is far more interesting, at the very least…!

"…But I already knew that I was," he said with vague ruefulness, gazing up into the ceiling with tired red eyes. "You're saying a lot of terrible things… but I'm used to hearing them from myself. From C-ta, even though I know he meant well… I…" He closed his eyes, bring his hands to the back of his head comfortably. "…But is that such a good thing…? I know it isn't… I'm just saying it's what I'm accustomed with… Yet I'm also accustomed with boring, and you're interesting, simple as that."

You're still calling me interesting, even now? the snake questioned, sounding rather skeptical, if humored.

"Absolutely. I've been into the occult since I started middle school… I never thought I'd have such a cool opportunity to be acquainted with a dream demon such as yourself…"

Don't get too friendly, Loner, he hissed uncertainly.

"People would probably grow to reject you by now, right?" A-ya chuckled and sat up, hugging his knees. "But isn't this exactly what you're expected to do, as a demon? You're right… I knew it all along. I had been expecting this, hadn't I? I'd just almost forgotten, that's all… Izaya and Rika reminded me of why I'm here now, though, so I'm not backing down. There's no time for regret when it means my lack of willpower lends itself to your strength. Just because I love the occult doesn't mean I want you going around with free reign of my body…"

You're trying to tell me you still fancy this idea, huh, Loner? The serpent was confused but amused. Even though I've killed with your hands? Even though I know in your head they didn't deserve it?

"Yes, even then." He began to smile. "I'm not going to say I like the fact that Roy died… no, that's something I refuse to think too much on—but I do know how this game works, and what's the point in mourning the dead when this game is no more than a show? Death is misleading, murder's no more than an illusion here… right?"

…Whatever pleases you, kid…

"No, no, I mean, I've died, too. Death means nothing to me if whoever's running this has the power to just bring me back at will. 'This game is fake.' I've said it time and time again… No. This game… I can make it do what I want, too, if I really put my mind to it…" He brought his hands to his eyes to cover up the fixated glimmer that had begun to shine there. "That's right…" His smile was spreading further. "Kuroha… You and I need to coexist. We need to compromise. Because if I really needed to, I would jump at the chance to end my life if it meant keeping you from hurting Yukiteru. Don't argue otherwise – I've killed myself before."

Is that a threat, brat? A-ya could feel his irritation beginning to simmer.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But I don't really want to threaten you. I've been trying to explain that I want to cooperate with you, not resort to shutting you down. Remember, you're only within the realm of existence because I agreed to make that deal. Hear me out… You want to exist, right? And I want to stick by Yukiteru, right?"

…I will not settle for mere existence without control nor purpose.

"No, listen… You want to maximize your time existing, right? Just like I want to maximize my time with Yukiteru…" A-ya paused, mustering his will to say his next words. "Kuroha, let's reset."

There was a delay in response. The serpent was momentarily surprised; words failed him. For someone to come that conclusion: the same as his own? And he didn't have to drag them to the end of tragedy in order to force them into that choice as an act of desperation? He should be pleased, but it felt rather stale. Kinda… less exciting?

"You're silent, but I know it was your intent all along. This game is fake… and the game masters don't want it to end. Understand? I don't either." He laughed breathily. "What have I to go back to? I leave Yukiteru behind, and C-ta and B-ko are dead, if the game masters want to follow the logic of the players' perceptions. If not, we may not go anywhere. What awaits us at the end of this game? Who's to say this game ever happened at all? For all we know, there's a parallel version of us just going about doing daily activities as though none of this ever happened! That said, the version of us that is our conscious self… Wouldn't it cease to exist? I exist, right now, here in my own head. Just like Yukiteru exists. Just like you exist.

"Even if we did go back, remembering everything from this game… Even if we were to go back and find that all of those we lost are back – if we were to return to normality, do you really think that's what I want to go back to? No! No…" Softly, he chuckled. "As far as I'm concerned, if the game ends, we end. I want to spend time with Yukiteru… yeah, even C-ta again. You just want to exist, causing havoc on the way. I don't mind you causing havoc, knowing that death is nothing more than an illusion here… It's inconsequential. Lives here are nothing; I get it. Logically I can comprehend this; emotionally I've yet to. But that's fine, isn't it? I want to spend time with Yukiteru… yeah, so he isn't allowed to die. That's all I ask, and that's something you've agreed to earlier on, isn't it?

"I'm giving you the ideal wish, here, Kuroha. I'm proposing that we reset the game – I know it can be, and I know you know it too… Isn't that perfect? Isn't it exactly what you want – exactly what we want? And then next loop, well, it'll be another chance. More time."

The serpent was silent, curling into a mental coil as he processed what his master had just asked of him. For a human, a mere human, to speak of life and death as inconsequential, just as he would? He, the Clearing Eyes Snake, who viewed the affairs of humans as petty and insignificant to a being such as himself, who had come into being centuries beforehand…?

Ah, but this boy still had his weakness, that dastardly thing called 'love,' the strongest human emotion as well as the one that was humanity's downfall. The serpent began to smile inwardly at such a thought. No, this human child was just as foolish as the rest… Even if he had potential to be a monster… even if he was metamorphosing into one as they spoke…

Kuroha couldn't help but think to himself that monsters weren't meant for love. His first master, the first Medusa, who had been birthed at the beginning of time… She had fallen victim to that ugly tale of love and loss. And what had become of her?

A scoff escaped him, and A-ya stirred in anticipation of his response, patiently waiting. That was right… This boy, Loner, had still come to the same conclusion as him despite the fact that he, the serpent, had not needed to so much as suggest such an idea. He didn't have to whisper it in the back of his mind, lure him to this end… this, no, this coda that would bring them back in time.

A thrill began to fill him. A-ya had proposed an irresistible deal, the 'ideal wish' indeed… It wasn't that this boy was equivalent to him, not at all… This wasn't about equality; this was about common interest! Could he ask for anything better? A host that wanted the exact thing that he did? It was a strange feeling, to have a vessel that suggested the very thing that Kuroha's ulterior motive had been all along. To have the same ulterior motive. To have the same ultimate motive. It was too good to be true!

…You mock me. Is that truly what you're after?

"You're the one in my head," A-ya shrugged. "You can read my thoughts all you want. In that respect, you have the upper hand. I have the advantage when it comes to cutting this life short, on the other hand – it's my body. There is no catch, Kuroha. Just, we've got to cooperate, which I know you won't like doing just because you're so used to working solo… I'd guess so, anyway. It also means we're going to work with other people."

What other people? Because the group we're in now is far too large for my tastes…

"We'll see," answered A-ya. "But it also means that you can't do anything to Yukiteru."

We've discussed this.

"And I'm reiterating it."

For someone who speaks of death so lightly… Isn't it strange for you to continue on with your protection of Observer?

"No. I want to be by his side… That was my wish, wasn't it? I don't want you answering my wish by getting him killed and then resetting, no… I don't want him touched this time around… or any other. If we go about this the way I'm suggesting, you'll be ensuring the granting of my wish while also extending your existence. We both get what we want. I've thought this through; I know…"

And what's the meaning of that, Loner?

"Well…" A smile ghosted over him. "…I want to get to know a demon. Is that so wrong?"

In the living space nearby, the five waiting in rest were at varying states of calmness and restlessness. Twelve and Suzuya seemed the calmest, even though Suzuya looked like he was getting a little bit impatient. Celty was next up, looking vaguely uncomfortable in her posture but otherwise fine. Minene was just irritable as always, openly complaining about the lack of action. At last, there was Yukiteru.

The diary owner looked around at everyone else with flickering blue eyes that flitted from one conversation to the next. Twelve and Suzuya was talking about the eyes of that Nora girl. Minene was complaining, as mentioned, while Celty would respond mildly with a flash of her phone screen. Seemed the female terrorist was still sore about Rika having gone out so dangerously, but the concept was just strange to Yukki, who had only seen Minene as a ruthless terrorist previously.

No, she saved Yuno and I from poison gas, that time… for whatever reason. He closed his eyes. I remember that now. But…

Then again, Twelve was also a terrorist, apparently… But it sure didn't feel like he was. He was super friendly, even though he was also playful… He teased in ways he shouldn't, but honestly, next to that Izaya guy, he was golden.

All of this wasn't really what bothered him, though, honestly. No one seems to be thinking about Roy-san, he thought with an ill-at-ease frown.

Twelve joined in the conversation between Minene and Celty, suddenly: "Minene, you were pretty scared when Rika ran off, huh?"

"Shut up," the opposing terrorist growled. "She's just a kid."

"I mean, I asked, and she says she's ten years old. That's not that young," Twelve commented thoughtfully.

"I wonder if she saw what happened to Roy," added Suzuya.

[I hope not.] wrote Celty.

"Ah, she's seen worse," Minene waved Celty off. "Like when your group was slaughtering mine? Yeah…"

[I was not a part of that!] Celty protested. [I didn't mean any harm, myself…] Pause. [I didn't want to fight. You don't need to forgive me, but I apologize for the actions my group took…]

"Well, I've gotta thank your group anyway," Minene shrugged. "Mine was just a collection of crazies."

"Yeah?" inquired Twelve, shooting his eyebrows up in amusement. "Do tell~"

"Ugh." She crossed her arms. "I had some fucked up kid who was a 'Deadman.' Totally a nut. Then I had the personification of lust, and this freaky-ass parasite lady. Not the best of times."

Yukiteru's fists were clenched in his lap as he listened, his head bowed. How…?

"Nice," laughed Twelve. "I guess they weren't a very cooperative bunch?"

"Nope," she scoffed.

"And Celty seemed like she had problems from hers," Twelve remarked, and Celty bobbed her helmet in confirmation.

[They wanted only destruction. The only one that didn't wish for chaos was killed by one of said other teammates within the first day.]

"Wow," said Suzuya.

How they can they talk about the dead so easily…? Yukiteru felt his body tensing in protest to the talk around him.

"Makes me thankful for the lot I was given," said Twelve, stretching. "A strange combo though it may be, I love my group," he snickered.

"I don't," said Suzuya, and Twelve blinked.

"Heyyy!" he cried in joking protest. "I'm in your group!"

Suzuya picked at his lower lip, unconcerned. "So?"

"Well," said Minene, rolling her single eye, "…as long as we can cooperate, I don't give a shit. Just don't piss me off."

"You don't have to argue with Roy anymore," pointed out Twelve, and she nodded.

"Eh, true."

Yukiteru twitched.

"Although, that fire thing was pretty badass," she grumbled in admittance.

Yukki furrowed his brow, frowning as he lifted his head. "…G…guys…," he began, his voice barely a whisper.

"I just wanna get moving again," Suzuya sighed, sliding further from the arm of his chair, his hair dangling below his upside-down head. "Are we all rested up yet?"

"Guys," Yukiteru tried again, his tone firm.

"What is it, Yukki?" asked Minene dully, closing her eye. Twelve peered at him with one open eye, curious. Suzuya was staring with those creepy wide eyes of his. Celty turned her helmet to indicate she was listening.

The fourteen-year-old backed off a bit, nervous from the attention. "Y… you all can't be serious…"

"About what?" Twelve asked blankly.

"How—how can you go and talk about people who've died so… so casually like that?" he asked, a tremor to his tone. He shook his head, composing himself.

"What?" asked Suzuya. "People being dead, what's the difference? They're still the same person."

"That's not—" Yukki's frown deepened. "Do you care, at all…?"

Celty's discomfort was evident. [I do.]

"If someone dies, it's not like it really matters," said Suzuya, stretching his sewn-up arm above him and staring at his outstretched fingers. "Having someone die beside you, 'mourning' them is the same as having breakfast with them. The same as playing ball. For someone to die, I really just don't care. It just happens."

"…Hm," said Twelve. "I might not go that far, but after it happens enough, you just…" He shrugged. "You don't feel the loss, at some point." The friendly terrorist smiled, closing his eyes. "Yukiteru, this is a death game. People are bound to die."

"I've killed people as young as you," Suzuya spoke in dead tones, staring at Yukiteru.

"U-uh…?" Yukiteru backed up on the couch only to jump when Minene clasped him by the shoulder.

"Yukki," she said firmly, and he stiffened.

"Wh…what is it, Minene?" he answered nervously.

"The only people that matter in this world are the ones that are still alive." She spoke with coldness, yet also from experience. Yukiteru swallowed. "The ones that are already dead… there's no point in worrying about them. There's nothing you can do for them – they're just dead, and that's it. Don't waste your life thinking of the dead – it's not like you'll get them back. What's past is passed. The only place you can go is to the future. Got it?"

Yukiteru stared up at her for some time before breaking eye contact and turning his stare to the ground. "…Sorry."

She scoffed. "Prove it."

"I—"

"You're okay, Yukiteru," assured Twelve.

Celty had begun typing on her phone when they heard one of the doors opening. They looked down the hall to see Rika closing the bedroom door behind her with a gentle click.

"Ah, Rika," said Minene, blinking.

"Mii~" Rika answered happily, trotting down the hall towards the five awaiting her.

I wonder how A-ya is doing, thought Yukiteru, bringing a hand to his face.

"You're a tough kid, you know that?" Minene told her, and she bobbed her head happily.

"Maybe it's almost time to go, huh, Suzuya?" asked Twelve brightly, upon which Suzuya answered, "I hope so."

Rika stopped at the end of the hall, taking pause and touching her lips in contemplation. "Minene?"

"Eh?" She gave her a confused look as she waved for her to come over to her. Shrugging, the mostly-unfriendly terrorist went over to her, letting her grab her wrist with her tiny hand and pull her along down the stairs. "Ah, Rika, what's this about…? Need to talk or somethin'?"

Rika nodded as they reached the bottom of the steps, leaving behind the four in the small living space to discuss what this might be about. The ten-year-old gestured for Minene to come closer, and she frowned as she obliged, crouching on the ground to get closer to her height.

"What is it, kid?" she grumbled, and Rika leaned close to her ear, cupping her hands around her mouth – the way secrets are told. Her tiny voice was low and quiet.

"Minene, Yato didn't kill Roy."

"What, so he not dead?" she frowned, and Rika shook her head and shushed her. "Don't shush me—" she began, but Rika's serious look quieted her. "Fine," she whispered, if irately so. The eye patched one gestured for the other to continue. "Shoot."

Rika leaned in again. "Yato wasn't there. He'd run away. The mischievous one who played a traitor's game is A-ya. He killed Roy."

Minene's single eye was widening, brow furrowing. "No shit," she remarked in undertones.

"A-ya isn't A-ya. He's bound by a demon who takes pleasure in tragedy."

"Well, fuck," she mumbled, looking at Rika with urgency. "Well, what're we gonna do about it?" she asked quietly. "We gonna blow him up? We've gotta get rid of him; shit…" She facepalmed. "Ugh, Yukki, you make some really crazy friends…"

"I wanted to tell you," Rika said, clasping her hands behind her back and shifting childishly from foot to foot. "I don't know what we should do. You can decide that."

"Fuck," she grunted, getting to her feet. She began stalking through the store section and towards the exit.

"What are you doing, Minene?" Rika asked, trotting along behind her, practically at a jog to keep up with the terrorist.

"I'm telling Akise." She yanked open the door with force to find Akise and Izaya in the middle of (un)pleasant conversation, making their way to the door at the same time.

"Ah, Minene-san!" cried Izaya in delight. "We were just deciding that it might be a good time to—"

"Akise, c'mere!" Minene cut him off, grabbing the boy detective by the forearm and pulling him back inside.

"Minene-san?" was Akise's confused response as he was dragged inside.

"Ah, Minene-san, what's this—?"

"Shut up, Eskimo bitch man!" Minene snapped. "I don't need you!" And she slammed the door behind her and Akise.

Izaya stood, frozen, there. Rika happily smiled up at him. He looked at her. "…She just called me an Eskimo bitch man," he said blankly.

"That is so~" Rika answered, and he erupted with laughter.