"What-a-crazy-turn-of-events-!" Monobotto seemed to be excited. "I-am-at-the-edge-of-my-seat-!"
"I would be, too." Tobi muttered. "If I wasn't dangling from the ceiling, that is. I sure could use a nice seat right about now."
"It's-a-good-thing-you-don't-matter-here-!" Monobotto hopping without a care in the world.
Tobi rolled his eyes in response.
"Wait, wait…" Kyohi knocked on his helmet. "Mikanne, you just argued how Kozaki and Erito were the same. Now you're saying they aren't?"
I closed my eyes and nodded. "I won't deny the evidence. Kozaki and Erito share the same body. However!" I opened my eyes and frowned. "They do not share the same mind, nor do they share the same spirit. Kozaki, you say that you're a mask, a shell of a person. However…" I pointed in his direction. "You've got it wrong!"
Kozaki stared at me in silence. For a moment, I thought he would burst into laughter and call me an idiot. Much like how he broke down earlier. However, he didn't. He almost seemed to be scared.
…
I think I know why. He's scared because our lives are on the line here. Scared that if we don't vote for him, we'll be wrong. We'll be executed. Even Riko will be killed.
I get it, what he's thinking. And it doesn't help that no matter what, the class trial system is set in a way where evidence is everything. Where you've seen someone walking by, the things they've touched, evidence has always been defined - not theoretical. In that sense, Kozaki will always be the Mastermind, no matter what.
…
I can't prove him otherwise. Atleast, not physically. He's right, that both himself and Erito share the same body. But I know, feel down inside, they do not share the same mind. I know that Kozaki would never want this killing game, nor would he want to go through with his experiment or bring despair upon others.
I just...I don't have a way to physically prove it. What I have to work with has happened in the past, and Kozaki's fragmented memories certainly will make things more difficult to handle. Most of what I have to work with is theory.
And that's where I am in trouble. If I can't absolutely prove without a doubt Kozaki and Erito do not share the same mind, the cultists win. I can't let that happen.
But how? How am I to win in this unbeatable, rigged trial?
…
That's it.
In order to save Kozaki, I have to stop playing by the rules of this game. This class trial...I'm not going to use it.
Enough of the truth bullets and the minigames. Enough of the debates and my friends going against each other.
I'm going to save Kozaki, and I'll do it my way.
Zraiko scratched his chin. "So it's a matter of proving they are two different people. That way, voting for Kozaki as the mastermind would be wrong."
I nodded to the hacker. "That's right."
"Oh, oh!" Weise chimed in. "Why don't we start with Kozaki's memories?"
Kozaki's memories...yes. Trying to sort out what memories are real or fake should help clear things out, right?
"Good thinking, Weise." I turned back to the former arsonist. "Kozaki, tell me when you first became unsure over the validity of your memory. Is there...a first memory that comes to mind that feels out of place?"
Kozaki looked away. He remained silent before slowly turning back to me. "When I jumped off…"
I didn't bother to press into what he meant. It was clear to me he was alluding to his attempt on his life.
"And how is it that the memories from around that time bother you?" Zraiko asked, crossing his arms.
"It feels like each time I think back on it, I remember things differently." Kozaki felt his head. "Even just waking up. Was my mom with me? My dad? My attorney? Doctors, even someone else? It changes. Every time, it felt like someone else was standing next to me. And yet…"
Kyohi worriedly felt his left shoulder. "Well...maybe instead of looking at differences, we look at similarities?"
"How so?" Kozaki asked, tilting his head.
"Some kind of motif?" Kyohi nodded. "Something you saw that made such an impact on you, it's never changed in your memories."
Kozaki felt at his head some more, shutting his eyes. I was worried for a moment that he would shut down from trying to figure it out.
Looks like it's up to me to carefully pick out the answer from him.
"Hey, Kozaki." I smiled at him, reassuringly. "Try to relax, okay? Pretend that nobody else is here, and it's just the two of us."
Kozaki slowly began to breathe, calmly.
I might not be able to jump into his mind to see his memories, but I can still try to help him through this.
Step One: Focus on the Scene.
"Kozaki, try to focus on your environment." I crossed my arms as I began to concentrate. "The room you woke up in, the way it felt to be there."
"...It was dark." He spoke up, softly. "It was hard to see things clearly. There was the wall, next to me. It had little paintings of butterflies on it. Around me was a curtain, with blue and white stripes. The bed was warm, with soft grey blankets resting on top of me. I stared upwards aimlessly, looking at the ceiling to see paintings of stars."
Step Two: Focus on Himself.
"Now that you've described the room...how were you feeling?" I pressed for more information. "Did you notice anything about yourself?"
Kozaki let out a short sigh. "I remember...it was hard to keep my eyes open. I was so tired, I wanted to go back to sleep despite just waking up. My body ached, I didn't want to move. I think...after some time, I began to feel scared."
I decided it would be important to save that bit of I formation for later.
Step Three: Focus on a Change
"Did something soon change about the place you were in?" I asked, thinking on how to continue. "Did you move somewhere, for example?"
Kozaki looked to the side. "I'm not sure. I think...someone picked me up."
Does it connect?
Kozaki began to feel scared after some time, and he could feel someone was picking him up. Could it be that this fear was caused because of that?
I think I need more information. Maybe the person who picked him up is what's really causing this fear.
Step Four: Focus on their Clothes.
"Kozaki, when you say someone picked you up, what were they wearing?" I began to push in the direction of uncovering the identity of this person.
He turned back to me. "They were wearing...casual clothes. A shirt, khakis…"
"Did anything stand out about what they were wearing?" I tried to press a little further.
He felt at his head. "Ghh...there was...there was a…"
It looks like Kozaki is having difficulty in telling me what he saw. Let's see if there's a way I can break through.
Mind Picking, Begin!
"That thing you saw, was it a symbol?" I pressed more. "Something you'd be able to recognize.
"No, no it wasn't." He replied, still feeling his head.
"Wasn't at least something you've seen before?" I took some time to think about it.
"Yes. I've seen it before…" Kozaki squeezed his eyes shut. "That white color…"
It was something white…
"And when you saw it, where was it?" I tried to find more things to connect.
"It was on...his shirt."
His shirt. So the person who picked up Kozaki was a male.
His shirt, something white...
I need one more piece to make a solid connection.
"Kozaki, what was that white thing you saw?" I pressed again.
"It was…" Kozaki looked up. "...It smelled sweet."
Something white on a man's shirt that smelled sweet…
Does it connect?
…
Yes, it does. We've discussed earlier about how in Weise's, Kyohi's, and Zraiko's kidnapping, a certain man was around with white roses.
Breakthrough!
"Kozaki, I think I know the identity of the person who picked you up when you first woke in the hospital." I frowned. "Your uncle, Haiji Daisuke."
"My...uncle?" He looked up, seemingly afraid.
Final Connection!
Kozaki felt afraid when his uncle picked him up. He had every reason to feel afraid, too. Someone who had supposedly vanished from his life for many years after all the abuse he endured because of this person...of course he would feel afraid!
"Kozaki, that was the first time you saw your uncle in years, wasn't it?" I looked to the side. "You were afraid, afraid of why he was there. Afraid of why he was the first person you saw when you woke up. Afraid of...what he intended to do."
Kozaki bit his lip and looked down.
"Is there...anything else you can remember?" I tried to press just a little more.
Kozaki shook his head. "It's blank...I can't remember anything more. It's like everything disappeared."
Could that have been...the first time he became Erito?
Now then, the real issue is presented to us. Did Haiji somehow artificially create Erito, or did Kozaki truly become him?
We've got to keep going.
"I believe another memory worth investigating is the memory Kozaki had from before waking up in this place." Zraiko crossed his arms.
"When he was kidnapped?" Weise asked, tilting his head.
I nodded to the young fashion designer. "Exactly that." I then turned to Kozaki. "When you were kidnapped from the forest, what do you remember?"
Kozaki closed his eyes to concentrate. "I remember...it was raining. It was just after I left Attorney Stevenson's office, where I went to the ruins of the cave accident. While I was looking for my flamethrower...they grabbed me, and took me away."
"Is there anything about this memory you find strange?" I leaned in.
"Not particularly." He shook his head. "It's small details I may or may not be sure about. Such as...not knowing if I had really seen a chipmunk in the bushes, or if there was a bee that was almost too close to me."
Kyohi tilted his head. "I think Kozaki is confident in this memory, right? More than the one Mikanne was just piecing together."
Weise hopped a little. "Then, does that mean this is a true memory?"
Hmm...
"I have a theory about this." I nodded. "One that if found true, could further explain other memories as well."
"What's your theory, Mikanne?" Zraiko asked me, patiently.
"I believe this memory Kozaki has...really did happen." I looked to the side. "That this memory occurred during a point where Erito was not, well...shall we say, in control? From that logic, I am willing to bet that Erito and Kozaki have their own memories that are separate from each other."
"That's...That's impossible." Kozaki frowned, becoming slightly defensive. "Mikanne, we can't have our own memories. We have the same memories, because we are the same person."
I frowned in return, shaking my head. "No, Kozaki. Here's why."
Memory Picking, Start!
I know I've seen for myself first hand instances that contradict what Kozaki just said.
If I can come up with enough examples, that should be enough to convince him!
Memory One: Zepto Affairs
A) Kozaki can't remember who the other Zepto students are.
B) Kozaki can't remember the purpose of the Zepto project.
C) Kozaki can't remember why he is a Zepto Student.
Kozaki can't remember the purpose of the project. If Erito is the one who organized it, and Kozaki is Erito, Kozaki would know why the project exists. Not from being told what it's about, but from being the one to create it.
"First thing!" I confidently pointed to Kozaki. "You don't know why Project Zepto exists! All you know is that the students would become something more, but that doesn't explain the true purpose of the project!"
Kozaki frowned and glanced to the side. "W-Well…"
Memory Two: Arriving in the Middle of the Fifth Trial
A) Kozaki can't remember who killed Mei.
B) Kozaki can't remember why Monobotto took him away to the labs.
C) Kozaki can't remember what happened to him in the labs.
Kozaki can't remember what happened to him in the labs. He stumbled out of the elevator, struggling to even walk properly. I even asked him to tell us what happened, but he couldn't.
"Next thing!" I crossed my arms, focusing. "When you appeared from the elevator during the fifth trial. I asked you, what happened to you? You couldn't answer me. Your eyes even kept switching colors…"
Kozaki gulped, looking to the floor. "My eyes…"
Breakthrough!
That's right! Kozaki's eyes kept changing colors for a short moment. And that's not the first time Kozaki's eyes changed colors like this.
Memory Three: Eye Color
A) Kozaki's eyes changed color because he put on contacts.
B) Kozaki's eyes changed color because it's something he could naturally do.
C) Kozaki's eyes changed color to signal that Erito had been present in his mind.
The only thing that makes sense to me is that Erito's eyes are that golden color. That's why there were instances where Kozaki would leave the labs and have his eyes be gold for a short amount of time. Kozaki must have recently returned to consciousness.
"Kozaki. Your eyes would sometimes be gold after leaving the labs. I believe this is because you were just returning to consciousness." I nodded. "And that prior to that, Erito was in control of your mind."
"But...But a person's eyes don't just change color like that!" Kozaki pushed back. "It's not natural!"
He's right. It's not natural at all.
He continued to push back further with his own memories. As he did, I tried to refute him.
Push Back, Begin!
"If we're looking at all of my memories, I know for a fact I have lost memories that Erito wouldn't even have either!" Kozaki frowned. "First thing, my entire childhood was fabricated in my mind by my uncle. I remembered growing up in a completely different state, and in a completely different environment!"
"While that is certainly true, Erito wouldn't have even existed in your childhood at all." I shook my head. "He must've come to be after your uncle found you in the hospital."
"I can't remember what happened to me in the hospital. My uncle also is the reason behind this!" Kozaki frowned. "He must've taken these memories away from me, the memories that showed me why I became Erito!"
"I don't doubt that your uncle had something to do with this." I leaned in. "However, I believe this is the first time Erito appeared!"
"Are you saying that I woke up as Erito?!" Kozaki gritted his teeth.
"...Yes, I am." I sighed. "And here's why."
Connect the Dots!
Kozaki's uncle heavily manipulated his memories.
Who's to say that only began in the killing game? Who's to say his uncle didn't manipulate him right from the beginning of all of this?
Right from the moment he woke up in the hospital.
"Here's my answer!" I closed my eyes, frowning. "Kozaki, your uncle turned you into Erito Hajimoto. He already has shown how he could manipulate your own memories. Hell, we had an entire motive where our memories started breaking apart. Your uncle, who used to experiment on your mind when you were young. He's even continuing his experimenting now. And as for how? Somehow, he found you when you were at your weakest point. He somehow...created Erito, and poisoned your mind. And while I can't physically prove it now…" I looked up. "I know it has to be the truth. Because...please, answer me honestly…"
Kozaki silently looked over to me.
Final Memory: The Killing Game
"Why…" I could feel my throat squeeze, lightly. "Why would you want this killing game? Why would you want to cause so many people so much suffering?"
He didn't respond.
"This...This isn't you, Kozaki." I looked him in the eyes. "Deep down inside, you'd never want this. I know you wouldn't. And the fact that you don't want this killing game at all, it's been proven. Time after time...trial after trial. You've fought so hard to get here with us. To survive. You don't want this game, but Erito - the mastermind - does."
Kozaki covered his face as he began to shake.
"Kozaki...the mastermind of this killing game...can't be you!"
The entire trial room was silent for a moment. I turned to look at the rest of my friends, to see if I could tell what they were thinking.
It seemed as though they believed my theory. And yet...
"...It doesn't make a difference."
I looked back over to Kozaki. "What are you talking about?"
"I said…" Kozaki uncovered his face. "It doesn't make a difference. Whether or not Erito's mind and mine are different. We still have the same body. And at the end of the day…" He looked to the floor. "It was this body…" He slowly looked at his hands, staring at them intensely. "This body of mine that did so many horrible things. This body of mine that created this game, that put you all in it. This body of mine...that killed our friends."
I was growing frustrated. After everything...he still was adamant that he was the mastermind. "But why-?!"
Zraiko raised his hand and cut me off as he began to speak. "But why do you say sharing the same body makes you the mastermind, Kozaki? This killing game, it's not what you want."
Kozaki quietly looked over to Monobotto and Tobi. "Because we all have to vote, remember?"
Tobi nodded. "Yeaaaah, that's the big obstacle for Mikanne's theory. A compelling theory, but one that might have little meaning considering the limitations of the vote."
"What?" I asked, frowning and tilting my head.
"Well, think about it." Tobi was able to finally wiggle his arms free, then doing some hand motions. "For every case, you've only been able to vote for someone amongst your group. The sixteen of you. There is no option to vote for Erito Hajimoto. However...voting for Number One, Kozaki Daisuke, can be done."
Shit…!
"Don't you get it, now?" Kozaki looked back over to me. "Mikanne...I don't want to be the mastermind. Of course I don't! It means all of this is my fault! It means I've done horrible things, and yet I can't even remember them! But...But I have to be. You have to vote for me. Please…"
I shook my head. "Vote for you...that's like asking me to kill you, Zaki...you'll be executed if we all vote for you."
Kozaki took in a heavy, shaking breath. "I know."
"I can't...I can't just sentence you to your death like that!" I turned away, feeling sick to my stomach. "We're... We're best friends, and you're telling me to give up on you? You're telling me to let you die?!"
"Mik…" Kozaki bit his lip, his voice shaking.
"I...I can't do it." I shook my head. "I can't let you die. Not when you're innocent! You're not a monster!"
Silence again.
"Are you sure...there isn't something we can do?" Weise spoke up, softly. "A way to save Kozaki?"
"If Kozaki is truly recognized as the mastermind here…" Zraiko frowned and adjusted his glasses. "If one person doesn't vote for him, he wins. As for us, we'll all be executed. Even Riko will be killed."
"But if we all vote for Kozaki... he'll be executed." Kyohi shook his head. "And I believe in Kozaki. I can't vote for him. It's like sending an innocent person to their death."
"I'm not innocent…this killing game would've never happened without me. Our friends would still be alive. They wouldn't have suffered. We wouldn't be suffering now." Kozaki pushed back. "I'm telling you, you all have to vote for me."
I get it now. Kozaki is trying to make it emotionally easier for us to vote for him by antagonizing himself.
But even still, I don't want to vote for him…
"Hey, hey."
I looked over to see the lab cat wiggle out of his ropes. He plopped to the floor before brushing off his clothes and stretching. "Ah, much better…" He then tilted his head while looking in my direction. "Hey, blue boy. Sure, you've got sixteen students to pick from in your vote. But that doesn't mean it's the be-all-end-all. After all, that's why there were rules made about it."
Another clue from Tobi…
"Get-back-in-the-ropes." Monobotto commanded the alleged lab assistant.
Tobi squinted his eyes as he took a seat on the floor, casually dumping the ropes onto his lap.
"Since-you-all-seem-to-be-worked-up-about-votes…" Monobotto hopped in excitement. "I-think-nothing-would-be-more-appropriate-than-commencing-the-voting-time-!"
Wait...N-Now?!
"We can't vote yet!" Weise protested.
"Sure-you-can. What-more-is-there-to-debate-?" Monobotto tilted its head.
That robot...it must be rushing the vote on purpose. Maybe...it's trying to stop us from uncovering more of the truth.
"No, there is still something left to debate." Zraiko calmly tried to buy us some time. "You see...Mikanne has one more very important thing that he wants to be addressed." He looked over to me. "Isn't that right?"
One more very important thing to address…
A) What his favorite part of the killing game was.
B) His ability to command Monobotto.
C) Is Erito's favorite food also macaroni and cheese.
"Kozaki...I have one more question for you." I looked back over to the former arsonist. "Have you ever commanded Monobotto before? Have you noticed instances of it taking orders from you?"
Kozaki looked to the side. "Well...I'm not sure. It referred to me as master once before, even though I thought it was to insult me. There was also the other time when I told it not to kill Weise over a broken rule, but it probably only did that because Monobotto had also broken a rule prior, so it was even."
"But what about you commanding it without there being some excuse?" I leaned in. "An actual instance where it abided by your command."
Kozaki bit his lip. "I...can't say that's ever happened."
…
That's it.
That has to be the final piece to this!
"Kozaki...you are not the mastermind then." I frowned, pointing to Monobotto. "Because Monobotto has stated before that it only takes commands from Erito Hajimoto! If Monobotto has never abided by a single one of your commands, then how could you be him?! This is clear proof that Monobotto does not recognize you as Erito Hajimoto!"
"But Mikanne, that...that still doesn't change how you can't vote for Erito." He looked down. "I know that you're trying to save me." It looked as though he was beginning to tear up. "But, the vote…"
"Kozaki...please." I closed my eyes. "I know that you're scared. I know that you feel like you have no way out. But...I'm fighting for you. I'm doing this for you. Please…" I opened my eyes, looking at him directly. It felt as though we were the only two people in the entire trial room. "Believe me."
Kozaki looked away, as though he was uncertain of how to continue.
"Well-then. Shall-we-now-begin-the-vote-?" Monobotto hopped, excitedly.
Kozaki's eyes then shifted back into that pained, fearful look. I could tell, just by looking at him. He was going to vote for himself.
I remembered Tobi's words. Rules made about it. About voting.
There's a rule that you're not allowed to abstain from voting. Then...what is Tobi trying to say?
...
I get it now. He's saying that what I do with my vote, and what my friends do with their votes...can change this.
Kozaki is right. We can't change the options there are for who to vote for. We can't vote for Erito Hajimoto. Was everything I did a waste of time?
I don't think so. I think I did everything I could to show them, to show everyone, that Kozaki and Erito aren't the same person. I hope, deep down inside, my fight was able to change something. To change the future.
And now...It all comes down to this vote...what we do here can change how this trial ends.
What I do now, with my single, humble vote…
"Alright-! Please-cast-your-votes-for-who-the-mastermind-of-the-killing-game-is-!" Monobotto cheered.
I looked over to the faces of my friends. It was as if we were all in unison.
…
And then...we made our choice.
A) Abstain from voting.
"Well-well-well-!" Monobotto spun around. "Let's-see-what-the-results-are-!"
…
"What-is-this-?" Monobotto tilted its head. "Only-one-person-voted-?"
"W-What?!" Kozaki looked over to my direction in horror. "M-Mikanne, no...!"
"It's alright, Kozaki…" I smiled at him, gently. "I know. And the others do, too."
Kozaki shook his head. "But not voting means you've broken the rules!"
"I know." I nodded. "And I accept that."
"M-Mikanne…!" Kozaki squeezed his right arm, still shaking his head. "You'll be punished!"
I nodded again. "But you won't be, Kozaki. You'll be saved. You'll be able to escape from this place. To start over, somewhere else. You won't have to suffer like this anymore."
"N-No...don't do this!" Kozaki looked around the room. "I can't live on, not knowing that I survived at the cost of your lives! This won't stop Erito!"
"Kozaki…" Weise spoke up, smiling with tears in his eyes. "It's okay. You can live now. You can live for all of us."
Kyohi nodded. "We will never stop believing in you, Kozaki. So please, take this chance to escape. To get out of here."
Zraiko silently nodded. He couldn't muster the ability to say anything to Kozaki at all.
"Please…" Kozaki turned to Monobotto. "I-I demand a revote! Or, or something! Punish me! I have the most votes, even if it's just one! Please, save them…!"
Monobotto coldly shook its head.
"N-No, no! I'm supposed to be your master!" Kozaki yelled as he began to cry. "Listen to me! Listen to my command, damn you! I'm your master, so save my friends!"
"It's no use, nya." Tobi calmly walked over to Kozaki. "Master, the rules are the most important part. If they are broken, we must give out the consequences."
Kozaki turned to Tobi, desperately. "Well...Well I'll change the rules! Allow people to abstain from voting, so that I can be punished!"
Tobi shook his head. "It can't be done, Master." He then extended his hand. "I'll escort you from here. The least you can do for your friends is not watch as they suffer."
Kozaki slowly turned back to look at us. "No, I...I can't leave them...I can't leave them to die…!"
I silently walked over to the former arsonist before I pulled him into a tight hug. He returned the hug as he began to sob, squeezing me tightly.
"If Fraize is in the labs...go find him…" I whispered. "Escape with him. I know he'll take good care of you. And find Riko, if you can. If you're fast enough, you might be able to save her in time…"
The only response I got from him was the sound of his muffled sobbing as he buried his face into me.
I was then joined by Weise, Kyohi, and Zraiko. We all hugged together, afraid to let go.
We're going to die. We're going to die, but at least Kozaki will escape. And if Kozaki is gone, Faceless will be missing their mastermind. They won't be able to do whatever their plans were. They'll be forced to disband...and Kozaki and Fraize can start over somewhere else. Together in each other's company, forever…
It's the most selfish, despair-inducing choice I could have made.
"Tobi, please make sure he gets out of here." I turned to the alleged lab assistant. "Make sure he gets home."
Tobi silently nodded before taking Kozaki by the arm. "Master...we must leave this place now."
Kozaki quietly looked behind as he began to walk away. "Guys…"
"Good bye, Kozaki!" Weise smiled as tears slipped down the sides of his face. "Tell my father that I am willing my earnings all to you! Start over on a nice beach, with lots of dolphins! Name one after me, please!"
"Kozaki, don't forget us! We'll always be with you!" Kyohi called out. "Wherever you go, we'll be there!"
Zraiko nodded. "Go, Kozaki. Get out of this place. Get away from here, as far as you can go!"
I yelled out as well. "I forgive you, Kozaki! I forgive you for everything you've done! I'll miss you!" Please, get out of this hell!"
"I'll miss you all, too!" Kozaki called back to us, crying softly. "I swear, I'll never forget any of you! I'll escape, for all of us…!"
We all quietly waved as Kozaki walked away with Tobi. We waved until he was out of our sights.
"Wow. What-a-truly-heart-warming-farewell." Monobotto played around with its gavel. "In-any-case. It-is-finally-time-to-bring-this-killing-game-to-its-conclusion. Without-further-or-do…"
GAME OVER.
The mastermind was not found.
Commencing the punishment...
My heart began to pick up speed as reality was beginning to hit me. I was going to die. We were going to die.
I reached over to Zraiko and squeezed his hand, shutting my eyes. I wanted it to be over, I didn't want to die in such a humiliating way.
I suddenly found it much harder to be able to breathe. My feet slowly lifted off the ground as I was grabbed by the neck. The four of us were lined up together as Monobotto observed us.
"Well-well-well. I-will-need-a-very-extra-special-punishment-for-the-four-of-you. The-Super-Highschool-Level-Tattoo-Hacker-Fashion-Hockey-Star-Artist-Designer-combo-punishment-! Thinking-about-it-makes-me-so-excited-!"
I felt my eyes start to flutter closed. Everything was slipping away.
"Hey-hey-! You-can't-die-yet-! We're-only-just-getting-started-!"
It was then when we were whisked away, dropped onto a grand stage of a lavish auditorium. I slowly sat up to see a thunderous applause delivered by a massive crowd of Faceless cultists.
"Ladies-and-gentlemen-and-everyone-!" Monobotto called out to the audience. "It-is-time-for-the-main-event-!"
A spotlight then flashed onto the four of us. I covered my eyes, staggering lightly.
"Watch-as-I-make-these-four-friends-disappear-!"
In only just a few seconds, I could feel my skin being slashed on the surface before being shoved into the others. I looked around to see that our clothes were sewn together.
"A-Ah! That's my talent!" Weise cried out. "I'm sorry, so sorry!"
"It's not your fault, Weise!" Kyohi tried to reassure him.
"Well how about you look out for that giant swinging hockey stick!" Zraiko yelled out.
We were then smacked by said stick into a large hockey net, which then ensnared. We were soon lifted off the floor before being dropped onto the center of a hockey field. Giant hockey sticks began to smack us around as though we were a ball, I was too scared to open my eyes, praying for my friend's voices to not be silenced.
We were then hit out of bounds, landing onto a platform. Zraiko made quick work to get the net off of us, as well as to rip off the threading that bound us together.
"Are you all still okay?" He asked, checking us.
"I-I can't move!" Weise cried out. "Everything hurts!"
"I'll carry you…" I slowly kneeled to pick him up. "Maybe...maybe there's a chance we can escape!"
Kyohi looked around before pointing. "Over there!"
We turned to see some sort of an exit door.
"It's a trap, don't fall for it." Zraiko shook his head. "Come on...let's walk around."
I nodded as I picked up Weise and carried him on my back. We then walked around for quite a bit before hearing a rumbling sound.
"W-What was that?" The hockey star asked, worriedly.
I turned around before pointing to a wall of fire. "I-Is that it?"
The fire wall then began to move towards us.
"A fire wall." Zraiko frowned, tugging on his now-ripped tie. "You've got to be joking right now."
"There's no way around it!" Kyohi began to panic. "What will we do?!"
I turned around in the opposite direction. "Run!"
We all began to bolt back the way we came. I started to lag behind, as I was carrying Weise with me.
"Mikanne, you're not going to make it with me!" Weise turned around. "I'm just holding you back!"
"Don't talk like that!" I yelled back, trying to push harder. "I'm not leaving you to die, Weise!"
I pressed harder and harder. I knew I was limited to the physical strength of my body, but I refused for it all to end like this.
I opened my eyes as I felt my body slam into something solid. It was a wall, a dead end.
And the wall of fire was only coming closer to us. Meanwhile the ground began to collapse as binary code wrapped around the floor, those pieces then falling onto webs of electricity only to be vaporized.
"Binary. It had to be binary!" Zraiko gritted his teeth.
We huddled together as the fire wall approached. Needles started to fly in our direction. The walls and floor were painted with bright colors before melting in the destruction of the collapse.
"There's nowhere else to go…" Kyohi gulped, looking at us. "Is...Is this it?"
I gulped as I turned around to look at the fire. There were so many choices, but they were all choices of how to die. There was no choice left for how to survive.
"Just...Just close your eyes." Zraiko nodded to us. "Close your eyes, it'll be over soon."
I quietly nodded before closing my eyes and hugging my friends tightly.
...
No, this can't be the end! We can't let it all end here!
Please, someone hear me…! Help us!
I refuse this ending...!
[Ending 1: Empire of the Faceless]
B) Vote for Kozaki.
"Well-well-well-!" Monobotto spun around. "Let's-see-what-the-results-are-!"
…
"You-have-done-it-!" Monobotto hopped up and down. "You-have-all-correctly-voted-for-the-mastermind-!"
My eyes moved to look towards the floor. I felt a deep emptiness inside. This was what Kozaki wanted. He wanted to be punished. To stop Erito. To save Riko. To save Fraize. To save us.
"Thank you, everyone…" Kozaki smiled tearing up. "I'm so... grateful. I'll be able to pay for all the horrible things I've done. The game will end, you'll all be able to go home…"
The rest of us didn't know how to respond.
"Do you...really want this?" Weise asked, worriedly. "You're my friend, Kozaki. I don't...I don't want you to die."
Kozaki closed his eyes. "Parts of me are split, Weise. Part of me wants to die, so that Erito will never be able to hurt anyone again. Another part of me tells me that I want to live. To survive with you."
"B-But Kozaki, if you are the mastermind, why can't you stop this?" Kyohi asked, worriedly stepping up. "Why can't you stop this trial, this game, and everything?"
"I have to die, Kyohi…" Kozaki looked down. "That way, the game will be over. That's why Mei tried to kill me. Part of me wishes she did. Because then...you all would be saved. Riko and Fraize, and even Mei, they'd be with you."
"It's not too late to change your mind, Kozaki." Zraiko frowned. "You don't have to die. We could find some other way. I couldn't tell you how long it would take, but…"
Kozaki shook his head. "I appreciate it, really…" he sniffled, beginning to tear up. "You guys...you're all my friends. Of course I want to survive and escape with you. But I can't. So please...go. Go as far as you can, away from this place. And please...don't forget me…"
I slowly walked over to Kozaki, pulling him into a hug. "Forget you? That's impossible. There's no way I'd ever forget you." I squeezed him lightly. "I never forgot you, that day I left. Why would I forget you now?"
Kozaki quietly returned the hug.
"Kozaki...I won't forget you either." Weise spoke up. "You're like...a big brother to me. I look up to you, even now…"
Kyohi nodded. "I thought you were so cool, always solving those class trials. I wanted to help you, every step of the way…"
Even Zraiko had words to say. "Clashing with you was... humbling. Previously I had always had complete confidence that my methods were correct. Using my skills to solve cases was something that I thought would make me the most qualified. Though...it goes to show that you can't always be right."
Kozaki chuckled lightly in the hug. "Thanks…"
I then looked over as Tobi began to approach us. "Master…"
Kozaki looked up, wiping his face. "What is it, Tobi?"
"Please, don't leave Tobi alone..." Tobi looked to the floor. "I still...had something I needed to ask you…"
"I'm sorry...I can't remember you from the labs." Kozaki looked to the side. "I don't remember how I left you alone. But, at least now, you can go out there by yourself. You don't need me. You don't need a master. You are your master, Tobi."
Tobi looked back up. "But Master-"
"It's Erito." Kozaki smiled. "Erito Hajimoto."
"Erito…" Tobi sniffled. "Please, don't go. You don't have to die. We could run away, somewhere. We could run away so that Haiji won't ever find us."
Kozaki shook his head. "No. My death will bring an end to all of this. Go on, Tobi. Go on and make something of yourself."
Tobi bit his lip as he bowed. "I'll take this as my final command from you, Erito…"
Kozaki smiled and looked back at us. "I guess...this is it. Goodbye, guys…"
"K-Kozaki!" Weise ran over and hugged the former arsonist tightly. "I don't want you to go! It's not fair, it's not fair at all!"
Kozaki returned the hug, patting the young fashion designer on the head. "Weise…"
"I still believe in you, Kozaki!" Weise sniffled. "I won't stop believing in you, ever!"
The former arsonist, the mastermind, had nothing to say.
"All-done-now-?" Monobotto asked, calmly. "We've-got-to-get-this-show-on-the-road."
"How can you say something like this?" Kyohi asked, frowning. "How can you...just ask someone to hurry up, knowing they're going to die? That's not fair."
"It's fine, Kyohi." Kozaki stepped away from the young fashion designer. "I'm ready to accept my punishment."
"But…!" Weise was distraught. "Please, Kozaki, change your mind! You said you wanted to live with us! Please, please don't leave…!"
But it looked like regardless of Weise's protests, Kozaki would not change his mind.
"Go home, Weise." Kozaki patted him on the head, gently. "Can you do that for me?"
Weise silently nodded and looked to the floor.
The mastermind then walked towards a wall with his arms folded. "There's a wall that's supposed to open up, right?" He turned around. "I'd rather walk myself there than be dragged away."
Monobotto quietly turned away, perhaps to communicate with members of the cult. In just a few short moments, the walls opened up to reveal a dreary passageway.
"Thanks." Kozaki then turned to us, one last time. Smiling, he waved in a manner as though he had no care left in the world. "Bye, everyone…"
With that, he began to walk down the passageway as the walls shut behind him.
GAME OVER.
The mastermind has been found.
Commencing the punishment…
We were all promptly brought to a massive auditorium, more upscale than the one from the main killing grounds. Strapped down in front row seats, I slowly looked up as a thunderous applause rang out. A series of spotlights were flipped onto the stage as a must rolled over the floors. There, he rose from the floor, his expression... lifeless.
He was wearing some sort of a red clip in his hair, one that matched the eye of Monobotto. He wore a lab coat and tie, the bottom edges of the coat seeming to be torn and aged. Lastly, he wore a pair of knee-high black boots, his entire outfit looking like that of some sort of supervillain.
It didn't feel like I was looking at Kozaki at all. I was looking at someone else, entirely. Looking at Erito.
A throne popped up behind him, to which he took a seat in the chair. Even though his body was relaxed, I could see he was growing pale. Like the realization that he was about to die was just hitting him.
From the bottom of the stage, a building shot out with Kozaki on it. It rose to what felt like a hundred feet into the air.
It was then when Monobotto rolled over to the structure and doused it in gasoline, lighting the building ablaze.
But no...this wasn't going to be an arsonist's punishment. It was going to be a mastermind's punishment. I feared for what was about to happen.
My attention then shifted over to a screen lowering to the side. I could see Kozaki there, still sitting on the throne. He looked miserable.
It was then where things started to pick up the pace. He was suddenly yanked up by the collar of his shirt by a giant, mechanical fishing rod.
Yuuta's talent.
From there, he was suddenly slammed into the floor by the rod as it began to rain spikes upon him.
Kamiyaki's execution.
He narrowly dodged, bolting towards the door and beginning to run and attempt to escape the building trying to kill him. Then, he slipped across the floor on a sheet of ice and slammed into a wall.
Ingreis's talent.
Slowly, he rose to his feet and tried to skate over to the exit to the next floor. It was then where guns started firing at him, some of them grazing his body.
Soro's execution.
Now making it to the next floor, he was greeted by what looked like a classroom of miniature Monobotto's.
Tikari's talent.
The robots all raised up what looked like digital drawing pens and began to throw them at him. The tips were sharp, as though they encased knives.
Neizami's talent.
One of them stuck Kozaki in the shoulder as he desperately tried to get away. But he wasn't able to escape before a mix of batter was dumped onto him, blinding him as he stumbled forwards.
Anne's execution.
As he stumbled even more, he found himself on the next floor. Wiping the batter from his face, he looked over to see several motorcycles charging at him at full speed.
Sayino's talent.
He quickly ran for the next floor, covering his mouth as it was getting hard to breathe. The smoke from the fire Monobotto set was starting to get to him, and the fire below was only continuing to climb.
He spun around, looking as though he would take his changes jumping out the window. He began to run for it, shutting his eyes.
…
He was then struck three times in the chest by bullets.
Mei's talent.
Somehow, he refused to let it end there. He couldn't even stand any more, but he forced his body forwards as he clawed at the floor.
The first floor began to give away. The entire building rumbled, as though it would collapse at any second.
Kozaki continued to crawl to the window. He smashed it open using a piece of debris, looking at the ground below. It was clear, he was up too high to survive the fall.
The building only continued to rumble as debris began to fall around him.
Fraize's execution.
Kozaki couldn't find the strength to move any more. That look on his face said everything. He just wanted to die.
And then...the building finally collapsed. Kozaki pushed himself out the window, accepting what his date would be.
As he fell, his eyes locked with mine. His eyes, filled with sorrow. Filled with apology.
Then, a crashing sound rang out throughout the auditorium. One that sent chills down my spine.
And after that crash...Kozaki never moved again.
The entire room was left in silence. As we were released, it began to rain colorful streamers in the air. A sign was unrolled from the ceiling that said Congratulations!
But I didn't care. I ignored it. The fanfare, the streamers, all of it.
As I walked into the stage, the pressure of despair only continued to exert itself onto me. I slowly crouched besides him. His eyes were wide open, his body left mangled in such an unnatural condition. With a shaking hand, I reached over to close his eyes.
…
I positioned his head onto my lap as I began to stroke his hair, gently. My eyes were swelling and burning as my throat tightened as warm tears flowed from my eyes.
You're free now, Kozaki, you're free. Your long years of suffering have finally come to an end…
It's not fair...you deserve a happy ending. You deserve to live. Even if the game ends now! After everything we fought for, after everything you fought for…!
I refuse this ending…!
[Ending 2: He Finally is at Peace]
C) Vote for myself.
"Well-well-well-!" Monobotto spun around. "Let's-see-what-the-results-are-!"
…
"Well. This-is-quite-an-interesting-turn-of-events." Monobotto tilted its head. "It's-a-complete-five-way-tie."
I could see from the corner of my eyes, Tobi was smiling. This must've been what he meant.
"D-Doesn't that mean...they'll all be executed?! Because it wasn't a unanimous vote!" Kozaki worriedly gripped his clothes. "N-No, please! Please, dont!"
"Relax." Monobotto calmly replied.
"R-Relax, how?!" Kozaki felt his face. "M-My friend's lives depend on this!"
"Master is right. This was not a unanimous vote at all. But the circumstances are quite peculiar." Tobi crossed his arms. "By you all voting for yourselves, that instigates that you're all the mastermind, nya."
"But...But it's even in the rules that they had to have voted for me unanimously." Kozaki bit his lip. "S-So, what will happen?"
"What-will-happen-indeed." Monobotto went quiet for a moment. "Well. The-rules-are-the-rules."
"S-So...?!" Kozaki seemed to be growing pale. "What's going to happen?!"
Monobotto calmly replied, "Good-question. I-will-ask-the-higher-ups-how-to-continue-from-here."
I could feel my breath was shaking. This...This was our only option.
"...How peculiar indeed."
We looked over as Monobotto's voice shifted. It was clear, Haiji Daisuke himself decided to speak on the matter.
"You've all tied the vote? How strange. What were you trying to achieve with that?" He asked, calmly. "You wanted to save my dear nephew from his fate, I take it?"
None of us replied.
"Well...the rules do say the vote has to be unanimous." He had Monobotto roll around across the floor. "This situation would warrant a group execution, wouldn't it? Hmm…"
Again, we did not reply. I could feel a cold sweat roll down the side of my face.
This was it. The only way we could have some kind of fight. Some kind of way to change the ending.
"If you all mean to say you're the mastermind, I guess I should just...execute all of you." He chuckled. "How does that sound?"
E-Execute all of us?!
"N-No, you can't do that!" Kozaki began to grow desperate. "You can't execute them!"
"Tsk, tsk. Who are you to tell me what to do, Kozaki?" Haiji coldly replied. "After all, your friends seemed so determined to say you're not the mastermind. Why should I take orders from you, you miserable child?"
"I…" Kozaki looked down, gritting his teeth. "I'm not going to let you do this!"
"Oh…?" Haiji seemed to be entertained. "And how will you stop me, dear nephew?"
Kozaki didn't reply.
"That's what I thought." Haiji replied, chuckling. "What a shame. So many wonderful, talented people will soon perish over such a foolish thing! You've all wasted your lives, the fools you all are!"
"I...I didn't waste my life." Weise spoke up.
"Huh?" Haiji replied, surprised.
"I used my life to try and save Kozaki's." Weise smiled. "That's not a waste, not to me."
Kyohi nodded. "Yeah. Kozaki was willing to sacrifice himself to save us, wanting to take the blame for being the mastermind. Of course we'd take this risk for him."
Zraiko tugged on his tie, nodding as well. "Maybe it is foolish. To cast our lives into an unknown. But if we never tried, who's to say if that would have made us even more or less foolish?"
I frowned, pointing at the robot, as though I were pointing to Haiji in person. "This trial, it was all rigged by you from the start. You wanted to set up Kozaki to take the fall and die, even though he was innocent! This...This is our last fight against you and your corrupted system!"
"...Innocent, you say?" Haiji chuckled in a sinister manner. "You really are a fool, Mikanne. You always have been, haven't you?" His voice then shifted to a more relaxed one. "Such wonderful talents, about to perish together. I remember watching that despair once before. It will be surreal to watch it happen again. But...I can't lie, I'm very excited to see this unfold. So, let's-!"
"No."
We looked over to Kozaki's direction.
"I won't let you do this." Kozaki frowned. "And to answer your question, this is how I will stop you."
He then reached for his glove.
"It's the last thing I can do…" Kozaki looked at his hands. "To save them."
He began to tug at his glove, frowning. Instantly, I knew what he was trying to do. I wanted to step off my podium, to run over to him, to get him to stop.
But I couldn't. My feet were planted to the ground, and I was unable to find the strength to move. Because...this was what he wanted to do.
I wanted to speak, to yell at him to stop. But my mouth wouldn't open. My body fought against my mind.
Silently, he threw off his glove into the ring of podiums. He closed his eyes and looked down, sighing lightly.
In less than a few seconds, alarms started to go off as he was surrounded by a red circle.
Kozaki Daisuke has broken the rules.
Silence swept over the room. I thought for a moment, we would all go into a panic. Tobi especially, for Kozaki shared the body of his beloved master. But no...not a single word was uttered from any of us.
"So this is your plan…" Monobotto tilted its head as Haiji controlled it. "Taking advantage of the class trial not being adjourned, I see…"
We did not respond.
"Hmm…" Haiji then chuckled. "I suppose I have to acknowledge my dear nephew's resolve to save his friends. Perhaps this warrants a special occasion?"
"Are you going to just execute Kozaki?" Kyohi looked away. "What about us?"
"Tut, tut. I think I can think of a far better solution than execution." Haiji's voice sounded...to be sickly excited.
"And...what would that be?" Weise asked, nervously.
Another chuckle. "Well...I shouldn't spoil the surprise, should I?"
I could feel Haiji grinning upon all of us, despite the fact that he wasn't even here. I looked over to Tobi, trying to read his reaction. Trying to see if there was any hope for us.
His face was impossible to read.
"You should all sit back and relax. The show is about to start!" Haiji's voice was giddy with excitement. "I've always wanted to be the one to say these words, you know. After standing in your position for so long...it feels almost delirious to be standing here now. Ah, what the hell, let's do it! It's punishment time!"
And with that, Monobotto slammed down the gavel, signalling the beginning of the punishment...whatever it would be.
GAME OVER.
Kozaki Daisuke has broken the rules.
Commencing the punishment…
It started with a deep, thundering rumble. Then, within the blink of an eye, chains began to whizz past me.
"U-Urk-!"
I turned around to see Kozaki being yanked into the air by his neck. Before I could even extend my hand out to him, he was dragged away from the room.
Then came the familiar song and dance. The rest of us were dragged away and brought into a grand auditorium, each and every seat filled with cultists, eager to watch the show. As for us...we had front row seats.
Spotlights flashed onto the stage and pointed all in one direction. To Kozaki, chained in place. He wasn't wearing any Monobotto-themed clothes, interestingly enough. No, he was still wearing the clothes he was before.
I held my breath, expecting the worst. Expecting for his execution to begin at any moment.
But...that didn't happen.
The audience began to roar and cheer with excitement. Looking back to the stage, I could see a man begin to walk into it from behind the curtains. He grinned and waved to the audience, even blowing kisses and taking a bow as he stood besides Kozaki.
That man...was Haiji Daisuke. It had been years since I had seen his face, and yet...I felt myself getting chills all the same.
"Good evening, everyone! I'm so glad you're all here!" Haiji grinned as he motioned to Kozaki. "Come on, Erito! Address your loving supporters, won't you?"
Kozaki was pale.
"Stage fright, huh?" Haiji pouted and shrugged. "Bah, you never were a theater kid."
"What...What the hell is all of this?" The former arsonist asked with a shaking breath.
"Your ceremony, silly." Haiji grinned as he slapped Kozaki on the back. "Don't you remember?" He tilted his head with a grin. "The deal was you were going to be erased forever, so that your silly, emotional, hindrance of a personality wouldn't get in the way of anything anymore."
W...What the hell?!
"E-Erase…?" Kozaki asked, his eyes widening. "I-I don't want to be erased!"
"Boo-hoo." Haiji waved a hand, dismissively. "This whole operation was your idea."
"It wasn't...It was Erito's!" The former arsonist tried to fight back.
Haiji tilted his head and gave off a sick, twisted smile. "Oh...but you are Erito, remember? Everyone in Faceless is."
Kozaki didn't respond.
"Ohh, that's right. You don't remember that part." Haiji's smile softened. "That's a shame."
Kozaki didn't respond again, instead he began to struggle to get out of the chains.
"Good luck getting out of those!" Haiji stepped away. "They were made to not be escaped from, after all! That's what chains are for!"
I then looked up as I heard some kind of whirring sound. I understood now why Haiji was stepping out of the way.
A machine had lowered from the ceiling, looming over Kozaki.
"W-What the fuck is this thing?!" Kozaki yelled to his uncle as he continued to struggle.
"Oh?" Haiji turned around. "You don't recognize it? Man." Haiji snapped his fingers, as though he was disappointed. "Really shouldn't have gotten rid of those memories. It's really a pain to have to explain everything to you." He shrugged again. "Don't panic, my dear nephew. It will only hurt for…" He checked his watch on his wrist. "...Thirty-five seconds! That's not so terrible, now is it?"
I wanted to do something. To get out of my seat, to shout and yell and do something, just something!
But I was trapped, strapped into my chair. I couldn't even open my mouth. All I could do...was watch.
"Alright. Enjoy the show, everyone!" Haiji bowed again as he began to walk away.
The machine then lowered even more before stopping just inches away from Kozaki. Metal claws of some kind sprouted out and attached to different places around his body. One large one in particular latched onto his head.
And then…It turned on.
He twitched at first before his body began to jolt. He shouted and cried for help, but no one would. No one helped him, because to them...Kozaki wasn't their master. He wasn't even a real person. Not to them.
But he was. He was to me.
And I…
I couldn't sit and watch him be erased.
I don't know how to explain it, but I've never felt such an extreme rush of adrenaline before. I couldn't even remember it all clearly. One moment I was sitting down. Then I was ripping free from the chair, and then…and then…
And then I was trying to pull the machine off of him. I don't know what was going through my mind, thinking I could just rip him free.
"It's going to be okay, Zaki! Don't stop fighting it!" I yelled to him, hoping he could hear me. "You're real, Zaki!"
He looked at me in the eyes as he struggled to hold on. His eyes were changing colors, rapidly.
Maroon.
Gold.
Blue.
Maroon.
Gold.
Blue.
Maroon.
Gold.
Blue.
And then his eyes suddenly snapped closed.
I thought for a moment, I had lost him. That I failed, for the last time.
But then...the machine stopped. It stopped and pulled away, to the ceiling.
I thought I could see Tobi, from the corner of my eyes. Could he have...
How many seconds went by? Was it thirty-five? I wasn't even counting.
"M-Mik…"
I looked back over to Kozaki.
"H-Heh…I'm sorry, for everything…"
He then slumped over in my hold.
I frantically reached to check his pulse.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"Now this was a twist, wasn't it?"
I looked over to see Haiji approach us. Defensively, I stepped back as I held onto Kozaki.
"Gee, sport. Trying to ruin our fun?" Haiji tilted his head. "Look. The audience is shocked! Why, even your friends are!"
I looked over to the audience, then to where the others had been sitting. They weren't there anymore. Instead, I spotted them with masks over their faces, being dragged away by several cultists.
"H-Hey, stop-!" I stepped over in their direction. I didn't get much farther before I was grabbed behind by two other cultists.
"Hahaha...no. This doesn't end here." Haiji laughed, reaching over to pull Kozaki away from me. "I refuse to let this be the end. After everything we've built…!" He yanked Kozaki closer to him before stroking his face. "Erito, my dear, precious nephew…come now."
"Let him go!" I yelled, struggling to reach them, to reach Kozaki.
Haiji turned to me and smiled, coldly. "Tsk, tsk...what a stupid child you are, Mikanne."
I was pulled back by the two cultists. I tried, I tried to do something. I tried to escape, to fight. But I couldn't.
"This story doesn't end until I say it does!" Haiji grinned. "You pitiful children, this whole game, this whole world is far beyond your understanding!"
I looked over to Kozaki. He was still passed out, his expression being incredibly soft and delicate.
"If you'd be so kind…" Haiji bowed. "My nephew and I will be leaving now. We have some business to attend to, and perhaps a change of plans to discuss. Goodnight, Mikanne. We will meet again...after the credits roll."
I still didn't want to stop. My hand continued to reach out, desperately. "Kozaki!"
But then...there was nothing but darkness. His face was the last thing I saw before a mask was pressed over mine.
And then...I fell into a deep void.
[Ending…?]
[No. This story can't end here.]
[There has to be a way to change the ending to the story.]
[A way to save everyone.]
[Please...if you're out there…]
…
Well, well, well. That really was a surprise, wasn't it?
Oh, that's right. You're still unconscious. Well, hurry up. I have quite the story for you once you've awakened.
…
You know, the stars look wonderful right now. I know I say this every time, but something about their gleam feels particularly special tonight. Wouldn't you agree?
…
Right, right. Unconscious. I getcha.
…
That cat? Oh, he's gone on the run. Haven't seen him since the trial. Though, he can't get far. I mean, where's he going to run to in this space ship, anyways?
...
Hey, you know, I think I'll go grab something to eat while I wait for you. Don't worry, I'm not leaving you alone. Someone special is going to keep you company.
Incase you can't take the hint, it's the same person who always kept you company.
Pfft.
Alright, enjoy your sleeping. We will have a lot to discuss once you're awake.
And I mean a lot. Like, hell. So much for the public erasing ceremony. Well, we can settle for just doing it in private. I know how much of an annoyance Kozaki has been to you.
…
Okay, okay, I'm really going now. See you.
…
Oh, were you wondering about who I am? Seems like that whole memory thing did a number on you. I don't think you've ever looked so confused before.
It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Haiji Daisuke.
Though... I'd prefer to go by Erito Hajimoto.
~ Chapter Six, End ~