Chapter VII
Examination
"Hey, Keiko, wake up already! We really need to get going soon, I need to bring you someplace at a very specific time. Pleaaaaase, get up…"
Akarui was using all of her might to shake Keiko awake, though to no avail. Finally, she ended up punching him in the gut, to which he jumped to the side, slammed against the wall, and woke up.
"Out of all places, why…?" He groaned, holding his stomach as the pains still pulsated through it. It was so painful, in fact, that he could barely lift himself up to get suited up. Eventually, though, both of them miraculously got ready and headed out on time.
Keiko grew ever more curious as they ran up to a tiny building that looked like it could comfortably house one person. "So, I know you're not technically supposed to tell me this, but why here of all places? And what the hell am I about to be put through anyways?"
She remained silent, guiding Keiko to the door, where she opened it and whispered one last word of advice.
"Don't fail or you'll never see the light of day."
Akarui pushed him in, slamming the entrance shut and locking it with a heavy metal bar. Keiko fought and fought to escape, but it seemed that the walls had turned to stone, as his attacks did nothing to ease the situation. Turning around, he noticed a flight of stairs leading down into an even darker basement, and dread came along himself. This was a harsh reminder of the days he spent training to be a tool, the days of his life where he dreaded being alive and only knew the darkness the world had to offer. Closing his eyes, he began his descent.
"Stop moving. Take up your sword, this is the first test. Also, open your eyes."
Keiko listened, not panicking. What lie in front of him was two people tied up, one being a little girl, and the other looking to be an older woman, possibly her mother. The voice continued its speech.
"To your right, you will see a young child, but looks can be quite deceiving. This child is actually a murderer, being trained to go out at night and kill even the poorest of souls just to bring in more money for a rich family. She is scum. To your left, however, may be the mother of the child, or may simply be some random person off of the street. Lets just say that the mother is the one that trained the little girl, and has committed even more crimes than her, so it may be a safe bet to take out the mother before she can train any more children. But there could also be the possibility that the woman isn't the mother, and you would simply end up just as the mother and child: A cold blooded killer. Then again, I could be lying about this whole situation, and either way you end up becoming a horrible person! Make up your mind, and take your time, because there are only a few correct choices."
The voice was very passive-aggressive, only making it harder for Keiko to not stress out and make a choice due to those emotions. He took a deep breath, exhaling after a few seconds, reaching a very controversial yet ethical conclusion. He looked up to the ceiling, reciting his thoughts.
"I have no reason to kill anyone over someone's word or order. Sure, I used to be that kind of person, but I honestly believe that it's better to think things through and analyze all of the evidence. Why should I be the deciding factor of prosecution when I am not even certified to make that decision? So my answer is nobody."
The voice spoke again, this time very monotone as to not leak any sort of emotion out.
"While that is a fair answer, it is unfortunately not a correct answer in this scenario. Somebody has to die no matter what, and that is set in stone. You will make the choice by killing someone within the next ten seconds."
In an instant, the sword was lifted to a neck. The woman and child trembled, surprised by the choice that Keiko ultimately came to make. Looking up at him with gazes of horror, they watched as he was about to use the sword on himself instead of either of those two. It was so sharp that just its contact with his neck made it begin to bleed.
"I've made my decision. I cannot kill someone who I cannot prove is innocent or guilty, so I will simply kill the person I can prove is guilty. Even if this makes me fail this, it's exactly how I would want it to go anyways."
The voice began to sound a little uneasy, but continued along with the normal procedures.
"If you have made up your mind, go ahead and finish the deed. If you don't, you fail and will not be in such a great place either way."
Right before putting force into the blade, Keiko made a mental note of what he would want to write in his journal.
October 15th. So uhh, I wish I had known earlier, but I'm dead. At least I get to see Kurayami and tell him all about how Akarui is doing, I'm sure he'd really appreciate that. I wonder if he's changed much in the next plane over, or if he is still the same kid I used to know. Either way, can't wait for that. I do have some regrets for leaving this world, though. Akarui is just… she's different. I don't really understand these feelings or why they exist, but they do. Of course, I can't really do much about them, as I'm dead, I'm a sucky person, and I don't really need to bother her over something as childish as this. I wish her and everyone in the Hidden Leaf the best lives, and I hope they manage to recover from the living hell that attacked. Signed, K.