Note: Shorter chapter than usual due to Real Life stuff. Further schedule update at the end.
*Update as of 8/30: check the end note for further schedule info
Naegi didn't want to look at Junko after Jill spoke. He didn't want to watch her react to another accusation of manipulation, didn't want to see her laugh and mock and deny her own crimes. The thought of looking at a girl he'd once called a friend only to find lie after lie masking her real actions… it dragged down on him like weights strapped to his shoulders. Even imagining how difficult it would be left him exhausted, until the dark emptiness of unconsciousness that he'd so recently escaped sounded like mercy. Anything would be easier than looking at her now, knowing what she'd done.
But… what was left for any of them if they started looking away? If he couldn't face the obstacles ahead, where would be left to go?
Naegi gritted his teeth and dredged up enough strength to move his head, straining against the weight of protesting muscles. He turned to look at Junko — and her carefree giggle hit him like a physical attack.
"Wow, so you think someone planned out this whole grand finale? Like the whole killing game only happened to get you all to this point?" She gave Jill a bright smile, completely unfazed by the scowl she got in return. "I guess that memory wipe didn't take your talent for dreaming up wacky scenarios!"
The reference to the other half of her personality that she'd lost in an execution only darkened Jill's expression further. "Don't talk about her."
"Oh? So there's no point wasting time on the losers who couldn't even make it to the end game?" Another giggle, like sandpaper on his skin. "Suits me! Let's forget all about 'em and focus on —"
"Focus on the less incriminating parts of your game?" Kyoko raised her voice just loud enough to overshadow whatever Junko had meant to say. "I'm sure that would make this trial easier for you. But you can't deflect everything — not after showing your hand. Your behavior in regards to both Asahina and Togami points directly to your manipulations."
Naegi smiled at Kyoko, a rush of gratitude swelling through his chest at her words. She hadn't lost sight of their real goal in this trial, no matter what happened — and she'd brought them back with her, an unshakable anchor against Junko's rushing flood of words. "That's right. I don't know if we were supposed to get this far or not — but this trial room didn't appear out of thin air. You were ready for a final trial like this."
"Planning for all possible outcomes." Sakura nodded, as if in recognition of a familiar idea. "It's not unlike preparing to fight a skilled opponent. You can develop a series of potential strategies that could apply to different scenarios, but you can't know which ones will be used until they start to fight."
A rough snort interrupted the easy flow of the argument, and Naegi turned to Jill just in time to see her roll her eyes, mouth twisting with a hate he'd thought belonged more to Toko than her counterpart. "Sounds like you're saying we're all just a bunch of puppets." And then — silver spun bright and sharp at her fingers — and a wide grin slashed across her face. "So maybe it's time to cut the strings!"
The heaviest sigh he'd ever heard came from the throne. "Seriously?" Junko slumped down, face falling slack and expressionless as she watched Jill's outburst. "I didn't think a serial killer would turn out to be so boring in the end, too." She tilted her head, hair falling in front of one eye. "Don't tell me you've forgotten what's waiting in that world you're all so desperate to get back to."
Schedule Note: As I said at the beginning, Real Life is currently taking up a lot of my time and attention. Which is annoying, because this story is so close to where I want it to finish! But such is the world, I guess. I am going to be very busy for the next few weeks, with little to no time for writing. Expect the next chapter on August 30, 2020 - or if Real Life does not cooperate, check this note on that date for a revised update schedule. Fingers crossed I'll see you then!
*Updated Schedule Note as of 8/30: So apparently I underestimated the level of burnout I would have after various Real Life stresses. I wasn't able to get a chapter finished yet, so the next chapter will be posted September 6. I'm sorry to miss my planned update. See you next week!
