Chapter 14: Episode 14

What Yuki woke up to was loud noises.

There was a savory taste in her mouth. She swallowed—beef stew? She ran her tongue across her teeth, feeling a grainy texture. Her head felt as though it was cracked open and stuffed with cotton; she would have winced if it wasn't the fact that her limbs were much too stiff and achy.

"—actually forgot about me?" someone cried out incredulously.

Yuki lifted her head. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out the figure clearly. Kosaka. He stood there six feet away from where she was, his frame silhouetted by the several computer screens that glowed in their luminosity in the dark room that they were in.

Something shifted at the corner of her eye. Her eyes drifted down, somehow quickly becoming accustomed to the dimness, and took notice of a girl lying on the floor. Hinata. Ropes were tied around her waist, securing her wrists behind her back, and her ankles.

Consciousness finally took hold when Yuki realized that something wrong was going on. Attempting to speak, only a weak flow of air passed her lips, her throat closing in itself from the strain—she couldn't use her voice. Yuki grimaced and closed her eyes. She was utterly helpless at this point, and it wasn't just because of the cuffs that closed around her wrists; so she allowed back the sleepy calmness to wash over her before she could be introduced to the characteristic panic whenever there was trouble. She knew that she wasn't in trouble because she knew who the culprit was.

Yuto.

The memory flooded back: Yuto and she just got off the bus. She was sitting on a bench, enjoying the quiet atmosphere and the orange-colored sky of the setting sun, and then Yuto returned with drinks. He handed her one that was already popped open, but Yuki simply assumed that he did it just to make things easier for her.

She remembered feeling amusement and affection of the gesture—of Yuto—before placing her lips on the rim of the can and taking a sip. And then she passed out.

Whatever Yuto was planning, Yuki didn't know. Although, she had a hunch that it got to do with waiting something out. Waiting for what? She didn't know. How did she know there was anything to wait by? It was just a hunch…wasn't it? Unless Yuto told her about it prior to her falling into a state of wide-eyed slumber. But did that even matter now?

All she wanted to do was see the stars with Yuto. How… Why did it turn out like this?

The calmness slipped away, but it wasn't replaced by that dread and terror she would have expected coming from herself. No, there was nothing but remorse. It was like facing with Hinata's reveal of their fake friendship all over again. It hurt so badly.

All I wanted to do was see the stars with Yuto, she thought. Just a day with him that's normal for once.

She should have known it was too good to be true.

"Gasai, give it up!" Yuki raised her chin in surprise by the confident inflection in Kosaka's tone. "I've got my Kosaka King Diary, which predicts all of my brilliant moments!"

"So you're a diary owner?" mused Yuto. The boy edged closer to Yuki and gently placed her phone in her hand, his eyes not straying away from Kosaka. "Are you here to kill us?"

"Like I would," Kosaka scoffed.

"Then why are you here?"

He threw in a cocky grin and presented his phone. "My diary already predicted that I found a way to save everyone, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Going by what it says, it's clear sign that I'm not going to lose, so I suggest that you hand over Hinata and Yukiyori over; otherwise, you'll have to take me and my diary on." He puffed out his chest. "So, what'll it be?"

As if Yuto would surrender so easily, even if Kosaka really was a diary user. However, given the second pause that he took, evidently putting together calculations that shockingly could be made in that deranged head of his, Yuto wasn't going to rush in for the kill just yet.

"Alright. I get it." Yuto pulled out two keys from his pocket. "I'll give you both of these."

"Keys?" Kosaka muttered.

"One will unlock Yuki's restraints. The other one is for the control panel; it will unlock the door that your friends are trapped inside," he explained coolly. The relaxed way he carried himself screamed that he was luring Kosaka into a trap, but there was no way that the oblivious boy would know that—and there was no way that Yuki could warn him. "I'll throw you the control panel key to you now."

"And the other one?"

With the flick of his wrist, Yuto dropped the silver key. "It'll be right there. This will give me time to retrieve Mom and Dad," he said, gesturing to the pair of skulls that sat on the chairs that Kosaka was standing in between. "You can then pick up the key on the floor after you unlocked that door. I hope we don't have a problem in this transaction."

Kosaka was very much an open book, his expression revealing that he was considering the offer. He then glanced at his phone, likely wanting to confirm what would be the best turn of action. Afterwards, he grinned and replied, "No problem at all."

"Then here we go."

"Right!"

Yuki bit down her lip. She feared for Kosaka's sake, but she mostly feared what Yuto was planning to do. She kept her eyes trained on Yuto, watching him toss the control panel key to Kosaka. Once Kosaka's back was turned, Yuto silently and swiftly walked over to the duffel bag that was on one side of the room; from it, he pulled out a crossbow.

Yuto wasn't just luring Kosaka into a trap—he was buying himself time.

In that duration, Kosaka didn't waste a second jamming the key into the slot and turning off the power lock; he then spoke into the microphone, "Akise, the door's unlocked!"

Akise was here too?

"Right, now for the other key." Kosaka turned around, but stood still, like a deer facing headlights, at the sight of Yuto poising the weapon at him. It was as if he was too taken aback by the unforeseen turn of events to comprehend the situation of his upcoming demise.

Move, Yuki pleaded. Move! Please move, Kosaka!

The arrow was released and embedded itself into his thigh. Kosaka shrieked in pain and fright as he stumbled backwards and to the floor, hands grabbing onto the flesh above the wound. Yuto slowly approached him, condescension leaking out of his every pore, and that was when Yuki knew that she had to do something. Clenching her phone, she frantically looked around until her eyes landed on Hinata.

Without thinking, she whispered, "Hinata." She sounded scratchy and faint, but she could speak. She had her voice back! "Hinata!"

Hinata flinched. "Yu-Yuki?" she whispered back.

"No time to lose. I need you to get me the key that unlocks my restraints."

"Wha—"

"Hurry!"

Hinata wriggled in her own restraints. The way she was attempting to edge closer to the key was like she was imitating a worm. It probably would be funny in any other circumstance.

Hinata kicked the key, sending it skidding towards Yuki. Yuki stopped it with her foot and pinched it in between her toes. It took a few tries, but she managed to pick it up and bring it to her mouth, which didn't go without difficulties given she was not at all flexible. She bit hard into the metal piece and carefully directed it into the keyhole. After rotating her head, she finally heard the click that she wanted to hear. There was a slit opening running down the cuff on her right wrist; Yuki brought her arm up, now free, and proceeded unlocking her left wrist.

"Now go free Yuki just like how your diary says," she heard Yuto say to Kosaka. "Then I'll kill you."

Yuki stood up and turned around. There were several pictures of their pseudo wedding day taped to the wall. It was a rather delightful event until she returned to Yuto's home and found a giant hole in his backyard. Just like how she discovered that Yuto was harboring dead bodies after a fun day at the amusement park.

She remembered sweet smiles and nonchalant sadism. There were homemade meals and bloody hands. She was always in a fast spiral of terror and tears, and yet it was Yuto who would send them away.

On the night when they became criminals, Yuto told her, "I would kill unless I have to. Saving you is always worth it."

Perhaps that was the final push that let her believe that falling for the monster would be alright. There always was that niggling feeling that insisted that if she tried hard enough then she would be able to change him. Yuto wouldn't be this coldhearted belligerent killer anymore if then.

Well, it turned out that Yuki never did have the capabilities to do so. She couldn't handle Yuto. There was no happy medium. It was either she give in or leave. And, regardless of the protection she sought after, she should have left when she had the chance.

She couldn't keep subjecting herself into this anymore.

All I wanted to do was see the stars with Yuto, Yuki thought.

But, apparently, she couldn't have a normal day for once, and Yuki had enough.

It was strange; she was without any reservations now, and was hardy thinking how Yuto would react to what she was about to do. She was momentarily relinquished of her hesitance and was fueled with cold anger. It was how Yuki was able to stride forwards, rip the crossbow from Yuto, and deliver a slap across his cheek.

Her palm stung. Good. That meant that Yuto received just as much pain.

Yuto looked at her with wide, stunned eyes. "Yuki… Why…?"

Why? Was it 'why did she slap him?' or 'why was it that she managed to get out without him knowing?' If she answered the former, she didn't know if she would go on forever or stare at him in silence, being unable to say anything. But she needed to say something in order to gain control of the situation. So she answered the latter.

"Your diary's prediction is just as limited as Kosaka's," she said. She walked over to Hinata and started untying her binds. "You can't predict Hinata's actions. She kicked the key to me, and that was how I got free."

Suddenly, there was that distorted noise that signaled a new entry. Yuki opened her phone and paled. "Three diary owners are coming this way?"

"Yuki, what does that mean?" Hinata grunted, sitting up and untying the binds at her ankles.

"Likely bad news." She helped the taller girl up. "Come on, let's get Kosaka."

Hinata frowned. "B-but what about him?" she put in nervously, not daring to look at his direction.

"Never mind him. He won't do anything." It surprised Yuki to even hear herself say that with so much conviction. And, true to her word, Yuto did nothing but stare blankly at her as she and Hinata lifted the injured boy up and have his arms thrown over their shoulders. Hinata's head remained ducked until they approached the door

Was Hinata afraid of Yuto? Well, after everything that happened, who wouldn't be?

Yuki pushed open the heavy door and led the other two out. Resounding at one end of the dark corridor was Akise's voice. "Yukiyori-san?"

"Hinata!" joined in Mao. There they were, standing before them; Akise was smiling despite his obvious exhaustion, and Mao's eyes glimmered in happiness.

Yuki would have fallen in relief if she wasn't keeping Kosaka propped up. She didn't know what happened, but it seemed that Yuto had Akise and Mao led into a room with no way of escaping. It was good to see them doing fine.

Just before they could take a step forward, Yuto spoke. "Yuki." And she froze.

"Oi, Yukiyori," Kosaka groused, a touch of distress in his tone. "Don't stop—let's go!"

"You're not going to leave me here, are you, Yuki?" Yuto reached out pleadingly. "I can't live without you, you know. And it's dangerous to go out there. Stay here! I'll protect you! I always have."

But who was going to protect her from him?

"Oh, we haven't been able to see the stars yet, have we?" He was outright imploring her. "Yuki!"

"I…" She shivered. "I—I—"

"Yukiyori-san." She looked up. Akise was standing next to her. He gently grabbed her arm and pulled her away; Mao took her place in assisting Kosaka. The boy then shrugged off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. "Here. Wouldn't want you catching a cold in your state." She looked down, seeing that she was stripped down to her bra and underwear.

"Yuki—"

"Are you alright?" Akise looked down at her in concern.

"I…" Yuki lowered her gaze and let out a shaky sigh. "Let's get out of here."

He nodded. "As you wish." He draped a comforting arm across her back and led her out, followed by Hinata, Kosaka, and Mao.

She pretended that she didn't hear Yuto's whimper of "Yuki…"

"Yukiyori-kun, are you alright?"

Nishijima's voice broke through her stupor. Yuki blinked and looked away from the window of passing cars and trees. "Y-yes."

"I'm not alright, just so you know," Kosaka butted in peevishly.

"I'm sorry," she whispered guiltily. She was grateful for what the boy did, basically saving her from Yuto's clutches, but she never would have wanted anyone to get hurt just for her.

"It's not your fault, Yukiyori-san," Akise told her otherwise. "But, you know, Gasai-kun is persistent. He isn't going to give up."

That was what she was afraid of.

Up ahead the road, there was a flash of lights; the car of the opposite lane drew in close and passed Nishijima's van. It was that split second that brought everyone's attention to the passengers of the speeding vehicle that blared its horn, and it was that second that Yuki locked eyes with the woman who sat closest to the window. There was a feeling of unease sinking in. Could they be the three diary owners that her phone warned her about?

"What was up with that car?" wondered Nishijima.

Kosaka's injury turned out to be nothing too serious. Of course, he was advised to lay off any physical endurance for a while to not stress the mending skin or rip the stitches. By the time he was released from the hospital, Yuki shyly requested if she could stay over at someone's place.

She was shaken up, scared. She didn't want to be alone for the night.

Kosaka exclaimed, "No way in hell!" Mao socked him in the gut. Hinata rolled her eyes. Akise smiled and said, "I've got an idea. How about we do a sleepover at your place?"

Despite his complaints, Kosaka ended up coming along.

"My mom is out tonight," said Yuki when they entered her house. "Make yourself at home."

Hinata dragged Yuki to the bathroom, followed by an enthusiastic Mao. Having to bathe with two other girls had Yuki flustered and embarrassed, but pretending that they were just girls having a slumber party helped soothe her nerves. It almost made her forgot about the Yuto ordeal.

Several splashes and giggles later, the girls came out to the living room clean and refreshed. The boys already changed into their pajamas. Akise had laid out everyone's sleeping bags while Kosaka occupied the entire coach, still whining about the soreness of his leg.

"You didn't help out Akise, did you?" snorted Hinata, nudging his side with her foot.

"Hey, cut that out! Wounded hero over here!" Kosaka protested. "I think I deserve a break."

"He did rescue us," Yuki felt compelled to say. "If it wasn't for him, who knows what could have happened."

This caused Kosaka to keen, smirking Hinata who was scoffing.

"Well, at least someone agrees with me!"

"Please. That was just Yuki being nice," sneered Hinata.

"Hmph. You're just jealous that all you did was get tied up." Kosaka's face transitioned into a grimace. "But now that you mention it, there's a question that I've been meaning to ask Yukiyori."

Yuki perked up as Akise settled down next to her on the floor. "Um, what is it?"

"Why the hell would you put up with someone like Gasai?"