Chapter 15: Episode 15 Part 1

"Yuto was…the one who got me introduced to the concept of future diaries; it was also on that day that he saved my life for the first time." From there, Yuki found herself explaining to her classmates.

She watched faces grow from inquisitive to surprised. Kosaka, as she had expected, was the most expressive one of them all, being once a student of Hiyama Takao. He was certainly loud when vocalizing his shock to hear that his and Yuki's former teacher was the serial killer who had prowled the streets. Akise, on the other hand, retained his earlier composure, but his eyes read contemplativeness. Yuki wasn't sure, however; that boy was always hard to read.

Yuki continued to disclose how her life had shaped on from that one incident after receiving what she thought was a gift from Deus. She told them about the terrorist bomber who came to her school just to wipe her out, the cult priestess whose followers nearly had her raped, and the costumed blind vigilante who hypnotized the said followers. She told them about the little boy who was too clever, too diabolical, too relaxed with the idea of murder for a five-year-old; she told them how that child almost succeeded in ending her life.

She paused there. Her voice became increasingly quieter, especially at the mention of Reisuke. Yuki sucked in a shaky breath and went on.

She told them about the man who she had thought to be her ally but then cocked a gun at her head. Yuki reflected back to the time in the hospital where Kurusu's son lied motionless on the bed. Where Yuki just wanted to survive, Kurusu just wanted to save his son. In his desperation, he took unforgivable measures. Hinata shook in rage and sorrow when Yuki revealed that it was the police inspector who had shot and killed her father. Apparently, all this time, she thought that it was Yuto who was the murderer.

In the duration of her telling, Yuki didn't consistently place Yuto in bad spotlight. Regardless of the corpses that she may had discovered in Yuto's house, the slaughter that was done by his hand, and his irrational infatuation with her along with his stalking, she always mentioned how, in one way or the other, he often ended up saving the day. This was her reason why Yuki stayed with Yuto. He protected her from danger.

There was silence.

"Well," began Kosaka, "I don't know whether to commend you on your strive for survival or condemn you for using Gasai like that."

"Kosaka!" exclaimed Hinata.

"What? You heard Yukiyori. She deliberately used him for her own welfare, and her plan backfired on her when she started having feelings for that creep," he sneered.

The short-haired girl bristled. "What do you know?" she growled, rising up to her feet. "If you were in her position, what would you have done? Huh?"

"I'd obviously get the police on my side! I mean, one from a different district—not the one where the Fourth was in charge of. And I would never accept the help of a zealous lunatic; I'd turn him down flat!"

Before Hinata had the chance to angrily retort, Yuki blurted, "I'm scared of him."

All eyes turned to her. Yuki nervously wrung her hands and murmured, "I was scared of Yuto and I still am. I… In the beginning, I had a feeling that there wasn't something right about him, but I didn't try to think much of it. And then it got too deep too fast. I saw what he was capable of and I was afraid that if I rejected him or whatever…"

"Then what? Any moron can see that Gasai wouldn't think about laying a hand on you," Kosaka snapped, causing Yuki to wince. "Hell, he shot a freaking arrow at me just so he could keep you locked up in that dingy room! You think you're the victim here? I'm the one who's injured!"

"And it's my father who's dead all because of this stupid survival game!" roared Hinata. The air stilled, but the girl was the only one animated in her ire. "I'm now in the foster care system. I lost my home, my dad's dogs, and my family. I have nothing and no one but Mao by my side."

"Hinata," Mao whispered tearfully.

Hinata breathed out heavily. "But so what if you're bleeding? So what if I'm an orphan? Just take a look at Yukiyori. She's targeted by a number of crazies; she survived over half of their attacks, and yet there are more of them coming after her! And despite Gasai's weird obsession with her, who knows what's going on in that head of his? Yukiyori said it herself—she doesn't know what to expect from him, and she's been with him the longest. If he really did kill his parents, who's to say that he won't do the same with her?"

Yuki shuddered at the thought. Akise brought a warm hand to her back and rubbed circles.

Kosaka, unwilling to back down in his argument, grumbled petulantly, "You weren't the one who got shot."

"Why you little—!"

"Yukiyori-san does have a good reason to be fearful of Gasai-kun," Akise smoothly interjected, lifting his gaze. "As I recall, if it wasn't for Yukiyori-san who, acting compliant to appease him, announced their status as boyfriend and girlfriend, Gasai-kun would have had Hino-san's throat slit."

Hinata's eyes widened at the memory, and she unconsciously touched the skin under her chin. "That's right," she murmured.

"There are even cases where women's rejection toward mercurial men would result in violence or undesired sexual advances, such as rape."

Kosaka blanched and looked away. "Oh."

"It wouldn't surprise me," muttered Mao. "Men would do such vile things."

Akise nodded. "It usually has to do with the nature of dominance. So, when facing rejection, the coping mechanism would be lashing out the one who has shamed the man. Consequentially, to compensate the hurt, he would express his superiority over the inferior woman. Additionally, there are stories of women who don't turn down such men in order to preempt death or brutal rape; it is these decisions that those women had made that was stemmed from fear."

"A-are you saying that Gasai would've done that to Yukiyori if she rejected him?" Hinata asked, aghast.

"No, I am merely clarifying Yukiyori-san's reason. I believe that Gasai-kun is a different case entirely. Yes, he is volatile, simply put, but he behaves accordingly to Yukiyori-san. Do you remember when she told us about the hole that he dug that stretched out to the entirety of his backyard?"

Hinata, Mao, and Kosaka nodded.

"What she forgot to mention was that he didn't know what she was saying when she mentioned about the corpses in that demolished room." Akise frowned. "He intentionally erased Yukiyori-san's accidental discovery from his memory to accommodate the changes in events. He didn't like how she was afraid of him because of the dead bodies, so he got rid of them and saw that it never happened."

"Then when he forgot about me—" Kosaka gasped.

"It was because he didn't find you to be worth remembering. It probably occurred during the time when Yukiyori-san and Gasai-kun were dating. I assume that everyone noticed the sudden shift in personality at school to the time when Gasai-kun had a knife at Hino-san's throat?"

"You mean the time when he was attached to Yukiyori by hip?" said Hinata.

"That he went from a bloodthirsty monster to a loving boyfriend?" added Mao.

"Yes. Because he was happy with the way things were, he deleted anything unpleasant that happened prior to their dating relationship."

"Dude, I went to school with him ever since, like, first grade," stammered Kosaka. "I never would have imagined him to be insane like that…"

"If you're implying that Gasai-kun might always have been insane, then I must say that I find it unlikely for a child to be inclined with murderous tendencies," Akise coolly repsonded. "Aside from the fifth diary user, but I believe that it was the influences of the survival game that caused him to be like that."

Yuki's eyebrows rose. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"For a five-year-old child to conduct well-calculated strategies and expertly work with chemicals, don't you think it's rather odd? Certainly an orphaned toddler wouldn't be able to obtain and retain such knowledge; however, I suppose it could be possible if he was a remarkably bright boy under the tutelage of an acknowledged professor before his parents' death, but that's only the hypothetical scenario. And there lies the fact that he was able to deceive Yukiyori-san, her mother, and Gasai-kun. There is no way that a toddler could possess the talent to do that.

"So here is what I came up with: According to Yukiyori-san, Deus Ex Machina, the God of Time and Space, was the one who created the survival game and the future diaries. In that case, he must have selectively chosen the people who already owned diaries themselves. To me, it sounds like this god likes to make things…interesting, so he would throw in not only a vigilante and mass killers, but two fourteen-year-olds, a toddler, a priestess, and a police investigator who all have some sort of problem in their lives.

"But how else would it be interesting if the toddler is an easy target? Make him intelligent and manipulative. And while at it, give him an incentive to plot against the god's favorite player by having his parents be killed by the incident where she and Gasai-kun were involved in. And there couldn't possibly be two relatively normal teenagers in the game, so one of them has to be crazy. As mentioned, Deus can control the laws of cause and effect, which leads me to the theory that he, in some point in Gasai-kun's life, had affected him, and thus gave the god a reason to take advantage of Gasai-kun's frail mentality."

It took a moment for Akise's words to sink in. Yuki was blinking rapidly, stunned to hear him reach to such a conclusion. She never thought about that…and, surprisingly, it did fit. It was just as Kosaka had said—Yuto had gone to school with them for a very long time; and it was just as Akise had said—Yuto was just a normal kid until that one point where his life spiraled out of control. If this was true, that Deus was responsible for shaping Yuto into the person he was now, then it must be true for Reisuke.

Reisuke… He didn't deserve this. He had been a five-year-old child thrust into hell all for Deus's amusement! It was so wrong! And Yuto? Yuki couldn't help but feel pity for his situation as well. What could have happened to him? What was so bad that drove him to kill his own parents? Unless it was Deus's doing that evoked that action?

Akise shrugged. "Of course, it is simply a theory."

"An awful good one, I'd say," said Hinata. "Way to go, Junior Detective."

"It would have sounded unbelievable, but after what happened these days…" trailed off Mao before shaking her head.

"I suppose I should count myself lucky when I crossed paths with Gasai again," Hinata sighed. She already seated herself back down when Akise began explaining his theory, and was now reclining her shoulder against the armchair that was placed not too far from the sofa.

Yuki pursed her lips. "I'm surprised that you even came for me," she said softly. "After all the trouble that I got you to—"

Hinata jerked her head forward and stared at Yuki with wide eyes. "Are you kidding me? I had to! After what you've done for me… Whatever happened happened; and, besides, it was pretty much my fault, anyway," Hinata said sheepishly yet earnestly. "Yukiyori, you saved my life twice. And what you did earlier today when you unlocked yourself? You not only ended up saving me again, but you saved Kosaka too!"

With that said, Hinata casted a venomous glare at Kosaka. Kosaka shrank from her eyes. "Alright, alright. Thanks, Yukiyori, for saving me," he grumbled.

Yuki pursed her lips and formed a crease on her forehead. "But what Yuto did to you before… It was the reason why you a-avoided me, wasn't it?"

"To be honest, the idea of ever confronting Gasai again frightened me." Hinata's eyes momentarily were cast to the side before steadily staring back into Yuki's; her face was uncertain, ashamed, and sincere. It was as though she was reluctant to say anything, but, at the same time, she seemed compelled to do so. Mao laced her fingers with Hinata's, and Hinata gave her a brief smile. "But after what I did to you, I just couldn't forgive myself. I want to be your friend, Yukiyori—for real this time! So when I heard that Gasai kidnapped you or something, I just had to save you regardless of Gasai's threat."

Hinata wobbly smiled. "Anyway, he forgot who we are, so his threat is now void."

Yuki couldn't help herself. She burst into tears.

The urge to stay home and curled up in bed was strong. She didn't want to go to school and face Yuto. When she told this to her friends—friends, she had friends—they frowned and appraised her sympathetically. Hinata, after seeing the frantic expression on Yuki's face, was about to relent and suggest that Yuki should take a few days off, but Akise interrupted and firmly said that she must attend her classes. The tone in his voice left no room for protest.

The following night, insomnia hit her hard. With an aggravated sigh, Yuki sat up and wrapped herself in her blanket. Despite the summer heat, all she felt was the coldness of the night that emitted through the window. The faint glow of the moon spilled into her room, and her figure provided the lump of her shadow, which she observed with empty interest.

She considered calling Akise, knowing that he wouldn't mind the unexpected and late call. For some reason, out of her newly-found friends, Akise was the one who seemed to be the most heedful of her being. Hinata was wholehearted and caring, Mao was affable, and Kosaka… Well, Kosaka was Kosaka, but she liked to believe that, despite their rough start and his jeering, they would grow close enough to develop a friendship.

But Akise? Yuki wasn't astute and was often gullible, but it didn't elude her notice that he was rather focused on her. Initially, she suspected it was because she was involved in all sorts of investigative mysteries and transgressions—she was practically the catalyst to any hotspot of criminal activity. And, after all, being now associated with Nishijima, the man who took over Kurusu's profession, he must be aware of all the big to tiny details about anything that had to do with the diary owners and her. If anything, she was like his guinea pig to put his detective aptitude into use.

But after being in his presence for a whole day, it didn't quite seem to be like that. Yuki didn't know how to describe it or how to feel about it; she never had anyone be so invested in her. But one thing was obvious—Akise's attention was far more pleasant than Yuto's oppressive one. The question was, though, why her. Why was it someone like her who Akise was concerned about?

The vibration of her phone that was cradled in her hand jolted her out of her stupor. She reflexively flipped open her phone and was startled to see that it was a message from Deus.

"Some owners have recently inquired about Eighth," it said. "'Doesn't the power to create more owners violate the rules of the game?' 'Do these apprentice owners have the right to become a god?' 'What happens if you destroy the diary of an apprentice owner?' I would like to explain these matters more in detail. May the owners who received this message please come to the Casualty Cathedral."

Apprentice owners?

"So, are you and Deus not friends anymore?"

Yuki looked down at the owner of the voice and scowled. "Not in the slightest," she muttered.

"Aah, don't be like that, Yukiyori," said Murmur, skipping from her side to in front of her. "He just means well. You know, with him dying and all, he's gotta pick the strongest one of 'em all to be his successor. In fact, you should be honored to participate to land yourself a chance to be a god!"

"Murmur, I'm just a fourteen-year-old girl. I'm vulnerable and weak—I'm a total hack compared to everyone else, even to Reisuke-kun who was only five! And I just threw away my chance when I cut off my ties with Yuto," Yuki replied darkly. "I'm not going to make it out alive."

"Such a downer," Murmur clicked her tongue disappointedly. "You weren't like this before the game started. What happened to the Yukiyori I knew who used to lend me her shoujo manga? I still want the next volume to Skip Beat, by the way."

"The Yukiyori you knew didn't have to put up with this hell on earth and was happily ignorant of all the mayhem going on." The girl sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Look, Murmur, why did Deus want me to stay after? He's already informed me and the others about Eighth, so what more does he have to say to me? And where is he?"

"He's currently in another part of the Cathedral talking to another diary owner. As for why he wants to talk to you…" Murmur shrugged. "Maybe he misses your company?"

"Right…"

The next morning, Akise was waiting for her inside her home.

"That handsome young gentleman wanted to escort you to school," her mother giggled in the kitchen. "Isn't that nice?"

"Mom," Yuki groaned exasperatedly, bringing the buttered toast to her mouth.

"I must say, you surprise me, Yuki-chan. Never would I have thought you'd attract so many cuties!"

Yuki rolled her eyes and swallowed her food. "Well, gotta go."

"When I was your age, I was pretty popular with the boys too, so it's only natural that you take it from me—"

"Bye, Mom!"

The girl hurried into the house entry and ushered Akise outside. "Sorry that you had to wait long."

He shook his head. "I didn't. I had an intriguing conversation with your mother, anyway, so I wasn't bored."

She frowned. "You… You don't have to do this, you know. Before, I was just paranoid about being alone, but I wouldn't want you to do this if it's too much of a bother…"

"Yukiyori-san, I'm more than happy to walk you to and from school," Akise assured her warmly. "Anyway, it isn't bad to be paranoid, given your situation. With Gasai-kun and the other diary users out there, it'd be dangerous if you happened to be alone."

Yuki hesitated for a second before inquiring, "Are you helping me in this survival game?"

"I believe I am, Yukiyori-san. Did it not appear that way before?"

She stopped in her tracks, taken aback. He was helping her? Did he want to help her? Would that mean that the others were doing the same thing as well? "B-but why?"

"Why?" He turned around and faced her as a cryptic smile played his lips. "Hmm. Who knows?"

AN: For that reviewer who wanted to know what Yukiyori and Yuto look like, I'm sorry that I hadn't responded to your question earlier. Anyway, to answer your question, Yukiyori would bear similar resemblance to Yukiteru, obviously. But, being the average Japanese early teen girl, she would be relatively thin and short with at least shoulder-length hair. Yuto, like Yuno, would be attractive; he'd have short and wavy-ish hair; and he would be a few inches taller than Yuki. I'd say that Yuki would be 5'0 or 5'1, and Yuto would be 5'3 or 5'4 (or something like that). Any other features… I guess that's up to you guys. I don't have much in mind for the gender-reversed characters, to be honest. Oh, well, I suppose I should add that I always envisioned Yukiyori to be wearing a beanie or a barrette, but that's about it.