Around fifty minutes later.
(Outside the terminal.)
[Takeru]
[Recommended Music: Cold Snow, Berserk -Record of the Holy Evil War-]
Legs feel as if they were chained to an iron ball. Stomach sinks in, emptied, eyes hurt as if forced to stare right into the sun. The lower side of my back is completely stiff, the saline whip remains piking at both face and lips, eyelids wanting to close shop as I step out of the sim and face the overflowing cold light of the showroom again.
…None of that comes even close to whatever the hell is caging my heart right now, where it's supposed to be. There is simply nothing, an ambiguous beatlessness has set in and the void only knows how to spread, like small embers devouring leaves. And yet, I still can't cry. Seems like I've no more tears left to shed. Not even for my beloved ones.
"That was truly something else!" MofuMofu's brimming voice is only defied by the glowing refraction that comes off his face, smile high and spirits further beyond, leaving the overhead lights in the dust. "I didn't expect you to make it to Stage 12 in your first go, Shirogane-kun."
"As expected of one of the champions, you're a truly great player! So, what did you think?" Torerorero inquiries, giving a more subdued gesture yet the delight is apparent in the already out and prepared notepad, to the shock of the staff that remains in vigilance around the nearby rows arcade cockpits.
"It was… a nice experience, despite a few rather… intense cutscenes," I admit, wincing. Softly patting my chest, a short sigh comes out, my palms still feel no echo coming from within.
"You look rather tired, Shirogane-kun. Did the session exhaust you?" he offers, cheer waning. They're obviously minding their words. I'm sure I must look like a mess.
"Yeah, I just got a bit too scared on one of those… gory cutscenes." Why was there a scene of… what happened to Marimo-chan built into the game anyways?
They then start talking with Mikoto about the game, who rivals their excitement and exuding glow, almost bouncing up into the ceiling. I answer when they ask some stuff, stitching words while clamping both hands. They're hiding in my pockets, shaking like a kitty in front of a bulldog.
It was like doing catharsis, killing all those BETA. Thank God there were no mics, I couldn't restrain myself and ended up screaming my pain away. I think I broke the joysticks, too.
I know, we did what we had to. But I couldn't do anything meaningful for them.
I know, I got lucky to survive. But I still feel like shit over failing my squadron twice, of not being able to save a single one of them, in either Iceberg or Ouka.
I know, Alt V was hanging over our heads if we took too long to complete the mission. But it clangs and clashes inside, this sinking regret. Not only at the outcome, but at my own lack of resolve after the fact.
Who gave a shit I wasn't a conductor anymore? Wasn't my willpower what tied me to that timeline? Why the fuck didn't I want to stay and fight? Yeah, sure, I admit you were right, XO. Being the sole human that ever talked to a BETA would have gotten me in the nasty lists. But still, that also made me a valuable asset, right? Why did I just accept it was all over?
…Why did I forget about you all? Sumika, was this your doing? Trying to give me a fresh start? Then, why even try if I'll end up recalling anyways? Sigh…
Shielding my eyes from the lights as they ask me a question, I slow down my answer and lean back onto a terminal to rest on. Head hurts a bit, a few fingers rub the dizziness away for now. To be honest, I don't even remember what hour it is. All these memories… Ugh. Just thinking about it is enough to make the pain blaze up, the burning and salty whip again raking my lips.
Come on, myself. Deep breaths, keep yourself in check.
But as I offer an opinion on the missions, they're surprised for real at my description of the threats, of the enemies. No delay comes in the following words or gestures, only further focus onto my features, breaths that are repressed and notepads assailed by mach speed scribbling that would make our TSFs blush. They clearly know what they're talking about, about the different strains. It's almost like Cpt Isumi is giving me that eternal debriefing all over again, or as if I were giving them a test in BETA knowledge which they're passing with flying grades. My answers elicit further eruption of radiant brightness, I swear they're gonna turn into Lasers any second now. And yet, my strategies and movements seem to perplex them as I answer the queries, my wording leaves them as penguins in a desert, completely halting the pencil's raid on the paper.
So they have no idea how to properly fight them, how to balance their numbers, huh. Hmm, if they made a game about the BETA, that means stuff is coming into this world. And yet, they don't know everything. Could this be nothing but a coincidence? Them just happening to learn this through hunches and junk like what Sensei said about fortunetellers? If my memory isn't wrong, Sensei and Kasumi said I no longer was a conductor before I returned, and that I'd end up in a world aligned to Sumika's wishes as she fixed whatever it was required to be fixed. So everything should be fine. I think.
Ugh… I simply don't have the energy to think things through now. All I wanna do is go home and bury myself under my pillow to cry until I fall asleep. Guys, Valkyries, Kasumi… Sorry. I forgot about you. I couldn't keep my promise. Sigh…
"So, is there anything you found odd or clunky? Any detail that you would change?" MofuMofu asks, playing with the outer edge of his cap.
Seeing their almost pleading faces, I give them some pointers based on what I felt different from this game and how I recall the simulators back home to be.
…Home? Which world is my home? I guess both are, in a way.
Both devs again edge closer upon my answer, yet I look away and take a step back. Seeing those almost fallen expressions, like abandoned puppies, I suggest the idea of the hives as if it just occurred to me. That seems to pique their curiosity even further, notepad and fire back out to hunt along a replenished waterfall of questions. The formal personnel behind them shake their heads and sigh, offering only a shrug and a wry smile in sympathy as I tend to the never-ending questions.
So they didn't knew of the hives before, huh. Nothing on the stab either, nor on the inner tunnels or anything. Not even my mention of a 'superior BETA' gains me anything more than a hurried cough to mask what I presume is an empty answer. Maybe it really was just an unfortunate coincidence? They really don't seem to know that much about the BETA, even if they did nail their designs almost to perfection.
Once the questioning ends they call an attendant, who procures a small box. With another grandiose and dramatic gesture, they present to Mikoto and me a pair of sleek boxes made out of polished steel with the game's logo imprinted on it. Inside were the gold medal that had Valgern-On Cyber Legion Champion forged in and a special GR card with our names. They say it's a special present from them to the last champions of their first game, and that using it in the arcades would unlock some 'primo content' that will be exclusive to us for the time being, at least until Oratory Tango is released.
…Now that I think about it, this is the first thing I win in my life. I never got awarded in the other world and I never won any kind of competition back here. Life sure is weird.
"You have no idea how thankful we are. The hive idea is really a stroke of genius!" MofuMofu cheers again, nodding much.
"We hope you keep playing Valgern-On. And we'll be looking forward to the next tournament you participate in! It was a pleasure Shirogane-kun, Yoroi-kun!" Torerorero says, offering a handshake that we accept.
"No, it was our pleasure! Right, Takeru?" Mikoto affirms, a smile striking down the neutral mask I had on.
"Yeah, it was… an honor to be the first to play the new version," I nod back, returning the firm handshake, a small smile braving its way back up.
The duo gives us one last parting word along an exaggerated salute, then the attendant guides us out of the showroom, back to the normal hallway. Giving us a bow, she sends us off with a corporate smile and, slow as a snail, I turn around and begin making my way to… Where to? Wait, where was the exit here? Eh, let's just follow Mikoto.
"Oh, man! This wassoawesome!" she shouts into a squeal, bouncing into herself like a ball recoiling off a wall. "Takeru, how did you manage to get so far?! It was really hard hitting those small red spiders," further crispness blossoms in every word, she stares into me as the bouncing subsides.
She looks so… alive, dazzling, happy. Heh… At least something good came out of winning this tournament. Glad to see you enjoying yourself so much.
"Well, they are Tank-Class. Being fast bastards is what they do best."
"Yeah, but when the big one with the claws appeared I was like 'This is the boss!'. But then another popped up, and another, and then there were like ten of 'em!"
"Their numbers are their biggest strength, after all. If it were just one it would be too easy to dodge and kill them."
"Hey Takeru, what's wrong?" she lowers her stride, giving me one nice and direct stare.
"…Nothing's wrong."
"Liar. You've been super cold since you got out of the terminal, in front of THE makers of the game, too."
You're so sharp at the most inconvenient times, you know?
"I… don't know if my brain is exhausted or I'm basking in the afterglow of winning this thing," I say as calmly as I can, scratching my head and looking up to avoid worrying her.
Err, right, him. This is gonna be as hard as when I first got into the other world. But I guess that doesn't really matter, Mikoto's a dear friend here. That won't change.
"Oh, I see. It is kinda hard to believe we ended up winning. You think people will recognize us in the street?" quick to change moods, she… he's all smiles now.
"Please no, the last thing I need is people bothering me while I run." I already will have enough trouble facing Sumika without crying my eyes out for awhile. Or any of you, for that matter.
"Well, but man… I can't believe we're the champions!"
"Yeah…"
"I am so going to brag about this for months, you know."
"Haha, guess fighting so hard had a nice reward."
"Hey, Takeru… You sure you're alright?"
"Huh? Yeah, why?"
Playing with his hair, lips twisting while he flattens his shirt a little bit, he tries to hold my gaze. "Well, you've been staring at me rather… weirdly. It's odd for you to be so sincere and honest, too."
…Can you blame me? I just remembered how- No, I gotta snap out of it. This isn't my Mikoto. He isn't even a she. Chill down, your Mikoto is… gone.
And I can only hope the fleet made it safely to the Barnard System. Clawing at my palms inside my pockets, I release a sigh as heavy as a set of full gear, fleeing his sight.
"Sorry, that gory scene really messed me up."
"Was it really that bad?"
"…Yeah. Horrible or sickening feels weak to describe that shit."
"W-Well, don't worry," softly patting my shoulder, a smile greets me. "Let's go meet the rest and then we'll go get that ice cream!" she- he irradiates that same warm cloak as my Mikoto's with the rising vigor in his voice.
…Yeah. Yeah, he's right. I'll see the rest now. Huh… Right, everyone is… alive here.
Yeah, they're all alive.
Safe and happy.
Huh. Weird, how just recalling that talk as we ate before the tournament is enough to make me feel giddy, to smile a bit. They're all truly safe and sound here, living their own lives in peace. Sigh…
But is this even safe? What if… there is data making its way here, like when I came back for the theories? No, calm down. You're no longer a conductor. Sensei said it herself, now that Sumika's wish to see me again was fulfilled I'm no longer an anomaly. That's why I'm back here, that's why I forgot everything.
That's why… I can spend some time with them. It's alright for me to enjoy that little… Right, Sensei? My fight is already over, right?
"Takeru? Hey, are you really-"
"Sorry, Mikoto. I was just lost in thought. Let's… Let's go," I smile back at her- him, brushing my forearms, licking my lips and dousing the tickle. After sharing a nod, we again walk back to the hall.
We go to the audience room where the tournament was shown and start looking for everyone, but as we wiggle through the tables and seats, a few surprised faces raising as they recognize us as the champions, there's no hair nor trace of any of the girls, and no one calls out to us either. Where could they be? I mean, they must have seen the fights, right? Maybe something came up and they had to leave? Let's see if they're near the entrance. I can also take in some fresh air while I'm at it.
"Mikoto, I'll go look at the entrance."
"Okay! I'll check the resto bar then."
Turning back, following the maps on the wall, I pace towards the exit. A few people look at me and smile, probably because of the final, so I nod and return the gesture. Once the stream of visitors pipes down, my feet start to drag on the floor. Sighing hard, I close my eyes and stop, the wall meeting my palm, aiding the wobbling jelly my legs have become to not falter.
"Okay, inhale, exhale… Inhale, exhale… Calm down, deep breaths. Remember Sensei's words."
The more you focus on that other world, the worse it might get. It's all right, nothing is going to happen. No accidents, no deaths. Just clear your head and focus and the here and now. Just that, should be easy enough. Siiigh…
I roll shoulders up and down, pressing a hand on the cold wall to propel myself off it, yawning and screaming in sync along forceful yet slow steps. The loop is over and done, you're no longer a Conductor. R-E-L-A-X.
But what's up with the BETA in the game?
Why do the devs know so much?
Why did I regain these memories?
No, why did I forget everything in the first place? If Sumika wanted me to forget, why did I remember?
"Sigh… I might never get an answer to these questions. And worrying about it achieves nothing, so," taking one good breath in, I resume my idle walking towards the exit.
Shortly after, an odd echo reaches my ears. In synchrony with my stroll, another set of footsteps tails my motions. Not hurried to reach the entrance, not slow enough to dismiss them as people loafing about. Is someone closing in on me? No, there's two of them by the sound of it. Are they marking me?
Calm down dude, you're no longer in the military. Turn off the high alert already. Seeing a hallway come up, I take a turn into a small detour towards my initial destination. Maybe I'm being paranoid and they're just leaving, marching as I used to will let me put some distance and-
…Nope, still hurrying after my shadow. Coincidence? Let's try and put some speed in my stride then.
After taking a glance at the entrance and seeing that the girls were not there, I pick up my pace as I take random turns. Thanks to the maps in the walls I'll end up in the lounge to the resto bar, anyways. However, the footsteps remain following me, and they're speeding up too.
What the hell is going on?! Why are they following me? And no shot they ain't after me, considering I'm back to a serious marching step.
As I reach the noisy open space of the lounge, two men in dark suits were with Mikoto in the elevator just before the door closed. They were holding him by the shoulders, his posture and expression stiff and tight. Petrified, scared.
Fingernails rake at my palms as fists tighten, I aim for the elevator, heels stomping the floor. How dare they lay-
"Excuse me, sir, could you be Takeru Shirogane?"
The two that were following me catch up. Both sporting the same dark attire the bastards in the elevator had, both wearing sunglasses. But their uniforms don't have the logo of the TGS nor do they have the ID card dangling from their neck like the rest of the staff. So some idiots think they can fuck with us, huh. Not in the mood for this shit.
"Why do you ask? Do you need something?" I ask, low, not even bothering to clear my frown.
Which makes the one who spoke to hastily step back, coughing softly into a hand. "Forgive me, it's that… I saw your fight in the finals and wanted to ask you some tips. For my son, he likes this game a lot."
Nice bluff jackass, you better keep walking back or I'm gonna punch your brains outta your head.
"Excuse me, but I'm kinda tired and looking for my friends. Sorry," I fake a bow without losing eye contact, edging away, placing some distance between us.
Which makes the other guy shake his head, giving out a short sigh as he pinches his nose. "This is a pointless waste of time. Shirogane-san, we'd like you to come with us. Please, follow us to the elevator," he asserts, rising voice and chest, taking a stoic pose in intimidation.
Sincerity is a virtue, I'll give you that. But you laid your hands on my friends… And I'm not feeling particularly well to put up with this BS today.
"I refuse. I have no reason to go anywhere with you, and you can't force me to follow you." The hell do you want, bastard? Are they… Do they want to harm them for some reason? Is this some payback from a rich asshole that we defeated in the games?
"Please don't make a scene, we were just ordered to take you somewhere. No harm will come to you," the first guy says, trying to sound as amicable as possible while waving both hands down, slightly wincing.
…'Ordered to', huh. You don't say. "Would you at least let me find my friends? I'd like to tell them to wait for me," I ask, faking a smile as I take another step back.
The second guy's brows begin to arch and almost meet, lips shrugging, unlike the first guy who is trying to remain chill, and in front of his partner. "It won't take long, someone just wishes to… speak with you. Please, we assure you we have no bad intentions. We rather not have to insist, could you follow us in good faith?" he asks, giving his moody partner a glare, placing a hand on his arm.
This guy sounds sincere enough. But I can't ignore the other's glare and posture, the fact that I saw them taking Mikoto forcefully with them, and that they're 'under orders' of some kind. There's no guarantee of safety the second I'm alone with them in the elevator or wherever the hell they want to take me, and the guys. Which, by the way, they're keeping quiet about. Sumika and the rest are nowhere to be found, Mikoto was taken forcefully to the elevator, and these two are now asking me to follow them too.
…This has 'trap' written all over the place. If they had a problem with me, and me alone, I could understand. Even if you're 'under orders', we can deal with any problems in private. But entangling the guys into whatever this shit is? Oh buddy, now you've fucked up.
Nobody lays a hand on my squad and gets away with it. Even if they're not my squad here.
Smirking first, I make a gun with a hand, pointing the barrel at 'em. "So we jump to threats now? What makes you think I'll go with you?!" raising my voice on purpose, I take another step back.
Yet the staff is clearly looking away, the onlookers take their hurried leave or simply throw glances, none of them have any intention to help or get involved. I don't like this situation at all. Maybe it's the memories of my training, but I really feel like beating them and getting some answers quickly would be the better choice. But I don't know if I'm being watched or what they want with us, who sent them in the first place. I'm not a soldier and I don't have Yuuko to cover my mistakes in this world. If I harm either of them is off to prison on claims of assault. Then, why is nobody doing anything?!
The tall one snickers into a chuckle, before cracking his knuckles. "C'mon kid, stop acting tough. If you don't cooperate I'll bite your head off!"
"Hey, we can't hurt him! We were ordered to escort him!"
"Screw that! Why do we gotta be so respectful towards a bunch of kids?! In my days-"
"…What did you say you'd do?"
They both stop arguing and look towards me. The tough bastard smirks, chuckling a bit while waving a single finger. "What's up, pup? Scared, huh?"
"Say it again, c'mon. Say it, I fucking dare you."
You've no idea how horrible it is.
To see someone get decapitated in front of you.
What the fuck do you know, asshole? You're nothing but the attack dog of a rich pig.
One of his brows twitches, face contorts out of order into a scowl. "Huh? Hey, what's with that tone? I said I was gonna bite your head off, brat! Now, stop acting tough and-"
"What makes you think I won't chop your head off first, motherfucker?" I spit out venom, cracking my knuckles and neck as I do.
They look shocked, gaping for a sec, a slight flinch mires their postures. "What do you-"
"I'm trying real hard not to snap here. Could you do me a solid? Leave me the fuck alone."
"Yeah, no. You're coming with us, kid, like it or not," the tall asshole declares, cracking his knuckles.
"…So you were given leeway to resort to violence with your orders?"
"No, that's not it," the first one says, again trying to get between me and the tall asshole. "We only want your cooperation to follow us to- Ugh!" the guy staggers, pushed aside by his partner.
"Enough is enough. Follow us to the elevator, kid," he imposes, frowning as he steps closer.
"…You wouldn't happen to know where my friends are? The dude I was with in the tournament should have been around here, but…" I take a glance to the elevator before looking at them again, finding a wince and an even more blazing scowl.
"Stop stalling, kid. My patience ain't infinite."
"So it's just like your hair, huh," I chuckle, sticking the tip of my tongue out as I pat the top of my head.
Which makes one of his eyelids twitch, teeth gritting. "Who do you think you are talking to?! That's it, I'm gonna teach you some manners, brat!" not even masking the ogre in his eyes nor the horns that surface in his otherwise balding hairline, the asshole barks a warning shot before rushing at me.
A fast jab to my left falls on target, using his taller stature to try and overpower me. Raising a simple block I flow away, gliding outwards by using his own strength against him. Like a vine my fingers dig in and coil, grabbing the arm with a vice grip, causing a groan, tension to flare up in his face. Ingraining both heels firmly on the ground, a jolt runs through my lower back, air and weightlessness tickling my nape.
Recalling all the times Kei did this to me, one hand reaches out to the back of his neck and pulls, and pulls, soft yet firm. In one fluid swipe, the guy is sent on a crashing course against a table through an STA. Compared to her you're a rookie, Pops. No way in hell I'll lose in hand-to-hand combat to anyone other than my Kei.
Dishes fly off, cups are broken, and the circle of the table gets split in half, the legs crumbling away. The asshole is out cold, expression slack, sunglasses broken and limply lying on the floor besides the unconscious dog. The poor people that were nearby yell out, yet they don't look away. Fucking onlookers, when they harass me it's all well and good and you say nothing, but the second I defend myself you start with the nasty and judgmental glare. Heh, typical.
The other guy is still gaping, before looking back at me very slowly. As the distance between us shortens, he quickly waves the white flag, both hands in frantic haste. "Please calm down! We truly mean no harm to you! If my partner offended you in any-"
"Shut it. I'm not following you. Not unless you answer my questions. Who sent you after us and why? Where are my friends?!" looking straight ahead into his eyes, I take a fighting stance.
"I'm sorry, but orders are orders. I cannot answer your questions, but I can confirm that your friends are-"
THWACK!
A clear hit to the jaw before he finished blabbering sends him onto a nearby table, making the ashtray fly off and collide against the sunglasses that rise to the overhead lights. I'm done with this. You think I'll believe you, after you resort to violence first? After seeing Mikoto so frightened?!
"…Who sent you? What do you want from us?" I threaten, glacial, while grabbing and lifting him by the collar, ruining the uppermost buttons forever.
A minute twitch in his features, he takes a deep breath then again raises both hands slowly. "…I can't tell you who, but we were told to escort you and your friends somewhere in this building."
"Where?"
"Floor thirteen, that's where we have to take you. I swear, they're fine and no harm has come to them."
Inhaling slow, I scout the room. The staff is staring but they won't get closer, the normal customers are whispering and shooting venomous vipers for glares my way. So I'm alone, huh.
"…Alright. You'll take me there, but one wrong move-"
"We mean no harm to you."
"Tell that to your friend."
I let him go and step back, the guy goes and tries to wake up his partner, to no success. Yeah, that ain't happening. I threw him with all my might, he's knocked out cold and probably won't wake up for awhile.
"Okay, please follow me," the man says as he gives up on waking up his partner, relenting a small and brief bow.
We get to the elevator, followed by whispers and glares. The staff that comes and goes remains staring, doing nothing, saying nothing. The guy presses the button to call the elevator, and a moment of waiting in silence ensues while he fixes his uniform.
I was kinda expecting more of them to come pouring out of it as the chime of arrival rings out, but it was empty inside as the door parts away. Lodging myself in a corner, the ascent starts shortly.
I can only hope the rest are safe. Of all the times where shit could hit the fan, it had to be now. I'm feeling awful, having trouble keeping dark thoughts out of my head. The more I think, the more images of them suffering in the other world pop up in my mind.
"We were told you were a rather happy-go-lucky fellow. Didn't expect you to be so strong. Do you practice a martial art?"
I stare at him in silence and he hastily looks away, stiffness claiming his posture as if he had just done a staring contest with a basilisk.
Can't exactly say I received military training, though. Now that I think about it, my body feels a bit different. I wasn't in this good shape as of late. Did my memories trigger some sort of causality effect on me? But… I shouldn't be a conductor anymore, no, the pipeline should have been severed. What gives?
"We've arrived," he says, nodding back.
The door opens, there's nobody waiting outside. I look around, trying to see if there's a trap. Can't hear anything, either. The hallways on this floor are wider than the ones back down, and it looks like this place is some sort of high class restaurant or something. Glass separates different sections of tables and areas, everything looks so regal, as if meticulously crafted to perfection. Pottery of the fine class can be seen everywhere, a few paintings guarded by glass also decorate the walls.
I don't sense anyone's presence nearby. Was he telling the truth then?
We start walking towards a grand door on the other end of the hallway, saying nothing, as I look around and about at the details of the place. Looks like this is the VIP floor, but why is there no one here? Considering there was an event just now, one would expect at least some customers or members of the dev team would be here enjoying some good quality food or something. For the thing to be deserted, it's almost as if-
A sudden noise behind me, a rattle of a chair or a vase.
Quickly moving away, I barely dodge a hand that was outstretched, lunging for my shoulder. Shortly after, hurried footsteps and shadows crawl out of hiding from every tiny shade, every corner.
"Restrain him! We have to confirm that there's no dangerous objects in his possession. Spare no measures to subdue him!" says the guy that tried to grab me as four other black suits surround me, my escape routes while taking tight postures, banners to war.
Heh, so it was a trap. While normally I wouldn't try and fight my way out of such odds, there is no guarantee they won't harm me if I let them pin me down. Their postures are not amateurish, these guys are oozing violence from every pore, a bull seeing red would resemble Miki by comparison. In that case-
"Then you might wanna cut my arms while you're at it! I'm done with this shit!" I scream as I leap at them.
They clearly weren't expecting resistance, they left postures open for counters. A punch submerges deep into a stomach, emptying it of any and all air with a dull gasp. The shock allows me to grab arm and shoulder, throw the guy towards the others, slamming them into a glass wall that cracks.
A pair of arms binds me from behind, with an elbow to the ribs and sinking my teeth onto the hand that was near the chains come off me. One good punch to the face, my knuckles meeting and twisting the nose, the bastard collapses against a plant, tumbling the pottery down. Letting out a short howl, the other bulls then charge at me all at the same time.
You're on! Like I'd lose to a bunch of cowards like you!
THWACK! POW!
CRASH!
These guys aren't that strong. The other world's Kei and Meiya were better fighters when I had just arrived. Hell, I bet even Chizuru could beat them up without breaking a sweat.
THWACK! THUD!
"Sigh… Kinda expected more of a fight, to be honest," I wipe my forehead, cleaning my hands on my shirt.
The five of 'em lie in the floor, knocked out cold and with swollen features. I sure hope the TGS doesn't ask me to pay for the repairs of the hallway and decorations, because I almost surely cannot afford to. Well, whatever. They attacked first, serves 'em right. Anyone dares to point fingers, I sue them for assault and raise the self-defense flag.
Where did the one that brought me here go, though? I was hoping they really weren't enemies, but if the staff of the Tokyo Grand Salon is ignoring them… Who the hell are these guys?!
No, calm down. Keep those dark memories out of your head. Stay cool. I can't kill them or I'll go to jail. Then… What do I do?
Dragging my feet on the tiles as I approach the grand door that's in the other end of the hallway, the place is oddly silent. Sharpening my ears for any other hidden threats, looking around at the minimal doubtful shadow returns more nothingness.
What can I do in this situation? If these guys have guns I'm done for. Should I go and check if the ones I fought have? No, if my fingertips are found, if residue is found on my hands- No, scratch that, if I use a gun without a permit that's gonna make everything worse.
And what do they want with us, anyways? They better not be harming my squad or they'll regret it. Rushing in without a plan would be suicide, should I knock on the door to bait at least one of them? Drag the one that opens out, choke the daylights out of 'em, wait and see if anyone else comes to ambush them? Hmm…
As I debate what to do while slowly edging closer, the door starts opening. Freezing in my tracks, all air leaves me as a slender figure comes out to the hallway, closing the door and pacing forward in small yet fasts steps to meet my gaze. Huh… She's…
Stopping a few feet away, she lowers into a polite bow. "It has been a long time, Takeru-sama."
"Tsukuyomi-san?!"
"You've changed much in these two years. Kagami-sama was right, you did take your training very seriously it seems. To knock out five of our guards, I cannot imagine what kind of regime you must have undergone," she says, giving me a once over, looking further into the hall, brows and lips lowering as she sees the other guys, I guess.
…Who the hell is this? Why is she here? Their guards, she said. You're telling me you sent these guys after us?! No, this world's Tsukuyomi-san would never… Tsukuyomi-san would never do something like this! Who are you?!
"What's the meaning of this, Tsukuyomi-san? I didn't think you were this kind of person, to send attack dogs after us."
"Please be at ease, Takeru-sama," she looks at me with her usual smile, speaking softly as she takes a single step closer, brushing her hair. "You've misunderstood our intentions, our men were not a threat to you in the slightest."
"Yeah, right. And I'm a three-headed monkey and a time diver."
"Um… While I concede their behavior was coarse and too aggressive, they were merely following the security regulations of the Mitsurugi Group."
"Don't dodge the question, Tsukuyomi-san. Why did you send attack dogs after our heads?" I retort, frowning. Is she the real Tsukuyomi? Why would she send them to after us? Makes no sense.
She briefly joins her hands, facing away as sobriety claims her features, pebbles to the calm pond her voice usually is. "I'm certain you'd understand why we went to such lengths to bring you to this location, away from prying eyes."
"Why couldn't you come to talk to us yourself instead of sending those guys? Also, I have my phone with me, you know. And you have my number, too," I remind her, taking a step back to check on my phone. Squinting my eyes, I point the screen her way. "And yet, there are no missed calls."
Shoulders compact further, hands shake a little as if snow had filtered into her dress. "Ahem… It was necessary to do it this way. We couldn't risk our presence to be noticed by anyone, to risk you or your friends from mentioning anything before or during the event. That's why we reserved this whole floor, to be able to come to the meeting you invited us to. Again, I apologize for the behavior of my underlings. Yoroi-sama already expressed his grievances with their persuasion methods as well," she relents, grimacing as she gives a short bow.
…Invited to? Oh, right.
With all the memories flowing back I completely forgot I had called Tsukuyomi-san to tell her about today's meet up. Then it makes sense for her to be so secretive about all this, considering the small presence of media here. Any of the guys slips a 'Mitsurugi' and we'd be surrounded by hungry vultures trying to drain every last bit of intel from us. Still, it doesn't justify sending those guards after us, without any forewarning not to be assholes about their duty. What the hell were they even thinking? What if I hadn't fought back? Would they have just beaten me into jelly then? Also, pretty sure questions are gonna come her way anyways thanks to how I fought back at the lounge. Like, for real, if you gotta be stealthy about your mission you don't resort to threats and shouts, and handling civvies with care should be one of the first lessons security personnel learns too. What the hell, seriously. Not gonna lie, kinda reminds me of how the Three Idiots were over there, having to be subtle in their watch duties while being as thick as a brick.
Wait, but if what she says is true then that would mean-
Meiya's here.
Just a few feet away.
"Takeru-sama, I believe I've always treated you fairly. You can believe me when I say that-"
Meiya is… here, just a door separating us. She's right… right…
"Please relax, your friends are all within this room. I'm certain you know who sent for you and why it had to be this way."
"Pull the trigger, Takeru…"
Closing my eyes shut, a hand tends to my forehead, to the ramming that wants to slice my skull open from inside. Overlapping with the hallway, with the rather synthetic smell of cleanness, a most pleasant lavender fragrance overtakes it all.
Sight grows blurry as if boosting at top speed, yet there is no pain. There is simply that soft grip of this lavender twister that rushes through me. And behind the veil, behind the hazy shape of Tsukuyomi-san, there they are.
Those two azure eyes, cracking like ice under a heatwave.
Thorns slowly poke at my shoulders, breathless crying fills my hearing. No massage manages to give her any respite as she tugs at my uniform. Yet I force her to use the pass for the migrant fleet, she collapses to her knees, to airless weeping, shaking her head, burying it in my chest. No hugs nor pats in the back or to her hair manage to quell the quake.
And in the end, she left without us saying our goodbyes. Away to the stars, without any guarantee of survival. Alone, all alone.
Glass cracks, an explosion rings away, my heads starts to as well as her features distort and twitch, growing distant. Under the twitching gaze, the spasms of electrocution, the race between tears and blood, again I feel acid rushing up my throat. Those eyes plead, scrunching and crumbling in pain, begging, crying out her love amidst the torture.
And I shoot. I murder her.
Then, everything loops again.
She cries and begs me not to leave her alone, not to send her away. But I do.
And again, it repeats.
She hiccups in pain, begging me to end her suffering, to fulfill our mission. I hesitate, but I fire. I murder her.
And again, it repeats.
And again, and again, and again, and again-
No, make it stop! Don't look at me like that! Shut up! No! NO! NO! I didn't want to kill you! I never wanted to! I only wanted you to live, that's why I sent you away! Shut up!
The best war machine humanity ever made, a pseudo-life form with a quantum brain, a fucking gravity-bending force field and a legit beam cannon. I had all of that and I couldn't even… save anyone…
"So, please give me a smile!" Tsukuyomi-san cheers, the haze retracts, leaving me choking on slivers of gasps. "I prepared ample servings of the pudding you favored so much as well."
…If it hadn't been for Meiya, I would have failed them all. No, I almost failed them. I hesitated, I let the Superior ravish Meiya for some time before committing to shooting the cannon. Like a fucking coward.
I shouldn't have been the one to survive. I ended up leaving and forgetting. What kind of comrade am I? What kind of soldier, of friend am I? So weak, that Sumika felt it was necessary to erase my memories just so that I could sleep with a clear conscience despite the never-ending fuck ups I caused.
This world's Meiya… doesn't deserve to have to deal with me. What the hell was I thinking, reaching out to her? What the hell can I do for her? Give her hope, only to back out again? Offer a lukewarm word of friendship when I can't do jack shit to actually help, when I know my presence near her would only bring her further setbacks? What a piece of shit I am…
"Everyone is having a great time within the room. I truly do apologize for the behavior of my men. So please, come inside. Meiya-sama is-"
All the things she taught me, all the times she helped me get up when I thought I had hit a wall. And I ended up hurting her, I didn't realize how much I meant for her. Left her hanging without an answer, an answer I still would have withheld from her if we had spoken before I recalled my memories.
And I sent her away, alone, to who knows where. No, the migrant fleet might have exploded for all I know.
And I killed her. Not even out of conviction, I made her suffer at the BETA's hands before I gathered the balls to shoot.
Grabbing the neck of my shirt, enduring the burning in my throat, I take slow sips of air through clenched teeth, jaw hurting up until the lower side of my ears.
"Takeru-sama? What is the matter? Would you be injured?" Tsukuyomi-san looks at me with downcast eyes, taking a few steps, slow and hesitant steps towards me as both hands tightly interlock.
Heh, I never though I'd see that worried face on her again. At least I know the guys are safe. Yeah, she's this world's Tsukuyomi-san, alright.
But I can't stay here. After all, the fact that I remembered is dangerous. Who knows if I'm still bringing causal information to this world. And I can't allow anything to happen to my dear ones again because of my own stupidity.
…I gotta get out of here before I break down, because if I do, I'll end up talking. And the last time I did that… Marimo-chan died.
"…I'm leaving."
"Excuse me?"
Not even answering, I turn around and start walking towards the elevator. I take a few breaths, letting out the vile air that now fills my chest. Massaging the base of my throat to clear the burning that pikes inside, my feet barely lift themselves up to take me down the hallway towards the elevator.
"Takeru-sama! What's the meaning of this? Weren't you the one who invited Meiya-sama today?!" she erupts, storming after me. Of course she is enraged.
"Tell Mei… Tell Mitsurugi-san that I'm sorry. For everything."
"What does that mean?" she inquiries, slowly approaching, slicing her sight into mine.
"…I remembered. All of it," I simply say, shrugging and sighing.
"Remembered? You don't mean-"
"I couldn't keep my promise. I wanted to apologize. Now that I'm in a different world than hers, that's all I can do. I don't feel so good, so I'm leaving," nodding back once, I resume my walk to the elevator. I did make a promise with this Meiya, so hopefully they'll misunderstand my words.
"Wait, Takeru-sama! If you truly remembered the promise you made, then-"
"Don't! Just… leave me alone, okay? I think it's for the best if… I don't see Mitsurugi-san again. I merely wanted to be honest and apologize for being a dense idiot who couldn't see what was in front of him. She deserves an apology and… a-and…"
Shit, get your shit together! You know what's at stake here! You know what could happen if you approach them!
"…And give her my thanks. For everything she did for me. Goodbye, Tsukuyomi-san."
"Takeru-sama… W-Wait, I beg of you! At least tell her in person how you-"
A strong hold over my shoulder, firm and commanding, preventing me from moving. As if reacting instinctively, I grab what restricted me and throw it off me.
When I realized what I had done she was holding her head in pain, blood dripping from her forehead and dirtying a wall, looking at me with a confused gaze and tears in her eyes.
"Ah… I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Please Tsukuyomi-san, don't chase after me."
Gasping and out of air, I run to the elevator. This time she didn't try to stop me, nor did she call out.