Editing Hakomari (Indonesia):Jilid 4 Bab 3

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===Fourth Day &lt;D&gt; Big room===

 '''IN PROGRESS (Translasi Kasar)'''

I am in the process of becoming the «king».

The flow greatly changed through the fall of Yuuri-san and Iroha-san. I was finally able to tell them about the 'Game of Idleness', thanks to Iroha-san's strong presence.

Apart from what happened in the third round, I told them almost everything. Everything, including that everyone's an NPC, that Daiya's the 'owner' watching us from the outside and that he has promised to destroy the 'box' if everyone survives and no one kills anyone until the eighth day.

Koudai Kamiuchi seemed skeptical about it, but in a state where both Iroha-san and Yuuri-san follow me unconditionally, he was unable to object openly.

At any rate, I was able to make it clear.

«Everyone has to survive until the &lt;E&gt;-block of the eighth day.»

I was able to make our goal clear.

Iroha-san, who had lost her thorns, and Yuuri-san, who had no intention to act anymore, were listening to me. The remaining problems were only Koudai Kamiuchi's whims and Daiya's possible deceit.

I made everyone do a coming-out first in order to make those two lose their power.

The [classes] are distributed like this:

Iroha Shindou, [Revolutionary]

Yuuri Yanagi, [Sorcerer]

Koudai Kamiuchi, [The Double]

Maria, [Prince]

Daiya refused to reveal his [class], but since I am the [Knight], he has to be the [King], using the process of elimination.

The knives and the food that were kept by Iroha-san were passed on to me. That should have weakened Koudai Kamiuchi pretty much for the time being. He's [The Double] that has almost no ways of killing anybody as long the [King] doesn't move. Even if he wanted to do something, that would definitely require a lot of dedication and labor. Considering his personality, it's highly possible that he won't do anything anymore because changing the flow is plainly troublesome.

[Kingdom Royale] was almost not in operation anymore.


Of course I didn't lean back because of that.


When I went to the big room, Iroha-san, Yuuri-san and Koudai Kamiuchi were sitting on the ground, chatting.

"Hoshino-senpai, did you know? Yuuri-chan's still a virgin!"

"K-Kamiuchi-san... Please stop."

That's quite---no, very surprising.

"Really, Yuuri-san?"

Yuuri-san gets red, but doesn't answer.

"Oh, you came to harass Yuuri as well, Hoshino-kun? You sure have guts."

"Ah, s-sorry..."

I apologize upon being scolded by Iroha-san, but Yuuri-san averts her eyes anyway, seeming a little sulking.

...well, considering that she neglected her social contacts for learning, it's only natural that she wouldn't have much experience in that field.

So she managed to act like ''that'' in-game until now without much experience...? It's no surprise Iroha-san would be jealous of that ability to fascinate others, then...

But that raises another question.

"...have you ever confessed to someone, Yuuri-san?"

"W-Why do you ask that?! Your apology wasn't sincere at all, was it?!"

"S-Sorry, but you got me curious..."

"......no, I guess..."

I can't help but smile to myself. So I am the only one she ever confessed to. I feel just a little honored.

"Eh? Wait a sec, Yuuri. How did you go out with him, then?"

"If I just smile a bit and connect hands, it's a breeze to make any man fall for me~"

"H-Hey, Kamiuchi-san! I d-don't think like that, really!"

"You can't lie to me, Yuuri-chan! That's exactly what you think, isn't it? Well, but leaving that aside, how did you make him confess to you?"

"W-Well......"

"I bet you used a similar method to leave him no other choice, right? Whew, you little devil! Witch!"

"Uuh..."

Next to Yuuri-san who's being teased by Kamiuchi-kun, Iroha-san frowns and looks a little ill-tempered as well.

"Why's everyone just out for Yuuri? I'm quite pretty, too!"

"Ah, that was just pretty cute from you, Kaichou!"

"Eh? What was? I merely acted jealous, didn't I?"

"You exposing your honest emotions was! How should I put it... self-reliant girls aren't cute. I mean, doesn't one feel unnecessary at the side of someone who solves all problems on her own?"

"...Huuh, this is quite an interesting opinion. Which means that it's Yuuri's self-deprecating personality that leads to that «I want to protect her»-feeling, right? Yuuri, you really are a sly one."

"Uuh... Iroha, that's mean~!"

Yuuri-san goes into a huff, whereupon Iroha-san can't resist the urge to hug her.

"Aren't you cuuute..."

Yuuri-san seems surprised at first, but then she just laughs happily and lets Iroha-san hug her.

I have the feeling that Iroha-san has softened a bit when I look at her current mood. Perhaps this side of her was released by the child-like wailing the other day.

But I'm sure that's favorable.

"......Iroha-san."

"What, Hoshino-kun?"

"Don't worry, you're going to be popular as well!"

Iroha-san smiles at my words.

Then, she responds, keeping this gentle smile,

"Thank you very much for that degrading advice. You masterfully managed to piss me off."

Well, maybe she won't get soft after all.

"If you stay that way, you're going to be an eternal virgin, Kaichou!☆"

"Shut up."

"In any case, that missing finger's just too scary. You totally look like a high school girl that had to do penance for her failures in the underground society!" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yubitsume]

"Ahaha, Kamiuchi, drop dead."


---Koudai Kamiuchi is dangerous.

In fact, the two of them are aware of that.

I didn't go into detail, but I told them that he has personally killed in the past rounds using a knife and also that he seemed to even enjoy it.

But they have still been happily chatting with him, just like now.

That's because I requested them to do that.

Koudai Kamiuchi would naturally not be pleased if they opposed him and were distinctly wary of him.

And if that happened, he would start [Kingdom Royale] by striking back and upsetting the status quo. But if we kept him entertained, he may not do anything.

No... it's not like I relaxed with such an unsure plan. I've been cautious all this time. I've been observing him all this time because I feared that a trivial trigger would be enough to make him explode.

It's just that---


"No, you drop dead."


---Koudai Kamiuchi's actions exceeded all my forecasts by far.

Splash.

Along with that sound, another tragedy occurs.


The arms that have been embracing Yuuri-san drop down whereupon Iroha-san's body starts to slowly slide down. Yuuri-san seems confused about what's just happened and stares perplexedly at the head that's buried in her chest.

Yuuri-san looks at her own hands.

They're stained with red liquid.

"------"

She's unable to even scream at this gruesome scene.

Koudai Kamiuchi pulls out the knife from Iroha-san's back, grabs her head by the hair and throws her away from Yuuri-san. He then straddles her upturned body and starts stabbing her with his knife. Over and over again.

<nowiki>*stab*</nowiki>, *stab*, *stab*, *stab*, *stab*, after stabbing her body for a while at regular intervals, Koudai Kamiuchi stands up and sneers,

"So you were an eternal virgin after all. Too bad."

Why...?

In order to keep the last fragments of my clear mind that have been vanishing bit by bit with each stabbing sound, I hug my own shoulders and start pondering.

The knives in my room are properly stowed away. My, Iroha-san's, Yuuri-san's and Koudai Kamiuchi's knife are there for certain.

So why does he still have a knife?

.......could that be...?

I think about it.

Why did Koudai Kamiuchi exceed my expectations? Why wasn't I able to handle him even though I knew about his unstable personality?

I'm positive that I have done what's necessary. So there must be something I have overlooked.

And that is---

".....Daiya."

I whispered his name, but he didn't look at me.

He was just touching the piercing in his right ear.

I can't comprehend him.

Why did he need to do that?

I take out the portable terminal and start to research something that's been bothering me.

Aah... as I thought. Daiya has had a total of three [Secret Meetings] with Koudai Kamiuchi. On the first day, on the second, and today as well.

I bet Daiya's been wary of me since the very beginning. And after seeing my actions yesterday, he promptly initiated a counter-plan.

"Whew, I was really surprised."

I look at Koudai Kamiuchi.

"I didn't think it would really be as Oomine-senpai said. Hoshino-senpai conspired with Kaichou and Yuuri-chan. You made them lose the will to take part in the game by telling them that they just have to survive for eight days. For that purpose they behaved friendly to me. Heh, if Oomine-senpai's right so far, then it should be safe to assume that the rest's also true."

"......what did he say...?"

"He said that you, the conspirators, will kill the rest of us."

How dare he tell him such bullshit...!

"You would win after all, considering the rules. Geez, Hoshino-senpai, you sure are shrewd in spite of your harmless appearance. I have no clue why you knew your own [class], but you've been planning that from the very beginning, right? You noticed that the three [classes] that are capable of killing can coexist, conspired, made up a random another way of surviving and tried to make us lose our will to participate in the killer-game. You almost got me there!"

Why does he... interpret it like that?

But I guess that's [Kingdom Royale]. A game that makes you distrust everyone, makes you deceive each other, and eventually makes you kill each other.

I drop my gaze. Yuuri-san has put Iroha-san's head on her lap and is pushing her insides back into her body while murmuring her name.

Koudai Kamiuchi laughs as if he was watching a comedic play when he sees her like that.

"I would just need to kill Hoshino-senpai and Maricchi now, but... I'll enjoy this some more. Looks like you can't resist me anyway. Ahaha, this thrill that you can't get in the real world is the true charm of [Kingdom Royale], isn't it!"

So in the end, I couldn't prevent Koudai Kamiuchi from committing murder again.

I lost.

No... I was made to lose.

«<u>Absolutely impossible</u>!»

I was made to lose by Daiya Oomine.

«It sure is easy to understand one's own thoughts. Thanks to that, I just got what the 'real me' is thinking.»

"------Ah."

I see.

Of course Daiya would do that.

I've told him everything. I've told the «NPC Daiya Oomine» what the «real Daiya Oomine» has done. And the «NPC Daiya Oomine» understood the intention of the «real Daiya Oomine».

If he understood it, he would naturally take the actions the «original» wishes for.

And that «real Daiya» is my enemy.

Therefore, it's only natural that the Daiya here would oppose me with his actions and try to prevent me from achieving my goal of «making everyone survive».

And in fact, he succeeded at preventing my victory.

...Heh.

I lost the moment I tried to make him my ally.

"...hrhr"

Daiya's muffled laugh.

"You couldn't possibly become the «king» in the first place! As if you were geared for that!"

These words make me realize.

Previously I ridiculed Iroha-san as a child that wants to become the «king». Just how dumb have I been? That child was no one else but... me.

"......Haha."

From the very start, there's been only one person that could become the «king».

Daiya Oomine.


Like that, I was easily thrown off the throne.


<div style="text-align: right; font-weight: bold;">- [Iroha Shindou], stabbed 17 times over different locations on her body by [Koudai Kamiuchi], dead.</div>

===Fifth Day &lt;B&gt; Big room===

Yuuri-san died.

She was executed because she didn't come to the big room in time.

I feared this already because yesterday she didn't return to her room on her own after becoming traumatized. So in the end, she really did it.

Yuuri-san committed passive suicide and is no more.

"Uwaa... that's awful! My valuable prize disappeared before I could obtain it! Uuh, Yuuri-chan's virginity!"

I feel dark emotions well up inside me at seeing Koudai Kamiuchi, who is, in spite of what he said, really just grinning while supporting his head with his hand.<!--Feel free to rephrase the last part (supporting his head with his hand)-Kadi-->

However, I don't care about how horrible he is anymore.

I have no goal anymore, after all.

What remains are feelings of guilt towards Iroha-san and Yuuri-san. Only the feelings towards those two who had to die just because I thought I could become the «king».

Should I have done the same as Yuuri-san...?

I'm so lost that I even have such thoughts. Right now, I have no idea what to do with the remaining few days of my life.

Therefore, the only thing I'm doing is apologizing to them in my mind.

I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Of course they were just NPCs, so I can meet them again if I manage to survive. But that fact doesn't make these feelings of guilt disappear. Aah... I finally understood how they felt when they were forced to kill the NPCs when they were players.

Indeed, the fact that the others are just NPCs doesn't make it any better.

I can't lift my face off the table.

There was one jute bag on it. In the bag was a disabled portable terminal and the two watches Iroha-san had been wearing - orange and beige.<!--Even after losing the "throne", she kept Yuuri's watch.-->

Daiya puts on these watches.

After seeing that, I also throw my blue watch to him. Daiya glances at me, but then he wordlessly puts on my watch as well.

"Rather than the watch, I hope you also brought the other things I asked you to?"

I nod, take the food portions out of the jute bag I brought along and lay them out on the table. I didn't do that because I gave up, but because I gathered that he would kill me otherwise.

Since I still have all of my own portions, I won't die instantly. But I lost my [Revolutionary]-like power with this.

[Kingdom Royale] has regained its original gruesomeness. In order to survive there's no way left anymore but to meet one's victory conditions. Daiya and Koudai Kamiuchi will naturally come to kill me soon.

So, should I try to win myself?

......Impossible. I'm the [Knight] while Maria's the [Prince]. We can't survive together. Trying to win would automatically mean wishing for Maria's death. No matter how much she's an NPC, I would definitely never wish for her to die.

I can't win against them with this kind of feeling.

So, I'm going to die.

"......"

...I'm going to die?

Well, yeah. I guess so.

But then---why?

I raise my head.

I look at Maria.

All four of us should know that I'm going to be next. Maria should know, too. <u>And yet she's not doing anything to prevent it</u>.

She? She, who can easily throw her own life away for others? And not just since today. All the time since yesterday, she almost hasn't spoken at all.

That can't be.

"Maria?"

I call her name. Although she can clearly hear me, she doesn't look at me.

Maria was just biting secretly on her lip.


<div style="text-align: right; font-weight: bold;">- [Yuuri Yanagi], executed because she didn't return to the big room until 12:10. Death by beheading.</div>

===Fifth Day &lt;C&gt; [Secret Meeting] with [Maria Otonashi], [Maria Otonashi]'s room===


{| style="border: 1px solid black; text-align: left; padding: 5px"
 !style="width: 150px; text-decoration: line-through;"| [Iroha Shindou]
 | dead
 ! 
 |
 |-
 ! style="text-decoration: line-through;"|[Yuuri Yanagi]
 | dead
 ! 
 |
 |-
 ! [Daiya Oomine]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | 16:10~16:40
 |-
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Maria Otonashi]
 | 15:00~16:00
 |-
 ! [Koudai Kamiuchi]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Daiya Oomine]
 | 15:00~15:30
 |-
 ! [Maria Otonashi]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | 15:00~16:00
 |}


Why doesn't Maria do anything?

There is only one answer to this question:

Like me, she's at a loss what to do.

But how did she arrive at this condition? Did she also get shocked by something, like I did by Yuuri-san's and Iroha-san's death?

Maria doesn't greet me when I arrive at her room, seeming a bit uncomfortable.

"Maria?"

"......"

...Something's definitely wrong.

"...Can I sit down next to you?"

Usually I wouldn't even need to ask. We don't need to ask each other's approval first.

But Maria frowns at hearing this question now.

"No. Don't sit there."

And leaves me dumbfounded.

"...why?"

Maria closes her mouth and averts her eyes to avoid my question.

But I mustn't ignore that. 

"...tell me." 

Even so, Maria still hesitates to open her mouth. But when I stare at her for a while without saying a word, she finally, reluctantly opens her mouth.

"I've been watching your actions all the while."

Maria continues, still not meeting my gaze.

"I've been watching your movements in this game, waiting for you to rely on me. You managed to drive Shindou into a corner all alone, you built a foundation to explain the 'boxes' to them by yourself and you even were on the verge of succeeding once. Kamiuchi may have ruined it in the end, but I think your actions themselves were splendid. And after watching you, I've arrived at a conclusion."

Maria says,


"<u>You are not Kazuki Hoshino</u>."


That's the reason for her indecisive attitude...?

«You are... Kazuki, right?»

Indeed, she's said that already in our [Secret Meeting] on the second day.

But I didn't take it too seriously at that time. I mean, she was able to recognize me even during the 'Sevennight in Mud'.

So this has to be a joke.

"...Geez, what are you talking about, Maria?"

She does, however, not say "just joking" as always. She won't relieve me like that.

"Kazuki."

Instead, she says that.

"[Class]-wise we're enemies, right?"

"...what are you saying? But well, yeah, our [classes] are opposing each other... eh?"

Did Maria want to hint at following?

"Do you think I'd kill you...?"

For some reason Maria doesn't shake her head at this question that's just like a joke to me.

"S-Stop that... I would never---"

"Kazuki."

She interrupts me.

"I was confident in being able to predict your actions. We've spent a whole lifetime together, after all. But your actions in [Kingdom Royale] have all been contrary to my expectations. So, I just don't know anymore. I'm also not sure if you will move as I expect from now on."

"......"

"I'm positive that the victory conditions you mentioned were true. But, we failed. So, what will you do now?"

"I'm... still..."

"I'm an NPC, right? Even if you killed me, the real Maria Otonashi wouldn't die, would she?"

"What are you getting at...? Do you think... I would kill you because of that?"

"That's not what I think. I can't imagine you killing me."

"Then..."

"But as I said; that's just another of my inaccurate predictions. I don't understand your thoughts anymore, since you let go of my hand."

"No way..."

When I'm about to press her, wanting to solve this misunderstanding,

"Don't come near!"

Maria rejects me by showing me the palm of her hand.

But what makes me stop, more than her words or her attitude, is the disturbance on her face.


"You look exactly like Kazuki Hoshino, and that makes you --- scary."


I haven't relied on Maria in this game.

Because I knew that relying on Maria, who can be called the weakest in here, leads to defeat. Because I knew that I couldn't win if I didn't suppress the desire to rely on her, and if I didn't stop being so soft.

I was able to pull that off because of my experiences in the previous rounds.

It's something I wouldn't have been able to do without the information I gathered. So, indeed, my actions must look unnatural from Maria's point of view.

But I was sure she would understand nonetheless.

I mean, it's Maria! She, who comprehends me more than anyone else. I thought she would accept everything I'd do and never mistake me.

It was my emotional support.

Being confident that we trust each other was my emotional support.

Even so---

"......Why?"

Before my eyes is Maria's disturbed face.

This is what my actions have led to.

---I see.

I just got the reason Maria doesn't do anything.

I've already lost her trust long ago.

There's no need for Maria to save someone she doesn't know.

Thus, Maria won't save me anymore.

......................................................................

......................................................................

..............................................................<u>really</u>?

It's Maria.

Sitting in front of me is Maria, who would sacrifice herself for absolutely anyone in order to save that person.

And yet she's abandoned me...?

<u>Just because she doubts whether I'm really Kazuki Hoshino</u>?

"Are you okay with this?"

I ask her.

"...I'm going to die, you know?"

The fear and disturbance in Maria's expression seem to be real.

But what disturbs her so much? What frightens her so much? She wouldn't behave like that even when she thought of me as her enemy. If she considered me an enemy, she would definitely be a lot more determined.

So, what is she thinking, then?

"......as you are right now, you can survive on your own, can't you?"

Maria replies with downcast eyes.

"No way! I can neither kill you, nor accept it if someone else killed you! So there's no way I could win against Da---"

Wait.

I can definitely not kill Maria. As long as Maria's here, I can't possibly win in [Kingdom Royale]. That is a certain fact.

But if you turn that around, it becomes:

<u>I can survive if Maria disappears</u>.

"......Maria."

When she raises her head, I say,


"<u>Do you intend to commit suicide</u>?"


Upon hearing that, Maria silently fixes her gaze on me.

"Do you plan to die on your own, like Yuuri-san did? To raise my survival chances at least a bit?"

She stays silent and I continue,

"Because you think I may be able to kill Daiya's NPC as I am now...?"

Maria's expression finally softens.

"I thought about that, indeed. After all, I am just an NPC whose life doesn't matter. However, I merely considered that method."

"Cut that out...! I don't want to win in this game at all!"

"But that's because I'm here, isn't it? If it weren't for me, you would tend more towards surviving."

"That's---"

Seeing me waver, Maria lets out a small sigh.

"...you know, Kazuki. It seems I can't talk myself out of it anymore, so let me tell you this: I consider your change undesirable. That is because it makes me unable to predict your actions."

"...What's the point in being able to do that?"

"If I could predict them, I could, for example, surmise what actions you would take after my death and judge whether you could survive or not. But because I'm not able to do that now, my hands are tied."

".....what are you talking about?"

'After my death?' What kind of assumption is that!

But Maria continues without caring about my reaction.

"You haven't depended on me this time. Indeed, I may be helpless and serve no purpose in [Kingdom Royale]. Sure. But I don't care."

Maria says with a smile of all things,


"I will protect you all the same!"


And for that sake you don't mind using your own life...?

Even though you perfectly know that I don't desire that?

«Still, I want to protect you even if I have to pay with my own life»

Didn't I tell her?

Didn't I tell her in the second round that,

«It's my job to protect you when you have lost your 'box'.»

Therefore---

"---I won't let you."

I definitely won't allow Maria to die for my sake.

"Didn't I tell you, that's my task?! I won't let you!"

Maria widens her eyes.

Aah, right. Maria doesn't remember what I told her in the second round. It's only natural that she's dumbfounded.

That doesn't matter. As long I can convey my intention!

"You don't protect me. I will protect---"

"Wait."

But she stops me.

She has already narrowed her eyes and is piercing me with a sharp glance,

"What has come over you?"

"...What do you mean?"

"What you want to protect is your everyday life, not me, right? It's the everyday life Mogi, Kirino and the others are in, right? Didn't you have an unshakable determination for that? So what's with this whining? Don't disappoint me too much!"

I'm left astonished.

Because she obviously is serious about that.

"......I see."

I finally noticed.

Maria has been overestimating me.

She has come to see me insisting on my everyday life for a whole lifetime without changing this belief. That may have looked amazing to her. Although the only reason I couldn't change was being inside that unchanging recurrence, I must have looked like some superhuman to her.

Maria thought that I would never change because I didn't change for such a long time.

But that's not possible.

I'm ordinary. That's what I always say. Even 'O' said that I'm going to change soon.

Also, I'm sure superhumans don't exist. Even people like Iroha Shindou, Yuuri Yanagi, Koudai Kamiuchi or Daiya Oomine didn't always manage to survive [Kingdom Royale]. I don't know which one of them is the best. And I think that's the evidence that there are no superhumans. Ironically, I realized that in this 'box' that was only created for staving off boredom.

Thus, I'm no superhuman.

And---neither is Maria.

And yet she's getting something wrong.

"...why aren't you in this everyday life as well?"

"Isn't that... obvious?"

Because she's trying to be special. Because she thinks she can.

"Because I am a 'box'."


<u>Even though she's just a normal person</u>.

Then, I think without any logical connection or basis:

It's not over yet.

I haven't lost yet.

Maria is still alive, after all.

===Fifth Day &lt;C&gt; [Secret Meeting] with [Daiya Oomine], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room===

«Do you want to kill [Koudai Kamiuchi] by using [Deathblow]?»

This message was displayed on the monitor in my room.

Those messages are set to disappear during [Secret Meetings] so they aren't seen by the other players. Therefore, the message isn't there anymore, now that Daiya has come.

But in this case, that function's pointless.

After all, it must have been Daiya, the [King], who selected the target for [Murder].

"...what are you scheming? Weren't you supporting Koudai Kamiuchi?"

Daiya answers with a daring smile while sitting on the table with crossed legs,

"Whoa, that's a great joke. As if I would lend a hand to such a guy! I merely used him because he was a useful tool."

"...But in regards to your [classes], [King] and [The Double], you can coexist."

"Do you even think winning in [Kingdom Royale] is my goal or what?"

"------"

I'm bereft of speech for a moment. I didn't expect him to declare that he doesn't intend to win this game so distinctly.

What on earth is he up to...?

"...So, why did you kill Yuuri-san and Iroha-san? Did you really need to do that?"

"...in a way, yes. But in any case, Yanagi committed suicide! I didn't expect that at all!"

"......did you plan to leave Yuuri-san alive?"

Daiya flashes a sarcastic grin. <!--was "But Daiya flashes a sarcastic grin." Doesn't make much sense to me, unless I'm missing something... -yyr -->

"No. But I planned to make use of her for a while by showing you how she suffers, being violated by Kamiuchi before your very eyes. In order to fan your anxiety."

I don't get it.

I have no idea what's going on in his head.

However, what he's doing is terrible, no matter what reason he may have.

"What anxiety are you talking about, anyway...?!"

"After Yanagi, Otonashi is obviously the next target in both life and sexual desire for Kamiuchi, isn't she? I wanted to make you aware of what Otonashi will have to go through if you don't do anything."

"Why?!"

Accidentally I shout.

But I know that, leaving aside the means, Daiya wouldn't do such a cruel thing without meaning. I won't mistake this fact and I also believe I'm right about that. <!-- does this make sense? I didn't change it. -yyr -->

"......"

Right, Daiya doesn't do anything without meaning.

Therefore, there must have been a meaning in bringing this situation about. There also must have been a meaning in selecting Koudai Kamiuchi as the target for [Murder] and in initiating this [Secret Meeting] with me.

I just have absolutely no idea about his reasons.

I mean, what is this 'box'? A 'box' just to stave off boredom? What's that? That's not like Daiya at all.

«A 'box' just for the purpose of making others play a killer-game? Heh... just how nonsensical is this? There's no meaning to its existence.»

In fact, he said so in the second round. I don't think his NPC tried to deceive me then, knowing nothing about the 'Game of Idleness'.

«The 'box' can be no more than a way to kill time for people that were engulfed by boredom. Thus, this is only a game. A pointless game.»

He's contradicting himself. His statements don't match. Although Daiya would never, ever, put such a wish into his 'box', the 'Game of Idleness' is, without doubt, nothing but a way to stave of boredom. This is obviously contradicting---

"------"

No.

It's not contradicting.

«Otonashi can sense and intervene in 'boxes' and knows 'O' because she's an 'owner', right? As I'm already an 'owner' myself, it wouldn't be strange if I had the same abilities.»

Right.

That was it.

<u>Daiya Oomine has been taking advantage of someone else's 'box'</u>.

So, who is the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness'?

Only one person comes to mind. I know only one person that fits the pattern of 'someone that was engulfed by boredom' just too perfectly.

"<u>Koudai Kamiuchi</u>."

I raise my head and tell Daiya,

"<u>Koudai Kamiuchi is the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness'</u>."

Right, it's not Daiya.

Aah, he was even giving me hints the whole time. He didn't call himself the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness' even once, and his NPC seriously denied being its 'owner' as well. Daiya has not told a single lie, except when he concealed being the [Revolutionary] in the first round.

There were more than enough hints to notice. He was surprisingly fair and made sure I was able to fight against him.

And yet, I merely felt something was slightly wrong, but I couldn't figure out that Daiya wasn't the 'owner'.

He raises one of his cheeks to a daring grin and says,

"I guess I didn't need to give you some hints. You noticed pretty fast."

"Fast? ...it's too late already!"

I already sacrificed Iroha-san and Yuuri-san. You can't possibly call it fast.

Thanks to my slowness, I was controlled by Daiya like a puppet and failed miserably.

But...

But can't you think of this as a new hope?

I lost to Daiya. But I only lost to Daiya, not to the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness'.

Right --- I haven't lost to the 'Game of Idleness' yet.

Therefore, there might still be a possibility to slip out of the 'Game of Idleness'.

"Tell me, Kazu, do you know why you couldn't win against me?"

Daiya says that.

"It's because your goal is ambiguous."

"...Eh? But my goal is clear? It's to return to my everyday life... or it should be..."

I need to slip out without killing anyone. Because I would be unable to return to my everyday life as soon as I kill someone - even if it is just an NPC.

That's why I tried to clear the «everyone has to survive for eight days»-condition Daiya told me of, and intended to become the «king».

"Kazu, did you seriously think you were geared for becoming the «king»!"

The same phrase as yesterday.

"...what do you mean?"

"Just like I said. Only someone that's prepared to devote themselves to others' happiness, without caring about their own, is allowed to become a «king»."

...I wonder?

If only such people may become the «king», then I'm indeed not geared for it. I don't want to become like that.

There's only --- Maria who would want to become like that.

"Since that's not happiness for you, you can neither become it nor do you need to. At the most, you can become,"

Daiya says, wearing a wry smile,


"<u>A «knight» who solely protects a certain somebody, right</u>?"


«Knight».

This word calls a picture forth in me.

A picture of myself on my knees, stretching out my hand to the princess.

I know that scene.

The background's blurred. I don't know whether it was a castle, a terrace, a corridor or a classroom. I suppose the background has been painted over by my everyday life.

But I can vividly recognize who the princess is.

If I don't take her with me, this princess would surely become the next «king». And then she won't be able to think about her own happiness a second time. Even though she would really want to escape, taken by the hand by me.

That's why I had decided to betray everything and make everyone my enemy, protecting her.

For her sake.

...Aah, right.

Until I met her, I insisted on my everyday life because of a distortion. It was just an emotional measure to forget about the incident with «Nana Yanagi».

But that started to change when I met her.

I wanted to have her by my side. I wanted her to be a part of my life, to exist in my everyday life.

Having her by my side was what I called my «everyday life».

So that's it.

Before I knew it, my goal----

<u>My goal has become saving Maria</u>.

That's why Daiya told me it's «absolutely impossible» for me to win.

He recognized that I wasn't comprehending my own goal. He was sure not to lose against me as long as I was like that.

Damn... he's perfectly right!

"If your goal is clear now, do what must be done."

"...what must be done?"

Daiya says plainly,

"Yeah, what you have to do. To kill Koudai Kamiuchi."

"......Kill......?"

The Koudai Kamiuchi that's here is just an NPC, so the 'Game of Idleness' won't be stopped by killing him.

"But... ah, I see."

If I don't do that, the Maria in here is going to be killed. Not only that, she would even be made his toy.

Being her «knight», I can't allow that.

Therefore, I have to kill the 'owner', Koudai Kamiuchi.

"......But still."

Can I really pull it off?

Sure, Koudai Kamiuchi is someone who's beyond all hope. If I wasn't concerned directly, even I wouldn't care too much if his NPC was killed.

But when you have to do it yourself, everything's different. I'm sure I won't be able to return once I choose to «kill» him. I would have to falsify myself when socializing with Kokone, Haruaki or Mogi-san.

But Daiya's telling me to do it anyway.

Daiya's telling me to do it if I know what's really dear to me.

But will it really be my «everyday life» I return to after killing him and slipping out of the «Game of Idleness»?

"Kazu, try touching the monitor for a few seconds."

I touch the monitor as he told me. Nothing happens right away, but after waiting about five seconds, the monitor turns on and the message «Do you want to reveal the screen?» appears.

"If you accept, the screen where you can use [Deathblow] will appear. You can decide right now to kill Koudai Kamiuchi."

"......I see."

I press the «Yes» button, whereupon the message «Do you want to kill [Koudai Kamiuchi] by using [Deathblow]?» appears.

I can kill someone just by pressing this button.

I haven't done so in any of the games up to now, but I guess I can't avoid it anymore.

So if I can protect Maria with that, I......

I reach out for the button and---

"......"

---stop my hand.

Wait.

Am I really okay with this? Is it okay to move as Daiya says?

Am I seriously thinking that I can protect Maria if I follow Daiya?

"...What's wrong? Did you get cold feet?"

"Daiya."

He looks at me suspiciously when I call him with a frown.

"You're Daiya's NPC, right?"

"...why do you need to state the obvious?"

"So it's not like you know the intentions of the «real Daiya» completely, right?"

The suspicion in his look becomes even stronger.

"Answer me."

I say, focusing on Daiya.

"What happens to our promise?"

Daiya grasps what I'm driving at and keeps silent.

"I wasn't able to «make everyone survive until the eighth day». Hence, the Daiya on the other side doesn't need to destroy the 'Game of Idleness'."

"......"

"If the «Game of Idleness» doesn't get destroyed, I can't protect Maria. Even worse, being unable to kill Maria, who's the «Prince» in this game, I'm going to die for sure. And Maria will definitely not be able to win her round when she's the player. In other words, I can't protect Maria."

Daiya remains silent. Therefore, I continue,

"You actually don't know how the «real Daiya» intends to solve this incident, do you?"

"......"

Daiya doesn't answer.

That's basically telling me that he really doesn't know it.

"...I can't just follow you, then. I have to find a way to save Maria myself."

"......that Koudai Kamiuchi has to be killed is certain."

"Yeah, I also think I have to kill him because Maria would be killed otherwise, but..."

...Oh?

No, wait. What did he just say?

Because of his uncomfortable expression, I assumed he was just trying to evade my previous question. But is it really like this?

What if his statement was the answer to my question about how the «real Daiya» is trying to solve this incident?

«That Koudai Kamiuchi has to be killed is certain.»

This sentence.

I know. I know the easiest way to destroy a 'box'.

So, didn't he actually want to say the following?

<u>He'll crush the 'Game of Idleness' along with its 'owner'</u>.

<u>The «real Daiya» will settle this by killing the «real Koudai Kamiuchi»</u>.


But why did he hesitate to say that, then?

Because it's an awful solution? ...No, Daiya can say such things easily.

Daiya is scowling at me. He's forbidding me to put my understanding into words with his glance.

What's with this reaction? Why is he on guard, even though nobody can listen to what we talk about in this [Secret Meeting]?

Sure, there is a possibility that Koudai Kamiuchi will hear this conversation on our portable terminal later. But if that was it, he wouldn't have told me to «kill Koudai Kamiuchi».

Which means that there's someone else who can hear this conversation? Someone which should better not hear it?

Besides us, there is---

"......"

I look to the ceiling without thinking.

There's just the blank concrete ceiling that doesn't change no matter how long I stare at it.

The «real Daiya» seemed to know about what I've done so far. I can't say for sure, but I guess he's watching my fight through that game machine even now.

Right, in short --- <u>the [real Daiya] and the [real Koudai Kamiuchi] can hear this conversation</u>.

The «real Koudai Kamiuchi» mustn't get wind of the «real Daiya's» intentions of killing him. The odds would be against Daiya in a direct fight...all the more when there are no knives and such in that dark room.

But how does he plan to kill Koudai Kamiuchi then?

I reconsider everything Daiya has said. "'Natures' are like this. Every event changes its shape according to your nature." "Doesn't matter. I have now tasted the «hope» called 'box'. As I have tasted it, there's no way I'd let someone steal it from me." "You should know that I didn't do anything for a while after obtaining a 'box'. In other words, I was merely in possession of the 'box' without using it." "You can survive if nobody kills anyone during those eight days." "Have I ever lied to you?" "Therefore I am --- your enemy."

"......"

I see.

So that's how it was.

"Daiya."

He looks at me with a frown.

"You asked him about that week, didn't you?"

Daiya doesn't answer.

That makes it certain.

"......hehe..."

<u>I've fully understood Daiya's intentions</u>.

"Daiya, you are such a liar."

Therefore I can't help it but swear at him like this.

"<u>You haven't won against me at all</u>."

I mean, his plan would miscarry just by exposing his scheme right now.

You can't call that having won already.

"...Don't get carried away, Kazu! What can you do, being unable to kill Otonashi?"

Indeed.

I may have figured out that Koudai Kamiuchi's the 'owner', but in order to confront him I would need to win this round of [Kingdom Royale] first - even though I can't win because I can't kill Maria.

But that's no issue in the plan Daiya's scheming. Because he's going to destroy the 'Game of Idleness' even before that.

But---

"So I'm supposed to rely on you?"

Quite odd, isn't it?

"Even though you're my enemy? And even though we have no idea whether your plan will succeed? I'll try to think of a better strategy then!"

"......"

Daiya closes his mouth.

Daiya's plan is advantageous for both of us. In truth, I am aware of that and I'm sure Daiya knows that I am as well.

I would immediately follow him if he just bowed lightly and said please.

But Daiya won't do that.

He would never bow before me.

Daiya would never lower his stance in front of me. That's not just because he wants to protect his pride. I still don't know Daiya's goal, but I'm sure he mustn't bow before me for its sake.

Just like Maria who doesn't ever bend.

Therefore, Daiya just keeps scowling at me with enmity in his eyes, not lowering his head.

With a cutting intensity.

"......Daiya."

I'll be the one that bends, then!

If I don't, Daiya may be killed. And I don't want that, after all, since he has always been my friend.

"I have a request."

It's no request, really. It's something Daiya is forced to do. He would need to do it anyway.

"I want you to talk Koudai Kamiuchi around to not do Maria any harm."

I mean, I won't hold back anymore if Maria dies because of one of Koudai Kamiuchi's whims.

<u>If that happens, I will kill Daiya</u>.

<u>And he can't win against me</u>. <u>Because his plan doesn't allow him to kill me</u>.

"......"

Daiya kept silent with a frown, but that was definitely a sign of acceptance.

===Sixth Day &lt;C&gt; [Secret Meeting] with [Maria Otonashi], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room===


{| style="border: 1px solid black; text-align: left; padding: 5px"
 !style="width: 150px; text-decoration: line-through;"| [Iroha Shindou]
 | dead
 ! 
 |
 |-
 ! style="text-decoration: line-through;"|[Yuuri Yanagi]
 | dead
 ! 
 |
 |-
 ! [Daiya Oomine]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Maria Otonashi]
 | 16:20~16:50
 |-
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Maria Otonashi]
 | 15:00~16:00
 |-
 ! [Koudai Kamiuchi]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | 16:20~16:50
 |-
 ! [Maria Otonashi]
 | -&gt;
 ! [Kazuki Hoshino]
 | 15:00~16:00
 |}


It seems like Daiya succeeded at talking him around. In the end, Koudai Kamiuchi didn't do anything for the day.

But it was obvious to the eye that he could barely manage to behave himself today. He is unable to conceal the thirst for violence inside him any longer, and dyes his surroundings in it.

I know that pitch black atmosphere that almost seems to consist of boiled down desire from a certain Master Room.


There's still something Daiya is overlooking.

That is, how Maria is going to move.

Daiya's plan will only be executed if the time passes. The «real Daiya» won't move until shortly before we turn into mummies because our food portions run out. I know that.

But Maria doesn't know of his plan, of course. She still thinks I'm going to die if the time limit draws near.

Of course, she will try to make me win in [Kingdom Royale] so that I can survive...while knowing that my victory conditions can't be met as long as she's alive.

In other words---

<u>Maria is going to die for my victory conditions if I don't do something</u>.

In order to prevent that, I have to persuade her. But I know very well that Maria doesn't bend that easily.

That's why I asked Daiya to pacify Koudai Kamiuchi.

I couldn't kill him right then. Because, for persuading her, I wanted Maria to see.

---<u>See how I kill Koudai Kamiuchi</u>.


I confront Maria who has arrived at my room.

I wonder why?

Now that I have figured out my goal, I feel like something's terribly out of place when looking at Maria.

Maria's silhouette looks blurred as if my eyes have lost their focus.

"Kazuki."

She doesn't sit down next to me after all.

I guess she still doesn't admit that I'm «Kazuki Hoshino». She won't approve of me as things stand now, although I figured out my goal.

"<u>It seems like I need to die, after all</u>."

Therefore, I can't stop her foolishness if things stay like this.

"Otherwise I'm going to stand in your way for sure, Kazuki. You wouldn't be able to win in [Kingdom Royale], either. But hey, fortunately I'm just an NPC. There's nothing to worry about."

She says, carelessly.

I can't help but sigh.

As I thought, it will be most difficult to stop Maria.

"Maria, you don't have to worry about that anymore."

"Why?"

"Because I'll kill Koudai Kamiuchi!"

"------"

Maria's bereft of speech for an instant, but she recovers from her astonishment right away.

"I really don't understand you anymore."

Maria frowns.

"So you conspired with Oomine, huh. And you readily made the worst possible choice on top of that."

"I've already decided."

"...I see," Maria looks away, "I don't even consider murder as a method. Using such a means to solve something is, however effective it may be, nothing but an atrocity. I once said something similar in the 'Rejecting Classroom'... but, well, you don't remember, huh."

It would be a lie to say that I didn't feel anything, confronted with Maria's attitude of refusal. But I don't step back, even while being hurt by her words.

"It's much more awry to commit suicide."

"If it's about humans, yes. But I am a 'box'."

"Don't make such an excuse! You definitely know that I don't wish for that!"

Maria widens her eyes when she hears my scream.

"......are you still talking about this nonsense? Why have you become so soft? You should have what it takes! You should be able to prioritize your «everyday life» over me!"

Aren't you the one still talking nonsense?

I should be the one to say that!

I take a step forward and touch the monitor while being watched suspiciously by Maria. A message appears on the monitor.


«Do you want to kill [Koudai Kamiuchi] by using [Deathblow]?»


I'll show her, then.

I'll show Maria that I have changed. That's the one and only reason I postponed killing him for a day.

And then I'll have her trust the changed me.

I'll have her understand that she doesn't need to die.

For that purpose, I reach out for the letters «KILL?» that cover Koudai Kamiuchi's eyes.

"S-Stop!!"

Maria rushes to me with wide-open eyes and grabs my arm.

"......Why?"

Honestly, I didn't expect her to panic so hard.

"...What do you mean?"

Maria asks back, her eyes slightly averted.

"Why do you dislike the thought of me changing so much? Sure enough, it's not good at all to do this. But is it really something you need to stop on any account? Both of us may be saved by doing that, you know?"

I recall our [Secret Meeting] yesterday.

«You look exactly like Kazuki Hoshino, and that makes you --- scary.»

"Why do you fear my change so much?"

"......"

Maria can't answer this question.

"Just in case: it's no use if you stop me from pressing the button! Even if you hold me back right now, I will just press the button when you're gone."

"...I know."

But contrary to her words, she puts in more strength.

"I've become emotional, that's why I'm stopping you. Yeah, I admit it. I absolutely don't want you to change."

"...But it's too late."

Maria gazes at me as I murmur this.

"...It seems so."

And lets go of my arm.

"I can't stop you anymore, can I?"

I keep looking at her, not understanding why she grieves over something like that. As if to answer my glance, Maria opens her mouth.

"Tell me, Kazuki. What's my goal?"

She asks with a voice that sounds tragic in a way.

"Obtaining a 'box', right?"

"Exactly. I am trying to obtain a 'box'. I seek after the 'box' in order to make my 'wish' complete. I'm only together with you because 'O' seems to be interested in you. That's a just cause."

"......Yeah."

"But I'm a 'box'. A being that's not allowed to be part of anyone's everyday life. Therefore, I'm naturally not supposed to be at someone's side. I mustn't associate with anyone too deeply because I would destroy his everyday life. I can only be with you because there's a just cause."

"......"

"You started to change. I can't even guess your thoughts by your expression anymore. Bit by bit, that certain special connection between us has disappeared. ...well, our relationship was just a byproduct brought forth by Mogi's feelings, so it might only be natural that this would happen."

"That's---"

When I'm about to deny it reflexively, Maria stops me by covering my mouth.

"I don't need a tender lie. You should feel that we stopped being special, too."

"......Uh..."

"You're about to kill Koudai Kamiuchi. I know that your values won't return to how they were once you kill someone, even if it's an NPC. You're going to change even more. Your abnormal attachment to your everyday life will decrease and you'll become unable to master the 'box', like everyone else. And do you know what happens then?"

Maria says,

"'O' loses interest."

Her hands aren't covering my mouth anymore, but I'm still unable to open it.

"You ought to welcome that 'O' will leave you. In fact, I should be happy for you, too. But I can't delight from the bottom of my heart. Not because I'll lose the clue to obtaining a 'box'. But because, when 'O' loses interest in you, I---"


"<u>I lose the just cause that lets me be with you, Kazuki</u>."


Saying that, Maria presses her head against my shoulder.

"As soon 'O' doesn't shadow you anymore, I'll have to leave your side. Well, of course. I'm not able to achieve my goal otherwise."

Aah, so that was it.

The thing Maria was afraid of for all the time since yesterday. No, even before then.

It's---


It's --- farewell.


"Kazuki, I won't stop you anymore."

Maria removes her head from my shoulder.

"I wasn't allowed to stop you, really. I don't have the right to, nor do I need to. But still, I should have known."

Maria speaks with a resigned, gentle smile.

"That being able to be by your side is just a pipe dream."

"------"

Unable to look at her anymore, I turn towards the monitor.

To the message «Do you want to kill [Koudai Kamiuchi] by using [Deathblow]?», in my imagination, I add the following line: «Will you accept the farewell with [Maria Otonashi]?».

"...There's,"

...no way I could accept that.

What is that! As soon I try to protect Maria, I have to bid her farewell?! Even though I know that she's going to keep crying all alone once we've parted?!


«I can't bear your death. It breaks my heart. I don't want that. I want to be with you.»


Why can I never do anything?

Why can't I do anything while knowing of Maria Otonashi's feelings for me...!

...There must be a way. Being the «Knight», I should be able to free the captured Maria by killing someone.

Who is the one that tries to compel Maria into being all alone?

I think. Think, think, thinkthinkthinkthinkthink---

"------Ah."

......I see.

"---Haa!"

I got it. I finally know who my enemy is!

Why didn't I notice earlier? The enemy was always close to me. We even met! And I even perceived that certain person as my enemy in the very beginning!

Freed from my doubt, I reach out for the button once again. «Do you want to kill [Koudai Kamiuchi] by using [Deathblow]?» I read the message and decide without any hesitation.

Yeah, I'll kill him!

I press the button that's displayed on Koudai Kamiuchi's picture.

"------Aah,"

Maria lets out a long sigh.

"The pipe dream just ended, huh."

"No!"

Indeed, I've just officially become a murderer and changed.

What I define as the «everyday life» I want to protect has changed.

I guess 'O' is going to leave me, as well is Maria as soon she realizes.

But---

"The person that's standing here right now is Maria without the 'Flawed Bliss'."

If everything goes as planned, Maria will be able to get out of the 'Game of Idleness' without having a [vicarious experience].

She won't remember this conversation.

She will still be in the dark about my change.

"You aren't a 'box' when you don't have the 'Flawed Bliss'."

Maria seems to have trouble getting my point and looks at me with wide eyes.

"I told you in the second round that «It's my job to protect you when you have lost your 'box'». I will maintain this determination. Therefore, I will keep protecting you from the devils' clutches."

"...devils' clutches? Like Kamiuchi and Oomine?"

"From them, too, but the greatest enemy is someone else."

My goal has become saving Maria.

So, who has been hindering me the most from achieving that in the 'Game of Idleness'... no, even before that?

Who is the detestable enemy that makes Maria think she had to throw her own life away?

What has to be done that Maria doesn't have to die?

Originally, she shouldn't have even needed my support to survive. With her skills, it shouldn't be too hard to win [Kingdom Royale] when she's the player.

But Maria can absolutely not kill anyone. She would rather neglect her own life.

That's why she can definitely not win the 'Game of Idleness'.

So, what has to be done that she's able to win in [Kingdom Royale]?

I, the «Knight», have once pledged:

I'll save her, even if it means to betray everyone and make everyone my enemy.

Maria answered to that,

She has been waiting for me, it being her only strength.

Be it consciously or not, Maria is aware that she's being captured. And also that she can't do anything about it on her own.

By whom is she captured? Who's trying to make her the «king»? Who do I have to kill in order to free her?

I've finally got it.


"It's «Aya Otonashi»."


This is the name of my enemy.

The enemy I'm going to oppose from now on, and whom I've been opposing for a lifetime.

"I will defeat «Aya Otonashi». I'll teach her that there's no despair that can't be solved by one's everyday life and that there's no need to use a 'box'."

There will be no farewell then.

Geez... «Aya Otonashi», how dare you involve «Maria Otonashi»! You're the only one that can't be together with me!

"------What's that supposed to mean?"

Maria's eyes are wide open.

Fair enough. In those repeating days, Maria was able to finally form the ideal self, «Aya Otonashi», she's been longing for. And yet I'm telling her that I'm going to destroy that.

"Is that a --- proclamation of war?"

I answer with a smile.

"It's not!"

It might be a proclamation of war if I told it to the Maria in the real world. And after getting to know how I think, she would leave me.

But we're in [Kingdom Royale] here. It won't remain in Maria's memory.

"I know the Maria of the first 'school transfer'."

Maria's eyes are still wide open - apparently she doesn't understand why I've suddenly told her that.

"I can remember almost nothing of that time! But I know that there was a Maria who hadn't completely changed into «Aya Otonashi» yet. And I also remember that she said this:"

I repeat.

I repeat the words Maria has said when she stood on the podium that time.


"<u>I want someone to be by my side.</u>"


She clamps her lips and gazes fixedly at me.

"Maria. You aren't a 'box' right now. So, please tell me. Please tell me your, «Maria Otonashi's» feelings, and not those from «Aya Otonashi's» point of view."

"......Kazuki."

A tender smile flashes on her face for a second, but her expression changes immediately to a stern one. She strains her lips and turns her back to me.

"I understood what you want me to say. But I can't say it. No matter how much you say I'm not «Aya Otonashi» right now, that doesn't mean that I can return to how I once was. I always wanted to be a 'box' and I still want to be one, even now. Saying what you want me to say is equal to denying my own intentions. Therefore---"

She clenches her fists.

"Therefore, I can't possibly say it."

Maria says,


"I can't possibly say that I want you to save the lonely «Maria Otonashi»."


Aah.

That's more than enough.

Maria's feelings have reached me.

Now I have the resolve to defeat «Aya Otonashi» without holding back.

"I won't leave you alone!"

Suddenly, a new thought strikes me.

I know the Maria from the first 'school transfer'. But even then, she may have not completely turned into «Aya Otonashi» yet, but she was already an 'owner'. She already had a will of iron at that time.

But was she really how «Maria Otonashi» was originally?

I don't think so. Originally she should have been more like an ordinary girl.

So, I don't know Maria Otonashi from when she was just a girl one year below me.

I don't know the Maria from the 0th time, that hadn't done a single 'school transfer' yet.

I'm sure that girl's inside Maria even now, crying. She's crying at the ground of that sea inside Maria's chest.

She's crying, all alone.

I will go meet her, then.


"I will go meet the <span style="position:absolute; margin-top: -12px; font-size: 0.7em; margin-left: 5px;">Zero no Maria</span>zeroth Maria."


I'll go meet her, take her with me, embrace her and stay by her side.

I believe that that this is how Maria can truly become happy, therefore I will do it.

Maria had stopped clenching her fists at some point. I can't read her emotions from her rather downcast, gloomy face.

With purposely erased expression, Maria totters to me and presses her head against my chest.

"...I'm going to become a 'box'. I'm going to live for the sake of others. ...so, please stop. Please don't try to protect me anymore."

She says these silly things with a frail voice I've never heard from her before.

Therefore, I'll answer her.

"Got it. I'll definitely go meet her!"

"...hey... you haven't got it at all. I don't want to let you suffer. I don't want you to become unhappy by associating too deeply with me. You're supposed to get away from me as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, I'll stay by your side!"

"Please go... please, part with me......"

There's no way I'd obey.

I mean, these are the words of my enemy, aren't they?

Therefore, I defy this request by embracing Maria.

Her body is so slender--it can definitely not be called strong--that, although I've already embraced her several times, I can't help but be surprised again at this helplessness of hers.

But I won't be surprised the next time.

Because I'm sure that this is the right impression. «Maria Otonashi» is just a young girl, so this helpless impression has to be correct.

"Maria."

Maria doesn't answer to my calls anymore. She only tries to hide her expression by pressing her head against my chest.

I'm confident that she has an expression right now she wouldn't ever show in reality. An expression she banned when she vowed to never depend on anyone.

I guess she can have this expression only because she has no 'box' right now. Just because we're in [Kingdom Royale], she's slightly showing me a part of her true self, something she would never ever show me in reality.

If it's now, my words may reach «Maria Otonashi».

They may reach her in all honesty without being repelled by «Aya Otonashi».

I'm about to open my mouth, when---

"Kazuki."

She tells me. The girl that embraces me with her trembling arms tells me,

"Even so, this is still a pipe dream."

I know.

Therefore, I will change that fate.

===Sixth Day &lt;C&gt; [Secret Meeting] with [Koudai Kamiuchi], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room===

Even so, Maria won't become «Aya Otonashi» anymore in this game. Therefore, she won't die on her own accord.

I've done everything that had to be done.

This [Secret Meeting] is nothing but a diversion.

«The decIded [Deathblow] - will be exEcuted - even when the - [Knight] diEs!»

According to the rules, [Deathblow] gets executed five minutes before the end of the &lt;C&gt;-block. Thus, Koudai Kamiuchi does still live for now.

But he has no means to survive.

After getting that confirmation from Noitan, Koudai Kamiuchi throws his knife on the table, smiling wryly.

"No use killing you, huh. Uwaa... Looks like I'm finished."

He says lightheartedly as if it was about someone else, scratching his head.

Koudai Kamiuchi doesn't voice a single grudge even though the person that initiated his death stands before his very eyes. He doesn't even get emotional. Probably, he only thinks it was a failure to follow Daiya.

Even though he's going to die.

I gaze at the knife he has thrown away.

The 'Game of Idleness', purely made to ward off boredom, huh.

Until now, I was unable to understand his extremely momentary way of thinking. That hasn't changed. But when it became clear that he's the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness' and I realized that this atmosphere belongs to Koudai Kamiuchi, there were some things I could figure out.

Koudai Kamiuchi can't acquire the feeling of living in reality.

Everything that happens in his surroundings seems to him like being in a game; he doesn't feel directly affected. Since he's like that, I don't think [Kingdom Royale] is so special for him. That's also why his 'wish' could become an external 'box' while being so unrealistic.

Because of this nature, he also feels no sense of danger from being killed. Neither does he have feelings of guilt; it doesn't feel real to him even when he kills people, after all. I can understand that he would start to live for the moment and seek pleasure, then.

That's not so special, although it seldom gets this extreme. Even I can't claim that it felt real to me when I knew that I would die when losing this game.

That's where I stop thinking.

I mean, understanding him is pointless.

I take the knife on the table.

"Oh? What're you up to? Ah, perhaps you're angry that I killed Kaichou, so you want to kill me with your own hands?"

I shake my head.

"Not at all! I don't intend to have a dialogue with you. It's someone else who will, as it seems."

Koudai Kamiuchi looks puzzled at me.

"Noitan."

«What iS - it?»

The green bear, who's still being displayed on the screen, answers.

"I think you are the symbolic figure for the 'Game of Idleness', Noitan. I think that if we took the nature of people that have only interest in killing time and made a mascot out of it, it would turn out like you."

«Mhh?»

"There's something I've always wanted to tell you."

Then I swing my knife towards the monitor and thrust it into it with all my might.

The knife's stuck in the green center.

"<u>You're disgusting</u>."

A crack appears in the middle of Noitan's forehead.

«------A?»

The disgusting green bear disperses on the monitor. He turns into hundreds of pieces like a uncompleted puzzle. Noitan still curses at me «What're ya doing, bastard!» but his usual widely opened eyes aren't displayed on the broken monitor anymore. Only red fragments of those bloodshot eyes and his open mouth are still flickering.

It almost looks like he's bleeding.

But Noitan keeps cursing, unable to feel any pain from this disastrous scene. As if he hasn't realized the situation he is in.

It's pitiful.

Not noticing that, is pitiful.

Noitan then becomes even unable to maintain being just a hundreds of flickering green and red dots. He slowly stops flickering, loses the light and eventually disappears.

"...was there a meaning in doing that? You just destroyed the monitor, that's all."

Koudai Kamiuchi says coldly.

"So, what do you consider a meaningful action?"

"Hah...?"

Koudai Kamiuchi opens his mouth like a fool.

"Aah, well, maybe that doesn't exist, huh. After all, everybody dies eventually."

He gives me the answer I expected.

"Koudai Kamiuchi. Let's assume there was a person who couldn't find any meaning in things other than killing time."

"What's with that, all of a sudden? And hey, didn't you omit the «-kun» just now?"

I continue, ignoring him.

"How can one win against such a person?"

"Jeez... what are you talking about? And anyway, that example's me, right? I gather that much! But in that case, I guess it's impossible to win against that guy, heh?"

"Why?"

"To make him lose, you see, he would have to come into the ring you're in, right? If you throw things at a spectator outside the ring, then that's just brute violence."

I see. Indeed, he's right.

"I see."

I speak.

"So I just have to make you realize that you are in the ring." <!--"you are already in the ring" would work better, right? -yyr -->

When I say this, Koudai Kamiuchi's jaw drops open.

But he still hasn't realized. He has not realized that every one of us is in this ring, all the time.

And he has doubtlessly lost now, being destined to die.

A bad excuse like «I don't remember having fought, so I haven't lost» won't hold now.

But I didn't feel like making him admit that now. I just keep saying what I think.

"You said that there are no meaningful things, right?"

"...yeah."

"I don't know what has a meaning and what doesn't. Therefore, I think like this: I'll find a meaning then. I'll even find a meaning in this pastime of someone's."

I figured out my goal in the 'Game of Idleness'.

I think that is very meaningful.

I found a meaning in this 'box', in the 'Game of Idleness' that's supposed to be meaningless.

I wonder if I can say the following then?


---<u>I have denied the 'Game of Idleness'</u>.


But he was unable to do that, therefore he kept losing, averting his eyes from reality, and he's going to keep losing, until he eventually breaks into pieces like Noitan.

But as I said, it's not me who will teach him that.

The one that will defeat Koudai Kamiuchi is Daiya Oomine.

However---



<div style="text-align: right; font-weight: bold;">- [Koudai Kamiuchi], death because of [Deathblow].</div>

===Tenth Day &lt;D&gt; [Big Room]===

However, a certain thought persists in me.

"I would have done better."

The food portions of Yuuri-san and the others have run out; only two portions are left in total. I have handed those to Daiya and Maria, so I'm already out of food.

It's finally time for the «real Daiya» to get started.

I suddenly think:

Daiya was only able to pull off all that secret maneuvering because his turn came before mine. If I had been first, it would be me that's confronting Koudai Kamiuchi.

In that case, I wouldn't have needed to have such a hard fight.

At best, we wouldn't even have had to play [Kingdom Royale].

Yuuri-san and Iroha-san wouldn't have had to suffer so much, at least, and I'm sure there wouldn't have been the need to kill Koudai Kamiuchi.

I think, while gazing at the blue watch Daiya has returned to me.

I guess Daiya was wishing for this awful outcome. So he is my enemy, after all.

But he shouldn't truly be wishing for all that. He may not be aware of it, but he should have wanted to see an outcome where everyone can smile.

"That's what you get when you think of the 'box' as hope!"

Daiya doesn't react to my words and just keeps touching his right piercing.


Alright, I'll leave the rest to you, Daiya.

And also, goodbye!

I don't want to meet you anymore.

I mean, if we meet again, you will have used the 'box'. Even though you can't master it anyway.

When that time comes, I will try to destroy your 'box' for certain.

And that's when we're going to become enemies for real.

Therefore, I don't want to meet you anymore.




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