Hakomari (Indonesia):Jilid 4 Bab 1

IN PROGRESS (Translasi Kasar)

▶Hari Pertama <A> Kamar [Kazuki Hoshino]

---*Potek*

Hancur. Tangan transparan masuk ke dalam tubuhku dan menghancurkan organku. Aku merasa hancur, cincang, menyusut – supaya bisa muat dalam permainan ini. Aku merasa tubuhku berpurtar pusing, seakan-akan dilontarkan ke dalam mesin cuci bersama dengan tumpukan baju.

Sementara mengembani ketidaknyamanan psikologis ini, Aku menjadi sejernih tangan-tangan itu. Aku menjadi ringan, laksana kehilangan semua berat tubuhku dan perlahan ku buka mataku yang tak tahunya tertutup.

Yang pertama masuk ke pengelihatanku adalah langit-langit beton kusam dan sebuah bohlam terlanjang yang menggantung darinya.

Jantungku mulai berdegup kencang.

Sekali lagi aku ditempatkan ke dalam ruangan layak penjara ini.

... bukan, itu kurang tepat. Sebetulnya, ini adalah pertama kalinya bahwa aku benar-benar datang ke sini. Aku akan menghadapi pertempuran di mana aku benar-benar tidak bisa membuat satu kesalahan.

Aku ingat akan janjiku dengan Daiya.

«Kamu bisa bertahan hidup apabila tidak ada yang membunuh siapa-siapa selama delapan hari.»

«Dan---jika Kamu dapat membawa akhir semacam itu, Aku akan membinasakan 'Permainan Kemalasan'. Itu adalah 'Keadilan' kamu telah bicarakan selama ini, kan?»

Tujuanku adalah untuk menghancurkan 'kotak' itu, menyelamatkan Maria, dan kembali ke dunia nyata.

Kita bisa memecahkan 'Kelas Penolak' dan 'Tujuh malam dalam lumpur' dengan mencari sang 'Pemilik' masing-masing dan membujuk mereka untuk menyerahkan 'kotak' mereka. Tapi itu tidak akan berhasil kali ini. Daiya, Si 'Pemilik' daripada 'Permainan Kemalasan', tidak bisa dibujuk.

Karena itu aku tidak membujuk dia; Aku harus memenangkan pertandingan ini melawan dia.

Aku harus memimpin kelompok sehingga tidak ada yang akan membunuh siapa pun. Aku harus mencapai akhir mana tak seorang pun mati.

Aku melihat-lihat. Sama seperti terakhir kali, Aku melihat toilet dan wastafel di kamar kecil ini. Selain itu, ada monitor kira-kira 20-inci. Meja, dan sebuah karung goni di atasnya.

Isi tasnya masih sama juga. Pena, buku memo, jam tangan biru, tujuh bahagian makanan padat, perangkat portabel dan pisau.

Namun---

«SenAng berTemu denGanMu»

Beruang hijau menjijikkan, Noitan, menyapaku seperti itu ini waktu.

---‘Senang bertemu denganmu', ya.

Rasanya agak canggung, tetapi itu adalah pesan pembuka yang benar. Aku mungkin merasa seperti Aku telah bertemu dengannya kerap beberapa kali, tapi sebenarnya itu adalah pertemuan sejati pertama kami. Hanya NPCku, salinanku, yang telah bertemu dengannya sejauh ini. Aku hanya melihat pertemuan ini sebelumnya dalam bentuk [Pengalaman Perwakilan].

«Gufufu - senAng – bErtemuMu - Kazuki-kun - BaiKlah- sEkarang kaMu aKan – MemiLih [Kelas]-mU”

"...? Aku bisa memilih [Kelas]-ku?”

«Ya - [Kejayaan Kerajaan] memang dirancang begitu - bahwa “Pemain” - memiliki keuntungan - atas NPC - ini berlaku - untuk - posisi psikologis superior - Yang Anda memiliki karena Anda - tahu bahwa yang lain adalah NPC - dan juga untuk - [Pengalaman Perwakilan] - dengan itu Anda mampu - belajar tentang perilaku mereka»

'Dan memilih salah satu [Kelas] sendiri juga adalah salah satukeunggulan...'

«BeTul sEkaLi»

Gambar Noitan menghilang dan tampak di layar pilihan [Kelas].

[Raja]

[Pangeran]

[Si Ganda]

[Penyihir]

[Ksatria]

[Revolusioner]

"...mh?"

Aku menyadari bahwa entah kenapa [Raja], [Penyihir] dan [Revolusioner] berwarna abu-abu.

« [Kelas] yang berwarna abu-abu - adalah yang - tidak dapat Anda pilih! - Itu adalah karena - mereka sudah - dipilih oleh - para pemain lainnya »

Noitan menjelaskan, menjawab pertanyaanku.

[Kelas] yang sudah pernah dipilih, yha. [Revolusioner] tadi Daiya, [Raja] adalah Yuuri-san dan [Penyihir]... Aku tidak punya kesempatan untuk mencari tahu, tapi pasti Iroha-san.

"Tapi kenapa aturan semacam itu didirikan?"

«KareNa pemain - yang mendapatkan giliran peRtama - akan menDapatKan - KetiDakunggulAn - tanpa aturAn ini! - Mereka akan mengumpulkan inFormasi - lebih SediKit - dari [Pengalaman Perwakilan] - saYangnya - Untuk alaSan itu - kita memberi merEka kebebasan leBih - dalam memilih [Kelas] mereka - untuk menjaGa hal-hal supaya teTap adil.»

Oh begitu ... Yha, Menurutku pemain pertama tetap berada dalam ketidakunggulan, meskipun ada aturan itu...

Lagian pula, Itu berarti Aku dapat memilih [Pangeran], [Si Ganda] dan [Ksatria]. ... Seperti ekspektasi, [Kelas] yang tersisa benar-benar tidak ideal untuk mengontrol aliran permainan.

"Ah. . . "

Aku menyadari sesuatu.

Aku hanya dapat memilih dari tiga [kelas]. Itu juga berarti bahwa [Kkelas] berbahaya: [Raja], [Penyihir] dan [Revolusioner] pasti akan diberikan kepada orang lain.

Aku ingat dalam putaran kedua di mana Yuuri-san adalah sang 'Pemain'. Saat itu, Aku adalah [Revolusioner]. Tragedi tetap terjadi meskipun demikian, tapi... apa yang mungkin akan terjadi seandainya Koudai Kamiuchi yang menjadi [Revolusioner]?

Aku yakin akan berakhir dengan lebih buruk lagi. Kemungkinan menyelamatkan Maria saja tidak bisa ku lakukan

Sendainya Daiya atau Koudai Kamiuchi yang menjadi [Revolusioner] Kali ini---

"---uh... "

Aku bergidik. Jika itu terjadi, tidak mungkin menyelesaikan permainan ini secara damai tanpa ada kejadian tumpah darah.

... Tidak, Aku tidak boleh menjadi penakut. Aku masih harus memimpin mereka ke blok - <E> pada hari yang ke delapan tanpa kematian satupun.

«Cepat - piLihLah»

Didesak oleh Noitan, perhatianku kembali ke monitor.

[Pangeran], [Si Ganda], [Ksatria] - Mana dari mereka yang bisa memberikanku kesempatan terbaik untuk memimpin kelompok tanpa ada yang sekarat? Pada akhirnya, Aku berpikir bahwa kuncinya adalah dengan menahan dan mengunci gerakan [Revolusioner]. Maka daripada itu---

Aku mengulurkan tanganku untuk tekan tombol pilihan [Kelas].

«Apakah Anda - yaKin?»

Walaupun mendesakku untuk memilh, Noitan masih saja menanyakan pertanyaan seperti itu!

"...... Aku!"

[Kelas] yang cocok untuk membujuk [Revolusioner] untuk berkomproni dengannya karena kondisi untuk menang yang serupa. Selain itu, [Kelas] yang memiliki kekuatan menakutkan dan mencegah gerakan [Kelas] lain. Yaitu!---

Aku menekan tombol untuk [Ksatria].

Tampak layar segera berubah, dan grafis Noitan muncul di atasnya.

«Baiklah - Kazuki-kun baru sAja menJadi - [Ksatria] - Saya berharap - Anda akan menyembunyikan keinginan Anda - untuk balas dendam terhadap orang lain - seperti yang tertulis dalam pengaturan karaKter - khianati lah mereka - dan iris haBis mereka - dengan pedaNgmu»

"... balas dendam, ya. Jangan membuatku tertawa."

Gumamku, mendengarnya mulut hijau beruang terbelah terbuka menjadi senyum lebar.

«Tidak, Anda memegang dendam terhadap orang-orang yang menipu dan membunuh aNDA secara brutal, kan? Mereka mencoba untuk membunuh Anda demi kehidupan mereka sendiri bahkan! Hehehe»

Dia berhenti mengambing dan mengatakan kata-kata jahat itu tanpa distorsi apapun. Aku ingat. Bahwa beruang hijau yang jelek itu dapat berbicara dengan lancar ketika dia mau.

". . . Anda tidak bisa lebih salah! Saya tak menahan amarah apapun!"

« Jangan Sok Suci deh, Bajingan! Atau jangan bilang, Lu siap ngemaafinn siapapun sambil menari-nari layaknya badut biadab ketika mau di bunuh, Masokis ya mas ? Padahal di pikiran lu, seharusnya mereka yang mati, Ya kan? Yah, Jelaslah. Lagian pula, yang lain juga mikir gitu waktu ngebantai lu. »

"Tidak mungkin aku berpikir sep---"

Tiba-tibaku berhenti

Sudah jelas aku tidak menaruh dendam terhadap mereka. Aku juga tidak mau balas dendam. Aku tidak punya perasaan dan keinginan sedikitpun untuk melakukannya

Tapi---Yuuri-san dan yang lain memang membunuh «Aku». Meskipun itu hanya salinan saja.

Aku tidak akan mencapai tujuanku kalau aku tidak mau mempertaruhkan nyawa. Oleh karena itu kamu siap untuk mengambil risiko kehidupanku sendiri untuk melindungi yang lain. Bahkan mungkin perlu menjadi perisai mereka dan mengambil segala sesuatu kepadaku.

---demi melindungi orang-orang yang telah membunuhku beberapa kali.

Bisakah ku lakukan tanpa bimbang? Tanpa ragu-ragu? Jujur saja... Aku tidak benar-benar yakin. Apakah ketidakpastian kecil ini akan menghambatku dari mencapai tujuanku?

Aku mengkocok isi kepalaku.

Tidak ada artinya berpikir seperti itu.

Aku hanya perlu mengerahkan segala kekuatanku untuk membangun konsensus di mana semuanya dapat saling percaya. Jika aku dapat mencapai itu, tidak ada yang akan mulai membunuh.

"---Tidak."

Mungkin itu kurang tepat. ...Tidak, itu salah.

Itu Tidak akan cukup.

Jelas bahwa hubungan saling percaya diperlukan. Tapi itu sendiri masih jauh dari cukup. Koudai Kamiuchi tetap akan bergerak semaunya, Yuuri-san masih akan mengkhianati demi bertahan hidup, Iroha-san hanya akan melakukan apa yang dia percaya adalah benar dan Daiya tidak akan mau bekerja sama pula.

Jadi, apa yang seharusnya aku lakukan?

«Dengarkan saja perkataanku! Bantai saja mereka semua dalam hiruk piruk darah dan Anda akan baik-baik saja, Dasar pembunuh diam-diam!»

"Diam!"

«Apakah Anda bahkan berpikir Anda bisa berpegangan tangan dengan semua orang sambil mengetahui ada seorang pembunuh di antara mereka? Buang saja pikiran itu! Anda perlu menguasai mereka layaknya tuan memerintahkan budak kotornya!"»

"... Tutup mulut. Budak, pantat Aku! Aku tidak mungkin bisa---"

... Tidak, apakah dia benar? Apakah Aku benar-benar memiliki tidak punya pilihan lain?

Aku tidak mengatakan bahwa permainan ini hanya bisa diselesaikan dengan saling membunuh satu sama lain. Apa yang Aku pikirkan adalah bahwa hal itu tidak dapat diselesaikan dengan hanya mempercayai satu sama lain.

Betul, dengan kata lain, untuk bisa meang---

--- Aku harus menguasai mereka .

" . . . . . Haha... "

Apa itu? Untuk bisa keluar dari permainan ini, seseorang harus memerintahkan yang lain layaknya «Raja», seperti yang disiratkan oleh judul permainannya: [Kejayaan Kerajaan]?

Jadi, Aku bisa menang jika menjadi «Raja»?

Apakah Aku cocok untuk itu? Hal ini tidak realistis; tidak mungkin aku bisa melakukan ini.

Tapi pada saat yang sama, Aku menyadari:

That's satu-satunya cara untuk memastikan tidak ada yang membunuh.

If itulah cara hal-hal are---

«Aku hanya seorang gadis berdaya dalam [Kejayaan Kerajaan] ini.»

«---tapi masih, Aku ingin melindungi Anda bahkan jika Aku harus membayar dengan hidupku sendiri.»

---aku akan melakukannya. Untuk melindungi Maria, yang hanya seorang putri tak berdaya dalam 'kotak' ini, aku akan melakukannya.

«Ayo - SuDah waKtunya - menyambut orang-orang - yAng mEmbUnuhMu»

Noitan menghilang setelah ini dan pintu terbuka.

Nafsu buruk nan jelek hidup dalam kegelapan itu. Kebencian yang seharusnyaku lawan ada di luar sana.

Aku mengepalkan tangan.

Sekarang... Aku tahu!

"Aku---"

Akan menjadi «Raja».

▶Hari Pertama * lt; B * gt; Aula

The enam dari kita sudah berkumpul di ruangan rumah sakit-seperti itu.

Similarly ke putaran kedua, Iroha-san pisau ancaman dicegah Daiya, sehingga tidak ada pisau yang ditekan terhadap leher saya.

Thanks itu, ketegangan di udara tidak terlalu tinggi dan peristiwa berkembang sama untuk kedua kalinya. Dan seperti itu waktu, kami memutuskan untuk melakukan pengenalan diri atas saran Koudai Kamiuchi.

While mendengarkan mereka perkenalan diri, saya berpikir tentang bagaimana saya dapat membawa orang masing-masing di bawah aturan saya.

' Aku Iroha Shindou. Saya hobi are---'

The ketua OSIS Iroha-san. Watch nya adalah jeruk. Dia sangat berbakat. Menurutnya, her konsentrasi yang luar biasa tinggi adalah apa yang membuatnya mirip manusia super. Dia memiliki karakter sangat jujur dan hampir tidak pernah terletak. Dia tampak agak tidak sensitif terhadap seluk-beluk dirinya sendiri dan orang lain emosi, yang mungkin karena dia biasanya berdiri di atas orang lain. Jika ia memperkuat tekad, ia bahkan dapat menekan emosinya sendiri sepenuhnya dan menjadi seorang pembunuh.

She suka Yuuri-san, tetapi bagi saya ini tampak sedikit seperti itu hanya bagaimana dia dirasionalisasi emosinya sendiri untuk berurusan dengan perasaan negatif yang dia dapatkan dari bahwa cinta masalah.

In kata lain, sebuah bom yang tersembunyi dalam hubungannya dengan Yuuri - san.

I pikir dia tidak akan mengkhianati saya jika saya berhasil memenangkan kepercayaan dirinya. Dia juga memiliki kekuatan untuk mengendalikan atmosfer, jadi dia akan menjadi sekutu yang paling dapat diandalkan.

' Aku-aku Yuuri Yanagi. '

The atas siswa kelas 3-1, Yuuri-san. Watch nya adalah krem. Bertentangan dengan Iroha-san, dia sangat sensitif terhadap emosi orang lain dan mampu mengendalikan kesannya terhadap dirinya. Selain itu, karakter jadi ditentukan ia bahkan mengambil keuntungan dari kebaikan orang lain terhadap dirinya. Karena dia secara terbuka menunjukkan emosi kebanyakan palsu, sangat sulit untuk melihat ini.

But pada dasarnya ia adalah hanya kucing scaredy dan benar-benar berkemauan baik. Jadi dia sama sekali tidak akan melakukan dosa jika ada tidak perlu untuk melakukannya.

It tampaknya dia tidak hanya memikirkan Iroha-san sebagai teman yang baik.

In kata-kata lain, hubungan dengan Iroha-san tidak stabil dari sisi nya juga.

Rather daripada kepercayaan, sangat penting untuk menenangkan turun nya dengan menunjukkan padanya manfaat dia mendapat dari bekerja sama dengan kami.

' Aku Koudai Kamiuchi, senang bertemu Anda. '

The tahun pertama, Koudai Kamiuchi. Watch nya hijau. Dia adalah seorang individu yang tidak ragu-ragu untuk membunuh, akan sejauh bahkan menikmati situasi kita. Karena tindakannya yang ditentukan oleh apa yang ia menemukan «menarik» dan dia peduli tentang hidupnya sendiri, sulit untuk membaca tindakannya. Ia digunakan untuk kekerasan untuk beberapa alasan. Bahkan Maria atau Daiya akan berdiri kesempatan terhadap dia jika datang ke pertarungan satu-satu.

He yang menarik untuk Yuuri-san, tetapi itu tidak berarti bahwa ia perhatian terhadap dirinya.

There's ada gunanya percaya kepadanya, jadi aku akan pasti disesatkan oleh-nya. Dia adalah musuh jernih. Untuk mengalahkannya, aku mungkin harus membangun sebuah lingkungan di mana dia tidak mampu melakukan pembunuhan.

' Aku Daiya Oomine. '

His watch hitam.

He's 'pemilik' salah 'Permainan kemalasan', tapi sikap dalam [Raya Royale] ini masih belum jelas.

Of saja saya tak memiliki ide bagaimana mengatasi dengannya.

' Saya tahun pertama Maria Otonashi. '

Her watch merah. Sang putri.

'---eh, ah!'

I sengaja. Sepertinya saya sangat terkonsentrasi bahwa saya santai tanpa sadar ketika Maria pengenalan berakhir.

' Apa yang Anda lakukan di sana, Kazuki? Apakah Anda mencoba untuk bertindak seperti karakter airhead?'

Maria menatapku dengan mata membuka setengah dan Yuuri-san mulai tertawa.

However---tidak dapat membantu, tentu saja, tapi saya tidak merasa terlalu baik tentang menganalisis lain seperti jika saya mencoba untuk menghapus beberapa permainan.... Yah, mereka di NPC sebagai soal fakta, meskipun...

But aku masih tidak berpikir yang penting. Bahkan ketika mereka tidak ingat masa lalu tiga putaran, bahkan ketika mereka hidup dan mati di sini tidak mempengaruhi mereka pada kenyataannya - NPC yang masih persis sama dengan orang-orang yang nyata.

' Giliran Anda. '

Maria tiba-tiba mendesak saya.

'Eh? Apa yang gilirannya?'

' Tidak ' apa. ' Giliran Anda untuk memperkenalkan diri. '

'Aa, yang saya lihat. '

The orang lain memandang ke alami fokus pada saya.

I sedang membuka mulut---tetapi goyah.

... tepat. Aku mudah mengkondisikan memperkenalkan diri. Jika saya mengikuti mereka dan bertindak seolah-olah aku tidak tahu apa-apa sekarang, yang akan memunculkan pertanyaan mengapa aku terus rahasia dari mereka dan menyebabkan ketidakpercayaan kemudian.

On sisi lain, hal ini juga berbahaya untuk hanya memberitahu mereka semua yang saya tahu sekarang. Jika saya mengatakan sesuatu yang aku tidak, mereka akan mempertimbangkan saya curiga.

'. . . Kazuki, mengapa Anda tidak mengatakan apa-apa?'

'Ah, no---'

But sekarang adalah kesempatan terbaik untuk memberitahu mereka tentang 'Permainan kemalasan' tanpa sedang meragukan sejak Noitan belum menjelaskan aturan belum. Aku harus mengungkapkan sesuatu.

The masalah adalah bagaimana memilih informasi yang aku harus mengungkap kepada mereka.

I menyelesaikan sendiri dan membuka mulut.

' Saya tahun kedua Kazuki Hoshino. Aku teman sekelas Daiya's dan saya telah berkenalan dengan Maria sudah sebelum masuk sekolah nya. Furthermore---'

I menelan turun saya air liur sekali dan continue,

'---aku [Knight]. '

Question tanda muncul di wajah mereka.

'. . . Kazuki-kun. Dengan «Knight» Anda mengacu pada beberapa jenis abad pertengahan «Knight»?' Meminta

Iroha-san.

' Saya kira begitu. '

'Aah, kau hanya membuatku kaget. Hampir kukira kau dianugerahkan diliputi oleh Ratu beberapa atau sesuatu. Jadi, adalah «Knight» sebuah metafora untuk sesuatu, or---'

She mendapat terganggu.

«Yaa yaa yaa, ketika seseorang tampaknya sewenang-wenang mengungkapkan hal-hal, aku akan segera memberitahu Anda tentang ini [Raya Royale]!» 

«Oke kemudian - aku berharap semua yang melawan - baik! -Hanya tidak berakhir - permainan dengan - melakukan sesuatu - sebagai membosankan-sebagai berubah - ke mumi orang - Oke?» 

Having selesai menjelaskan [Raya Royale] kepada kita, Noitan menghilang.

'Bisa kita mendapatkan penjelasan sekarang, Hoshino-kun?' 

Iroha-san bertanya. Dia punya melirik saya curiga beberapa kali selama pidato Noitan's.

' Mengapa hanya Anda tahu tentang [Raya Royale] pada saat itu dalam waktu? Dan mengapa kau tahu [kelas], meskipun tidak ada yang harus tahu ini?'

Right, ini adalah apa itu dimaksudkan untuk mengungkapkan [kelas] saya. Saya paling mencurigakan karakter untuk mengetahui informasi ini no seseorang harus memiliki sekarang.

I am karakter mencurigakan Iroha-san telah mencari di setiap putaran dengan mengancam kita dengan pisau nya.

'. . . . . . Tapi... '

It bukan aku yang bereaksi terhadap Pertanyaannya, tetapi Yuuri-san.

' Tidaklah menguntungkan sekali baginya untuk mengungkapkan nya [kelas] seperti yang dia lakukan, kanan? Pasti jauh lebih baik baginya untuk tetap diam dan menipu kita jika ia ingin memenangkan permainan... '

' Yakin cukup. '

' Jadi saya pikir bahwa Hoshino-san sengaja melakukan sesuatu yang menguntungkan untuk membingungkan kawat-puller permainan ini. '

I 'm lega. Seseorang benar-benar mengerti mengapa saya telah mengungkapkan bahwa aku [Knight].

'... dia sengaja melakukan sesuatu yang menguntungkan, ya. . . . Ya, mungkin. '

Iroha-san melemaskan ekspresinya cukup keras.

"Tapi pertanyaannya adalah, mengapa Anda melakukan itu?" 

Iroha-san mengatakan dan ternyata pandangan matanya tajam bagi saya.

I mengangguk diam-diam di pandangan ini dan mulai speak,

'There's sesuatu yang saya ingin Anda untuk percaya. '

What maksudku adalah kondisi kemenangan lain.

«Kamu bisa bertahan apabila tidak ada membunuh siapa pun selama delapan hari.» 

Those adalah kata Daiya's.

' Ada cara untuk menyelinap keluar dari [Raya Royale] tanpa memenuhi kondisi kemenangan. '

I Perhatikan bahwa mereka semua memegang napas mereka.

' Berakhir dimana semua orang berubah menjadi mummy tidak disediakan. Dengan kata lain, jika kita semua berhasil bertahan hidup sampai * lt; E * gt;-blok dari hari yang kelapan, permainan akan dibatalkan. '

Ini adalah tujuan saya dan pada saat yang sama itu solusi setiap orang harus berharap untuk.

Ini tidak seperti salah satu dari mereka ingin membunuh dalam [Raya Royale]. Mereka hanya tidak bisa menghindari membunuh untuk bertahan hidup atau untuk melindungi orang lain yang tersisa. Yuuri-san dan Iroha-san hanya melakukan pembunuhan ketika mereka pemain karena mereka menyimpulkan bahwa tidak ada solusi lain.

Menunjukkan kepada mereka bahwa ada solusi lain selain membunuh satu sama lain adalah cara terbaik untuk mencegah pembunuhan. Jadi, saya benar-benar harus memberitahu mereka.

'Sekarang yang Anda sebutkan itu... Tidak Noitan-san juga mengatakan sesuatu di sepanjang garis-garis ini? Bahwa kita tidak harus melakukan sesuatu yang membosankan seperti berubah menjadi mumi. Menghidupkan kalimat ini sekitar... Itu mungkin... Cadangan apa Hoshino-san hanya mengatakan. '

Yuuri-san bergumam. Dia mencari dasar untuk percaya kata-kata saya karena dia mengambil informasi ini menguntungkan.

Itu wajar untuk dengan mudah menyetujui informasi nyaman. Oleh karena itu saya hanya perlu untuk memberitahu mereka kebenaran sedikit demi sedikit sampai aku akhirnya bisa memberitahu mereka rincian tentang 'kotak' dan bahwa Daiya yang 'pemilik'.

Ya, aku menuju ke arah yang benar.

Jika kita semua bertujuan untuk tujuan yang sama, pembunuhan tidak mungkin terjadi.

Itu adalah---

'Aku takut aku tidak bisa setuju belum.'

--- Jika tidak ada orang menyusahkan ini.

Koudai Kamiuchi sini. Dan dia akan terganggu ketika ada pembunuhan karena ia ingin menikmati [Raya Royale].

'Apakah Anda memiliki keberatan atau apa?'

Ketika Iroha-san meminta dia seperti ini, ia berkedip ekspresi sembrono dan jawaban sambil garuk-garuk kepala.

'Yah, tentu saja, saya setuju bahwa Hoshino-senpai <ref> Senpai:!? Upperclassman atau senior yang </ ref> terkait dengan [Raya Royale] Tapi apakah itu otomatis berarti bahwa kita bisa percaya solusi yang diusulkan'

Aku bisa melihat dengan jelas kegelisahan yang menjadi lebih tebal di wajah Yuuri-san.

'Solusi ini bisa juga menjadi sebuah kebohongan, tidak bisa itu? Manfaat Mungkin Hoshino-senpai dalam beberapa cara ketika kita percaya, kan?'

'Itu tidak benar!'

'Kemudian memberitahu kami foundation yang membuktikan bahwa itu tidak bicara hanya menganggur.'

Aku goyah. Bagaimana saya harus menjelaskannya? Berapa yang harus saya perlu menjelaskan sehingga dia mengerti saya ketika saya bahkan tidak tahu apakah mereka akan percaya ketika aku mengatakan yang sebenarnya?

'Mengapa tidak bisa Anda jelaskan? Seharusnya tidak Anda dapat memberitahu kami segala sesuatu tanpa menyembunyikan apa pun jika Anda benar-benar ingin membawa kita keluar dari niat baik?'

Seperti yang saya gagal untuk keberatan, ia menyerang saya bahkan lebih.

'Anda tidak bisa menjelaskannya, ya.... Saya melihat, saya hanya menemukan penjelasan yang masuk akal!'

'... Eh?'

'<U> Kau mata-mata </ u>. Jika Hoshino-senpai adalah mata-mata yang mencoba untuk membingungkan kita, segala sesuatu yang masuk akal.'

Itu satu kata yang kuat.

Satu kata ternyata kata-kata saya terbalik dan membuat mereka mencurigai saya.

Kecemasan berdiam di mata Yuuri-san.

Iroha-san mengerutkan alisnya.

Tidak ada cara kedua bisa menentukan apakah akan percaya padaku atau Koudai Kamiuchi karena mereka tidak ingat putaran terakhir.

'...... Eh...'

Ini buruk. Jika terus seperti ini, saya tidak memiliki kesempatan untuk menjadi «Raja» karena mereka bahkan tidak akan percaya padaku untuk mulai dengan. Lebih buruk lagi, mereka mungkin menganggap saya sebagai musuh.

Aku refleks mengubah pandanganku ke bawah pada menjadi fokus tatapan dingin.

Saya tidak bisa memikirkan kata-kata untuk mengatasi situasi ini.

Apakah itu sudah terlambat?

Apakah saya sudah hilang?

Dapatkah saya benar-benar tidak menang di 'Game of Kemalasan'?

Koudai Kamiuchi berkedip menyeringai dan tampaknya sudah yakin untuk memiliki won, tapi ---

'Hentikan itu sudah, Kamiuchi.'

Seringai mengancam nya akan terhapus oleh suaranya.

Maria.

Aku tenang hanya dengan fakta bahwa ia mengangkat suaranya. Aku mulai tersenyum.

Benar, dia selalu membantu saya keluar. Saya tidak perlu khawatir lagi. Aku aman n ---

'------ah'

. . . . . . Itu tidak baik sama sekali. Mengapa saya menenangkan diri?

Itu semacam ini ketergantungan yang mengarah ke ujung buruk. Bukankah aku belajar ini secara langsung selama putaran sebelumnya?

Tapi. . . walaupun aku menyadari hal ini - meskipun aku harus menyelamatkan Maria, bukan sebaliknya - saya menerima bantuan lagi.

'Berhentilah mencoba untuk mengelabui Kazuki ke tampak seperti orang jahat.'

Koudai Kamiuchi melebar matanya dan menyebar lengannya berlebihan.

'Whoa, jangan mengatakan hal-hal yang aneh. Bukankah jelas Hoshino-senpai yang mencoba menipu kami semua?'

'Lalu katakan padaku mengapa Anda mencoba untuk menciptakan kebingungan.'

'. . . apa maksudmu?'

'Anda tidak mendapatkannya? Lalu itu bukti bahwa Anda tidak memiliki kepribadian yang tepat.'

'Tunggu, tunggu... Kenapa?'

'Saya akan memberitahu Anda: jika Anda berpikir seperti orang biasa, Anda akan ingin mengikuti usulan Kazuki ini, mengesampingkan apakah Anda percaya atau tidak Juga, untuk menunjukkan bahwa proposal mencurigakan Satu biasanya akan melakukannya secara berbeda... '

'Benar-benar? Apakah tidak normal untuk menekan pertanyaan pada Hoshino-senpai ketika dia curiga?'

'Anda tidak akan melakukannya seperti itu. Itu karena Kazuki berusaha mencegah pembantaian dengan proposal. Bahkan tanpa mengetahui niat Kazuki, Anda harus ingin proposal ini untuk membuktikan dirinya benar. Meskipun demikian, Anda jelas menyangkal Kazuki. < u> Kau jelas menyangkal orang yang membuat proposal untuk mencegah pembantaian </ u>. '

Koudai Kamiuchi menutup mulutnya.

'Apakah Anda sadar bahwa itu berbahaya apa yang Anda lakukan di sini? Dalam arti, ini bisa menjadi percikan yang mengarah ke pembunuhan. Jika Anda hanya ingin membuat orang lain lebih memperhatikan, Anda akan masih perlu melakukan lebih hati-hati. ... baik, tentu saja itu berbeda jika Anda ingin mendorong kita untuk mengambil bagian dalam permainan. '

Setelah mendapatkan dibungkam, ia mulai keberatan lagi tersenyum kecut.

'... Yakin, saya mungkin sudah terlalu jauh. Tapi kemudian mengapa Hoshino-senpai tidak dapat menjelaskan apa-apa?'

'Bahkan Anda mengumpulkan bahwa tempat ini tidak normal, kan?'

Koudai Kamiuchi mengerutkan bibirnya mendengar kata-kata yang tiba-tiba Maria.

'Well, yeah...? Jadi?'

'Ini adalah ruang yang diciptakan oleh alien dari Sirius untuk tujuan mengamati modus hidup kita penduduk dunia.'

'............ Hah?'

Aku yakin itulah yang dia sudah membidik. Maria menimbulkan sudut mulutnya.

'Apakah Anda mempercayai saya?'

'... Tidak ada cara saya akan!'

'Jadi, apa jenis alasan untuk kejadian ini akan Anda percaya itu?'

Koudai Kamiuchi mengerutkan kening setelah mendengar pertanyaannya.

'Saya tidak keberatan apakah itu bohong atau fiksi -. Hanya menjelaskan alasan untuk ruang ini untuk kami sehingga kami dapat memahami dan setuju untuk itu' <-! 'Setuju' adalah 'persetujuan,' yang bekerja, tetapi ' setuju 'adalah sinonim dan jauh lebih umum digunakan. -yyr ->

Dia berpikir untuk sementara waktu sebelum ia menjawab '... Tidak, aku tidak bisa.'

'Jadi mari kita asumsikan Kazuki tahu kebenaran, tetapi kebenaran ini adalah sesuatu yang tidak masuk akal seperti cerita saya tentang alien Sirius - Anda serius berpikir dia bisa memberitahu kita bahwa, sekarang, di sini Mungkinkah ia benar-benar mengatakan hal itu saat mengetahui ia akan menjadi? dirugikan tanpa diragukan lagi? '

'......' <- Vergangenheits-Einschub: ->

Memiliki telah dibungkam seperti itu, Koudai Kamiuchi melirik saya.

Dia tersenyum seperti biasa, tapi di matanya adalah ---

'...... Eh...'

--- Cahaya yang melahirkan kegilaan unconcealable.

Bahkan aku hanya melihat itu untuk sepersekian detik, jadi saya mungkin satu-satunya yang melihat kegilaan ini. Pada saat berikutnya, ia melontarkan senyum riang dan menyebar lengannya affectedly.

'Oke, oke, aku kehilangan. Aku terlalu asyik mencoba untuk membawa keraguan saya terhadap cahaya, jadi saya tidak berpikir tentang cukup lain. Aku benar-benar <i> sehingga </ i> maaf!'

Saya melihat bahwa Yuuri-san dan Iroha-san santai hanya sedikit saat melihat senyumnya.

Tapi aku tahu bahaya di balik senyum itu. Ini senyum terampil menyembunyikan kegilaannya. Aku tahu, karena saya telah ditipu oleh sekali sebelum dan hilang.

Tapi untuk saat ini kita bisa menghindari situasi terburuk dari kita menyaingi satu sama lain.

Namun---

«Jangan khawatir, Kazuki. Aku akan melindungimu. »

Aku mengepalkan tinju saya.

--- Itu tidak baik seperti itu. Tidak semuanya!

Jika saya tinggal sangat lemah sehingga saya mendapatkan kewalahan dengan mudah dengan Koudai Kamiuchi, saya pasti akan menyerah pada ini 'kotak'.

Dan Maria akan dibunuh oleh 'Game of Kemalasan'.

▶ Hari Pertama & lt; C & gt; [Kazuki Hoshino] 's kamar

«[Kelas] Anda [Ksatria]»

Pesan ini jelas ditulis pada monitor.

Yang lain harus melihat layar ini sekarang juga. Aku hanya bisa berdoa bahwa [kelas] dibagikan dalam mendukung saya.

«Hey kau bajingan, apa yang salah dengan Anda bahwa Anda mengekspos fakta-fakta kemauanmu sendiri ?! Bagaimana Anda akan membuat untuk ini jika akan membosankan karena Anda sialan munafik! Jika itu terjadi memberikan kembali uang saya! »

Noitan mulai mengutuk tepat setelah muncul, tapi seperti biasa aku tidak bisa kontra dengan apa pun.

«Pilih pasangan Anda untuk [Pertemuan Rahasia], Anda sampah. »

The Noitan darah-shot bermata hilang dan foto-foto dari enam orang muncul.

[Pertemuan Rahasia], ya. Saya tahu persis siapa aku akan memilih. Aku menjangkau hampir refleks untuk gambar Maria --- tapi berhenti di tengah jalan tanganku.

Apakah benar-benar baik-baik saja untuk menjemputnya?

Ini salah memilih Maria. Untuk menghemat Maria, saya pasti akan membutuhkan kerjasama nya.

Tapi. . . Saya mengulurkan tangan saya <u> refleks </ u>. Hampir tanpa berpikir.

Apakah itu karena aku langsung menyimpulkan bahwa itu adalah pilihan yang tepat?

. . . seolah-olah. Bahkan setelah apa yang baru saja terjadi di luar sana, aku tidak sadar mencoba untuk mengandalkan Maria lagi.

Oleh karena itu, saya tidak harus memilih dia, tidak peduli apakah itu benar atau salah untuk memilih dirinya.

Aku akan memotong ketergantungan saya pada dirinya.

'Saya akan berjuang, sendirian.'

Oleh karena itu, saya akan memilih orang yang aku akan mengalahkan pertama.

Aku mengacungkan tangan-Ku berhenti. Saya memilih ---

«Hoho - ini iS - tak terduga - gilirannya»

--- «Iroha Shindou».

Aku akan menjadi «Raja».

Demi itu, saya pertama kali akan menempatkan Iroha-san di bawah kekuasaan saya.

[Iroha Shindou]	->	[Yuuri Yanagi]	15:00~16:00
[Yuuri Yanagi]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	15:00~16:00
[Daiya Oomine]	->	[Kazuki Hoshino]	15:00~15:30
[Kazuki Hoshino]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	16:20~16:50
[Koudai Kamiuchi]	->	[Daiya Oomine]	16:20~16:50
[Maria Otonashi]	->	[Daiya Oomine]	15:40~16:10

▶Hari Pertama <C> [Pertemuan Rahasia] dengan [Daiya Oomine], Kamarnya [Kazuki Hoshino]

Aku sudah mempersiapkan diri untuk [Pertemuan Rahasia] dengan Iroha-san, tapi satu dengan Daiya pertama. Yang berarti bahwa ia memilih saya lebih cepat daripada saya memilih Iroha-san.

Karena saya adalah semua siap untuk berbicara dengan Iroha-san, ini adalah jenis let-down, tapi aku mendapatkan pegangan dari diri saya segera.

Saya harus berhati-hati.

Daiya tiba segera di kamar saya ketika itu adalah waktu. Bahkan sebelum duduk di atas meja, dia cemberut padaku.

“... Hey, kau benar-benar Kazuki Hoshino?”

“Eh?”

Sebuah pertanyaan yang tak terduga.

Ini lebih seperti yang lain tidak bisa disebut nyata karena mereka salinan, tetapi dia tidak tahu itu.

Tidak, tapi dia menimbulkan pertanyaan seperti itu berarti bahwa dia tidak menyadari menjadi “pemilik” dari “Permainan of Kemalasan”. Daiya NPC perkelahian di bawah kondisi yang sama seperti NPC lainnya.

. . . Tunggu. Apakah itu berarti bahwa ----

“...... Daiya. Bagaimana pendapat Anda tentang ini “kotak”?”

“Anda memiliki beberapa saraf mengabaikan pertanyaan saya dan meminta satu sendiri.... Pokoknya, mari saya ceritakan.”

Dia melanjutkan, terus terang menunjukkan kepada saya ketidaknyamanannya.

“ “Kotak” ini adalah sampah </ u>.”

Seperti yang kupikirkan.

“Tidak ada makna dalam keberadaan “kotak” masuk akal bahwa hanya ada untuk membuat orang bermain Permainan tentang membunuh satu sama lain.”

Daiya ini berpikir persis seperti Daiya putaran kedua .

Bahkan, kata-katanya hampir sama seperti di babak kedua. Sudah jelas sekarang aku berpikir tentang hal itu. Daiya NPC belum diambil alih memori. Itu wajar bahwa ia akan mengambil tindakan yang sama karena jumlahnya informasi mereka adalah sama.

Dan jika memori melayani saya benar, di babak kedua ia ---

“Siapa begitu bodoh untuk bermain seperti permainan menyedihkan seperti [Kejayaan Kerajaan]?”

--- Mencoba untuk menghentikan [Kejayaan Kerajaan].

Dengan kata lain, tujuan saya berhenti [Kejayaan Kerajaan] sesuai dengan tujuan Daiya NPC. Jadi Anda bisa menyebutnya sebuah 芦 Ally 禄.

Tidak, Daiya tidak hanya saya 芦 Ally 禄. Kecuali untuk Koudai Kamiuchi, semua NPC lain tidak ingin membunuh secara aktif baik. Sebagai soal fakta, hanya pemain melakukannya untuk bertahan hidup, karena mereka tahu bahwa orang lain yang NPC dan berpikir tidak ada jalan keluar lain.

. . . kesempatan untuk menang mungkin hanya datang terlihat sedikit.

“Daiya, ada sesuatu yang saya ingin memberitahu Anda. Oke?”

“Apa?”

“Sikap Anda adalah salah satu yang paling berbahaya.”

mengerutkan kening Daiya.

“... Apa...? Tentu saja, aku mungkin terlihat seperti individu yang berbahaya dilihat dari titik pandang orang lain. Setelah semua, saya mungkin bisa membunuh seseorang jika itu diperlukan.... Tapi jadi apa? Mengapa Anda mengatakan bahwa sekarang? Apakah Anda ingin membujuk saya karena saya berbahaya? “

“... Tidak, aku tidak bermaksud mengatakan bahwa Anda berbahaya, tetapi bahwa Anda dalam bahaya paling. Dengan kata lain, Anda berisiko dibunuh.”

“Jangan bicara bullsh ---”

Tapi dia berhenti seketika.

“Tidak, itu tidak semua yang salah, ya. Terlepas apakah itu benar-benar “paling,” Saya setuju bahwa saya bisa dengan mudah menjadi target karena kepribadian saya ini. Karena aku terlihat berbahaya untuk mereka!”

“Itu bukan satu-satunya alasan.”

Ketika saya mengatakan ini, Daiya menatapku tanpa berkata-kata.

“Ini juga karena Anda “pemilik”.”

“Hah? Jangan main-main dengan saya! Tentu, aku seorang “pemilik”, tapi aku pasti tidak “pemilik” dari seperti “kotak”.”

Kalau dipikir-pikir itu, ia juga mencemarkan nama ini “kotak” sebagai akal atau sesuatu di babak kedua. Saya kagum dia bisa mengatakan bahwa, terlepas dari menggunakannya sebagai cara untuk mencegah kebosanan. . .

Atau itu juga kebohongan yang dia menggunakannya untuk mencegah kebosanan? Apakah dia benar-benar memiliki tujuan tersembunyi yang saya tidak harus tahu? Dan bahkan tidak NPC nya mampu melihat melalui niat Daiya nyata?

. . . Aku tidak tahu, tapi aku lebih baik menyembunyikan informasi yang akan membuat ini membingungkan.

... “Tidak peduli apa sebenarnya, Maria berpikir tentang Anda sebagai pencipta [Kejayaan Kerajaan] Oleh karena itu, saya pikir ada kemungkinan tinggi bahwa orang lain palsu akan berasumsi bahwa menghancurkan “kotak” -. Atau membunuh Anda - memecahkan hal ini ketika mereka mengetahui bahwa. “

Bahkan, di babak kedua dia dibunuh pertama karena itu.

“... Nah, mungkin. Tapi tetap, itu lucu bahwa aku tidak diberitahu 芦 tidak membunuh siapa pun 禄 tapi 芦 tidak terbunuh oleh siapapun 禄.”

Mengatakan begitu, dia cemberut padaku.

“Seperti yang saya pikir, kau aneh entah bagaimana. Kami baik hati Kazuki Hoshino biasanya tidak akan mampu berpikir seperti itu. Bahkan jika Anda benar-benar memukul atas ini, Anda tidak akan pernah memberitahu saya dengan begitu banyak keyakinan. Apa dengan sikap yang ? Hampir, seolah-olah Anda sudah sudah </ u> --- “

Dia berhenti di sana.

“... Saya melihat... Akhirnya masuk akal bagi saya. Itu juga sebabnya sikap Anda terhadap Shindou dan yang lain tampak aneh bagiku, ya. Hei, --- itu bukan pertama kalinya Anda bermain [Kejayaan Kerajaan ], kan? “

Itu Daiya seperti yang kita kenal.

Dia mampu untuk sampai pada kebenaran dengan hanya sedikit informasi ini, meskipun akan ada banyak kemungkinan lainnya. kemampuannya benar-benar menakjubkan.

“... Kalau dilihat dari ekspresi Anda, sepertinya aku benar. Nah, kebenaran tidak masalah bagi saya. Saya hanya perlu tahu apa yang Anda coba untuk membuat saya lakukan setelah membuat saya menjawab pertanyaan Anda. Jadi, mencoba menceritakan rencana Anda. “

Daiya berbicara angkuh.

“ Tapi bersiaplah untuk digunakan oleh saya </ u>.”

Saya sadar menutup mulutku.

Dalam [Pertemuan Rahasia] ini saya awalnya ingin mengetahui bagaimana dia akan pindah. Dengan kata lain, saya tidak memiliki rencana konkret apa yang harus dilakukan dengan dia.

Namun, saya datang untuk mengetahui bahwa kita berbagi tujuan kita.

Tidak bisa ini menjadi kesempatan terbesar saya miliki? Aku akan bisa bekerja sama dengan Daiya.

Maksudku, ada tidak mungkin situasi di mana ia mendengarkan saya lebih unaffectedly dari sekarang. Jika ia percaya padaku, kita bisa melakukan sesuatu tentang situasi menjadi sasaran empuk. Dan kebanyakan dari semua, saya akan memiliki akses ke wit luar biasa. Itu akan menjadi lompatan besar ke arah pencapaian tujuan saya.

Tentu saja itu masih berisiko. Jika dia ingin, dia bisa dengan mudah memanfaatkan saya sebagai katanya. Saya tidak mengatakan demikian karena saya sudah menjadi lemah hati, tapi karena itu fakta yang saya alami di babak pertama.

Tapi---

“Saya tahu sistem dari “Permainan of Kemalasan” dengan baik.”

Aku tidak bisa tinggal diam lagi. Saya kira itu sudah memutuskan bahwa ini akan terjadi sejak saat saya mengungkapkan menjadi [Ksatria].

“Ada banyak yang saya ingin memberitahu Anda, tapi pertama saya akan mengajarkan Anda bagaimana tiga putaran sebelumnya [Kejayaan Kerajaan] berkembang! Di babak pertama ---”

Seperti ini, saya mulai menjelaskan kepadanya.

Daiya diam-diam mendengarkan saya, hampir tanpa mengganggu saya.

Tidak dapat menceritakan segala sesuatu dalam waktu yang tersisa, [Pertemuan Rahasia] berakhir dengan janji terus di [Pertemuan Rahasia] berikutnya.

▶First Day <C> [Secret Meeting] with [Iroha Shindou], [Iroha Shindou]'s room

Aku tidak tahu apakah kerjasama dengan Daiya akan berjalan dengan baik. Tetapi untuk sekarang saya akan beralih dan berkonsentrasi pada materi berikutnya.

Mitra dari [Pertemuan Rahasia] berikutnya adalah orang yang saya harus membersihkan pertama --- saya harus mengontrol pertama --- Iroha Shindou. Aku sudah memutuskan apa yang akan saya katakan padanya untuk mencapai itu.

Alasan mengapa saya ingin membawanya di bawah kekuasaan saya langsung dari. Itu karena dia memiliki kekuatan untuk mengubah suasana hati lebih dari orang lain.

Oleh karena itu, saya harus pindah sebelum dia bisa melakukan sesuatu yang menguntungkan bagi saya.

Setidaknya dia tidak harus benar-benar menolak apa yang saya katakan, kalau dilihat dari sikapnya sebelumnya.

Tidak apa-apa.

Meyakinkan diriku sendiri, aku memasuki ruangan Iroha-san.

“......”

Namun, saya bertanya-tanya mengapa? Iroha-san berdiri di sana, tanpa ekspresi, dengan lengan disilangkan, hampir seolah-olah dia sedang menunggu musuh.

“Bolehkah saya bertanya? Mengapa Anda memilih saya sebagai pasangan Anda untuk [Pertemuan Rahasia]?”

Sebuah kewaspadaan dia belum menunjukkan di ruang besar.

Aku menjawabnya sambil merasakan sedikit cemas.

“Karena aku ingin membuat Anda kawan saya yang pertama, Iroha-san!”

Itu tidak bohong.

“... 芦 <u> Iroha-san </ u> 禄?”

Iroha-san menyempit matanya curiga.

“Umm, apa maksudmu?”

“... Kebanyakan orang memanggil saya 芦 Kaichou 禄 ketika mereka pertama kali bertemu dengan saya, Anda tahu. Jadi rasanya canggung dipanggil dengan nama sebenarnya langsung. Sepertinya aku sulit untuk mendekati akrab.”

Sekarang dia menyebutkan hal itu, saya memanggilnya 芦 Kaichou 禄 juga sampai dia mengatakan kepada saya untuk berhenti. . .

“Pokoknya... Mengapa Anda ingin membuat saya kawan Anda pertama?... Menunggu, lebih baik tidak mengatakan itu. Anda melihat bahwa saya sedang mencoba untuk mengontrol mood pula, kan?”

“......... Eh?”

Aku bingung padanya pemahaman memukau cepat.

“Kau bermasalah ketika saya sewenang-wenang melakukan sesuatu yang berakhir memburuknya posisi Anda. Oleh karena itu, Anda ingin cepat membuat saya kawan Anda, kan?”

“Yah begitulah. . . “

Apa apaan? Ini hampir seperti dia meramalkan apa yang akan saya katakan.

“Mari kita berasumsi yang patuh mengikuti seseorang seperti seorang anak kecil dan akhirnya mengarah pada hasil yang baik, oke? Bahkan jika semua berjalan lancar dengan keberuntungan, saya tidak bisa menghargai orang tersebut. Karena itu berarti berhenti berpikir sendiri dan meninggalkan kehidupan seseorang kepada orang lain, Anda lihat. Katakanlah, apakah Anda tidak setuju? “

“...... Err ---”

“Hal itu tidak sesuai dengan saya Mematuhi instruksi seseorang, menari untuk pipa seseorang -.....? Itu tidak menyenangkan Um, di mana kita Anda mengatakan <u> Anda ingin menempatkan saya di bawah kendali Anda dengan dalih membuat saya kawan </ u>? “

Seperti yang kupikirkan.

Seperti yang saya pikir, dia sudah terlihat melalui niat saya.

“Tapi seperti yang saya katakan, saya memilih untuk tidak bergerak dengan kepemimpinan Anda. Kami memilih untuk bergerak dengan berpikir 芦 diri kita sendiri 禄.”

“. . . kita?”

Iroha-san tidak menjawab pertanyaan yang jelas dari yang dia sebut seperti itu.

Hanya ada satu orang yang akan bergabung dengan Iroha-san pada saat ini dalam waktu.

Yuuri Yanagi.

Hanya ada Yuuri, yang pernah mencoba membunuh Iroha-san melalui [Sihir].

. . . tidak ada cara ini bisa menjadi program yang baik dari peristiwa.

“Jujur saja, saya pada dasarnya ingin percaya apa yang Anda mengatakan kepada kami di ruang besar!”

“... Eh?”

“Tapi kau tahu, di kami [Pertemuan Rahasia] Yuuri menunjukkan bahwa Anda tampaknya satu-jangan dibalik mengenal kami dengan baik. Nah... Tentu saja orang mendengar tentang kami sampai batas tertentu melalui rumor, tapi dia mengatakan bahwa Anda tidak pada tingkat itu, yang tampaknya tahu tentang kami lebih detail “.

“Itu karena---”

Tapi Iroha-san tidak membiarkan aku menyela.

“Saya tidak peduli apa yang Anda ketahui tentang kami. Itu karena saya tahu bahwa Anda berada dalam posisi yang khusus. Tapi kau tahu, masalahnya adalah bahwa Anda menyembunyikan fakta. <U> Anda tidak mengungkapkan kepada kita tepat pergi bahwa Anda memiliki informasi yang memberikan Anda keuntungan untuk bertarung di game ini </ u>. “

“Aku-aku tidak bermaksud...! Tidak, aku hanya tidak mengatakan itu karena itu bukan sesuatu yang Anda bisa mengatakan segera!”

“Ya. Mungkin. Tapi tidak ada jaminan. Saya tidak tahu apakah Anda penghasut atau endorser atau lawan dari permainan ini. Saya ingin percaya yang terakhir, tapi jika saya salah, hidup kita berada di saham. Jangan Anda pikir itu terlalu berisiko bagi kita untuk hanya menuruti kata-kata Anda? “

Oleh karena itu, dia tidak mengikuti saya.

Aah, sial. . . ini merupakan konsekuensi yang jelas.

“Jangan khawatir. Aku tidak akan mengabaikan pendapat Anda, Hoshino-kun. Aku akan benar mendengar Anda keluar! Tapi 芦 kita 禄 memutuskan apakah kita percaya. Hidup kita tergantung pada hal itu, jadi kita tidak bisa hanya membabi buta mengikuti seseorang . Oleh karena itu, saya tidak akan menjadi 芦 kawan Anda 禄. Maaf. “

Saya pikir hatinya adalah tepat dan saya juga berpikir sepertinya keputusan terbaik untuk membuat mereka.

Ini juga situasi di mana sepertinya aku masih bisa mencapai apa-apa.

Tapi itu hanya tampaknya seperti itu --- <u> Saya tidak bisa lagi </ u> -

Ini sudah buntu.

“...... Iroha-san.”

“Apa? Apakah Anda masih ingin mencoba membujuk saya? Tidak masalah. Saya akan mendengarkan!”

“......”

Sejujurnya, saya pikir saya bisa mengekspos hampir segala sesuatu padanya seperti yang saya lakukan dengan Daiya. Karena aku berharap bahwa dia relatif akan menerima cerita saya menguntungkan seperti dia mampu keputusan tenang. Setidaknya saya pikir dia akan mendukung saya lebih atau kurang dalam tujuan saya untuk 芦 mengakhiri permainan tanpa ada sekarat 禄.

“. . . Aku merubah pikiranku. “

--- Tidak akan pergi dengan cara itu lagi.

“Saya melihat. “

Setelah semua, Iroha-san akan memberitahu segalanya untuk Yuuri-san. Dan segera opini Yuuri-san dicampur dalam, perubahan pasti akan terjadi.

Itu karena tidak seperti Iroha-san, siapa yang dapat melihat hal-hal secara objektif, Yuuri-san tidak percaya hal-hal yang tidak mendukung dia. Sebagai contoh, saya tidak berpikir dia akan percaya bahwa dia hanya NPC pada saat ini atau ia menanggung dosa pembunuhan di bahunya.

Apa yang akan Yuuri-san lakukan setelah mendengar kata-kata saya, yang tidak menguntungkan baginya?

Aku bisa melihatnya dengan jelas.

Dia akan menyangkalnya.

Dia akan menganggap saya musuhnya.

Dan kemudian dia akan bertujuan untuk memenangkan [Raya Royale], memanfaatkan Iroha-san.

Dengan kata lain --- <u> dia akan melakukan pembunuhan </ u>.

Oleh karena itu, ini sudah buntu.

“------”

Masih ada waktu luang.

Tapi aku tidak menemukan apa-apa untuk berbicara tentang lagi.

▶First Day <D> Big room

And I had to see the consequence of my failure right away, in its worst shape.

"I think we need groups."

Iroha-san waited for the moment everyone was sitting to say that.

I failed to immediately grasp her intention. Iroha-san and Yuuri-san are cooperating, after all. Why does she need to announce this to everyone?

But seeing her smiling at me, I understand.

This is some kind of constraint.

A constraint against me and the «person who knows the reasons for [Kingdom Royale]» in whose existence she believes.

Iroha-san has put me on the enemy side because I failed to achieve anything in our [Secret Meeting].

"It seems there is the need for an explanation. First, let me confirm our goal. Naturally that is to get out of here without any killing incident. Am I right?"

No one objects.

"Okay, Hoshino-kun proposed one method to achieve this. According to him we automatically get out of here if all of us survive. That sure sounds like an attractive proposition, really! But don't you agree that it's too dangerous to believe him blindly and move as he wants us to, without knowing his true motivations?"

After checking that everyone's listening seriously, she continues.

"But well, there's no real other good plan that comes to mind, is there? We can't even tell for sure whether he's telling the truth or not. But that also means that no murder will occur. Why? Because no one would commit murder for winning the game when there's this attractive proposal that might be true."

"Well, I guess so."

Hearing Koudai Kamiuchi's agreement, I can barely manage to not scream out «You're the only one that's not like that!».

"In other words, we would ultimately follow Hoshino-kun's goal. Without fully believing him, we would spend eight days without doing anything."

"Maybe. But in the end we may get saved as he said, and in any case, it's much better than to kill each other in the game, isn't it?"

Iroha-san answers her as Maria nods.

"Yes, sure, but there's also someone who's not like that, isn't there?"

"Who?"

Then, Iroha-san says without changing her expression,

"The instigator of the game."

The person she perceives as her enemy.

She didn't mistake whom to consider as her enemy. But it's not possible to defeat him - because his non-NPC version isn't here.

Thus, Iroha-san drifts off the correct path to take.

"I don't know what his intention is, but the instigator of this game definitely wishes to see the repugnant scene of us fighting each other. Or can you find any other aim in such a meaningless game?"

No one objects. Because everyone can agree to what she's saying, even without definite proof.

And I know that she's actually right. This 'box', that was created by Daiya as a way to stave off boredom, does indeed not wish that things proceed without anything happening.

But let me repeat this: he isn't here.

"Therefore, someone --- someone who supports the instigator --- will certainly change the flow so that people will die in this game."

Iroha-san speaks while clearly looking at me.

She has mistaken her enemy.

"...do you want to say that Kazuki's going to do that?"

"No, I didn't say so. I only want to say that there might still be someone among us who wants to change the flow. And that it's dangerous if he manages to do that. Therefore, we will divide into «groups»."

"Into «us» and «the instigators»."

I see. Thinking that there are «instigators» isn't Iroha-san's only mistake.

"Yeah. Why not?"

"I think... we need to do so, too."

Her gravest mistake is to think that no one would spur on the game apart from the «instigators».

Fair enough. When I was an NPC, I also didn't want to believe there were people like Koudai Kamiuchi who actually want to play a killer-game. I also didn't notice that Yuuri-san would go as far as committing murder. Both are things I wouldn't have come to know without experiencing the second round.

It's not something she could possibly notice without remembering the previous rounds.

But Iroha-san continues her explanation, having no idea of all that.

"Our greatest concern right now is the trap of the instigator. But we can ward this off as long we don't act as he wants us to. No, rather we should comprehend his intention and use it against him to grasp an outcome where no one kills anyone."

Maria asks with a frown,

"That's why you want to divide us in «groups»?"

"Exactly. I think that, if we all act separately, someone will fall for his intention. On top of that, we all have our own interests. The worst case scenario I can think of is that one of the psychically weaker people will start to suspect the rest and make the grave mistake of committing murder.

But what if our wills are united? What if we all have a will that can't be shaken, whatever happens? The trap of «the instigators» would degrade to being a joke! Therefore, I'm saying we should build «groups» with a united will. Of course the «the instigators» who want to trick us won't be able to enter there."

"Hmpf," Daiya snorts at her explanation, "I got your reasoning, but how do you plan to build those «groups»? To begin with, how can you distinguish the instigators from the others?"

"There's no way I could distinguish them, is there?"

Iroha-san says as if it was a matter of course.

"What? But then---"

"Therefore---I'll just take their freedom away."

Iroha-san says without letting Daiya speak out.

"...I can't seem to understand you. Will you threaten everyone who doesn't agree with you or what?"

"The opposite!"

Daiya raises an eyebrow.

"The opposite?"

"Yeah, the opposite. I won't take away the freedom of the people that don't follow my plan, but of those who agree with me."

Not only Daiya, but everyone here widened their eyes.

"I won't allow any objection against me from anyone who belongs to my «group». I'll have them swear absolute obedience to me. And I will kill anyone who betrays me."

"K-Kill...hey..."

Looking straight at me, when I said that, she explains,

"Let me tell you how I'll do it. First, I'll make the ones who approve of me hand me over their food supply. If we can believe that Uglypoo, we will die by turning into mummies if we don't eat anything in the <E>-block, right? Therefore, I will flush away everyone's food in the toilet as soon someone even shows a sign of betraying me. If they properly obey me, I'll give them one portion at each <D>-block. Well, by food management, you can achieve the same effect as the [Revolutionary] does with [Assassination], you see."

"Wait, wait, wait."

Daiya stops her explanation.

"Why should anyone want to enter your «group» while knowing what awaits him there?"

Iroha-san flashes a cold smile to his question.

"Everyone who belongs to my «group» vows me absolute obedience. Of course, they cannot do anything. They also can't try to stir up a killer-game. Therefore, I will judge everyone who belongs to my «group» as a victim that was involved in this game or as a loser who gave up fighting against me. On the other hand, I judge everyone who doesn't belong to my «group» as an enemy that has the intent to fight."

Iroha-san stops once and takes a breath.

Then, she raises the corner of her mouth slightly and declares,

"If you want to prove that you're no enemy, then at least toady to me!"

Everyone loses their tongue to her rude words - even Daiya.

In short, Iroha-san's saying that it's not optional to enter her «group», but forced, and that everyone who does not obey her will get erased by her.

Taking a glance at our silenced faces, she continues without changing her expression,

"I hit upon the method to clear this game. Someone with the right will has to rule over the others. Mh, well, you could say it's becoming a temporary «King»."

Becoming a «King».

It's the same conclusion that I've come to.

"I know that I just said something extremely selfish. Of course it's possible that I make a wrong decision. It's also possible that someone will die due to my mistakes. I admit this possibility! But I'm sure you agree that it's much better than acting separately, getting into chaos and starting to distrust everyone, right?"

"Where's the necessity for you to do that?"

"There's none."

She answers frankly to Daiya's remark.

"But I don't think there's anyone who's more suited for it than me."

She says confidently. Daiya scratches his head after hearing that and continues,

"That's not the only problem. From our point of view, we can't deny the possibility that you are the instigator yourself. Before we can follow you, you need to prove to us that you're trustworthy."

"I see. I forgot because I'm not one of «the instigators». ...you obviously won't believe it when I just say it like this, huh. Well, can't be helped, I'll just show you."

Saying this, she pulls up her shirt.

"My resolve of becoming the «king»!"

A knife is there.

"W-What are you---"

Ignoring me, she thrusts the knife into the table. Yuuri-san stiffens because of the loud, dull sound.

"Take a good look, guys! This is what you call resolve!"

She tears off her uniform's scarf and wraps it strongly around her left little finger so that her blood almost stops.

What on earth is she---

My comprehension can't follow her actions. But completely ignoring this fact, she grasps the knife before her eyes with her right hand.

Unbelievably sharp, determined eyes. She raises the corners of her mouth and breathes wildly. Cold sweat appears on her forehead.

"I-Iroha?"

She makes Yuuri-san retreat with the sole force of her glance. And then---

"Uh, UAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

She roared and---

"Ha! Ahaha, ahahahahahahaha!!"

---cut off her own little finger.

"Ah, aah------"

Neglecting Yuuri-san who has turned pale and lost her tongue, Iroha-san continues to laugh.

"W-What are you doing---?!"

Maria, who was unable to react to the sudden turn of things as well, rushes to Iroha-san, tears off her white shirt and starts to stop the bleeding. Iroha-san didn't stop this, but breaths wildly while contorting her mouth.

Then, she turns her awe-inspiringly determined glance to me.

Of course I'm overcome with fear by such a thing!

"How is it? Do you think someone who just wants to enjoy such a pathetic game would be capable of this kind of resolve? Do I, who can cut off her own finger with mere determination, really look like such a rookie?"

"Uh, uuh......"

"No way, ha! Haha! I! Do! Certainly NOT enjoy this game! I'm strong and won't give in...! I'm a born leader! Got it, guys?!!"

We got overwhelmed.

We have no other choice but to obey, seeing her like this.

Right.

This is---Iroha Shindou.

This is---Iroha Shindou's resolve of becoming the «king».

"Entrust them to me! Your life, your soul - entrust them to me just for the while we're in this game! I'll bear everything for you! I'll take all the responsibility and bear it until I break!"

She throws her little finger away.

To display us that she cut off any attachment to such things.

"Follow me, people! And be prepared, my enemies! As if I'd let it go your way, you fools! I'll rule this place! That's right, I---"

Then, she speaks sharply:

"I will become the «king»!"

This strength.

I can't help but get timid. There can be only one «king». There can't possibly be two at the same time. In other words, I will absolutely have to fight against her, who is a superhuman without any doubt.

That's unreasonable! There's no way I could win.

My immense fear suddenly lights up a new thought in me:

...couldn't I just leave becoming the «king» to her?

It's not important who the «king» is. As long there's someone capable who rules the place and ultimately no one kills anyone, I can achieve my goal of protecting Maria. So isn't it okay to entrust her with everything?

"------"

I know. That's not possible.

I mean, she can't fight against her enemy. She is just an NPC and her real version has already ended her fight.

I look around.

Yuuri-san is shivering and emptiness is starting to dwell in her eyes.

Koudai Kamiuchi seems calm, but he can't conceal the enjoyment in his eyes.

But Iroha Shindou hasn't noticed. Because of her outstanding nature, she can't take notice of the delicate signs of the human heart.

If she becomes the «king», she's only going to get betrayed and killed like the [King] in the scenario of [Kingdom Royale].

Right, therefore, I have to do it.

I can't rely on Iroha-san. I can't rely on Maria. I can't rely on anyone in this fourth round of [Kingdom Royale].

After all, I'm the only one here.

Right now I'm the only one who's really fighting against Daiya, who's in that dark room.

I look at the finger she has thrown away.

Iroha-san, I understand the extent of your resolve.

I also know that you're an amazing person.

But still --- you're not geared for it.

You can't become the «king». You're an embarrassing child who's trying to become the «king» while playing just a minor role here - get lost.

The only one that has the right to become the «king»---is me!

▶First Day <F> [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

After that, Yuuri-san and Koudai Kamiuchi joined her «group». Leaving aside Yuuri-san, I didn't expect Koudai Kamiuchi to approve that easily. Well, most likely he hasn't given it any deeper thought, though.

Maria and Daiya have put their decisions on hold for now. Since Iroha-san also seems to think that absolute obedience isn't that simple to decide, she will wait until the third day --- or to be more precisely, until its «D»-block when we all gather.

But even now, we're already suspected to be on the side of the «instigators».

Not only Iroha-san, but also Yuuri-san is surely on guard against us, even if you can't see it on her face. We are already opposing each other. And there's no way anyone would believe the word of someone in an opposing «group».

But, well, of course, I have to move. I have to break her delusion of being able to become the «king».

To begin with, there's no way this game could be stopped with a «group» system. Koudai Kamiuchi's hideousness can't be suppressed by such a thing and I also don't think that Iroha-san's able to control Yuuri-san's actions. Those two may have joined the «group», but they haven't submitted themselves. Iroha-san can't know about this without knowledge from the previous rounds.

Therefore, I have to destroy the «group»-system itself.

But I don't think this is manageable by attacking her now that she has strengthened her resolve. She has already made becoming the «king» her goal.

I know all too well that she won't be shaken anymore once she has set something as her goal. I've come to know that firsthand during the third round and with her cutting her finger just now.

So, I have no choice but to attack another person.

"......which is..."

The person I should charge naturally flashes in my mind.

Yuuri Yanagi.

She won't be easy to persuade. But I can only destroy the «group» through Yuuri-san.

Yeah, right. Let's charge Yuuri-san tomorrow.

I close my thinking there and lie down on the bed.

I think the situation didn't turn out too well. I think I was totally too weak. I have to become more resolute and act better. But for now---

First day, no victims.

▶Second Day <B> Big room

"Okay, hand them over."

At Iroha-san's command, Yuuri-san and Koudai Kamiuchi lay their food portions, knives and, for some reason, their watches on the table.

Iroha-san takes them upon nodding and puts them on on her left arm that lacks a finger. Somehow I understood that this is supposed to be a sign that she's ruling the two of them.

...but it still seems strange to me that she can remain so straightfaced, as if she hadn't had that little finger to begin with. ...Doesn't it still hurt?

"Ah, don't even try to speak to them, okay? I restricted what they are allowed to say."

Now that she mentions it, those two haven't opened their mouth except for greeting us.

Judging from this state of affairs, I'm sure they also revealed their [classes] to her.

"Well, «we» won't have anything new to talk about with you, so if you've got anything, call on me."

Maria steals a glance at me but doesn't open her mouth after all. Maria knows that this is the deed of a 'box'. She knows that we can doubtlessly approach a solution if we convey this fact properly to the others.

But she can't say it.

Now that Iroha-san has built «groups», it doesn't matter anymore whether it's the truth or not. What matters is whether Iroha-san can believe it or not. And if she can't, then it'll be very hard to recover afterwards.

At least Maria won't be able to move until she knows why I already knew of the 'Game of Idleness'.

Therefore, it was inevitable that Iroha-san started talking to us one-sidedly, acting calm as if nothing had happened. She seemed interested in our everyday lives and happily addressed ordinary topics like our hobbies or what we're doing on our days off. But we know of the danger of our words being misunderstood. It was almost as if the prosecutor and the accused had a come-together party in the courtroom.

During all this time, I was looking at Yuuri-san while answering Iroha-san carefully.

She had her gaze turned downwards almost the whole time.

If she starts to move---

I recall the second round. Unlike Iroha-san who acts openly, Yuuri-san acts secretly. It's too late once her secret maneuvering gets revealed.

Will Yuuri-san really do anything? Being so calculating, I don't think she will take overly hasty actions if she has come to the conclusion that Iroha-san's plan will work the best to survive...

Yuuri-san suddenly notices my gaze and raises her head.

Even while being a bit nervous, she flashes a wry smile as if to sympathize with me. Her defenseless smile still carries the charm of a little animal, so I can't help but think she's cute.

Cute?

Is she trying to make me think she's cute?

She's not shunning me, but trying to make me her ally in this state of affairs?

"......"

No, I'm thinking too much into it. Even she doesn't produce each and every expression purposely. I know that.

I know that... but I noticed something else.

Did I just wonder whether she will move or not?

Why am I still so carefree to ask myself such questions? Things aren't at that stage anymore.

In the second round, she started acting immediately after arriving here --- well, of course being the player may have sped that up. But her actions are always fast. Thus, she's already planning something in this round, too.

Yuuri Yanagi had started moving long ago.

▶Second Day <C> [Secret Meeting] with [Yuuri Yanagi], [Yuuri Yanagi]'s room

[Iroha Shindou]	->	[Maria Otonashi]	15:00~15:30
[Yuuri Yanagi]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	15:40~16:10
[Daiya Oomine]	->	[Koudai Kamiuchi]	15:00~15:30
[Kazuki Hoshino]	->	[Yuuri Yanagi]	15:00~15:30
[Koudai Kamiuchi]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	16:20~16:50
[Maria Otonashi]	->	[Kazuki Hoshino]	15:40~16:10

The way things went forced me to immediately have a [Secret Meeting] with Yuuri-san.

Therefore I was unable to keep my appointment with Daiya. But that really couldn't be helped.

I enter Yuuri-san's room.

When she notices me, she promptly stands up from the bed and bows repeatedly.

"I'm sorry, Hoshino-san. I'm not allowed to speak with you in the [Secret Meeting] either. So I'm afraid I won't be able to speak even if you want to talk with me..."

This attitude.

Yuuri-san should definitely think that I'm one of «the instigators» and be on guard against me. That's for sure.

And yet she's trying to signify that she's just following Iroha-san without particularly disliking me.

So that she's still able to make me her ally if it's necessary.

......but even if she's that crafty, I have to bring that to an end.

"...Iroha-san isn't here! Will you still follow her instruction, nevertheless?"

"Um... I also have to show Iroha my portable terminal."

Iroha-san truly doesn't overlook anything. But that was within my expectations.

Therefore, I have a counter plan.

"I'll be frank: are you really okay with this?"

"U-Umm... as I said... I can't answer you. Really."

"Do you think that Iroha-san's plan will succeed?"

"U-Umm---"

When she looks around bothered, her look stops on the table.

Because she has noticed that something is written on the memo book I've put on the table.

«Our conversation won't leak if we write»

Things written on a memo sheet won't be recorded on the portable terminal. This is something I noticed in the second round when I received a memo sheet from Koudai Kamiuchi.

Yuuri-san widens her eyes and gazes at me. Looks like she's figured out the meaning of this.

I hold the pen out to her. But it seems like she can't decide on what to do right away. Apart from folding her hands in front of her chest, she doesn't move.

"...I got it! You can't say anything, right? I won't say anything either, then. Aah-ah, what a bummer. So I just wasted a [Secret Meeting], huh..."

In order to trick Iroha-san, I fake my words and then move my hand.

«What do you really want to do? Will you follow Iroha-san just like this?»

When I'm done writing, I hold the pen again out to Yuuri-san.

But she just shakes her head to signalize me that she can't.

«No matter what?»

I tried writing this, but she still gives me a negative answer.

...well, nothing to be surprised about. No one would readily listen to someone he's on guard against.

Thus, I'll tempt her.

I'll tempt her so that she won't be able to stay calm anymore.

I write the words that shall accomplish that.

«You didn't even love him.»

Surprised by that sudden, cryptic sentence, she looks at me with widened eyes. But, I won't stop now. I'll upset her even more by shocking her and make sure she will have to answer me.

I continue.

«You went out with the boy Iroha-san loved, right?»

"------!!"

The effect was outstanding.

Yuuri-san's shoulders have started to tremble fiercely and her face has become horribly pale.

I make a composed face and hold the pen out once again. Yuuri-san looks back and forth between my face and the pen several times before she eventually comes to the conclusion that she can't reject it anymore and accepts it with teary eyes.

But as it seems she still wants to play dumb; she wrote 《What are you talking about?》 with a trembling hand. However, when I stay silent without any reaction, she immediately tears off the sheet and crumples it up.

Yuuri-san then starts to write with a single tear drop sliding down her cheek.

《why do you know?》

《it should be impossible to figure out》

《iroha herself shouldn't have noticed yet》

After finishing, she passes the memo book back to me, along with the pen. She wipes her tears away and turns eyes up to me.

......Ha, I won't be rattled by such an expression!

《You told me yourself.》

To be exact, I heard it from Iroha-san but it'd be a pain to explain that now.

Yuuri-san shakes her hand almost fearfully.

《i don't get you! i've never told you anything like that. what on earth are you referring to?》

As expected so far. It was my aim to get her to ask that 《why?》.

Thanks to that, I can finally write what I wanted.

《It's not my first time playing [Kingdom Royale]》

Yuuri-san gazes at me anxiously; looks like she doesn't understand just by that.

But if I write it like that, she should be able to guess with her sharp mind.

《I've played this game several times with the same players. Now's the fourth time.》

Yuuri-san widens her eyes. Then, comprehension slowly starts to dwell in her eyes, but at the same time she starts to tremble in fear.

《Therefore, I also know a lot about you》

Yuuri-san shakes her head frantically as if to deny what I wrote. Then, she demands the pen herself.

《right! i would never tell anyone about my ex!》

《Under usual circumstances, yes. But are you really confident about not telling anyone in an abnormal situation such as this?》

"------gh!"

《I've been with you for three games. Therefore, I believe I know you pretty well.》

《That's also why I noticed something.》

Why was Iroha-san suddenly so unapproachable when it came to our [Secret Meeting]?

I figured that out when I looked at the name of the person she had the previous [Secret Meeting] with.

《You talked Iroha-san into building groups, didn't you?》

"Wha---"

She quickly covers her mouth with her left hand before even more slips out. She then starts to nervously write on the memo book without removing her hand from her mouth.

《what are you talking about? do you want to say that it's my fault that it became like this? everything? there's no way i could do that!》

《The Yuuri-san I know can do that.》

Of course it's not like she knew everything. She would have never been able to predict that Iroha-san would cut off her own finger.

But knowing Iroha-san's personality so well, she should at least have been able to guess the following as well:

《At least you should have known that Iroha-san would try to bring us under her rule.》

Yuuri-san turns her gaze to the ground and closes her mouth.

《The Yuuri-san I know uses others to survive.》

《Even Iroha-san.》

When she has no other choice in order to survive.

That is because unlike Iroha-san, she can't possibly become the 《king》 herself. With her personality it's impossible to rule over the others and unite the wills of all the members.

However, she is able to control the person that has become the 《king》.

That's why she tried making Iroha-san the 《king》. She tried to control us indirectly. She planned to ensure her own safety by that.

She still doesn't raise her head and keeps silent.

After that, she didn't move for a while. But before I knew, her breath has calmed down again.

"......"

She moves her arm at ease and starts to wordlessly write something on the memo book.

《i'll assume that you experienced three games. and i'll assume that you know me well.》

She slowly tears off the sheet and writes on the new one.

《so what?》

She raises her head.

"---uh"

I freeze.

Because her eyes were the blank eyes I've seen once before.

《if i apologize now and cry "i'll do as you say," will you be satisfied? if so, i can do that for you as much as you want!》

And then, really, tears appear in her eyes. After making this truly sad-looking face, she writes following.

《it's a child's play》

"------"

Oh, wow.

I've already lost.

《Listen, that's not what I》

Yuuri-san doesn't even look at what I'm writing anymore. After falling into silence, she stuck a half-hearted smile on her face and lay down on her bed.

"Uh..."

I planned to make her give in to..., no, I didn't even want to go that far. I just wanted to make her realize the truth and become my ally. Then, I wanted to do something about Iroha-san, taking this as a foothold.

But I obviously mistook the means.

Sure, if I had just directly told her the truth, she wouldn't have believed it. But, was there really no other way? Why of all things did I choose to attack this fearful girl?

«No, you hold a grudge against those guys that deceived you and killed brutally, don't you? They tried to kill you for their own life's sake even! Hehehe»

I recall what Noitan said to me.

Perhaps he was right? Did I unconsciously prefer to consider them as enemies I have to defeat instead of friends I have to save? And that's also the reason I attacked her?

If so... I might have been caught by the trap of this damned 'Game of Idleness' without noticing.

▶Second Day <C> [Secret Meeting] with [Maria Otonashi], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

Maria enters my room bad-tempered, with her arms crossed.

"...Finally. Finally I can properly speak with you. Geez... what's going on in your head? You should have come to me directly to discuss things first. But no, you---"

Maria stops and frowns.

"What's with that gloomy face?"

So my face looks that depressed, after all?

The shock of my failure was so big that I was sitting on my bed, hanging my head.

"Hah... you're overflowing with fretfulness. So, what happened? Did Yanagi turn you down?"

"Turned down, huh... well, yeah, something like that, I guess."

She looks surprised for a moment because she was just joking, but then she lets out a deep sigh.

"You were already making a move on her...? Well, that's what it means to be a natural philanderer, huh. Did you think you could succeed because she looks so helpless? What an embarrassing misunderstanding. With those looks, she must be idolized by a whole bunch of guys. Someone like you with a preference for female clothing stands no chance."

...no, it was you who forced me to wear that get-up.

But I don't even have the energy to retort and keep silent, my face still downcast.

"...in the first place, how dare you fall in love with a girl you met only yesterday? If it was Mogi, at least..."

"Eh...?"

I reflexively raise my head because she became silent. Maria scratches her nose and scowls in my direction, whereupon she sits down next to me with excessive vigor.

She wordlessly punches my shoulder.

"Kazuki, buy me a strawberry tarte."

And tries to scrounge from me for some reason.

"......"

"Don't look at me like that. I'm saying that I'll keep you company because you lost so embarrassingly. I'll be so kind as to listen to your pathetic excuses that dumped losers use all the time. Like that you didn't really care about her, or that she wasn't all that cute. A strawberry tarte is actually pretty cheap if you think of it as payment for the trouble I'll have by enduring your unsightly state of mind."

"...no, err---"

"I don't know about Yanagi, but I'll be with you. That's what I'm saying."

Maria says so with a composed face.

Since she says it so bluntly, as if it's nothing special, I can't help but be surprised by her kind words. But then I smile because she cares so much.

Right. It's not the situation to be depressed. Indeed, I lost. But it should not be too late yet. I still have ways and means to use - without making a mistake this time.

In order to protect Maria.

"Sorry, Maria. It's not like I confessed to her and was turned down."

"...I know. There's no way you'd have enough guts to do it. That was merely a joke to cheer you up."

Wasn't she dumbfounded just now...?

"So, what happened between you and Yanagi?"

"I failed at persuading her."

Maria suspiciously raises an eyebrow.

"Yanagi? Not Shindou?"

I nod. When I answer like this, Maria holds her chin with her hand and ponders for a while.

"Why? Could you conclude that that was a necessary step to take by considering your available information? ...Ah, right. To begin with, I wanted to ask you what on earth you actually know."

"Ah, yeah..."

"Spill it."

Maria's face tells that she's profoundly convinced that I'm going to rely on her and tell her absolutely everything.

That's certain. Having spent a whole lifetime together with me, she can see through me.

However---

"...Sorry, but I'd rather not tell you."

I have since experienced several tragedies she doesn't know of.

I was shown several times that I must protect her.

"......what... are you saying? You won't tell me? Why?"

"I think I mustn't depend on you each and every time."

"...why is that? That's not a problem of depending or not, is it? Isn't it obvious that it's better trying to find a solution together than alone!"

It sounds perfectly reasonable. With my brains, I might make another mistake just like before. I'm aware that my own abilities are unreliable.

But what would happen if I told her about our situation? For example, what if I told her that she's just an NPC? She would certainly consider herself replaceable and would neglect herself even more than she already does!

I can't let her do that. Everyone has to survive.

Maria's self-sacrificing actions---stand in the way of reaching my goal.

Therefore, I can't tell her after all.

It's best when Maria acts as little as possible.

"------"

Maria opens her mouth with a sad expression.

"...did I hurt your pride by helping you out all the time? Do you think that I look down on you? If I acted in a way that made it seem to you like that, I apologize."

"I've never thought like that!"

"Then...!"

She probably didn't mean to burst out like that. Maria averts her eyes awkwardly and continues more calmly.

"...then... depend on me!"

"......Maria."

...perhaps, I would have considered those words strong and reliable in the past.

But now I can't think like that anymore. It even looks like the opposite to me.

I know, after all.

I know Maria's aware that it's nothing but selfish talking.

Hence, her previous statement---

"I will save you!"

---was just a sad cry really.

Well, that's how I see it, but that doesn't change what I have to do.

"...Maria, can you keep silent about the 'box' for a while? I think it's dangerous to tell Iroha-san about it."

"...you have no intention of clearing me up?"

"......yeah."

When I say so, Maria drops her gaze and crosses her arms.

"...I see. You must have thought about it, so it can't be helped, I guess."

Suppressing her feelings, she tries to accept it.

She is, however, not able to fully conceal the bitterness on her face.

Maria stares at me, acting expressionless. Our relationship isn't so shallow that I wouldn't notice the sadness in her eyes.

And then, she says,

"You are... Kazuki, right?"

She, who has always been able to look right through me as if she could read my mind, --- who, during the 'Sevennight in Mud', even told me that she could recognize me by the usage of my facial muscles --- said that.

"......eh?"

So, just shocked... shocked that she said such a thing, I'm left completely dumbfounded.

Maria averts her eyes.

With her gaze turned away, she whispers weakly,

"...nothing. Please forget it."

▶Second Day <F> [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

Since the [Secret Meeting], Maria's attitude hasn't particularly changed.

I'm sure that statement was just a tiny verbal slip. Proof of that is that she didn't tell anyone about the 'boxes'.

Because no one aggravated the situation, things stayed the same.

But that's only for today.

Iroha-san demands an answer regarding the question of whether to join the 《group》 or not on the third day.

But anyway, today has ended.

I collapse on my bed.

Second day, no victims.

▶Third Day <C> [Secret Meeting] with [Daiya Oomine], [Kazuki Hoshino]'s room

[Iroha Shindou]	->	[Daiya Oomine]	15:40~16:10
[Yuuri Yanagi]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	16:20~16:50
[Daiya Oomine]	->	[Kazuki Hoshino]	15:00~15:30
[Kazuki Hoshino]	->	[Yuuri Yanagi]	15:40~16:10
[Koudai Kamiuchi]	->	[Iroha Shindou]	15:00~15:30
[Maria Otonashi]	->	[Daiya Oomine]	16:20~16:50

"...Did I really say I'd destroy my own 'box' if nobody dies until the <E>-block of the eighth day?"

"Yeah."

When I nod, Daiya starts to ponder silently.

I could finally finish telling him everything about the 'Game of Idleness' this time. Originally, I planned to not tell him that he's just an NPC, but Daiya noticed immediately that I was hiding something, so I had no choice but to tell him.

But Daiya didn't mind that too much. Rather, he seemed to mind being the 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness'.

".....Hey, Kazu. What did I say to you when I sent you off?"

"Why do you want to know that?"

"Stop nitpicking and just tell me, TrashKasu-Kazu."

What? Now his insults even rhyme?

"...uuhm, when I told you that I would win, you countered with 《Absolutely impossible》. Those should have been the last words I exchanged with you."

"Oh well, for you to win against me is about as impossible as the world rotating 10 times faster than now."

Isn't that guy being too rude, right now?

"Which means that the 《real me》 believes it's impossible that nobody kills in [Kingdom Royale], huh."

"...I guess so."

Still unable to fully understand, Daiya crosses his arms. Since he looks like he's pondering whether to believe me or not, I reluctantly ask,

"...will you believe me?"

Daiya raises his head and answers without relaxing his stern face.

"If you're really Kazuki Hoshino, then I have no other choice, I guess. After all, the Kazuki Hoshino I know isn't capable of thinking up such a story on the fly, and he can't lie on top of that."

...in short, he believes me?

"...still, if you're Kazuki Hoshino... you really have changed."

Unexpected words.

"Yeah, you're still an existence that repels others' wishes, but I feel like the reason behind that changed a little. I once told you that you look like you're floating, right? That feeling weakened a bit."

"Why... is that?"

"I wouldn't know! Perhaps something happened in this 'box' that changed you?"

"In this 'box'...?"

The first thing that came to mind was Nana Yanagi.

While thinking that I've forgotten about her, having averted my eyes for so long, I've been captured by her all the while - by my first love.

I guess it's not like I am completely released from her even now. I will try to be released by forgetting her once again.

But sure enough, I realized that I can't escape. I clearly realized that fact.

Because of such a tiny change, I seem different to the others?

"To me it looks like a goal... no, a desire has evolved in you. If so, then you may not be able to master the 'box' anymo---"

Daiya stops mid-sentence.

"...what's wrong?"

But as if words can't reach him anymore, he's petrified with his eyes wide open.

"......master the 'box'...? I see... so that's..."

"Daiya...?"

But Daiya grasped his chin and was absorbed in pondering, ignoring me. When I gave up on expecting an answer and waited, he suddenly raised the corners of his mouth.

"Heh, hehe..."

I have no clue what the meaning of that chuckle is.

"Thanks, Kazu!"

"Eh?"

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

Daiya grins triumphantly while saying that.

Seeing that expression I can't help but feel anxious.

...what? Is Daiya scheming something?

But the NPC Daiya and I are supposed have the same goal. He's supposed to have believed me about the 《victory if no one dies until day 8》.

So, I wonder why.

Why does it feel like he won't become my ally anymore?

▶Third Day <C> [Secret Meeting] with [Yuuri Yanagi], [Yuuri Yanagi]'s room

The player is all alone.

He alone has information that gives him an advantage in fighting in the game, but he is unable to share it with the NPCs. Therefore, ultimately, he can only use the information to trick them.

So it might be natural that he's going to fight alone.

Killing the NPCs in order to survive while being crushed by the feelings of guilt. I'm sure that's the right way to fight in this game.

But I'm here to stop that. Because I think it's the only way to save Maria. Because otherwise I would feel like having given in to the 'box'.

But---Is it really possible to do that?

In this [Kingdom Royale] where you can make no allies?

I enter Yuuri Yanagi's room in a gloomy mood. She doesn't even look at me. While knowing it's futile, I write a message on a memo sheet.

"......"

Yuuri Yanagi tears the paper, crumples it up and throws it away without reading it.

So she has no intention to respond to me anymore.

I bite on my lips.

How can I ever rule over her when I can't even communicate with her?

Should I try to make her listen to me by making clear that I just want to save her? ...No, that's futile. I started doubting those words myself, so there's no way they would reach her anymore.

"------"

I clench my fist and look to the ground. Yuuri-san has noticed my discouragement but still doesn't even glance at me.

Is there no way left?

Have I already lost by now?

In the next <D>-block, Iroha-san is going to force us to join her 《group》. If it goes like she expects, I won't ever be able to become the 《king》.

Suddenly, I notice the memo book on the table, which probably belongs to Yuuri-san. On it, this was written:

《iroha is the [revolutionary]》

I realized the meaning of this right off.

In other words, Yuuri-san's saying:

---If you step in, I'll kill you.

I guess she's telling the truth. Iroha-san was only able to proclaim her rule because she didn't have to worry about getting killed --- in short, because she's the [Revolutionary]. Furthermore, I suppose Yuuri-san's either the [King] or the [Sorcerer]. After knowing about that [class] distribution, Iroha-san surely concluded that she won't be killed.

And, a girl that can even cut off her own finger will also be able to kill me if it's necessary.

I confirm my present condition. I have made about everyone my enemy. Yuuri-san's obvious, but also Iroha-san and Koudai Kamiuchi are my enemies, and I don't know what Daiya is thinking, just as always. And I can't allow myself to depend on Maria, who supposedly is my only ally.

In such a condition everything I do will backfire.

So, can I not become the 《king》 anymore?

"......ugh..."

Even while telling myself not to give up, I can't think of a way to turn the situation around.

It's just too hopeless.

I fall on my knees at last.

It isn't possible anymore. I'll leave the throne to Iroha-san. I don't think that will turn out well, but it's better than moving myself. I should follow Iroha-san and pray to the heavens that Daiya and Koudai Kamiuchi won't get into mischief.

I should act like a mere stone and do nothing at all, just be there.

I have --- lost already.

I raise my head to beg for pardon.

Then they enter my sight. Yuuri-san's eyes which are looking down on me enter my sight.

---hollow eyes enter my sight.

"------ah"

Thanks to that, I get it.

«No, you hold a grudge against those guys that deceived you and killed brutally, don't you? They tried to kill you for their own life's sake even! Hehehe»

I suddenly get the answer to those words.

---No. I don't hold a grudge against them. But... I will smash them up until they give in to me.

When I tormented Yuuri-san yesterday, I thought it was because I may have already given in to the 'box'. That I was prepared to defeat her.

But that's not true.

Didn't I always know so clearly? My mission is not to be gentle to these people that are merely NPCs.

It's to rescue the real ones.

《Please kill me.》

In the second round, the 《real Yuuri-san》 said that to me. The 'Game of Idleness' drove her that far into a corner that she had to ask for that.

But was the 'Game of Idleness' really the only reason for her suffering?

It was not. Something was already tormenting her when she was in the real world. I know that now. Because I've learned one thing in this pointless, worthless 'box'.

Things can't be undone. Yuuri-san's sin for killing Iroha-san and the others won't ever disappear.

But isn't it possible to analyze and solve that problem she brought with her from the real world?

Wouldn't doing that ease her pain a little?

For that sake, I'll win.

And I won't shun smashing up the NPCs.

That will become proof that I kept reality, my everyday life, in sight. That will become proof that I didn't give in to something like the 'Game of Idleness'.

Which means,

"------hehe"

I haven't lost at all yet.

I stand up.

The players of this game are indeed alone. But I couldn't care less.

I'm the only one here who can possibly destroy the 'Game of Idleness', no matter how hopeless the situation may be. Other than me, nobody can save the others.

If so... I'll do it.

I'll save everyone, and making Yuuri-san give in is the first step.

"......what's with that smile?"

Yuuri-san is still looking at me with hollow eyes.

Thank you. I could only notice thanks to those eyes. I noticed that she's suffering because she has gotten used to suppressing her true self. I was able to confirm that I want to do something about that.

Still smiling, I roughly tear off the sheet on which 《iroha is the revolutionary》 is written and rip it to pieces in front of her eyes, making as much sound as possible.

The hollowness in her eyes gets replaced by astonishment.

Yeah, that's how it should be.

I won't let her make those hollow eyes again!

"Yuuri Yanagi."

She widens her eyes and gazes at me when I suddenly call her by her full name.

"You shall become nourishment for the real Yuuri-san."

As I know her very well, I know how she's going to react.

"......Ah..."

Aah, as expected, you made your face become pale, scaredy-cat.

You're not composed enough to ignore me anymore, right?

"For this sake, I'll destroy Iroha-san's 《group》 system. First, I'll start now with the work to make you leave it."

After being at a loss of words for a whole few seconds, she finally manages to object.

"W-What are you---T-There's no way I would leave! Besides that, I can't!"

"I said I'll 'make' you leave."

"If I tell her that... Y-You're going to get killed by Iroha, you know...? She's someone who might really do... no, she will definitely do it, you know?"

It seems she doesn't have enough composure to notice that this conversation will be heard by Iroha-san anyway.

"I know!"

"T-Then why do you say something like that?! That's suicide!"

"Because I'll also defeat her, of course. I won't be killed then."

Yuuri-san opens her eyes wide.

And shakes her head fiercely.

"Impossible... that's absolutely impossible. If you knew... if you knew how often I've experienced that already..."

Right---

That's it.

I finally realize the origin of her suffering is this mud sticking to her.

"So, if I defeat Iroha-san......"

The origin of the hollow eyes. It's---

"If I defeat Iroha-san, will you be able to prevail over your envy towards her?"

---her inferiority complex towards Iroha-san.

It's a sensation I can comprehend very well, being close to Maria and Daiya. We have to realize all the time that we can't reach them, and fight with the fear of seeming all so little compared to them.

Even worse, unlike me she's number 2. It must have been even harder to endure, always being just a small step behind.

Her distance from Iroha Shindou - she seems so close and yet she's out of reach.

Just how vexing is it to feel this all the time?

《Right, an idiot like me should better keep silent... everyone, I'm sorry for upsetting you.》

In the first round she called herself an idiot. She always looked very unsure despite being most intelligent and commendable from my point of view.

Because she's always been comparing herself with someone she can't reach.

"------Ah"

So was she aware of it, after all?

Yuuri-san is trembling so hard in disturbance, she's almost pitiful.

"You wanted to win against Iroha-san in something no matter what, right?"

Yuuri-san shrugs when I say so.

"You wanted to win against Iroha-san. You always wanted to win. Therefore, you also wanted to do so in this game. You thought for yourself that you could call it a win if you managed to control Iroha-san. Hence you operated accordingly."

I'm sure that's also why she deceived Iroha-san when she was the player and made Iroha-san suffer by telling her about her ex.

"S-Stop talking like you understand everything---"

She denies it uneasily, but with her usual acting-power having disappeared almost completely, it's very easy to read from her expression.

"But even now that everything went as planned, you didn't gain a feeling of victory at all."

"------!!"

"You were simply overwhelmed. Because you were forced to realize just how petty your plan is compared to the unbelievable determination that let her cut off her own finger."

"......Stop."

"And after witnessing her sublimity, all you could think of was to survive by depending on her. Because she made you realize just how weak-minded and unimportant you are."

"Stop."

"In the first place, it was already clear to you that you couldn't possibly win. After all, you already knew that something like that would never suffice to wipe away your inferiority complex when it didn't even disappear after stealing her crush."

"Didn't I tell you to stop!?"

Together with this scream, I feel a pain running over my cheek.

...did she just slap me?

I can't believe it for a moment. No, I mean, Yuuri-san slapped me? She, who can control herself more than anyone?

And she herself widened her eyes in surprise of what she did. She's silently staring at her hand while closing and opening it.

"---Ah..."

Then, her shoulders start to shake.

"I-I'm sorry---"

Even before she could end her sentence, tears started to well up from her eyes.

"......I'm... sorry. But, please... stop already.... please don't say such cruel things anymore... please don't trample on my feelings... please... please..."

I bet it's tough.

Tough to see her own unsightly feelings.

After all it's something she couldn't even confess to me when she disclosed her fraud in the second round.

But,

"No."

Why should that matter?

Exactly because she's begging me not to, I have to trample even more.

"Uh... aah..."

After hearing my cold words, Yuuri-san crouches down while crying and hides her face.

"If I let you go now, I won't be able to do anything for the real Yuuri-san. So, I don't mind if you hide your face, but don't cover your ears, okay?"

"Uh, uuh......"

Of course it's painful to see her suffer like this. But, even my own feelings don't matter now.

"Do you want to know what you did in the second round when you were in my position?"

I give her the finishing blow.

"You killed Iroha-san."

Her sobbing stops, whereupon she looks up to me with her reddened eyes.

"......w-what are you saying...?"

I purposely keep silent.

"...k-killing her...? I would never go this far! Certainly... I am a coward... but I wouldn't be able to do something like that!"

She honestly believed so, without a doubt. And I'm sure she's telling the truth. She could only do it because she was the player and the others, including Iroha-san, merely NPCs.

But even so, she did kill her.

Iroha-san got to know Yuuri-san as a mischievous girl that deceived and killed her.

This fact won't change anymore.

I guess she's realized that I'm telling the truth after looking at my face, being so good at reading from others' faces; she's fallen into silence and just continues to shed tears in an absentminded state.

But I continue to speak to her.

"Yuuri-san. I will tell you the details afterwards, but you and Iroha-san both won when you were players, so you already managed to survive."

Yuuri-san slightly reacts to those words. As it seems like she comprehends what I'm saying, I continue.

"But if we don't do anything, Iroha-san won't forgive you for having killed her. And you won't be able to forgive yourself either. It may sound fishy, but I want to help you with that!"

Then, I say,

"I thought about what to do about that!"

Yuuri-san's still shedding tears, but it seems like she could regain her will. She looks at me.

"Just grasp the right outcome. Speak your minds openly in this round, but after that you need to support and trust each other again. You just have to reach this outcome! If the both of you manage to trust each other in this game, you will be alright in the future. Iroha-san should be able to forgive you, Yuuri-san."

I say so calmly.

"Therefore, you have to tell her everything. Put all your emotions towards Iroha-san into words."

I wait for her reply.

She finally opens her mouth after having kept silent for a long time.

"...I don't, get it."

She said so with a lifeless voice.

"That we have already survived or that we just have to trust each other - that all makes no sense to me."

"...I see."

Fair enough. She knows almost nothing about the circumstances; there's no way she could understand.

"But---"

Hearing this contradictory conjunction, I raise my head.

She was smiling weakly.

"I don't mind not understanding, anymore. I'm at my limit of thinking about such cruel things all the time just to survive... it's enough already."

Saying this, she suddenly embraces me.

"So... may I depend on you?"

Apparently she can't properly control the strength of her embrace; it hurts.

This uncontrolled strength of hers seems forlorn to me.

And this surprises me.

No matter how hard it was, she's always fought alone, with her own methods. Even though she's always been anxious, she kept on fighting and withstood the pressure on her heart. Even when she was the player, she deceived all the NPCs, cornered them, killed them and, when she was overwhelmed by her feelings of guilt, regained the will to fight and managed to win in the end.

Yuuri Yanagi is such a strong girl.

"Save... me."

In spite of that, she can't do anything but depend on me anymore.

She can't do anything but cling to the frail hope in front of her eyes, without controlling anyone.

Her condition reminded me a bit of someone.

It reminded me of 《Nana Yanagi》.

But I won't mix 《Yuuri-san》 and 《Yanagi-san》 up anymore.

For the sake of saving no one other than 《Yuuri-san》, I return her embrace and say,

"I will save everyone, absolutely!"

▶Third Day <D> Big room

You may find this surprising, but I was very self-confident until middle school. My grades were always the best and I played the piano so skillfully, I won prizes in various contests! I was the head of the wind instrument club and the student council president at the same time. I was surrounded by people that adored me all the time.

That might be the reason why I unconsciously considered myself special.

I was convinced that wouldn't change even when ascending to high school. But that 《special》 seat was nowhere prepared for me in high school life. Because Iroha Shindou sat on that seat since the time she gave the welcome speech of the freshmen during the entrance ceremony.

But naturally I didn't give up right away. I was confident in being able to regain this seat. Rather, I was even happy about having gained a rival.

With the belief that I would outstrip her in no time and become the number one again, I worked even harder than I did in middle school. I raised the time I would concentrate on learning before doing anything else. Of course I didn't just learn as long as possible; I also tried out various techniques to improve my effectiveness or to keep up my concentration while learning.

But I couldn't match her.

It was then when I finally started to get nervous. Because I wanted to win against her at least in grades, I stopped playing the piano which I had continued since elementary school, I stopped going to the literary club I had entered, I reduced the time I would play with my friends, I slept less and I even studied during breaks, prepared to be called wonk-chan.

But even so, Iroha stayed out of reach.

Even though Iroha took part in her club's activities, was busy with the student council and slept during classes, totally looking like she wasn't making such a big effort like me... I couldn't reach her at all.

But actually it wasn't that strange. In mock examinations, there were usually almost 100 people with better results than me, despite my great effort. There were many better pianists than me as well, and just turning on the television I would see much more beautiful women than me, one after the other. It was certainly not only Iroha whom I couldn't reach. Thus, it wasn't strange that it came like that.

I was merely taught by her that I'm nothing more than an ordinary person. That I'm not special.

Thanks to Iroha, I was able to graduate from my embarrassing conceit. I think I would have noticed that even without Iroha sooner or later.

But still, it was mortifying.

It was terribly mortifying.

Why wasn't I the special one?

Because I'd needed so much time to notice, I had already lost everything. I had lost my friends, my hobbies, my special abilities, and instead I had become a boring girl that was relatively bright but nothing more.

At that time, I noticed that Iroha was in love with someone. She tried to hide it, but to me it was more than obvious. And at the very moment when I took notice of Iroha's feelings, that boy looked incredibly charming to me. Because I thought that he had to be lovely if he managed to steal Iroha's heart.

If he had the choice between Iroha and me, who would he choose...?

- When I thought that, a wicked thought crossed my mind.

If that boy chose me---

Wouldn't that mean that I'm more attractive than Iroha?

I was aware of the hideousness of my scheme. But even so, I couldn't stop myself from going through with it.

Because I wanted to see!

I wanted to see Iroha, who always seemed out of reach, become the loser for once and be jealous of me.

I wanted her to realize.

Realize that there are people below her that are mortified because they can't reach her no matter what they do.

And then I managed to go out with him.

I pretended to be beside myself with joy and told Iroha about it with an innocent look as if I had no idea of her feelings towards him. In my mind I was chuckling because I highly expected to see her grind her teeth bitterly. It really makes me want to puke when I think back on how I was at that time.

'Come on Iroha, feel bitter! Envy me! Hate me!'

- Everything was right. Everything was right as long she just directed negative emotions towards me. Iroha's reaction, however, was completely different from my expectations.

"Congratulations!"

She said with a gentle smile and stroked my head.

Of all things, Iroha --- blessed my fulfilled love.

She blessed me.

Me!

Although I was always absorbed in planning her misfortune.

Unable to believe it, not wanting to believe it, I still continued to try. I continued to make use of him while pretending not to notice that my love for him was just a misunderstanding. But even so, no matter what kind of advice I asked her for, no matter when I told her that we had split up - she would just root for me.

And each time she did so, I was shown it.

The things I pretended not to see - my ugliness, my pettiness, my wretchedness - were made clearer and stronger to me by Iroha's radiance.

Aah, I know, I know. No matter how painful it was for me --- I'm not the poor victim but the despicable culprit.

But, I can't stop.

I can't retreat.

Because I don't want to admit that I've descended from an ordinary person to a hopeless coward after committing so many sins.

I'm not thinking that my sins will be forgiven and I will stop being a coward if I win against Iroha.

But I have no other choice anymore. There is no way back.

I mean, isn't it true?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

My sin isn't so light that it could be forgiven with just those words.

"And that should make me forgive you?"

Iroha-san laughs coldly in the big room where all members have gathered.

I suppose she has listened to Yuuri-san's confession that was recorded on her portable terminal.

"Do you think I'll forgive your deceit if you put on display how miserable you are?"

Maria, Daiya and Koudai Kamiuchi can only watch as they don't know the circumstances.

"I won't, you bitch!"

She says and spits on Yuuri-san who was forced to kneel in her white underwear.

Yuuri-san's only looking downwards while trembling without saying anything back. Her left cheek's swollen - I guess she was slapped by Iroha-san in her room.

It's painful to watch this. After all, I've known that this could happen. Therefore, this is also my responsibility.

But if I can't even bear this much, I won't be able to oppose Iroha-san.

"......Hey, Shindou, what on earth happened?"

Maria opens her mouth, unable to endure this sight any longer.

"It's no big deal, really. This is just what happens when you join my 《group》, vowing me obedience, and still dare to disobey my order."

"But isn't that too harsh...?"

As if in defiance of Maria's advice, Iroha-san presses the sole of her shoe against Yuuri-san's head.

"Uh...," Yuuri-san groans, which just drives Iroha-san to click her tongue and wordlessly apply more pressure, squeezing Yuuri-san's forehead against the ground.

Yuuri-san looks almost like she's genuflecting.

"Who said it's okay to open your mouth? You ought to just hang your head like an ornament. Do I even need to teach you by force until you get it?"

"S-Stop it, Shindou!"

"I won't. ...anyway. You know already, right? The time's up. You will all be put under my rule in this time-block. It's the best way I can think of so there's no need to change it, no matter what this dirty bitch thinks!"

Iroha-san declares with her foot still on top of Yuuri-san's head.

"And then I will end this game for you by becoming the 《king》."

Right, Iroha-san's this kind of human.

Like this, she treats someone whom she considered a dear friend until just now according to what she needs to to achieve her goal.

Of course it's not like she doesn't feel anything in doing so. She should be deeply hurt and also deeply remorseful. But she seals those emotions. Iroha-san is able to control even her own emotions temporarily for the sake of her goal.

That's something I realized in the third round when she killed everyone on the first day to become the winner.

Right, that's why I was able to predict it.

Predict that she would take this action.

Therefore, I'll---

"Impossible!"

---pull her from the false throne.

Iroha-san slowly removes her foot from Yuuri-san's head and throws me a sharp glance. Without a doubt the intent to kill dwells in that fiery look.

"...does this possibly mean that you don't plan to join my 《group》? Too bad. You're going to die!"

"No, that's not what I meant. I merely told the truth! I mean, someone as soft as you could never rule over others!"

"Soft? What are you talking about?"

Her scowl really gives me the creeps. But to seem as calm as possible, I relax my mouth.

"I'm talking about your soft reaction to Yuuri-san's betrayal! You only stripped her clothes off, punched her, spit on her and put your foot on her head? That's what all call soft!"

Iroha-san flashes a smile to display her composure, too.

"So what do I need to do so that you're satisfied?"

I then say in order to erase that smile of hers,

"Kill her!"

As planned, Iroha-san's smile vanishes and she widens her eyes.

"Right at the beginning... didn't you threaten to flush away everyone's food in the toilet as soon someone shows only a single sign of betraying you? But you didn't do that, did you? You especially put on such a show with putting Yuuri-san into her underwear, so I bet you didn't do it, right?"

Iroha-san flashes a grin.

"...Haha. It's just a show as soon as I don't really flush away the food and kill her? Your thinking is quite distorted, huh? Why can't you understand that flushing away the food is a so-called 'exaggerated expression?' Don't you get that it was something necessary to say at that time, even without actually planning to do it?"

"Even if it's like that, aren't you practically displaying to us that your 《group》 has no binding force anymore by showing us this soft treatment of Yuuri-san?"

"......What do you mean? Do you want me to kill Yuuri?"

"No way. I'm just pointing out that---"

I tell them plainly,

"---such a 《group》 system is flawed to begin with."

"......"

Iroha-san silently crosses her arms. With her fast understanding, she should know that she's going to be overwhelmed by me if she can't counter.

But she can think as much she wants. There's no way to turn it around anymore!

That's because what I said is 100% correct.

"...what exactly is flawed, then?"

Her voice sounds slightly weaker than before.

"The 《group》 is based on trust in you. But there's never been any. You made this plan on the preconception of something that doesn't even exist. That's why it's flawed. Or am I wrong?"

"......"

Just one more push.

Just one more push should be enough to pull Iroha Shindou, who was able to kill everyone or to cut off her own finger just to persuade the others, from her false throne.

---and yet,

And yet, Iroha-san raised the corner of her mouth. To show me that she's as cool as a cucumber.

"Yes, it might be hard to maintain the 《group》 system. I admit that! But so what? If it's too hard to create those 《groups》, then I just need to abandon this plan and make a new one. Or do you think I am not capable of doing so?"

"......"

That was a counter I wasn't able to predict.

She doesn't give up just by being cornered this far.

"Anyway, there is no reason for me to give in to you."

I guess so...

There's no way she would give in to me because of something of this degree. That's because Iroha-san is the one who should be defeated first, and --- the strongest enemy.

I can reach my goal if I can just do something about this strongest enemy. Daiya's goal should match with mine after all, and with the help of Iroha-san and Yuuri-san, we should be able to suppress Koudai Kamiuchi's whims far enough so he won't go as far as to kill.

The hardest thing is always to get onto the tracks. As soon as you're on them, the rest's not as difficult anymore.

And the first step I need to get onto the rails is to get past Iroha-san.

If I manage to do that, I will be able to achieve my goal.

So I will definitely not retreat. I have cornered her without a doubt, so I will definitely not retreat.

I search for the last push.

"......"

I look at Yuuri-san, who's trembling and has her head pressed against the ground.

---Aah, I see.

It doesn't even matter how much Iroha-san tries to persist, does it?

"...so, will you abandon Yuuri-san? In order to save yourself and the others?"

After all, she's already aware of her defeat.

Iroha-san answers without wavering,

"Yeah."

Which is the affirmation I have expected.

And which is an obvious lie.

A lie she begs me to see through.

"You can't trick me like that."

So I'll put an end to it now.

"I told you before, right? Kill Yuuri-san."

"------"

"If you really want to abandon Yuuri-san, show us now. You just have to make us kneel down by impressing us with your force... by killing her, just like you cut off your finger."

Iroha-san.

Iroha-san must be thinking that she's best suited for being the 《king》. It's because she thinks so that she takes the lead. She's doing that because she thinks it's the most probable way for her to achieve her goal.

But what if she considered someone else suited for being the 《king》?

I bet she would hand over the throne to the respective person.

That's why she's testing me.

She's testing whether I'm suited for the throne, whether I can see through such a blatant lie.

"............haha..."

Iroha-san raises a laugh.

"...well yeah, I can't! Thus, I can't become the 《king》 anymore."

Like that---

Iroha-san handed over the throne to me.

Iroha-san sits down alone on an empty seat, lips pursed. "Hah...," she sighs artificially and flashes a wry smile.

"...Iroha, lost...?"

Yuuri-san's widening her eyes, looking at Iroha-san who's sitting there having given up. The girl in underwear stands up, walks to Iroha-san and looks down to her.

"......why? Why don't you kill me? You would do this much, wouldn't you...? If it's to achieve your goal, you would do this much, wouldn't you?"

After hearing that, Iroha-san smiles wryly.

"Yuuri. What is my goal?"

She asks, while looking away and leaning her elbow on the desk.

"Eh? To become the 《king》... right?"

"Of course not! That is just a means to achieve my goal."

"I-I see. But then---"

Iroha-san then speaks to the confused Yuuri-san with a gentle smile, like a parent that's patiently explaining multiplication to a child,

"My goal is to protect you, Yuuri."

Yuuri-san gets even more confused.

Because this was just way too unexpected for her.

But I knew it.

In the very last moment before she died during the first game, she said 《...sorry that I couldn't save you.》 to me, despite it being the last moment of her life.

These words showed me that her goal is to protect Yuuri-san.

Of course she also tried to protect our and her own life. But considering her lifestyle, she would surely prioritize others. And she would surely want to save Yuuri-san more than some people she just met that day.

Therefore, she would never kill Yuuri-san, even if it means that she becomes unable to retain the 《group》 system.

Yuuri-san shakes her head, unable to believe it.

"T-That's a lie! D-Do you realize that I betrayed you? Isn't that also why you got angry and made me get naked and slapped me and..."

"Yuuri, are you making fun of me?"

"Eh?"

"Do you want to say that I would change my goal because of emotional swings? You think of me as such a greenhorn? In order to retain the 《group》, I simply had to punish you symbolically in some way for cooperating with Hoshino-kun. Wasn't stripping your clothes a nice performance, being easy to visually understand and all?"

"......"

"Well, what I did there was a vain struggle. I was convinced that you would silently follow me, you know. I didn't imagine that you could ever fall into Hoshino-kun's hands. Therefore, I already lost in that instance!"

Yuuri-san intensively stares at Iroha-san who said so---but still seems unable to understand and shakes her head.

"...I don't get it! Protecting my life is your goal? Even if it was like that in the beginning, there's no way you would still think so after learning about my deceit. You would never save an atrocious person like me."

"You know what, Yuuri? You're an idiot."

Iroha-san sighs.

"Ueh...?"

"It's so simple you shouldn't even need to think about it."

But when Yuuri-san still remains clueless, Iroha-san scratches her head.

"...aah, jeez! Then tell me, have you ever thought from my point of view?"

"Your point of view...?"

"Right. Yuuri, you said that your grades have always been the best. It was the same for me! I, too, have always been the best!"

Yuuri-san seems unable to grasp Iroha-san's intention and is still perplexed.

"I wanted to stay on that seat as well! But imagine there's still someone pursuing you at high-speed. You have no other choice but to try your best then, right? You don't want to lose then, right? Just what do you think of how frantically I worked in the shadows to protect my seat?"

Surprise is painted in Yuuri-san's face.

"That you couldn't reach me even while trying your best is because I'm special? That has nothing to do with it! In my opinion, you haven't set yourself a proper goal, Yuuri! If you're asked what you want to become and what you want to achieve by learning, can you answer right away? I bet you can't! Well, because you just thought about winning against me and nothing else."

"I......"

"There's no way you could win against me with such low aspirations. You made every effort? You're not in the position to say that! It's nowhere near enough! Folks that really spared no pains don't say shit like there was nothing to them!"

"......so, will I be able to become like you if I put more effort into it?"

"Aah, jeez! Are you even listening to me? There's no way you could become like me, is there? I am me. You are you. Everyone has his own qualifications and abilities, so it's absolutely impossible to become the same as someone else no matter how enviable he may be. No matter how enviable I am, you can't become me!"

"I guess you're right. Someone like me could never become like---"

When Iroha-san hears these words, she stands up with a scowl. She then grasps Yuuri-san's shivering shoulders with a bloodcurdling expression on her face.

"O-Ouch!"

"Right! No matter how enviable---"

She roars.

"I can't become like you!"

Yuuri-san's pain-contorted expression disappears and she cannot help but gaze at Iroha-san with widened eyes instead.

"Did I seem calm when I heard that you started going out with him? Did I look like I was purely congratulating you? If so, I succeeded. Not giving my blessings to a dear friend's fulfilled love would be a disgrace, after all."

"I-Iroha...?"

Iroha-san's formerly firm expression has already crumbled. She, who managed to look calm even when the 《group》 system failed, has seriously lost her temper.

"Do you really think there is anyone who wouldn't be mortified when her crush is stolen from her? Of course it was mortifying, even for me! Of course I envied you! But, what should I have done? He chose you, after all! I was like 《Well, of course》 when I heard about it. Can you understand that mentality of mine? Can you understand my mentality of being unsurprised that he would choose you? Or do you even think I wasn't mortified at seeing me like that? But I'm not you, Yuuri, so I had no choice but to give up!

What's that, Yuuri?! Even though you're good at reading others' expressions, why do you only fail to understand that? You wanted me to be jealous of you? Aren't you completely dumb? I... I! Since the entrance ceremony, since the very first moment I saw you---"

She grasps her shoulders even stronger and shouts.

"I was jealous of you!"

Yuuri-san is still unable to comprehend and just stares at Iroha-san.

I bet it's unbelievable for Yuuri-san. I bet it's not so easy for her to believe that the person she considered a superhuman and definitely out of her reach, envied her from the very start.

---Sorry, Yuuri-san. But I knew!

《The first person I respected and found enviable...and probably, was jealous of, was Yuuri.》

I knew since the first round.

Therefore, I also knew what's wrecking them is that they misunderstand each other.

"Even I would like to depend on someone! But for some reason I find myself unable to do so. And each time I think about that... your face comes to mind!"

She says and lets go of her shoulders.

Suddenly, astonishment starts to dwell in Yuuri-san's face that were fixed on Iroha-san.

"Iroha... why are you cry-"

"Haha, what're you talking about? There's no way I would---"

Probably with the intention of tagging along with what she believed was a joke, Iroha-san touches her cheek.

And opens her eyes wide.

Because she noticed that she really was crying.

"No way... I am crying...? I can't remember having cried, actually, ever. There's no way I would cry, especially in front of others, and still..."

But she is shedding tears.

She is really shedding tears.

It's an indubitable fact that Iroha-san is crying.

Iroha-san's expression crumbles.

"Uh......"

Her always-strained face crumbles like a child's.

"Uah... uaaaaaaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

She cries out loud.

That Iroha-san does.

Iroha-san who could even cut off her finger for the sake of her goal.

Unable to suppress her emotions, she cries like a little child.

"I-Iroha...?"

"Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Yuuri you silly silly silly silly! I trusted you! I... was convinced like an idiot that only you would never betray me!"

She sheds a huge amount of tears and has a dripping nose.

"And yet, and yet! A superhuman! Who's that!? I mean, stop kidding meee! Why don't you get mee! I don't want to become some 《king》 either! I'm frightened of this killer game! It hurt to cut off my finger! I wish there was someone who protected me! But I had to do it even without wanting to, right!? I thought I was best suited for becoming the 《king》, so I had no other choice but to take the responsibility, right?! I didn't want everyone to die because I depended on someone, Yuuri, so I had no other choice, right?!"

Not a bit of her usual incredibility is left in the appearance of her wailing like a child.

Yuuri-san asks, still astonished.

"Iroha... what makes you want to protect someone like me...?"

Hearing this somehow strange question, Iroha-san scowls at her with bright red eyes.

"Isn't that obvious?!"

I suddenly recall something I heard from Iroha-san during the first round.

《What do you think? Did I really --- like Yuuri?》

I didn't know the answer to that question until now. The experiences of the third round alone weren't enough to comprehend Iroha-san's true intentions, which she can control to an extent as to erase inconvenient emotions.

But I finally found out.

Seeing her bare emotions, I finally found out.

Iroha-san does---

"Because you're so incredibly dear to me that I want to protect you, of course!"

---love Yuuri-san.

"Because you're so dear to me that I would have to persuade myself that I hate you when I'm unable to protect you, just to endure it!"

Finally feelings return to Yuuri-san's eyes after being just perplexed all this time.

"Ah......"

In the next moment, tears well up and wander down her cheeks. Just like Iroha-san, Yuuri-san's tears also start to flow fiercely in no time and stick to her entire face.

Those two---

---admired each other so much, for so long, that they became jealous of each other.

It may have also been the origin of some failures that occurred in this 'box', but naturally strong emotions made those strong feelings well up in them.

"Iroha... Irohaa......"

She embraces her.

The two crying girls embrace each other.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"I don't want to, hear that! I don't want to hear an apology! I won't forgive you with something like that! There's something I want to hear much more than that."

Yuuri-san's at a loss for just a second, but then immediately realizes with her face dirty with tears and nasal mucus. She flashes a clumsy smile, that no one would call cute anymore, and gently whispers, unfolding the entirety of her heart,

"I also, like you from the bottom of my heart..."

Aah.

These words made me finally realize.

The meaning of Yuuri-san putting on Iroha-san's watch in the second round. And also the reason why she confessed her sin of stealing Iroha-san's loved one to her.

《---please kill me.》

To make it easier for Iroha-san to kill her.

I guess wanting to win against Iroha-san was also part of the reason. But it's because she wanted to make it easier for Iroha-san to kill her NPC that she taught her specially, despite knowing that Iroha-san would become the player afterwards. She tried to save Iroha-san's life even with the preparedness of being hated by her.

It's not easy to do that. She wouldn't have been able to do that...

"I have always... loved you!"

...if she didn't love Iroha-san.

Heh.

It's not even a question of forgiving or not. After all, that doesn't matter as long they love each other.

Of course their relationship in reality won't improve by that. Those two are just NPCs and not the two that are in despair right now.

But I can believe.

I can easily believe that they will have no problems to make up again and wipe the despair away.

And like that, I also had these thoughts.

Having overcome my strongest enemy and having made a first, certain step towards my goal, I was convinced:

I did it. I have doubtlessly gotten on the tracks and now I can achieve my goal. There's no way for me to lose anymore.

Right---

I won against Daiya.

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