"After all this," Sho yelled out loud, his voice filled with pain, "I hope that at least one person, other than a monster, will learn about our history and maybe some of the misery we went through. We understand the mystery of why we had to. Because this whole time, we were sheep for the chomping hungry wolves. What were we searching for? A fantasy? A place where a mountain can be covered in white..." However, Michio didn't slow down even with Sho talking. He continued to shave off layers of Sho's skin with his blade while Sho bit his lower lip, drawing blood, and continued to speak, "or where I stand now in a land of green that can stretch as far as the eye can see with living things. But all we could find was gory nether! My friends, classmates, and even family are shooting stars. They shine brightly within my heart but will never return when gone. The light goes away with the star, both disappearing."
Hiroto didn't move from position on top of a branch 30 feet away but instead heard Sho as if he was responding to the song the grandma sang. He always mentioned how much he hated the song; perhaps it was all he could focus on in this crazed state.
Sho's eyes slowly started to close after he spits out his words with the willpower he had left. Hiroto watching this scene, moved his foot, ready to move in; however, he couldn't move. He wanted to help Sho, but his body didn't respond. His mind felt heavy, almost like the temple of his head was bursting open. His stomach twisted looking at Sho, he wanted nothing more than to save Sho right now, but how?
He knew that if he didn't act soon, Sho would die. Hiroto had to decide to rush in and try to save Sho or stay hidden and wait for a better opportunity. He weighed his options carefully and decided that he needed to act quickly before it was too late. He silently drew his knife and prepared to make his move. With his knife in hand, Hiroto slowly and silently made his way toward the group torturing Sho. He moved carefully, making sure not to make any noise that could alert the others. His eyes were fixed on Sho, who was barely conscious at this point.
As he got closer, Hiroto could see the torturers more clearly. Michio was still shaving off layers of skin from Sho's arms while Ken and Shijo stood guard, scanning the area for any sign of danger. With a sword to his neck, Kiyoshi was behind Sho, ready to execute him at any moment. However, even with that being the case, Sho no longer screamed. He didn't even make a sound while sitting on his knees with his feet and hands tied up.
Michio stopped his torture and put his hand towards Sho's neck to check for a pulse. Everyone surrounding Sho appeared to be under more pressure than usual as if everyone knew what would happen if Sho died. Even though the kids had lost their emotions, their tense reaction indicated that they were still scared of Hiroto, as if it were a natural reaction ingrained in them.
"He's still alive but seems barely hanging in there. Perhaps he's lost too much blood." Michio said while facing his sword at the neck.
Hiroto watches the scene from afar, feeling relieved that Sho is safe now. However, he knows that he is not in the clear yet. He takes one final look around and sees 16 people, but only four pose a danger to Hiroto and Sho.
'I don't know; I don't know what to do. How can I save you? What should I do here?' Hiroto is still not acting just yet, lost in thought, as he knows one wrong move could kill Sho.
He would perhaps have a chance if Kiyoshi, Michio, Ken, and Shijo weren't there, but with them, he knows that any hope is lost. 'I'm helpless. Even if I save him, wouldn't I have to kill him?' Then, just a sudden realization came to Hiroto mind like a hammer hit his head. He felt dizzy from the thought of having to kill Sho. He knew for a fact that he couldn't.
'Would it perhaps be better to die together?' Hiroto thought to himself while the knife in his grasp turned weak. His eyes turned a bit fuzzy. Hiroto looked down to look at his hands and arms to lead his eyes to his legs.
"Blood is all I see." He whispered under his breath.
Hiroto finally looked up at the group surrounding Sho as he dropped his knife and began walking toward everyone.
"Hiroto here!" A kid yells, getting straight to the point and not wasting any breath. Everyone grew tense and formed around Sho, ready to attack at any moment.
"Stop where you're at!" The four Kiyoshi, Michio, Ken, and Shijo put their weapons around Sho's neck, ready to cut him down under a breath.
"I give up." Hiroto falls to his knees, having no indication of fighting.
.....
"Did he just say he gives up? I thought they had no emotion and only fought on logical reasoning. Was that not your words?" The fat man finally saw a way to attack Doctor Shiro.
Doctor Shiro had nothing to say back, but seeing Hiroto's display made him look like he had a hairball stuck in his throat. "Stupid brat, can't do the one thing he's good at. I knew I should have killed rather than taken him in the project."
"Remember, honey, and you need to calm down. When it is bad..." The grandma standing next to him intervened, trying to calm him down.
"When it is bad, that just means we can make something of it. I know, I know. I just got a little mad there, my honey bun." Doctor Shiro took a deep breath in.
Doctor Shiro then collected his thoughts and grabbed a mic, "I know how things look, and this wouldn't be fun as it progresses. But aren't we here for fun?"
Clapping and cheering came from everyone around the room. However, that fat man seemed upset that there wasn't a backlash against Doctor Shiro. He opened his mouth, but from the corner of his eye, the older man sitting in the corner was staring right at him. The fat older man felt goosebumps go down his body as he acted like he was yawning.
"Great. Considering that you want to see the whole playing field be used, let's see it happen." Doctor Shiro began to smile as he thought of an enjoyable plan to see Hiroto struggle for his life, along with the other kids.
.....