City Sakurami, Omekata Temple
Omekata Temple serves as the headquarters of the Omekata Religion, located on the outskirts of the city, shielding it from the city's disturbances. With various gardens, water pools, and fish, it conveyed a serene and peaceful impression, contrary to its actual activities. Even Yuki considered it not a bad place for a secluded life.
Despite being a relatively new religion, Omekata was affluent, supported by many who believed in their Miko or the seer of the gods. Originally founded to assist the weak and troubled, the religion faced a turn of events two years ago when its original leaders passed away, leaving the Miko as the new leader.
Inside a secluded and restricted room within the temple, Tsubaki, the Miko, resided. She was believed never to leave, driven by her fear of the outside world.
Tsubaki sighed within the confines of her room, forced to return to this cell.
(Things never go as one wishes...)
Smiling bitterly, she reflected on how this temple brought her both joy and suffering more than any other place. Unfortunately, she had to return, losing her Future Diary as her only consolation, her shadow flickering as if trying to comfort her.
[Don't get down. I said I'd protect you, so cheer up.]
"I understand, Yuki-kun. I'm not worried about that."
In that shadow, both Yuki and Yuno concealed themselves, awaiting the moment when their prey took the bait. However, Tsubaki found the situation a headache, as she had to endure being treated as bait. Yet, if she wanted to live, this was a small price to pay.
"Yuki, it's necessary to have her with us. I don't trust her..."
Yuno, holding Yuki's arm, couldn't help but comment, considering her both an opponent and a pretty girl of the same age, adding more points to Yuno's radar for elimination.
"She's useful."
Yuki, on the other hand, thought Tsubaki was perfect for the job. Among all participants, she showed the most promise and met his expectations.
A powerful woman...
Attractive figure, enough to catch his eyes...
Similar age to Yuno...
A dark past...
Not a bad personality...
Moreover, seducing her wouldn't be a problem, as her guard around men wasn't very high.
Above all, she was perfect for at least slightly easing Yuno's dependency.
That's why he didn't hesitate to draw her to his side, leaving clues about his whereabouts and trapping her in this web. Even though the Ninth was a woman and fulfilled one of his objectives, it wasn't feasible as she behaved hostilely.
Tsubaki was the best choice...
"She's dangerous, Yuki. She's going to betray us."
"Don't worry about that. We have her diary, and in her body, I've left a 'safety.' She absolutely won't betray us; I'll take care of that..."
Even with Yuki having her Diary, the likelihood of betrayal was high. Thus, Yuki didn't trust her, infecting her with the Apocalypse virus. Any abnormal action from her, and the virus in her body would activate, crystallizing her body without any chance of resistance.
However, Yuki believed he wouldn't need such a countermeasure. Tsubaki was a pitiable girl who needed a lot of support and, of course, an emotional pillar. In that sense, she and Yuno were very similar. Both needed the same...
*Shiiiii...
But as they conversed in the shadows, Yuki's Diary rang, and the entries in the Clairvoyance Diary changed...
"It's time. The prey entered the trap..."
Smirking maliciously, Yuki licked his lips.
[Get ready, Miss Tsubaki... The enemy has arrived.]
"Alright, I'm counting on you, Yuki-kun."
Opening her eyes, Tsubaki broke into a cold sweat as her enemy appeared...
Initially, she thought the Ninth was her enemy, but she was terribly wrong. The Ninth was the least of her worries.
---------------
"Everything is ready... It's time to start the game..."
In a spacious room, a middle-aged man of around 40, with a serious appearance, cropped brown hair, dressed in outdated clothes, murmured while looking ahead, where hundreds of small screens illuminated.
This man is Karyūdo Tsukishima, Tenth, owner of the Parenting Diary.
"Everything is going according to plan..."
Stroking his mustache, the man watched as hundreds of people lined up and prayed in the temple.
Omekata Religion was very popular, and despite many deaths yesterday due to the city's disturbance and destruction, many people gathered in this temple, seeking spiritual support as they had lost family and loved ones.
However, none of that mattered to the Tenth, as his target was the Miko of that religion. To be more precise, the Sixth...
"Of course, it's going according to plan... Why would you doubt me? I'm an elite..."
Responding to his murmurs, a voice came from his phone, sounding like that of a child.
"..."
The Tenth, on the other hand, didn't respond. Still, he had to admit that his 'partner' was very intelligent, easily finding the hiding place of a participant in the Survival Game, as well as preparing countermeasures against his own pursuer.
This child gave him several surprises, and he had to acknowledge that the thinking and imagination were superior, despite being a child.
"Remember that after finishing this, you must help me get rid of that detective."
"Of course, when we're done with this, killing that Ojisan won't be a problem."
After exchanging a few more words, the call ended, making the Tenth sigh and furrow his brow while looking at the hundreds of screens in front of him.
Many people would die today, but none of that concerned him. His only concern was that the Sixth wasn't the only participant in that temple; she was accompanied by the Second.
The person who had killed two participants, and if not for the rules preventing Yuno from accumulating more power, the Tenth would avoid this girl at all costs.
However, due to his own issues and the mission having a high chance of success, the Tenth accepted this job, or rather this request...
"I hope everything goes according to plan..."
Closing his eyes slightly, the Tenth mentally gave an order, initiating the operation...
----------
"Hehehe, I can't wait anymore..."
While the Tenth sighed, a child of about 5 to 7 years old, dressed in a green overall with a white shirt underneath and a matching green cap.
His eyes are green, his skin is tan, and he always has rosy cheeks. His ginger-colored hair and in his hands, he carries two puppets (a man and a woman).
Waving his puppets, he looked into the distance, where Omekata Temple stood.
This child's name is Reisuke Houjou, a participant in this Survival Game.
This child is the Fifth and the youngest in this game. Despite being the youngest, the Tenth praised his intelligence.
It had been about 11 hours since he awakened his powers, and as expected, it turned out to be a marvel. With his ability to control time, he played with it a couple of times before discovering that it consumed his vitality. However, being a child, Reisuke didn't care much. Thanks to his games, he managed to escape danger as the city center was devastated, killing thousands of people. Among those people were his parents.
It bothered him a bit, and although he didn't care much for his parents, who often fought, leaving a negative image of them, making him learn to be independent from an early age, they were still his family. Their death affected him emotionally and physically since he had seen his future. If he did nothing and played this Survival Game, his only future would be an orphanage, and perhaps, with luck, a family would adopt him. But the time he had to spend alone for that was too much.
-------------