7:28 PM
It took me a while to recover from the fact that I had killed someone. Finally, by evening, I regained enough composure to speak with them without betraying the sin I had just committed.
I head to the student council and meet with Mikoto, notifying her that it's time for our meeting with Ailiss.
"Will you not explain where you have been all this time? Did we not agree to discuss some plans this afternoon? You have completely shattered my expectations—I at least believed you would be responsible with your word," Mikoto comments as she follows me to the old school building.
I was already aware that her mood wouldn't be very favorable due to my delay, and now I also have to deal with Ailiss. Maintaining a conversation with one of them is hard enough—let alone with both simultaneously.
"Let's just say there was a setback. When we get to Ailiss, who's probably as angry with me as you are, I'll explain everything to both of you at once."
We enter the building and stop in front of the staircase leading to the basement.
"The old school storage? Was there not a more appropriate place to hold this meeting? There is more dust than air down there. I must be out of my mind to follow you to such a suspicious place," she says as she descends the stairs behind me.
"Don't blame me. This hideout was her choice. Oh, and watch your step," I warn her as we walk over the debris scattered on the floor.
"Are you sure we'll find her here? I really do not see how someone could settle in a place like this."
"It's not as bad as it looks. There's a cleaner area just ahead. Besides, the difficulty of access is a great advantage," I extend my hand to help her over a barricade of debris.
We arrive at the agreed location. I look around and notice the silhouette of someone in the shadow of one of the shelves.
"Two days... You made me wait over fifty hours. I've been thinking for quite some time about what kind of punishment would be appropriate for such disrespect from a subordinate," the blonde girl steps forward, staring at me coldly.
As expected, she's also unhappy with my series of delays regarding this meeting. I feel like I'm between a tiger and a lion—both starving and eager to tear me apart, with no escape in sight.
"I apologize once again. But believe me, I have my reasons. I know both of you are angry with me, but can we resolve the technical matters first? Then I'll gladly let you both punish me to your heart's content."
The two exchange glances and nod.
"Very well. Since we are all here and to avoid wasting more time, let us address the matter at hand," Mikoto says.
"But don't think I'll forget to punish you," Ailiss adds.
With that, I can begin the meeting.
Initially, I believe the best approach is to foster at least some level of mutual understanding between them. My only chance is now, while their memories are still fragmented.
"Well, I assume both of you are somewhat aware of who the other is. However, for the sake of good habits, I think it would be appropriate to formally introduce you to each other since we're forming an alliance. This way, we can work together more effectively."
"No. There's no need for such nonsense," Ailiss replies irritably.
Just as I feel uncomfortable with forced social interactions, Ailiss likely has an even greater aversion to them.
"I feel the same, Johann. We are here to discuss technical matters, and as you said, she is undoubtedly aware that I am the student council president. Likewise, I understand her position as an exchange student caught up in this incident. There is no need to discuss personal details at this time; they are irrelevant given the situation," Mikoto says coldly.
It's almost comical how the two enemies agree wholeheartedly just to put me down. Ironically, this could be a point of mutual understanding that I can exploit later.
"Fine," I sigh. "Since both sides have dismissed my formalities, what's the first topic you'd like to address in this meeting?"
"Oh, you did not even bother to prepare an agenda? Your competence is even more limited than I had estimated—I am disappointed. Honestly, what were you thinking when you decided to call this meeting?" Mikoto retorts.
"What interests me most right now is how we can use the student council to investigate the identity of the third player," Ailiss comments.
As expected, it didn't take long for the conversation to shift toward finding the third player. Even tangentially addressing the topic sends a chill down my spine. This doesn't bode well.
"I agree with such an investigation. However, I would first like to know how you plan to conduct it. The other player certainly will not sit idly by, and we cannot afford to lose part of our contingent to a careless maneuver," Mikoto responds.
Should I try to steer the conversation away from delving too deeply into the players' identities? They're already outraged; I think interrupting them would only worsen my situation.
"If the safety of your followers is your concern, Mistkerl and I can take the lead alongside them. Due to the rules applied to players, we'll be in a safer position to guide them."
As Ailiss explains, the terrible foreboding that's been haunting me transforms into agonizing anxiety. I can't worry about their irritation now—the most important thing is to prevent them from discovering each other's identities too soon.
"Hey, we can discuss these details later, Ailiss. It might seem insistent on my part, but I believe we should have a more personal dialogue to strengthen our teamwork. Don't you agree?" I try to interrupt her.
"What the hell are you talking about, Mistkerl? You're just getting in the way."
"It might have been just an impression, but Ailiss-san, you said that 'we,' in the plural, would be in a safer position. What exactly did you mean by that?"
Damn it, Mikoto is already connecting the dots. What should I do? Trying to interrupt the conversation again is unfeasible and ultimately ineffective.
It's clear that trying to hide the fact that they're both players from each other is impossible. There's no way this information won't come up during this conversation—unfortunately, I had to learn that the hard way. In other words, the best course of action is to address this issue as soon as possible.
Ailiss seems confused by the question, which has an obvious answer. From her perspective, Mikoto should theoretically already know that she's a player.
Before she can even think of responding, I step forward and attempt to explain the situation in a more friendly way.
"Please, listen to what I have to say until the end. As hopeless as this may seem to both of you, trust me—this alliance makes sense, and everything will turn out fine. Both of you are well aware of my premonition abilities, so I know what I'm talking about."
"Speak quickly—we don't have all day for your interruptions," Ailiss says irritably.
If I take this step, there's no turning back... but it's the only way. Mikoto is already on the verge of discovering everything, and I believe Ailiss won't take much longer, either.
"There's something you both need to know. There's no need to search for the third player because all three of us are gathered here," I say, the words unbearably heavy, but I manage to overcome the suffocating anxiety and complete my sentence. "We three are the players."
My final statement leaves an intensely heavy atmosphere in the air. It takes a few seconds for either of them to react to the information they've just received.
"If what you're saying is true... then," Mikoto widens her eyes and turns to Ailiss. "Then this alliance is out of the question, Johann," she presses her hand against her forehead. "Yes, now I'm starting to remember what happened in the morning when the game was conjured..."
What? Does she remember that incident? According to Laplace's Demons, both were supposed to have amnesia, which would facilitate their cooperation. In the end, my foreboding was correct. This is far worse than merely discovering that they're both players.
"Let me explain," I say.
"It doesn't matter what supposed solution you've devised because she tried to kill me, and there's no dialogue with the enemy," she says, narrowing her eyes.
"My memories were jumbled—I truly didn't remember who the conjurer of the dark magic was. But now that you've mentioned she's a player, the identity of the sorceress has become as clear as day. I don't know how I could have forgotten," Ailiss says.
Did I trigger some mental memory? Damn it, I shouldn't have revealed this—I was naive. I need to pacify this situation as quickly as possible.
"Hey, could both of you stop glaring at each other for a second? I know you've had problems recently, but the only way for all of us to escape is if you cooperate. Now isn't the time to hold onto this grudge; we must think about how to survive first."
"All of us escape? And who said that interests me? I only came here to kill her in the first place, and that's what I'll do," Ailiss replies.
Damn, this is an obvious response. Mikoto was her target from the beginning. As a professional assassin, Ailiss would never easily give up her work just because her life was at risk.
"Did you hear that? You have truly surprised me by doing something as irresponsible as gathering the three players and proposing an alliance. That said, I do not have time for such bad jokes. Asking me to cooperate with an assassin like her is nothing short of outrageous. People like her should not even exist in society. Joining forces with her is the last thing I would ever do in my life," Mikoto states, her expression blank.
Neither side intends to cooperate with me. Trying to convince them through reasoning is undoubtedly useless and a waste of energy. Both are letting their grudges speak louder than reason.
"Exist in society? Spare me. I'm doing a public service by cleansing the society of witches like you. And I won't rest until I've swept the entire world clean of such trash," Ailiss retorts.
The conversation between the two is growing increasingly hostile. At this rate, I can't prevent this conflict. I also doubt that revealing my suicide plan will help at all. They'll just confront each other once the game is over—Laplace's Demons were right.
I need to find a way for them to resolve their differences, but in a case as severe as attempted murder and revenge… is there a solution? I can't think of anything.
If they hadn't remembered for now, I'm sure I could've created sympathy between them. They're very similar and, in a way, even compatible—only by the irony of fate were they placed in opposing roles.
"Trash? And what would you be in that case? You claim that bearers of this curse must be exterminated because they are a danger to society, yet you have become an even greater threat. I had never used this magic before, and even so, you attacked me—someone who, until then, was innocent. You are the one who became scum, just like this place," Mikoto says, glaring at the surroundings.
It seems the conversation will only worsen from here—they're already attacking each other personally. I must stop this argument immediately, regardless of how they'll react to me. In fact, it might even be better this way—being a common annoyance might cool their tempers.
"To a 'queen' like you, who gets everything handed to her, this place might seem uncomfortable. However, know that I've had to endure much worse places. And yes, I might be turning into what I fight against, but it's a price I'm willing to pay," Ailiss counters.
I decide to intervene.
"I was indeed careless. I thought it would be much easier to protect you if you were united, so I bet on the chance that you wouldn't remember the conflict that started this game. If you both refuse to cooperate directly, could you at least promise me that you won't be hostile toward each other? Don't think of it as an alliance—think of it as a non-aggression pact."
"Mistkerl, do you have so much wax in your ears that you didn't hear what I said? As soon as I get an opportunity, I'll kill her. And by the way, where did you get the idea that I need your protection? It's actually the opposite—you're the most vulnerable person here."
Things are escalating to a point where I'll have no control over them. If one becomes a threat to the other, I'll have to take drastic measures. For now, I'm in no position to restrain them, especially considering the agility of a professional assassin.
"I will echo her words—at least on this, we agree. Besides, I think I was mistaken about you; perhaps Tanaka-kun was right all along. Please, do not look for me anymore. I will handle things on my own from now on, as I have always done," Mikoto says as she turns her back and heads for the exit.
Damn it, I can't let her leave yet. I have to put an end to this misunderstanding right now, or I'll lose control of the situation.
"Hey, Mikoto. Wait a moment," I try to grab her arm.
She turns sharply and, using the momentum, slaps me hard across the face. I'm left speechless, letting her go and watching her leave the hideout.
Ailiss steps away from the shelf and walks toward me.
"I can't tell if you're brave or just plain stupid. I could've easily pulled out my revolver, shot both of you in the limbs, and immobilized you until I found a way to kill you. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't do it. But know this—I won't show mercy twice. Next time, I'll eliminate you."
I don't know what I was thinking. My idealism overtook reason.
"I was going to beat you to vent my anger, but this scene already made my day. So, get out of here before I change my mind," she continues.
"Ailiss, please, I need you to underst—" I turn to respond but am interrupted.
I feel a strong impact in my stomach, completely masking the pain I feel in my face. The blow causes me to stumble backward and collapse onto the debris-strewn floor.
I lift my head and see Ailiss towering over me, staring down with a terrifying expression as if she's about to kill me.
"Why? You said you wouldn't—" I ask, still reeling, but I'm cut off again.
"I change my mind quickly. Now, go. And next time we meet, we'll be enemies."
You too? Trying to reason with them won't lead anywhere.
I leave the basement and walk to the courtyard to process everything that just happened. The pain from Mikoto's slap and Ailiss's punch still throbs, but it's nothing compared to the anguish I feel at even considering the death of one of them.