7:47 PM
The blonde-haired girl stealthily walks through the dark corridors of the main building. Since most of the student body has settled on the lower floors to facilitate escape in the event of an attack, the student council floor has become nearly deserted.
Meanwhile, the president resides in her office, gazing out at the quiet night enveloping the school grounds.
"I finished patrolling the block, and there's no sign of him. He's probably hiding in another building," Ailiss says, entering the student council room.
"I see. Then you may rest for now. I have assigned some members to keep watch at the building entrances overnight," Mikoto replies, turning to face her.
"You're not reconsidering my suggestion to attack him during the night? I believe I'm more experienced than him in low-visibility environments, and I have my suspicions about where he might be hiding."
"It is a valid approach, but…" Mikoto pauses thoughtfully. "There is still the issue of that premonition he claims to have. If it is real—and all evidence suggests it is—he's likely already prepared for any surprise attack we might attempt," she sighs. "Frankly, facing an enemy who knows your every move in advance is no simple task. If he knows everything ahead of time, I cannot conceive of a valid solution."
"The same applies to an attack tomorrow. We have no choice but to take him down, prepared or not. And the sooner we do it, the better," Ailiss crosses her arms.
"I agree with you. However, we still need to find someone willing to take responsibility for it. In the end, even if we capture him alive, someone will need to dirty their hands with blood. Until we select a candidate for this task, let us think of a way to counter his abilities or at least mitigate them somehow," Mikoto rests her face on one hand.
"Very well, we'll do it your way. But if we're postponing the attack, I have one condition: training," Ailiss says, sitting down and placing her weapon on the table.
"Please elaborate. Are you planning to conduct rehearsed drills with the other student council members? Will Johann not be aware of this via his clairvoyance?"
"I might be able to train them somehow, especially the one tasked with taking him down. But I was referring more specifically to you. Do you know any self-defense techniques?"
"I studied karate in elementary school, and according to my instructors, my performance was reasonably good. However, I no longer had time to practice after entering high school and running for student council president. Therefore, I would not place much faith in my abilities, which are certainly rusty."
"Tomorrow morning, I will teach you basic combat and firearms training. But this makes it easier—I just need to sharpen your skills again. It would be dangerous for you not to have any means of protection when I'm not around."
"Well, who would have thought that you, of all people, would be concerned about my safety? I am quite surprised—what happened to you?" Mikoto teases.
"Shouldn't I be concerned? We're allies, aren't we?" Ailiss replies expressionlessly.
"You are right," Mikoto smiles. "I will do my best not to disappoint you during training." Her gaze lingers on the weapon Ailiss placed on the table, and her smile fades.
Ailiss quickly notices her companion's distraction and addresses it.
"I suppose you'll never forgive me for that. I understand. It's not something that can simply be forgotten."
Mikoto turns to her, remains silent for a few seconds, and then responds.
"No, that is in the past. I believe we have resolved this issue. Just as you have come to understand my side of the story through our conversation last night, I have come to understand yours. If I had gone through everything you experienced—if I were in your shoes and had witnessed my father's murder as you described—I feel I probably would have made similar decisions."
"Yes, I think the same. But I'm not referring to understanding—that is indeed clear. I mean, how you feel. I don't think simply burying our conflict as something in the past, as we've been doing since yesterday, is ideal. It's a stain that can't be erased or buried under pretty words."
"Again, I must admit, you are right—it is not something I can forget overnight," Mikoto sighs. "Wounds do not simply disappear because we understand what caused them; they persist as scars. If we truly want to be friends, we need to confront this dark chapter in our journey. But I see no reason why we cannot manage that."
"I've never done anything like this before, so I don't know how to express myself adequately. But I'd like to ask for your forgiveness for my actions," Ailiss averts her gaze.
Mikoto widens her eyes and replies in a calm tone.
"Those are indeed words I did not expect to hear from you. However, I find it unfair for you to view the situation so unilaterally. It is not as if I were completely innocent in the end. I probably owe more apologies than I can count, including to you, for the harsh words I spoke two days ago. I am sorry."
"Regarding insults, we're undoubtedly in the same boat. I also apologize for what I said. I should've realized sooner who my real enemy was."
"We both let it slip. I still cannot fully understand how I was swayed. What exactly made me believe Johann? Even during our argument, I still felt inclined to believe his words. It is such a strange feeling."
"Did you feel like you knew him? I had the same impression. Perhaps this can be attributed to the abilities he claims to possess. Or maybe that's his true skill."
"After so many lies, there is no reason to take his words today as truth. Depending on the veracity of his claims, it is possible there is a way to bypass the 'clairvoyance' he claims to have. However, even assuming such a skill manipulated us, one thing became very clear to me after interacting with him: how alone I felt."
"On that point, I think we had another thing in common. Perhaps part of us wanted to believe in him."
"Still, it does not seem like this strange feeling is limited to him. After my resentment toward you dissipated, I began to see you differently—like a long-time friend, perhaps?"
"With Johann, I had the feeling we could've met in Germany, but with you, I don't know how to describe it. It's my first time in Japan so that we couldn't have met before. It's just this strange déjà vu."
"Indeed…"
The two fall silent lost in their own thoughts. Worries continue to hammer away at their minds.
Mikoto is the first to regain her composure and decides to resume the conversation with Ailiss in an attempt to reassure her and perhaps herself as well.
"Hey, Ailiss. Changing the subject slightly, I noticed you have not eaten anything since lunch. There are some leftover onigiris—would you like some?"
Ailiss nods, and Mikoto retrieves two bento boxes from the counter.
"While you eat, I will heat some tea to accompany it," Mikoto says, standing up and fetching a teapot and two cups. "By the way, are you planning to sleep here tonight?"
"I don't mind. I can sleep here or in another room in the building. If you think it's better, I can also stay on guard overnight. Honestly, I'd prefer to stay alert to avoid his surprise attack," Ailiss replies while eating.
"Did I not tell you? You are our best weapon against Johann. You need to be well-rested for our confrontation tomorrow," Mikoto says as she pours two cups of tea. "And since it will be very cold tonight, I thought it would be better if you slept here. We can even share a blanket to keep warm," she adds, laughing.
"Aren't you being a bit too kind to someone who tried to kill you?" Ailiss takes a sip of tea and then pauses before continuing. "By the way, why did you stop me back then? Whether I lived or not, you would've won the game and been free."
"Logically, because I came to care about your life. Now I understand better what led you to choose this path, and I cannot help but identify with you," Mikoto smiles, taking Ailiss's left hand. "For the first time in my life, I can see someone as a potential friend who understands my feelings, not just what I try to show. And anyway, you hesitated when I was threatened, did you not? So I could ask you the same question."
"I admit… you've left me without an answer," Ailiss lowers her gaze. "I can say I've come to sympathize with you too. If you don't mind forgiving me and setting our disagreements aside… I believe we can truly become friends. But it's also complicated for me since I've never had a friend before."
"I understand. But that is far from being a problem because since our cases are so similar, I believe we can learn what friendship truly is together," she smiles. "We will have plenty of time for that after we defeat Johann."
"Not a bad idea," Ailiss replies with a smile of her own.
After finishing their meal and tea, both settle down to sleep. Ailiss and Mikoto lie on the floor of the student council room atop a large sleeping bag and cover themselves with a woolen blanket.
"I see you're always well-prepared. Where did you get this sleeping bag?" Ailiss comments.
"There was a time when I needed to stay late working in the council, so I always keep it on hand as a precaution for cold nights. My colleagues used to say I was a workaholic, but honestly, it was my only distraction."
"Our duties and so-called ambitions serve to occupy our minds well. To keep them busy so we don't ponder their meaning. I think that's how I dealt with my revenge."
The temperature in the room drops even further, and the weather grows harsher. Amidst the sound of the window-rattling from the blizzard outside, the two continue conversing before falling asleep.
"To think it all began right here on this same floor. If I could go back, I'd never have conjured this game, and we wouldn't have been deceived by it," Mikoto says.
"Indeed, discarding him without being subject to its rules would have been much easier. But you were merely trying to survive my attack. As a professional assassin, I should have realized sooner that my arrival was anticipated by him."
"You could not have known. At first, clairvoyance like the kind he claims to have should be impossible. On the other hand, because of this wretched event, I was able to meet you," Mikoto turns on her side, clinging to Ailiss's left arm with one hand and gently caressing her face with the other.
"What are you trying to do, Mikoto? Seduce me?" Ailiss laughs. "I suppose friendship doesn't involve this."
"I suppose not. But do not worry about that. I did plan to use seduction as a weapon, but that is not the case now. I thought it might be an effective tool against him, though I doubt it would work against you anyway," Mikoto releases her grip and returns her gaze to the ceiling.
"And why do you think that? I agree that he seemed like a typical lackey at first glance and would've been in your hands. But what makes you think I'd be immune to your persuasion?"
"I cannot say for sure. It is a weapon that must be wielded cautiously because it is double-edged. I feel that if I tried to use it against you, I would probably end up falling for you in the end. Perhaps I have some variation of Stockholm syndrome to be enamored with someone who tried to kill me. Besides, I was merely curious. Forgive me for troubling you with my experiments," Mikoto replies with a sly smile.
"So you're aware of this? If you wish to continue, I have no objection. For, like you, I doubt you'll achieve any result."
"Oh, is that a challenge?" Mikoto sits up slightly, leaning over Ailiss.
"Interpret it however you like."
Mikoto turns and supports herself with her arms on the floor, her face hovering just above Ailiss's. The dark strands of her hair fall softly onto Ailiss's golden locks.
She lowers herself, and the blue and red of their irises reveal their emotions. Like a siren's song, their hypnotic gazes make them suffer from their venom.
What happens when an unstoppable spear collides with an immovable shield? The same paradox seems to apply to these two girls of supernatural charm.
Slowly, Mikoto descends to the point where they can feel each other's breath. Finally, immersed in their longings and desires, she seals the moment with a kiss.
With all her seductive skill, Mikoto kisses Ailiss slowly. The two close their eyes to savor the moment fully. Their synchronized breathing and heartbeats convey their feelings perfectly.
Regret.
Affection.
Admiration.
Proud as they are, emotions that would be difficult to put into words are expressed through this bond. Two auras, laden with grandeur that previously seemed destined to clash, now dance in harmony in a union of ice and fire.
Above all, a constant sensation that this act has always been a part of their lives manifests in the background, giving them the impression that they've done this for an eternity.
Slowly, Mikoto ends the kiss and begins to pull away. However, Ailiss doesn't allow it to end so quickly and rises with her.
Ailiss wraps her arms around Mikoto, and sitting face to face, they kiss again, this time more intensely. Her wild spirit won't let the waltz of their tongues end so abruptly.
Though both possess immense beauty and strength, only in moments like this, with someone of equal stature, can they reveal their emotional vulnerability.
The stoic barriers guarding their hearts finally allow external warmth to flow in. They are no longer alone, and now they know it. There is someone to share the path of life in this vast world, someone who fully understands their pain and self-imposed demands.
Ailiss and Mikoto are no longer alone; after this bond, they have each other as a source of support and hope.
Mikoto takes the opportunity to caress Ailiss's face while holding tightly in her arms.
Symbolizing this stable union, their long locks intertwine along the sensual silhouettes of their bodies down to the floor.
After several minutes, they finally part to catch their breath after such an intense experience.
Breathing heavily, they continue to gaze into each other's eyes without breaking contact for even a moment. Even after the kiss ends, the hypnotic effect lingers, keeping their minds lost in one another.
As their fervor cools, their consciousness gradually returns. Mikoto decides to break the awkward silence.
"You know something, Ailiss? I take back everything I said about friendship. There is no way we could ever be friends—I could never look at you this way. It pains me to admit it, but it seems I have lost our little bet miserably," Mikoto says, lying on her side.
"Then know you didn't lose alone," Ailiss lies facing her.
"From another perspective, that means we both won, does it not?" Mikoto laughs. "Now that we cannot be friends, what shall we do? Will you take responsibility for making me fall for you?" she asks with a teasing smile.
"You really are a haughty president who talks too much. So shut up," Ailiss replies, pulling her close by the collar of her shirt as they share another kiss.