"Bomb?"
"Yes, I planted a robust bomb in the school before the game began. Everything has been under my control from the start."
"Do not listen to him. Clearly, he is desperate and bluffing. There is not a shred of evidence for this. Could not you come up with a more believable lie?" Mikoto retorts.
Indeed, I am bluffing about the bomb. It was just a way to divert their attention for a few seconds. But you truly forgot to consider one thing: why couldn't a double agent possess an extra layer of betrayal?
Suddenly, Manabu grabs the Kyudo captain from behind and quickly forces him to drop the revolver on the ground.
"Hey, what are you doing?! Aren't we on the same side?!" the boy protests.
At the exact moment, Ailiss realizes what's happening and rushes to help him. However, Shou steps in her path and delays her.
"Get out of my way, you piece of trash!" Ailiss strikes him and knocks him to the ground.
Even with Shou blocking her path, it would only take seconds for her to recover the weapon. Fortunately, this brief period is more than enough for me to act.
I simply point the machine gun at the would-be shooter and carefully pull the trigger.
With the thunderous sound of the shot, the bullet crosses the lobby and strikes the boy accurately without injuring Manabu.
Manabu lets him go, and the body of the recruited shooter collapses to the floor, bloodied and beyond recovery.
"Your mistake was not understanding how much they cared about this girl here. It's not just a matter of friendship—they wouldn't dare risk, no matter how small, losing her. They wouldn't take the chance of losing their only friend, even if it meant someone else's death."
Ailiss and Mikoto stand frozen, staring at me with wide eyes. They never imagined I could reverse such an unfavorable situation this way, and they're probably just in shock.
"Now, Ailiss, release Shou," I point to Mikoto, "and Manabu, bring me the revolver."
"Tsk. Fine," she says, glaring at me irritably.
With her partner in my sights, Ailiss has no choice but to comply, and she does.
"Very well, I've got both of you in my sights. Don't even think about moving."
"I must admit, I am surprised you have stooped so low," Mikoto comments.
If that's what you think, I'm curious to know your opinion on my next moves.
"I'm quite proud of your performance. Even knowing everything, I momentarily doubted that you truly supported them. Now, as promised, I'll let her go," I say.
The two approach me, and as they reach the edge of the stairs, Manabu extends his arm with the revolver. I take it, and now, with both of Ailiss's weapons in my possession, there's nothing left to threaten my sovereignty in this game. In theory, I've won.
"Alright, we've done our part. You've got what you wanted. Now let her go," Manabu says, lowering his head.
"Of course."
As promised, I release Miyu, who falls toward them.
"Miyu-chan, are you hurt? Do you need help walking?" Shou asks as the two rush to untie the ropes on her arms.
"I'm fine. Let's just get out of here, please. I can't take this horror anymore," she responds, still tearful.
"Yes, you're safe now. There's nothing to worry about," Manabu says, supporting her.
They help her to her feet and head toward the lobby exit.
Ailiss and Mikoto cannot move because, with both weapons, I have them simultaneously in my sights. The last thing they want is for me to kill their companion.
When the three head towards the exit and, consequently, the two girls, Shou pauses for a moment and, with a shy expression, addresses Mikoto.
"I'm sorry, Kaichou. Manabu and I wish things could've been different, but we had no choice. We had to ensure Miyu-chan's safety—"
Shou's words are abruptly cut off.
A hole suddenly forms in his chest.
Both girls are shocked as the boy collapses to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.
"Shimizu-kun!" Miyu screams, running to his bloodied body.
Fallen, Shou emits faint groans in an attempt to protest but quickly loses all motor function. His eyes remain open, frozen in death.
"He's been shot?! What did you do?! You promised not to kill anyone else if we helped you!" Manabu yells, rushing at me. "Shou was right—you're a bastard! We should've finished you when we had the chance!"
"Did I promise that? I don't remember. I think you misunderstood. But see, I kept my part by releasing her. Isn't that enough?" I point the revolver at Manabu and, as he approaches me, fire another shot.
Manabu stares wide-eyed at the wound in his chest, turns to face me, and tries to say something but collapses to the floor.
"MY GOD!" Miyu screams as she sees her two friends lying lifeless on the lobby floor.
After confirming Shou's death, she rushes to Manabu, only to find the same devastating conclusion.
Shou, Manabu, you were instrumental in creating this scene. I don't think I owe you or Miyu any explanations, as no one in this world could understand me. All I can say is that this was necessary.
Killing your two best friends, who just risked everything on a supposed promise—is this cruel enough for you? This is the extent I'm willing to go to prove what I'm capable of. At this moment, can you hate anyone more than me?
"A silenced weapon is much better. I can't stand the noise of this machine gun. My only hesitation in firing it was that irritating sound," I say, letting the weapon fall to the ground.
I walk past Miyu, who sits weeping over her friends' bodies, their blood staining the floor. The orange glow of the flames, now creeping into the ground floor, reflects in her tears as they fall onto Manabu's face.
"You're a demon! Even after everything they did, how could you kill them?! How could you?! I hate you!" she cries, lifting her face to scream.
"Don't you understand? Our deal was to free you, nothing more. We agreed on nothing about what I'd do afterward."
Now, everything depends on you, Miyu. You're a crucial piece on the board. Unlike those two, there's no plan for you, but I hope you don't disappoint me.
"Mistkerl, I can't find words to describe such repugnant actions. I can't explain how much I want to crush you," Ailiss growls, glaring fiercely at me.
That's it. Hate me.
"You really cared about them? They were just pawns that were useful for me in completing this move. Caring about others makes you as gullible as they were. If either of you had been willing to sacrifice the other, you could've defeated me and ensured your own survival," I reply.
"Do you think we would stoop to that level? You have become the most despicable creature I have ever had the misfortune of knowing. Do not think you will get away with this," Mikoto says.
Hate me even more.
"Unlike you, I won't make value judgments. I'll just say you missed an opportunity. Besides, I don't think you're in a position to pose any threat to me. Know your place—I'm in control here."
"Where do you intend to go with all this? What is the point of killing everyone so thoughtlessly?"
Now, they probably hate me so much that their initial rivalry has become entirely irrelevant. At the same time, such intense hatred would nullify any affection derived from the parallel realities where we were allies.
Now, I just have to tell my final lie.
"Let's see… how can I summarize? Everything I've done is just a ritual. With their deaths, I've reached the exact amount of bloodshed required. I haven't had the opportunity to explain my powers fully, but it involves stealing others' pacts. I inherited this ability just as you inherited the dark magic tied to summoning this reality."
"Stealing pacts? Such a bizarre power really exists?" she scoffs in disgust. "So you intended from the beginning to take the ability to summon the game from me?"
"Yes, I just needed to complete a few steps. Ailiss's arrival to hunt you down hindered me on the one hand but helped on the other. Unfortunately, my ability isn't perfect—there's some chance of failure when stealing a pact. But fortunately, with all three players possessing supernatural affinity, the chances of success increase significantly," I say, walking toward them.
By this point, they have no reason to doubt the story I've fabricated.
The more words we exchange, the more I feel our bonds unraveling from their side. I see us growing further apart, so much so that they won't feel the slightest regret about the game's conclusion. My actions have been so impactful that the weight of our relationship across infinite worlds will simply break, leaving them free.
"Not one step further," Ailiss says, stepping in front of Mikoto and taking a defensive stance. "Mikoto, run. I can hold him off for some time."
"No way. Did you forget everything I have told you so far? We are in this together until the end," Mikoto says, stepping back to her side.
"If you insist on being stubborn, stay alert for my signal," Ailiss closes her eyes and smiles.
"Do not worry about me. The training I received will not be in vain," Mikoto smiles.
In their bitter smiles, I see that I've succeeded. Both are aware that, from their perspective, this is a lost battle, yet they still intend to stand firm beside each other.
In the same way that hatred toward me destroyed our bonds, it also created space for a new one to bloom.
So please, take good care of each other.
"How cute, but there's nothing you can do against me," I say, wearing a malevolent smile as I point the revolver at the two.
And finally, the last piece of the board comes into play. The game has finally ended. A few points deviated from the plan, but the scenario I envisioned has materialized.
Suddenly, amidst the noise of explosions, a barrage of projectiles rips through my chest. Within seconds, my vital organs are utterly destroyed.
I look back sharply and confirm Miyu's tearful yet enraged face.
"You deserved it! This was for what you did to Manabu-kun, Shimizu-kun, me, and all our classmates! You became a monster, and I had to stop you immediately!" she says, holding the machine gun in her hands.
Exactly, Miyu. You did what needed to be done. Like Shou and Manabu, you undoubtedly hate me for using you, but thank you for this.
It worked. I managed to accomplish my suicide without making it seem like one. Indeed, our bonds have been severed. With this, I can finally rest.
I feel immense pain throughout my body due to the projectiles tearing through my chest. I collapse to the ground, internally writhing in agony.
Everything would have been so much easier if I could have simply taken my own life as soon as I regained memories of other worlds. Unfortunately, reality isn't so generous.
Amid my final breaths, I notice that Miyu also falls, coughing up blood. The effect on her internal organs must have been the same as mine. There's no saving her now—she will only suffer the same penalty and share this immense pain.
But this pain is nothing compared to the infinite times my beloved ones died… so I can't complain about anything. Just knowing that both of them survived and can lead peaceful lives gives me total solace.
Even as I gaze at this burning ceiling, I can't help but feel cold. Dying truly is painful. I feel more and more isolated from the world, drifting further away. To be honest, I'm a little scared.
You two went through this, didn't you? I'm sorry.
Despite all my efforts to distance you from me, could an infinitesimal fraction of the love I nurtured for you have been mutual? If, for an instant, that was true, then everything was worth it.
It's slowing down more and more. The wounds were so deep that I don't have much time left. My brain is gradually ceasing to function...
??:??
Where am I? What is this strange sensation of emptiness?
This isn't the same place as before—the one in my dreams. This environment gives me a different feeling, a sense of anguish.
Ah, that's right... I truly died.
This must be the last moment of consciousness I have left.
I believe everyone at this point reflects on the past and reaches acceptance because denying what we've lived is irrelevant in the face of death. However, I also see no sense in accepting everything and trying to see only the good side of things. In the final analysis, it remains a great lie we tell ourselves in search of comfort.
I don't die without regrets. This type of feeling likely occupies my mind the most—not for the actions I took but because I had no other choice. Even now, I can't accept how things turned out. Until my last breath, I curse the heavens for putting the three of us in such a dilemma. I defy the gods for allowing me to witness their deaths so many times.
My actual impotence before fate leaves me submerged in terribly bitter despair.
I wish I had spent more time with the two of them, talked more with them, and found a way for all three of us to escape alive. Oh… how I wish.
Or at least to know how their lives unfolded from this point, how long they managed to stay together, whether they had a happy life, and whether what I did had any purpose.
I desperately want to know if everything I did wasn't in vain. I don't think that's asking too much.
In any case, nothing matters anymore. When my consciousness fades, I, as an individual, will disappear too, taking with me my desires and aspirations. How much a person regrets or accepts their decisions in life only holds relevance while they exist; afterward, only the void remains. Only disappearance awaits, regardless of one's will.
What I could claim as comfort is having had the opportunity to change their destiny. That was truly a blessing granted to me. Knowing I could provide a different outcome from the one I saw infinitely in my memories is undoubtedly a gift. However, I can't be satisfied with just that. Not even close. That could never console me—after all, I'm human. I don't live solely by ideals but also by desires.
Ironically, I think this would have been my destiny if I had never met them. Somehow, this would have been the tool to free me from this monochromatic prison.
However, the warmth of having known them shielded me from the immense cold of the void's breath. I can't express such tremendous gratitude. Our time together was short yet eternal, and at least at the end of my life, thanks to their presence, I could feel my chest minimally filled.
Moreover, all that remains is to wish them the best for their future.
Mikoto, Ailiss, I'm sorry things ended this way. If everything went as planned, you must hate me now. Even so, I hope I've provided a minimally happy future for both of you.
Epilogue
…
The End