Day 2
8:33 PM
Just as I earned the prior trust of Ailiss and Mikoto in past timelines, I repeat the procedure and organize a meeting between the two. This encounter differs from the others because it has the support of Manabu, Shou, and Miyu, who will help reconcile the two and contain any potential conflict.
But I will follow their advice to the end and ensure that I extinguish their hatred appropriately. I must erase this hatred, not redirect it toward myself.
We scheduled the meeting in one of the classrooms furthest from the dormitories to avoid interruptions. However, upon arrival, Mikoto and Ailiss show evident displeasure with the arrangement.
"What is the meaning of this, Johann? At no point did you mention other people would be present at this meeting. How should I interpret this? As an attempt at an ambush?" Mikoto asks, casting a cold gaze at me.
"I can say the same as her—you should have informed me of this beforehand, Mistkerl. What is your justification?" Ailiss angrily crosses her arms.
From now on, I will be frank with them.
"Not at all. These three are my friends and will now be your allies. They are here to assist me with this meeting."
"What do you mean by that? I must admit, these circumstances appear highly suspicious to me," Mikoto remarks.
It's natural for them to hesitate; they still don't have much trust in my words.
"Basically, we will help Jocchi keep you two here until the end of the meeting. We won't let you leave before you hear what he has to say," Manabu declares.
"What authority do you think you have to say something like that? Especially to me?" she stares them down.
"Kaichou, don't misunderstand. We respect you greatly, and I particularly admire you. However, you need to listen to what Johann-kun has to say—it's essential..." Miyu says.
"What a joke, Mistkerl. You speak as if these three fools could stop me," Ailiss comments.
"I am well aware of your brute strength, but they are the only ones I could turn to," I reply.
"The longer this conversation goes on, the more suspicious it becomes. Very well, Johann, tell us at once what this is about," Mikoto says.
Unfortunately, I can't delay this any further. I would have liked to ease their nerves before revealing the reason for this meeting. From my following sentence onward, their tempers will flare, and I'll need to find a way to calm them down.
I close my eyes, sigh, and then spit out the following words.
"The truth is that the three of us are the players."
"If what you are saying is true... then—" she widens her eyes and turns to Ailiss. "Then this alliance is out of the question, Johann." She presses her palm to her forehead. "Yes, now I am starting to remember what happened in the morning when the game was conjured... how could I forget?"
"Hmph. I see. My memories were scrambled; I couldn't recall who the conjurer of the dark magic was, but now that you've mentioned she's a player, her identity as the sorceress has become clear," Ailiss remarks.
As in previous instances, discovering that the other is a player served as a trigger, and they had their standard reaction as they recalled their conflict. Their hatred has blossomed, but I needed to reveal it first to extinguish it properly.
"Save your comments about your feud for later. There's a more important matter to discuss."
"More important? How audacious of you. Do you realize she tried to kill me? Yet you will still ask me to cooperate?" Mikoto retorts.
If I don't act quickly and assertively in this debate, they'll start to resort to personal attacks. I must proceed to the topic of the timelines immediately.
"Yes, it's more important. This is not the first time we've had this conversation. Whether I die, Ailiss dies, or you die, none of it matters. This game is repeating indefinitely, regardless of the outcome."
"You expect me to believe such nonsense? What you're saying is impossible. No magic can reverse the flow of time," Ailiss comments.
"If it's impossible, how do you explain the information I gave you this morning to persuade you into this alliance?"
"There must be a more plausible explanation than that." She presses her temples. "Even mind-reading is a more sensible explanation. Time travel is simply an untenable justification given all the theory I've studied."
It seems it will be difficult to gain their cooperation solely through rational argument. In previous instances, I had to appeal to their emotions, but it only worked because they were under threat, and I told many lies.
Is there no way to avoid manipulation? Must I retread this path? No... I can't back down so quickly in the face of difficulties.
"Very well. This discussion is going nowhere. I have no intention of cooperating with someone who plans to kill me, and from what I can tell, she holds the same position as I do. Frankly... I still find it hard to believe you did not consider the absurdity of what you are proposing," Mikoto says, turning away. "I ask that you do not seek me out again, for the next time we meet, I will see you as an enemy."
This same speech... this is how I lost control during my first attempt. But this time, it will be different.
"Not another step," Shou says.
"Get out of my way."
"We won't, Kaichou. You need to stay here and understand what he's trying to say... Johann-kun has never asked us for anything before. Even as friends, he's always kept his distance. If he's asking for our help now, it just shows how desperate he is to find a way to save you!" Miyu exclaims.
"I never asked him to save me. It seems he managed to drag you into this madness; given your intellectual level, this is no surprise," she sighs. "But if you had paid a little attention to the rules of this 'game,' you would know that a treaty among the three players is incompatible. Inevitably, one of us must die, and this cannot be changed."
"And I am willing to do so," I respond.
"Moderate your speech. Words are cheap; pretty phrases lead to nothing. Are you willing to die here and now?"
She doesn't know how... if things were that easy... If all it took was for me to die to save them and end this world of repetitions, I would be infinitely grateful. However, life is not so generous.
"It wouldn't be the first time I've done so. In other iterations, I've committed suicide countless times, thinking I could protect you, but merely killing myself doesn't resolve your conflict." I clench my fists and avert my gaze. "The first thing you would do is conjure a new game to protect yourself from Ailiss, wouldn't you?"
"Such demagoguery... at least on this point, I agree with the pompous president. I don't need your help, so leave me alone. I'm losing patience with this nonsense," Ailiss comments.
"I don't need to wait for a cry for help to act," I turn to Ailiss. "Your father didn't wait for a plea to save you; he would have done so even against your will." I turn to Mikoto. "The same can be said of your mother, can't it?"
Both widen their eyes.
"How do you know that?" Ailiss demands angrily.
"You told me."
"Regardless of how you discovered my past, why would you place yourself in the same position? Every action has an interest behind it. What are your motivations, and what do you intend with this supposed self-sacrifice?" Mikoto asks.
Do you still have doubts, Mikoto? Can't you see how I feel about you even without your memories? Don't you realize how precious you are to me?
"Isn't it obvious? Because I love you both."
Mikoto lets out a derisive laugh and then returns to her icy gaze.
"I confess that if we were in other circumstances, I might even believe such pretty words."
"Hey, Kaichou! No matter how spectacular you are, you should pay more attention when a guy confesses to you! Especially when he's putting everything on the line for it!" Shou complains.
"There is no need to even touch on the fact that he is confessing to another girl simultaneously... because while he declares something to me, he also declares it to someone who wants to take my life. Do you not see how contradictory this is? I am sorry, but I cannot take such words seriously; they are childish," she turns to the three and looks at them with hostility. "Now, will you let me pass?"
The biggest problem here in terms of physical violence is undoubtedly Ailiss. However, Mikoto has potential she's not even aware of.
Manabu looks at me, and I nod.
"You'll stay here until you've resolved this matter. I don't care about either of your skills. Jocchi has decided to take this route, and I fully understand how he feels, so I won't let you leave," Manabu pulls out the machine gun and stands at the classroom's exit.
It won't be a real threat—they would never have the courage to act on it.
But we're running out of cards to play...