Day 3
2:14 PM
Where am I?
Still dizzy and with blurry vision, I look around.
White? This is undoubtedly not the meeting place with the Laplace demons, as there's no dark mist here. I can also confirm I haven't died and reached the afterlife; if such a place exists, its scenery would likely be as dark and murky as the fog.
Something important just occurred to me. What happened to them? I can't remember much after taking those gunshots.
In any case, if I'm alive, it means the repetition hasn't reset yet. I must find them and continue our conversation where we left off.
I try to use my intact arm and leg to get up, but my body refuses to cooperate. I believe I've lost a considerable amount of blood, so perhaps I should rest a bit more.
My vision begins to darken once more.
Day 4
5:05 PM
I open my eyes again and see the white room, but this time with enough clarity to recognize it.
I've seen this ceiling before… ah, I'm in the school infirmary.
I struggle to lift my upper body and notice Miyu sitting on a nearby bench.
"Johann-kun?!" she exclaims in surprise. "Guys, come here! Johann-kun is awake!"
"Really?!" I hear Manabu's voice.
"You gave us a scare, Johann. I thought you'd never wake up," Shou says as they both come into view.
So, they're here too… but I need to confirm what happened to me and to them after our discussion.
"I can't remember much. What happened? How did I get here?" I press my palm against my face.
"Right after you finished speaking with them, you staggered and collapsed unconscious. We brought you here, performed first aid, and let you rest," Miyu explains.
I vaguely recall my vision darkening as I spoke with them. My final act must have consumed all my remaining energy. The beating I took from Ailiss, combined with those two gunshots, left me in shambles.
But I'm glad I didn't die, as the game's rules state that one of them would have suffered the same consequences if I had.
"And so…" I let out a long sigh. "How long was I out?"
"Almost two days. It's late afternoon on the fourth day of confinement," Manabu answers.
I see. I've lost an entire day that could have been used to reconcile the two. It seems I'll fail in this reality. Next time, I must choose my words more carefully.
This leads me to the most critical question of all.
"What happened to them?"
"Don't worry about that; they've ceased their conflict, at least for now. They agreed to a truce and have been checking on your condition repeatedly, though at different times, of course," Miyu replies.
I'm somewhat relieved to hear that. But they've been visiting me? Well, I shouldn't be surprised, given the risk they face if I die. Still, this is a better outcome than expected.
Could it be that I've finally made them understand each other honestly? Without manipulation and solely with my feelings? However fleeting it may have been, did I reach them? It's hard to have high hopes after being stuck in constant failure for so long.
"By the way, Jocchi, we're sorry; we were disarmed. We don't have much experience with this," Manabu admits.
Don't put yourselves through this, Manabu. You're the last ones who should apologize. Comparing your actions to mine is nauseating. Everything I've done to you is unforgivable, and yet I don't even have the decency to apologize appropriately. Worse still, I can't apologize, for if I faced a similar dilemma, I'd commit the same sins.
"Don't say another word. You've done more than enough for me, starting with agreeing to help me in this madness. I wouldn't have been able to keep them in the same room for long without your support. So, thank you very much."
Our conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Ah, it must be one of them," Shou scratches his head, walks to the door, and opens it. "Oh, it's you two? Got it."
He returns to my bedside accompanied by the two girls.
This was quite surprising.
If they're both together, can I conclude they've set aside their differences? Perhaps I can finally feel at ease.
"So, you've finally woken up? You're wrapped up like a mummy. Pretty weak to stay asleep for two days just because of two gunshots to your limbs," Ailiss says, looking down at me.
The same bad temper as always. Not even after a coma can she show a hint of empathy? I can't complain—precisely, this toxic personality captivated me.
"Yes, but he's still weak and needs more rest," Manabu interjects.
"Kaichou, what do you plan to do now that he's awake?" Miyu asks.
"As mentioned, we will let him rest first. I believe you all must be tired from staying with him these past two days. Would you like to take turns with us? I have been busy covering up the sound of gunfire and could not help earlier," she touches her forehead, showing an exhausted expression.
Indeed, the gunfire must have been heard throughout the school, and all sorts of rumors must be circulating by now.
"I'm in! Man, I'm so sleepy…" Shou yawns.
"Not so fast, Shimizu-kun!" Miyu grabs his blazer and turns to Mikoto. "How can we trust you?"
"Don't worry. They won't harm me. After all, I'm their ticket out of here," I reply.
Miyu looks at me for a few seconds and then nods.
"With that cleared up, may we speak privately with Johann? I believe we have many unresolved matters to address," Mikoto asks.
The three look at me, and I respond.
"Please."
They agree and leave the infirmary.
"Get well soon!" Manabu says as he closes the door.
The sound of the door shutting ushers in an extended silence between us in this room bathed in the orange hues of sunset.
Well, it's time to evaluate the results of my actions.
"So? What do you want to talk to me about?"
"It is a bit hard for me to put into words, but Ailiss and I have talked a lot since the incident. However, I still find all of this very confusing," Mikoto presses her temples. "There is no specific topic I would like to discuss, but I am quite troubled by everything you have told us."
I don't feel hostility from either of them, but I still need confirmation.
"The fact that you've spoken is already a significant step forward. What's been decided regarding your revenge, Ailiss?"
"Mikoto is no longer one of my targets; don't worry about that. I think our disagreements have been clarified," she says, placing her weapon on a table and leaning against the wall.
"Great. In that case, my work here is done. I don't think this will impact the repetitions, but it's a valid attempt—a learning experience. So, if you could lend me your weapon, I can release you now."
"Not at all; there are still points to clarify between us, such as these repetitions you just mentioned," Mikoto crosses her arms. "I cannot verify the truth of your claims, but our condition is that you remain alive until the end of this game's time limit."
From my perspective, as they'll likely forget everything, staying in this iteration seems pointless. However, Mikoto is right—it would be unfair to them. Simply disappearing without explanation isn't right.
There's no reason to rush to the next repetition.
"Fine, I'll explain everything you want to know."
Day 5
12:04 PM
I rub my eyes and look around. To my surprise, they're both still in the infirmary. Mikoto sits beside me, her eyes focused on a book in her hands. Meanwhile, Ailiss leans against the window, her attention on the school courtyard.
A gentle breeze enters the room, swaying the curtains and Ailiss's hair.
Seeing them so calm and distracted, a smile forms on my face.
This kind of tranquility feels strange to me. It seems like I'm in a dream—a dream I don't want to wake up from. But unfortunately, it's still just a dream.
"What time is it?" I ask, still drowsy.
"It is lunchtime. Would you like me to fetch something for you?" Mikoto asks, closing her book.
"No, that's not necessary. I'm not hungry. But have you two eaten?" I reply.
"We were waiting for your idiot friends to take over," Ailiss answers.
"Oh. Aren't you too worried about me? The three players are us, so no one else could harm me."
Even the violence that didn't directly come from us was spurred by fear caused by our actions—especially mine.
"You never know; threats can arise from where you least expect them. Therefore, staying vigilant is essential," Mikoto says.
"If you wait for them, you'll miss lunch. Shou always makes us late for any commitment."
"I see. How about we take turns, Ailiss? You can go eat now, and I will go when you return."
"Fine by me," she replies.
Hey, aren't you overdoing it?
"Don't worry about it; they shouldn't take long," I force a smile. "Go rest. You two stayed here all night, didn't you?"
"Alright. But no funny business like escaping from the infirmary," Mikoto chuckles. "Stay here and rest." She gets up.
They both leave, closing the door behind them.
I lie back down and fall asleep again.
...
I wake to the sound of the door opening.
It's probably those three. I'm curious to hear what trouble Shou got into that delayed their shift change. It's sure to bring some laughs.
I notice the footsteps approaching are from a single person.
"Who is it? Miyu? Manabu?" I ask.
"We need to talk," Takashi appears.
What's he doing here? I haven't had any direct contact with him during this repetition. According to Mikoto, she hasn't told him she's a player, so he's likely unaware of the game.
Wait.
I quickly connect the dots. I was naive to forget how unhinged this guy can be.
"What do you want from me?"
"Answer me: what's your relationship with Yukihara-san? Why has she been spending so much time here? Is this related to the noise we heard three days ago?"
As I suspected, he has the most contact with Mikoto, so he's aware of these events even if she tried to hide them.
"We're just acquaintances. Let's say I had a small accident, and she sympathized with my situation—nothing more than that."
"A small accident would leave you in this state? A loud noise, you gravely injured, and a revolver in this room," he observes Ailiss's weapon. "What exactly happened?"
Damn it! She left her gun here?! What was Ailiss thinking?! She never leaves this weapon behind!
Without giving me time to devise an excuse, he speaks again.
"Actually, it doesn't matter. How you ended up in the infirmary isn't the issue. The problem is your relationship with Yukihara-san. She, of all the students, showing empathy to the point of making multiple infirmary visits and even spending a night here? For a mere acquaintance? Impossible."
I don't know how to respond to this—it's almost comical. Mikoto and Ailiss definitely have toxic personalities; anyone close to them is aware of it.
But what are his intentions? Does he simply want me to stay away from Mikoto?
"What are you insinuating?"
"I'm not insinuating anything. I'm dealing with facts. The first fact is her sudden behavioral change, which can only result from your interference. Tell me, what have you done to her? Are you deceiving her?"
"I've already told you it's nothing like that. But if you refuse to believe my words, why ask in the first place?"
Knowing his personality, he won't change his mind so quickly.
"Of course, you won't confess to what you've done to her. But I already have an idea of how to bring her back to normal, and finding you in these circumstances was quite convenient. It's really my lucky day," he says, picking up the gun from the table.
"Takashi, don't do this. I'm a player; if you kill me, you'll die too."
"Do you think I care?!" he yells, his eyes wide.
It's the same situation as in the repetitions. In the end, he succumbs to his psychopathy, even if it's not deliberately provoked. Nothing I say will stop him.
Takashi raises the gun at me and prepares to pull the trigger.
I won't lose much from this. The world will simply reset. At least I can carry this experience forward and stay more vigilant regarding him.
He pulls the trigger.
However, nothing happens.
He pulls it a few more times and then, in a desperate voice, asks,
"Why isn't this thing working?!"
The door opens, and he turns toward the infirmary entrance.
"Drop that immediately, Tanaka-kun," I hear Mikoto's voice.
He suddenly turns to her and tries to compose himself to explain.
"Yukihara-san, don't misunderstand me—I was doing this for you!"
"I do not want to hear your excuses; just obey me. Or I will see you as a traitor, and things will get very ugly for you," she replies, stepping closer.
Right on time. It seems I'm the one having a lucky day.
"Please, no! It's not what you think…" Takashi takes a few steps back.
"For clear attempted homicide, you will be judged as a threat to the school's order and safety. Therefore, I will detain you until the school confinement period ends," she approaches with ropes in her hands.
Wait—if she's already prepared to restrain him, she must have known he'd come after me.
Takashi tries to flee, running past her toward the exit.
I hear the sound of an impact and see his body slam against the wall. Then Ailiss, the only one capable of such a feat, enters my field of vision. Taking advantage of his dazed state, Mikoto begins tying him up.
"Good work," Mikoto says as she finishes the knot.
"How did you know I would be attacked?" I ask.
"Are you underestimating me? It was evident from how he spoke to me, and I also noticed him following us constantly up to this point. I just needed to catch him in the act to confirm his intentions," Mikoto explains.
"Was the weapon planted on purpose, too?"
"Yes, it was her idea. So I left it unloaded to serve as incriminating evidence," Ailiss adds.
I feel guilty for doubting her competence and responsibility as a weapon bearer.
"Still, you could have warned me about this plan in advance. It would've saved me a lot of worry."