After so much time trapped in this world, shooting blindly without results, I can hardly believe I glimpsed a bit of light amidst the darkness. Could this be a glimmer of hope?
I've lived through this hell so many times. Even though it's minimal, I've finally made some progress.
I still need to understand better what to do with this information—how we can increase the distance I can travel outside. We need to develop many things, but I can't help feeling excited about this first step.
Excited, I punch one of the classroom desks.
"Did something happen, Johann-kun?" Miyu asks.
"Yes, thank you so much for the advice you gave me. Because of it, I didn't give up," I smile. "I believe with this, my life will finally start moving forward again. Thank you so much!" I bow deeply.
"It was nothing…" she pauses. "Wait, what advice did I give you?! What happened? You're acting so differently—are you really yourself?"
I need to thank her properly, but I'll leave that for after I resolve this curse. Finding them and establishing our next step is my priority.
"You won't remember, but I'll explain in more detail another time. I need to go for now—I have to act on that advice."
As I leave the classroom, I nearly bump into Manabu and Shou.
"Hey, Johann, watch where you're going," Shou says.
"Sorry, we'll talk later!" I say as I run off.
"Jocchi, we have class now! Where are you going?!"
...
I repeat the procedures from the last iteration, once again gaining Ailiss's and Mikoto's trust, and finally, I share the results of our previous experiment.
"I see… you managed to walk five meters outside the school. To be honest, I was expecting slightly better results, considering our school is large and therefore has a big perimeter. Either way, we need much more than that to break this vicious cycle," Mikoto comments.
"It seems Death teleports to the nearest victim, so the school's size doesn't matter much. If he uses the school bus, he might cover a slightly greater distance. However, there's a more effective way to increase the time it takes for Death to reach Mistkerl," Ailiss says.
I believe Ailiss has the same idea as I do. It's a rather condemnable measure, but I don't think we have another choice.
"Increasing the number of decoys," I add.
Mikoto nods and comments,
"That seems valid. If we consider a linear model, Ailiss and I managed to hold it off long enough for you to move five meters, so 400 students would theoretically allow you to cover a kilometer."
That's if I can run full speed for that distance… Don't overestimate my physical fitness.
She continues,
"However, to convince them to cooperate, we can't tell them the truth about Death. I think it will already be difficult for them to cross the gate, believing they'll simply disappear, let alone if they know what awaits them outside."
We'll have to use them. After everything I've done, I won't let morality bind me to this. Some tests are nothing compared to the eternal massacres that have stained this school's floors.
The only integrity I'll maintain will be with them. They are the only ones I won't try to manipulate.
However, I'm bothered by how little time I had to apologize to Manabu, Shou, and Miyu before deceiving them again.
"Mikoto, can your influence persuade them to cooperate with us?"
"Tanaka-kun and some other council members might volunteer to help. But while the rest of the school admires me to some extent, we are asking them to run toward Death—or disappear, from their perspective. I doubt they will fully trust my words. Deep down, a seed of distrust will sprout."
"So there's no way, then? Is there really nothing we can do? To think we finally found some hope…" I say, discouraged.
"Why are you lamenting? Isn't what you need to do obvious? If you managed to persuade Mikoto and me, just do the same with them," Ailiss comments.
"What are you talking about?"
"I understand. It is not a bad idea. Johann, you are the only one who retains memories from previous iterations, so this task can only be carried out by you. You must find a way to convince each student to cooperate with us. I believe with that, you can travel a much greater distance—enough to break the barrier created by the game," Mikoto says.
"The two of you are different cases—I only managed to convince you because you're players, and some memories linger as déjà vu. Maybe I can persuade my three friends to help us, but how can I persuade others when I'm a complete introvert and have never exchanged a word with most of the students here? This is practically impossible…"
"You have all the time in the world to solve it," Ailiss replies.
"Even so, I don't think I can do it… no, I definitely can't. Even if I had a million years, I believe I'd go insane before succeeding."
"Have you forgotten? You have already gone insane once, so this will not be the first or the last time. Think of it as a form of redemption. From what you described to me, you have killed every one of them trying to save us. Your punishment will be to befriend each of them for at least one iteration, live with your victims, and tell them the truth. That way, you will discover key words and personal information to earn their trust and persuade them to help with this plan."
Redemption… facing all my victims… This is a cruel way to atone for my sins. But deep down, I've always known I'd have to make amends with each of them.
As maddening as this is, to save the two of them, it's a task I'm willing to complete.
...
Thus, I proceed, repetition after repetition, getting closer to each student in the school. Mikoto's popularity provides some assistance in each attempt, yet it's an arduous and lengthy task.
Yuka, Kana, Ren, Yuki, Yuri, Asahi, Saki, Yui, Haruka, Shiori, Kazu, Natsuki, Hiroki, Shun, Ken, Naoki, Keiko, Rina, Ayumi, Takuya, Kazuki, Haruki, Shota, Keita, Natsumi, Mayu, Masa, Chihiro, Taka, Miho, Kouki, Minami, Hiro, Takashi, Ayaka, Shinji, Kaori, Takumi, Yuma, Aya, Sayaka, Daiki, Kanako, Naoya, Kazuya, Mai, Erika, Tatsuya, Miki, Kaito, Nana, Yuuta, Risa, Mio, Ayano, Yu, Daisuke, Yuuto, Mina, Mari, Aki, Rin, Yusuke, Yumi, Shuto, Moe, Ryo, Ai, Issei, Masaki, Airi, Hikaru, Saya, Ryota, Nao, Yuna, Shiho, Aika, Mao, Taichi, Hayato, Sakura, Kenta, Haruna, Kazuma, Atsushi, Naoto, Misa, Tohru, Aoi, Mami, Kei, Misaki, Takahiro, Hana, Kyohei, Tomoya, Daichi, Narumi, Rika, Asumi, Wataru, Satomi, Ryosuke, Asuka, Makoto, Mizuki, Toshi, Moeka…
Hundreds of names. Hundreds of families, lives, stories, hobbies, and dreams. I've memorized each one. Those who once meant nothing to me, who lacked names or personalities, those I killed thousands of times… Now I know them all.
In a final iteration, I use nearly all the time given by the game and manage to convince every one of them about the loop we're trapped in.
...
"Are you certain none of them will back out at the last minute?" Ailiss asks.
"In every iteration, I simulated an individual attempt. Everyone here went through the same conversation we had when they fulfilled the task. Of course, with so many people involved, the probability of someone backing out isn't zero, but I believe it's worth the attempt," I respond.
"Very well, go ahead and position the ropes so everyone can climb the school walls. Meanwhile, I will organize one last assembly to review the instructions and prepare them further," Mikoto says.
As I move away from Mikoto, I encounter Manabu, Miyu, and Shou.
"Hey, Jocchi! Is everything ready?!"
"Almost, but thanks for your help," I smile.
"I still think this is all crazy, but I'll do my best. Maybe I'll even impress some girls with my courage," Shou says, scratching his head.
"Eh… I'm not that motivated since it's all about 3D girls," Manabu adds.
"That's enough nonsense, boys. Focus on supporting Johann-kun so we can escape," Miyu interjects.
They continue chatting boisterously among themselves, not giving me a chance to say anything.
If I had trusted them sooner, perhaps I wouldn't have had to endure all this.
"What's with the smile? What happened?" She shifts her attention to me.
"Nothing, I'm just glad to have your support."
"What are you talking about? You can always count on us. Don't you remember all the dating simulators I lent you?" Manabu says, laughing.
"Yes, that's true."
...
While Ailiss and I finish preparing for our offensive, I can hear Mikoto delivering what is likely her final speech.
"This game not only tried to sow distrust among us, pitting us against each other, but also stole our future. From an outside perspective, this may seem like the first time you are experiencing this, but as Johann explained to each of you, we have been trapped in this world for an immeasurable amount of time. That is why I reinforce his request for your help in this battle. Everyone's participation is essential for us to achieve freedom."
I arrive at the hall near the end of the assembly and notice some hesitation in the eyes of a few.
"Kaichou, but if we disappear, won't we die too? That's a little terrifying…" a girl comments.
A precise question. This is something we can't deny. What will you do, Mikoto?
"There is no way to know… However, what do you prefer? To bet on our only chance of escape or remain trapped in this world of illusions forever? From my perspective, staying in this world without a future is the same as being dead."
Her leadership aura is truly unshakable…
Mikoto's words further motivate the rest of the school. Hundreds of voices shout words of support. Determination fills their eyes.
Thus, we all scale the school walls, and at Ailiss's gunfire signal, we run toward freedom.
I jump over the wall and quickly accelerate to full speed.
Perhaps this was the answer that had always been under my nose: teamwork. If everyone worked together, we could escape.
The game did everything to sow distrust among us, pitting us against each other for our survival or our loved ones'. That was always its intention, but now we've overcome this obstacle. We will break this vicious cycle and leave together.
One block.
This time, I decided to trust others and learned that I could rely on my friends. Manabu, Shou, and Miyu were always there to support me, yet I ignored them and wanted to handle everything independently.
I believed I had to be the only one to save my beloveds—I thought I had to be the scapegoat. But everything becomes lighter by sharing our emotions, even the negative ones.
Two blocks.
Trust, honesty, sincerity… Now I understand what friendship truly means. And now I know that in tough times, I just need to trust my friends because we'll surely find a solution together.
I feel each of their presence fading gradually. However, their sacrifices won't be in vain.
Three blocks.
Freedom is right in front of us. I put all my strength into my legs and into this flame of hope ignited in my chest. Step after step, as breathless as I am, I keep running.
Four blocks.
Finally, as if all our determination, friendship, and collective emotions meant nothing, the wretched reality regains its throne. This false euphoria turns back into despair as my head is decapitated.