I hear the sound of the door opening abruptly. Turning around, I see the same grumpy figure from a few hours ago.
"Oh, were you waiting for me?" she asks, throwing herself carelessly into the chair next to me.
"Perfect, you're just in time. Now that we're all here… don't you think it's better to warn everyone about the game before the announcement? That way, we can avoid the staff members' deaths," I suggest.
"I'm sorry to inform you, but it's too late. Right after we talked in the hideout, I searched the area, and their clothes were already there. They noticed the connection issues with the outside world and immediately went to check what was happening."
I look at the clock and see it's almost time for the loudspeakers to start crackling. Emotionally unstable, I lost track of time... The nurse, the principal, and the other staff are gone while I was talking to the two of them.
"Anyway, I think they will only believe us after seeing someone disappear before their eyes. How did you manage to avoid any deaths in one of the iterations you told me about?" Mikoto asks.
"It wasn't simple—I sometimes slipped up. First, I threatened them with a knife, and later, with the machine gun I stole from Ailiss."
"Out of the question," she sighs. "If we do something like that, we will only make them more scared. Did you really not come up with a better idea during all the time you were trapped?" She gets up and rubs her temples. "But do not worry; we will think of something. I see you are still a bit emotionally unstable, so for now, do not be too hard on yourself… Ailiss and I will handle the situation."
Don't be too hard on myself? How ironic, isn't it? You two were the ones who demanded the most from me. Yet, I can't help but feel happy amid this scene.
I look down and smile.
"What's so funny?" Ailiss asks, slightly annoyed.
"You know, the only times the three of us could talk calmly were when I tricked you or when you forgot everything from the previous repetition. So, this is the first time we're truly together after all this time."
The two of them smile back, and Mikoto responds.
"You are right. I never thought we would have this opportunity someday, not after everything we have done and said to each other. We took actions thinking of pushing each other away, prioritizing the safety of others, but deep down, what we wanted most was a moment like this." She turns to Ailiss with a serene smile. "Come to think of it, we have not even had time to catch up, Ailiss."
"If what Mistkerl said is true, we'll have plenty of time for that during the loop. So first, we need to decide what to do with the other students."
"We can follow Johann's suggestion and issue a warning just to clear our conscience, but it is up to them whether they believe it or not," she turns to me. "Can you handle that, Johann? Make an announcement over the PA system. Meanwhile, Ailiss and I will think of a way to contain any chaos resulting from the persistence of memories. Later, I will publicly appear to give your message more credibility."
"Alright, I'll take care of it right away. Maybe a prior warning will soften the shock," I nod and leave the room.
Despite being very happy to have the two of them here, an unpleasant feeling lingers in my chest. A question keeps hammering in my head: 'Do you have the right to be happy?'
I can't see myself with them the same way as in the repetitions where I stayed passive. I feel like I lost that right long ago. As I close the door and find myself alone with my thoughts, all I can feel is a vast emptiness within me.
I feel welcomed and illuminated by their radiant presence when we're in the same room. But as soon as I step away, I find myself in darkness again.
It's as if I no longer have any light of my own—or maybe I never did.
Something is missing… and I believe it's me.
Walking toward the PA room, I realize Mikoto didn't give me the key.
Damn it, I rushed out and forgot to grab the key.
Turning back, I see Natsuki heading toward the council room as well.
She reaches the door just before me, knocks twice, opens it, and freezes in place for a few seconds.
What happened?!
Worried, I quicken my pace to check.
I understand...
She's so embarrassed that she's frozen before the room. I glance inside and see Mikoto leaning over Ailiss.
The two stop and glare at us with unfriendly looks.
"The key, please," I avert my gaze and hold out my hand.
Mikoto stares at me, annoyed, grabs the key from the table, and throws it in my direction.
Don't look at me like that—you also forgot to give it to me.
I shut the door as if we hadn't seen anything.
"K-Kaichou and that g-girl... t-they were k-kissing..." Natsuki stammers, completely red.
There's no need to feel guilty—at least you knocked on the door.
"Just pretend you didn't see anything," I say, touching her shoulder.
Were they discussing what to do about the loop? Yeah, right... But I can't blame them. From their perspective, the last thing they saw was each other's suicide, so they must have missed each other deeply. Whether I like it or not, they forged a strong bond when I decided to play the lunatic.
I proceed with the task of warning everyone about the game in advance, as well as the loop they've been trapped in.
Naturally, even with Mikoto's support, not everyone believed us until they once again saw Asahi and the teacher vanish after stepping outside the gate.
Day 1
10:27 AM
The game resets after the time limit, but this time with the details promised by the entities. Everyone's memories persist; consequently, the staff and Asahi are erased forever.
"Did we really go back in time?" Manabu comments excitedly. "That's amazing..."
From their perspective, this madness might seem intriguing.
"You'll probably think it's cool for the first thousand times... after that, you'll just want to bang your head against a wall, begging for it to end," I respond.
"A thousand times? How long is that?" Shou asks.
"Almost two decades."
"That's way too long... you've been looping that many times?" Miyu comments, shocked.
That's only about one percent of the time I've been consciously trapped. Considering all the times Ailiss, Mikoto, and I were deceived... eternity doesn't even begin to describe this hell.
The anomaly still seems to affect the students. On one hand, it's a relief not to fear being killed by an assassin, but they should still be terrified by the possibility of never escaping this loop.
Clearly, Mikoto didn't make this possibility explicit. But anyone with a shred of cognitive ability and time to analyze knows we have no way out. The fact that I haven't found a solution after all this time makes it evident.
"Looks like we'll be spending much time together, Miyu-chan!" Shou says with a grin.
"Use this time to do something productive, like studying for college entrance exams or deciding your career," she responds, annoyed.
"What?! We're only in our second year! And I haven't even decided if I'm going to college."
"I think I'll take this chance to reread my entire manga and light novel collection a hundred times," Manabu comments.
...
As expected, the first repetitions didn't present major problems. Some are scared, but the presence of friends makes this experience far less unpleasant than it was for me. While Mikoto, Ailiss, and I work to find a way out, the other students focus on their hobbies, whether sports or reading.
I walk through the courtyard, watching the other students closely. Even in such a chaotic situation, they're having fun with their friends. It's not much different from what I observed at the start of each iteration.
But how long will this dream last? After a few months, they'll start missing their families, friends, and activities outside school life.
Eventually, my train of thought is abruptly interrupted by something poking my shoulder.
When I turn my head to check, I feel something poking my cheek. Mikoto has her finger ready to play a prank on me.
I see her with a serene smile on her face, and Ailiss stands indifferent a little further away. After a few seconds of silence, I ask,
I see her with a serene smile on her face while Ailiss stands indifferent a little further ahead. After a few seconds of silence, I ask:
"What... what is it?"
"We had not find you. Do not disappear like that—you have such a faint presence that no one could tell us where you had gone. Besides, Ailiss and I need your help." Mikoto grabs my arm.
"Did you discover something new?"
"Not exactly. No matter how much we investigate, we have not found anything that looks promising," she says, touching her chin.
I'm already aware that there's no escape, yet I keep fooling myself into thinking otherwise.
"So, what do you need me to do?"
"Let us go to the council room. I will give you more detailed instructions there."
I nod and walk between the two of them toward the main building.
As we approach the atrium, I feel the weight of countless shocked stares, gaping faces, and murmurs of ill will from the student body.
"What did he do to be with the Kaichou?"
"And the other girl is just as stunning."
"Having two such incredible girls? This is unfair; let's crush that bastard!"
I don't need to understand their exact words to know they're saying this. Boys are very predictable.
Obviously, having two absurdly beautiful girls accompanying me causes this kind of reaction from the crowd.
I sigh and ask:
"Is there really a task? Or are you just trying to embarrass me and put a bounty on my head?"
"A little of both," Ailiss replies.
"You are sharper than you look. How did you figure out our intention so quickly?" Mikoto laughs, smiling mockingly.
Interacting with the two of you for so many repetitions, it's impossible not to notice when they're messing with me.
"There's no other explanation for it. You wouldn't come all the way to the courtyard to fetch me for no reason."
"Look at all this negativity; you are starting to sound like the old Johann again."
Mikoto's words strike me deeply.
Oh? I think I made a mistake. Was leading me to this realization of their real intention? Sooner or later, I must recover from all this and return to being myself.
"Hey, Johann! You owe me an explanation!" Shou shouts from the middle of the crowd.
In a nostalgic scene, I see Manabu, Shou, and Miyu looking shocked by the situation.
That's right—from their perspective, they're unaware of how close I've grown to these two. The question is: how do I explain this to them?
The three approach us, and again, Manabu looks at me tearfully.
"Jocchi, tell me this isn't what I think it is… Did you betray the cause?"
How many times do I need to tell him I was never part of any movement?
"L-Look, I'm a bit busy right now. Can we talk about this later?"
"No way! I want answers now!" Shou yells.
"Shimizu-kun, let him be. You're embarrassing him," Miyu turns to me, blushing. "B-But I was also stunned."
I glance around and notice that this commotion is drawing even more attention from the surrounding students.
"Why do you all not come with us? Johann can explain our relationship while we walk to the student council room," Mikoto says with an ironic smile.
Even Ailiss lets out a small laugh at the situation.
You two really know how to put me in a tough spot, right?