Day 1
10:27 AM
I wake up in the next iteration the same way as always.
The same classroom. The same scenery. The same environment. However, as I look around, it's easy to see the difference is stark.
If I were still suffering from the dizziness caused by déjà vu, no one would be here to ask if I was alright. Those two clowns are also no longer here to pester me with their debates over 2D and 3D girls. That infinity of repetitions is behind me, dispersed into time as if it had never existed.
I leave the classroom and walk through the empty corridors in complete silence.
The sound of my own footsteps is the only thing I can hear in this practically deserted environment. In this reality, the situation mirrors a world where all humans have vanished.
Everything is empty.
No one is here anymore.
I descend to the lobby and later to the courtyard.
Nothing.
All that irritating shouting is gone. Everyone is gone forever, leaving only these abandoned structures. My prayers from that distant time when I cursed others' happiness seem to have been answered, but now those prayers no longer hold any meaning.
What meaning could remain in an empty world?
"Johann."
I hear Mikoto's serene voice and then turn in her direction.
Fortunately, I am not completely alone.
There they are, the girls with their long black and golden hair swaying in the winter wind.
They walk through the snow toward me.
"It seems that from now on, it's just the three of us," Ailiss comments.
"I thought that when everyone else was taken, they would be forced to manifest. Since their entertainment has ended, there is nothing left for them to expect from us. So why did this simply reset?" Mikoto asks, her fingers thoughtfully touching her lips.
It's a reasonable thought; some change should have occurred. I don't know exactly what we're supposed to do, but one thing is certain: they don't tire so easily.
"They would never be satisfied with just a few years. Even if we have nothing left to offer them, they are incredibly patient. Moreover, this will continue for a long time," I respond while staring at the sky.
Our freedom, including the freedom to die, has been ripped away forever, and we'll have to live with that.
...
We search the rest of the school with false hope that something has changed. Perhaps there might be another student who survived and is hiding somewhere. But these speculations are mere denial on our part.
As much as we know there's nothing to be found, we continue to inspect this deserted place.
No clues, no signs of anything that could lead us out of this reality.
After exhausting ourselves with this fruitless search, we walk to a bench in the courtyard and sit down.
I observe the two of them, their gazes completely lost. I decide to join them and stare at the sky, hoping to find some answer.
However, there's no condition left untested. All that's left for us is to accept our perpetual sentence in this place.
Mikoto speaks up, and it seems she has reached the same conclusion as I have.
"Well, the three of us have already tried everything during this time. It is with regret that I say I do not believe there is any way to break these repetitions. We will likely remain trapped in this infinite cycle."
"So, you've both thrown in the towel too. But then, what do we do now? Sit here and wait while we mentally decay, just like our classmates did?" I suggest.
"I'm in favor. It's not a bad idea; I'm already sick of this loop," Ailiss responds, resting her head on her hand.
"Honestly, you two... I wonder what would become of you if I were not here," Mikoto retorts, bringing her hand to her forehead in disapproval.
"And do you have a better suggestion? As you just said yourself, there's nothing we can do," Ailiss replies.
"Indeed, there is nothing we can do about the repetitions. However, perhaps we could try looking at things from another perspective," Mikoto pauses thoughtfully. "Maybe we could have a bit of fun?" she proposes.
"Tch. More board games? I thought we agreed those had already lost their charm."
"Of course not; we can enjoy other activities. For example..." She touches her temples, thinking even harder, but the words escape her.
Fun? My former self, before all this, was already incapable of such a feat, let alone now, trapped in this reality and mired in this sludge of sins. Besides, these two seem even further removed from the concept of fun than I am.
"Alright, but how do we do that exactly?" I ask.
"I don't know. I'm also waiting for ideas from Miss Fun herself," Ailiss remarks.
"Truthfully, I thought you two might have some suggestions," Mikoto sighs. "As I have always lived according to my duties, I never had much time to practice fun properly. So, I only know the theory. The only thing I can remember that truly amused me was bothering Johann during these repetitions."
I'll take that last comment as a compliment.
"I could say the same. Until I got stuck here, all my time was dedicated to my work as an assassin."
I'm not surprised by these answers; they're so typical of the two of them.
I begin to laugh softly.
They both glare at me, annoyed.
Their faces read, "What is it?"
"I just found it funny that the three of us are so uptight that none of us know what to do," I reply.
"Hey, don't lump me into your self-deprecation," Ailiss retorts angrily.
"Well... the three of us can think of something. Perhaps a list of activities we would like to do? Simple things, like activities we did not get to experience during childhood or school life, should suffice," Mikoto points at my face. "By the way, it is been a long time since you have made a genuine expression like that, Johann," she smiles.
Have I not? It's true... I was laughing. From Mikoto's words, they must have noticed that my evasive behavior has persisted since our last conversation on this subject.
The chains of remorse still bind me in constant apathy, but for this fleeting moment, I could breathe easily. Unfortunately, I don't know if I can maintain this state of mind after everything that's happened... I don't know if I can simply ignore it all and continue living with these two as if nothing were wrong.
"It's just your imagination," I force a smile.
"You know that trick will not work on us. I can clearly see that something is wrong with you; this is not new. We are aware of how you are feeling."
She's always been able to see through my masks, and this time is no different.
"True. I see I can't use the same tactics I used with Manabu and Miyu. But please, don't worry too much about me; it's just nonsense on my part."
"We may not be the most empathetic companions in the world, but we can help you," Ailiss comments.
"I'm quite surprised. I never imagined seeing you so friendly like this."
"Let's just say I'm sick of your disgusting aura to the point of wanting to punch your face whenever I see that sour expression. In any case, Mikoto's idea isn't so bad."
Perhaps not so friendly after all... I think I was too quick to assume she had changed.
"So? Any objections from you, Johann?" Mikoto asks.
"It's fine by me. I don't have many ideas, but I'll go along with you."
Then it's decided. For the first time, I and these two expressionless yet malicious girls will try to genuinely have fun.