I stared at the envelope in my hands as I sat on my bed, reading my name in bold letters while feeling the softness of the material.
Who the hell left this at my door all of a sudden? And do I even want to open it?
Well...If a person took the time to write me a whole-ass letter instead of just telling me whatever directly, then I suppose that's a bit of effort. So...I guess I should open it.
But shit! This might just be an elaborate trap! This killing game has really messed up my trust. I can barely trust anything these days!
Glancing down one last time at the paper in my hands, I sighed.
Fuck it. I should at least hear this mystery person out. Then I can decide what to do with whatever I read.
I didn't waste any time with the envelope and just ripped it open, a smaller piece of paper falling from it. Quickly, I caught it in my hands and examined it, seeing it was messily folded and creased at every edge.
Damn. I didn't expect this messy piece of work to fall out of such a nice envelope. I suppose whoever wrote this was in a rush then.
With a deep breath, I opened up the note, my eyes landing on the text scribbled on the inside and how each letter joined the next at a slight angle, ink smudges lightly staining some of the letters. It wasn't unreadable though, but as I continued to read through it, I paused.
'Hey, Chiyo.
Now that I've built up the courage, I'd like to discuss and tell you something, yet I can't do it over letters.
I'm sorry if this bothers you or anything but please meet me at the dock a few minutes after the nighttime announcement. Maybe we could take a boat out and talk? Only if you want to, of course.
- Yuna'
My worry washed away when I saw that name at the bottom of the sheet. Of course, Yuna wrote this. I can imagine her freaking out over the stuff she was writing.
But...we talked earlier. Why couldn't she just tell me then? And what the hell does she even have to tell me in the first place?
I was worried again in no time, going over various possibilities in my head for the reason.
However, I stopped mid-way through and calmed down, reassuring myself that Yuna wouldn't do anything reckless. I completely trust her right now anyway.
So...I guess I should go hear her out. I can't stop thinking about what she could be wanting to tell me. Nothing bad, I hope.
But shit, I need to run! It has been ages since the nighttime announcement played, so I'm going to be late.
With that, I grabbed my bag once again, making sure the essentials like my handbook and Archie were inside and safe, and began running out the door, locking it behind me.
However, I was stopped when I heard someone call out my name from one of the benches in the centre of the ring of the cabins.
"Chiyo?" Satoshi glanced over at me, lifting his head from his notebook. "What...are you doing?"
"I could ask you the same thing, dude. Shouldn't you be resting? Kenji told you to take care of yourself you know." I stopped at the foot of my stairs, crossing my arms. "I'm just...going out to meet someone at the dock."
I could've made an excuse or lied to Satoshi, but I trust him. Besides, I also trust Yuna.
And even if something were to happen to me...Satoshi would know what I was up to. So that would help.
"This late?" He wondered, tilting his head. "Are you sure that's even safe?"
"When you put it like that, you make me sound like an idiot walking into a death trap." I sighed. "But I trust this person, ok? I'll be fine."
"Well..." Satoshi looked down, shifting uncomfortably in his seat while clearly being worried about me. "If you say so...Be careful."
"Of course." I gave him a reassuring smile. "Now tell me what you're up to out here."
"I'm just writing. A-After what happened this morning I...needed to. To properly calm myself down while clearing my mind." He admitted, showing me the pages of the notebook from where he sat.
"I see. I'm glad you were able to calm yourself down, but you should be in your cabin. Even if you don't sleep as you should, it's just safer, alright? Besides, it would be way better than being stuck out here, am I right?" I smirked, chuckling slightly.
"I suppose so." He returned the gesture with a smile of his own, getting up to retreat to his cabin. "Have fun talking to...whoever you're going to talk to."
"I hope I do." I nodded, waving him off. "Good luck with your writing. And goodnight!"
Once we finished saying bye to each other, I realised the time once again.
Shit! I barely have any time to make it...
Looks like I've got to go as fast as possible.
I gripped the straps of my bag and began running in my desired direction towards the dock, muttering curses to myself to not be late.
-
I arrived at the dock in a matter of no time, bending over and resting my hands on my knees to catch my breath from how fast I ran.
At least I made it...
When I finally recovered and my breathing relaxed, I raised my head, glancing around for any signs of Yuna.
That's weird...I don't think I see her anywhere.
I made my way further down the dock, my feet causing the planks of wood to creak under every step. Then, I began to look into every boat for the theatre technician, yet come to an abrupt stop at one when I saw a familiar figure sitting on the boat.
"Y-You!" I clenched my fists and glared. "What the hell do you want all of a sudden?"
The figure turned their head to the sound of my voice, revealing more of their face in the moonlight with a soft giggle.
"Oh my, Chiyo," Ryoko said, sending a smile my way. "I've never heard you be that enthusiastic to see me."
"I'm not here for you, moron." I scoffed. "I'm-"
"You're here for Yuna, yes?" Ryoko finished my sentence for me, making me stop.
"H-Huh? How do you...know that?"
"I'm afraid Yuna can't make it here. She's at her cabin right now. Well, it's not like she needs to be here." Ryoko began to ramble.
"What are you getting at?!?" I raised my voice to shut her up. "Just get on with it."
"I'm the one who sent you that note. Not her." Ryoko told me plain and simple. "So forget any plans you may have had of seeing her because you're stuck with me. Might as well get in!"
"Oh, no fucking way!" I exclaimed, stepping back. "I'd rather die than be stuck with you."
What kind of person does that?!? Sending notes and pretending to be someone else...Come on! What the hell is wrong with Ryoko?
Without a second thought, I turned around and was about to start walking away before I heard Ryoko once again.
"Tut...A poor choice of words, my dear."
"Huh?"
I vaguely heard Ryoko rummaging through something. My mistake was turning back around, however, as she finally found what she was looking for.
A gun.
The same gun she had brought this morning to breakfast.
Within a matter of seconds she had it pointed right at me, her finger resting dangerously on the trigger while she smirked, a look of pure evil in her eyes as I stood perfectly still.
"You might want to reconsider and get inside this boat with me now. I don't want things to get ugly, dear." Ryoko said, acting as if she really meant any of it whatsoever.
"Y-You...You wouldn't dare. You don't have the guts to kill me." I glared straight at her. "And stop calling me your dear! There's no way in hell you can call me that shit."
"I don't have the guts to kill you?" Ryoko repeated, scoffing. "May I remind you what I did to Finn? He's long gone. And don't get me started on Hidemi..."
"They were different. You despised them."
"Ha, well...despised is a strong word-"
"I'm not finished!" I interrupted her. "What I'm saying is...You'd have no problems killing them! They were just pawns to you. But me? You're obsessed with me. I'm no pawn to you. That's why I doubt you'd just kill me so-"
I was cut off by a gunshot, the same sound echoing from this morning. Glancing down, I realised the bullet had hit the dock's wooden floor just a few centimetres from my feet, leaving a hole and some smoke from its speed.
"S-Shit..." I mumbled, ignoring the beads of sweat rolling down my face.
"Yes, you're right. Compared to those two, you are nowhere near the level of a pawn." Ryoko admitted. "And as much as I enjoy and amuse myself with you and your attitude, that doesn't stop me from putting an end to you right here, do you understand?" Ryoko then stared back at me with an ice-cold look. "The wise and safe decision here is to get in."
"...Will I get hurt if I go with you?" I asked.
"No promises." She weakly chuckled. "But I can guarantee you won't die. Those odds are already better than what you've got yourself in right now. So get in." Ryoko concluded. "It's an order. Not a request."
I looked down at the floor one more time, analysing the bullet hole before giving in and sighing.
It seems I...really don't have a choice in this. So much for avoiding Ryoko.
With a deep breath and slow, cautious steps, I approached the boat. I avoided absolutely all eye contact she gave my way as Ryoko just smiled, putting the gun back away in her pockets.
"Good. You chose the right answer." Ryoko proudly stated with a smile. I looked away from her and with one last deep breath, got on, sitting across from her.
-
Ryoko made me row our boat all the way to the middle of the lake, humming when she wanted me to stop.
"This is the perfect backdrop for our discussion." She said.
"It's just water, no matter where you look," I stated the obvious.
"Yes! It's more private that way, don't you think?" Ryoko replied.
"Whatever..." I rolled my eyes.
We then fell into silence. It's not like I had anything I wanted to say to her, so I was just waiting for her to begin. But when I realised she wasn't going to speak at all, I groaned.
"What the hell do you want?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why do you want to talk to me so bad? I'm here, aren't I? So speak up already."
"Hm...I'd like for you to indulge me, Chiyo."
"Eh?"
"I've chosen to tell you a bit about myself!" She clapped her hands, acting as if it was a joyous occasion.
"And I care because...?" I folded my arms.
"Just to make things clear," Ryoko clarified. "I'm not doing this because I wish for you to think of me in a better light. To be honest, I don't care how you or any of the others see me. I know to you all I'm just some evil girl who manipulates and kills people, but I'm so much more than that!"
"As if," I mumbled. "So why in the world are you telling me this, then?"
"Well, because I like you!" She grinned. "Simple as that."
"Huh?!?"
"I believe that you have amused me immensely with all of your crying and reactions. And not to mention how interesting you are!" Ryoko explained. "So I think you deserve a reward. Getting to hear a bit about myself and my motives...isn't that lovely?"
"That reward sounds like shit," I told her the truth. "And what if I don't even want to hear this? I don't want to be rewarded for getting angry and getting you off on your stupid obsessions! And I certainly don't care about your pathetic backstory."
"Well, I'm afraid to say you don't have a choice. We're alone out here in the middle of a lake. And don't tell me you plan on swimming back." Ryoko chuckled. "Don't you remember what's in the water? You'd be dead before you even get close to land. So staying on this boat and listening to me is really your only option here."
"Then fuck." I sighed, clenching my teeth. "Get on with it then. I want to get this over and done with so I can go back as soon as possible."
"My, I didn't know you hated being around me that badly." She chuckled.
"I wanted to see Yuna! Not you!" I reminded her with a glare.
"Whatever. I guess it can't be helped," she hummed and shrugged. "First Hidemi and now Yuna...Give me a break."
"Get started already!"
"Fine." She paused, trying to find the right words to say, before just rambling on. "To be honest, I used to hate living."
"...Eh?"
"People, breathing, waking up...I hated everything. I hated the concept of life in general." Ryoko continued. "I had absolutely no joy of happiness whatsoever. Nothing interested me. All I had was an intense hatred for those around me."
"W-What are you saying?!?"
"I had no freedom either so in the end, I had no will to live. Constantly under society and my parent's watchful eyes, I was nothing more than entertainment to them. And to my parents, they only viewed me as an Ultimate they could use to make themselves look great. I was barely a daughter to them." Ryoko rested her hands on her lap. "My intense malice comes from that. Being an object allowed me to see the joy in nothing whatsoever, leading me to hate my life. Dying meant nothing to me. I had nothing to live for. I was the definition of a waste of space."
"That...That can't be right. That doesn't sound like you at all!" I exclaimed.
"But that's because I've changed." Ryoko smiled. "When I first woke up here, I was so confused, but I was...free. Then the killing game came into play and once I heard about it I instantly...fell in love."
"In love?!?" I repeated. "You've got to be joking."
"Oh, but I'm simply not!" She chuckled, leaning forward as she continued to speak. "This killing game set me free. I could do things I never could in the outside world here! Deceive, manipulate, murder...I can do all of it without the constant watchful eye or expectations on me from my parents and everyone else in general. I could do whatever I wanted as long as it amused and ultimately entertained me. To be entertained...Finally, I had a goal. A will to carry on and live. I owe that to this killing game!" She proudly announced.
"So you're just repeating things. You still seriously find our classmate's deaths entertaining..." I summarized. "That's fucked up. You don't even know what you're saying anymore!"
"Oh, but Chiyo. I didn't come here to fight." She sighed. "You see, now I wish for you to forgive me."
"H-Huh?!?"
"Forgive me, Chiyo. I know that everyone here, including you, absolutely hate my guts. I mean, you've slapped me and broke my glasses!"
"It was deserved," I mumbled, noting her lack of glasses ever since I stepped on them. "And you don't even need those glasses! They were fake anyway!"
"...And it's just made me realise how much I've hurt you all!" She continued, ignoring my murmuring. "So for that...I apologise. Please forgive me!" She clasped her hands together Ryoko lowered her head.
Is...Is she being serious right now?!? Ryoko wants to apologise...That can't be right! Unless...
No! Of course, it's not right! Knowing her, she's probably just lying to get my attention again like the absolute attention seeker she is! There's no way in hell I'll accept that garbage apology then.
"Save it." I gave her a cold glare.
"Eh...?"
"Come on! I know what you're doing, so don't act dumb! This apology is obviously fake as hell. As if you'd apologise so easily for all the shit you've caused." I exclaimed.
Ryoko went silent, but before long, she groaned. She let go of her hands and lifted her head up, giving me an unsatisfied look as she pouted.
"...So that didn't work." She simply stated.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Are you serious?" Ryoko folded her arms. "All of your other murdering friends like Satoshi and Tatsuo have won your sympathy by acting weak and puny. They showed all of their weaknesses and everyone forgave them and even felt bad for them! And so did you! And now it won't work for me?!?"
"E-Eh?!?"
"I told you all of that private stuff about me...I even apologised! And you still won't forgive me or like me?!?" She exclaimed.
"I thought you didn't care what people thought of you! I mean, it's clear that you do everything just for attention, so why do you suddenly care so much?!?" I yelled back.
"Because like you said, I'm apparently obsessed with you!" She mocked me. "At the start of this, the way you presented yourself...It made me jealous! You had no cares or expectations...You were yourself! I wanted to be you! So this was my last attempt to get you to like me just one bit!"
"Are you fucking stupid?!?" I stood up. "Me? Like you?!? You expected me to like you after everything you've done?"
"I see this was pointless now..." she clenched her teeth before harshly turning to me. "But I don't understand, Chiyo! How could you do this? You've forgiven murderers...Damn murderers! You even live with one every day! But...But you can't forgive me? You have a tiny idea as to how much I hated living and how terrible my life was but you still...hate me?!?"
"How far is your head up your ass?!?" I put my hands on my hips. "You're being a complete idiot. Did you forget what you did to Finn? You killed him, didn't you? You literally brought it up five minutes ago!"
"I-"
"How about I give more reasons why you're unforgivable? Like when you saw Shunsuke about to kill Akemi but just did nothing. That was cruel!" I continued.
"But-"
"Or when you knew about Kairi's murder plan and didn't do anything about it? You chose to manipulate our movements to help her kill Akihiro! That led to both him and Hidemi dying!"
"..."
"So save you're whining for someone who actually cares!" I clenched my fists. "H-Hidemi...You knew how much she meant to me! Yet you still made her die. You were so jealous that you got her killed! That's what hurt me the most-"
"Oh, just get over her already!" Ryoko interrupted me. "Hidemi...She's gone! She's just old news at this point. I thought with her out of the picture you'd actually look at me...You'd give me the time of day I deserve! But I got the exact opposite!"
"F-Forget Hidemi? Are you out of your mind?!?"
"Hidemi and I both liked you from the start...We had so much in common! We were both talented, yet you always preferred her." Ryoko tensed up. "I never understood what she had! I was always the other woman! B-But not anymore! I thought I'd finally be able to get some attention with her gone...But I was a fool in the end!"
"At least you finally realise you're an idiot." I turned away from her, looking out to the lake. "I don't even want to look at you right now. You truly are sick. So don't waste any time and take me back to the dock. I-"
I was suddenly cut off by a flurry of pain in the back of my head, along with some sort of warm substance running down it, staining my neck.
"H-Huh...?"
Hesitantly, I brushed my hand against the back of my head before looking at my fingertips and pausing.
Blood.
I immediately turned around to see Ryoko with one of the boat paddles in her hands, blood also dripping down the side of it.
While I was distracted with my back turned, Ryoko managed to pull the paddle out from its holder and smash it against the back of my head.
"This should teach you to try and ignore and avoid me." She gave me a cold hard stare. And for once, all the infatuation she had for me that I could see in her eyes...
Was gone.
I took a few steps back, feeling dizzy with my new head wound as I slid down to the floor.
"W-What...What the hell do you think you're doing?!?"
"I really did cherish you Chiyo..." Ryoko then sighed. "But confiding in you and expecting you to cherish me back was clearly my biggest mistake. Everyone here is such a moron. I thought you were different! But you...You're even worse than them! If you actually gave me any time of day...perhaps we could've been something unstoppable."
"R-Ryoko...Stop!" I was on the floor, backed into a corner. I couldn't jump into the lake and even if I ran and pushed past Ryoko who was in front of me, I'd have nowhere to go after that. And I couldn't fight back, the wound I already had made me dizzy enough and the blood was beginning to blind me. "You're being stupid! Just-"
"But it's too late for that now!" Ryoko interrupted me once again. "It's clear I can't change things. So why bother?!?"
As I felt blood drip down my face and begin to block my vision, I faintly saw Ryoko raise the paddle once more time over me. At first, her face was full of distress, until...
She started chuckling. With a wicked smile, one that I've never seen any human ever create. One full of pure malice and sickness. Ryoko then just laughed maniacally.
Ryoko is viewing my injuries...No, my death, as entertainment to her!
"R-Ryoko, wait-"
I hurried to raise my hands to try and stop her, but it was too late. Ryoko thrust the paddle down as it crashed into the front of my head, pain surging to every part of my body.
And then, everything turned into darkness as my eyes shut and my breathing turned shallow before stopping entirely.
My reality as I knew it had once again come to an end.
-
PROTAGONIST SWITCH!
Chiyo Yagami -> ???
"A-Ah!" I instantly pulled my hand away, bringing it to my lips as I dropped the hair straightener. "Crap...Not again. This is the third burn already..."
Damn my hair. Why do I have to straighten it every week...It's such a pain. Not to mention all my burns.
I ended up rushing my hair, leaving it in its usual messy style.
I mean, I'll be late if I don't hurry up...
I grabbed my leather jacket and slipped it on followed by my gloves. After rushing to put my eyeliner and lip gloss on and before I walked through the door to meet with Chiyo as usual, I grabbed my handbook. Just as it did every morning, it switched on upon sensing my touch, my name appearing on the screen.
Satoshi Homura.
But then I paused, tilting my head once I realised I had one unread message that was sent during the middle of the night...
From Chiyo?
"What did she want that late...?" I wondered, tapping on the icon and quickly reading over it.
'Don't bother meeting up with me in the morning for breakfast. I won't be there, so go by yourself.'
So all of that rushing for nothing...I didn't even have to go get her.
But why? Where would Chiyo be?
The logical answer is that she just went to breakfast by herself...But why not let me come with her? Is she upset with me or something?!?
"N-No...That can't be it." I shook my head. "That wouldn't make any sense. She...doesn't have a reason to be mad at me. I-I hope..."
Then I froze.
Chiyo told me she was going to meet someone at the dock last night. So what if...
What if she did something? Or someone got to her?
I want to believe that Chiyo would be able to defend herself. She is way stronger than me but...
I couldn't help but feel worried. I mean, aside from Kenjiro, she's the only person I can rely on here. Ever since Hidemi died...She's been looking out for me.
I bit my lip, conflicted before sighing. "...That's it. Looks like now I'm the one who has to look out for her."
I decided that instead of going to breakfast, I'd check the dock and maybe some of the boats. Even if Chiyo is fine...It would still be good to check. I can't just leave my worried thoughts alone. They'd eventually be all I'd think about.
But the water is going to be a problem. Not just my complete fear of it but...the plants and fish in it. Maybe someone could come with me...
Before I knew it, I was walking out the door at a brisk pace, running possibilities in my mind as to what could have happened last night while I was in my room.
However, I came crashing to a halt as I bumped right into someone, stumbling back.
"A-Ah!"
They managed to catch me so I didn't have a chance to fall into the floor, making sure I was stable on my feet before letting me go.
I really should pay attention more...
I hesitantly rubbed the back of my head and then glanced in front of me to see who my saviour was.
"K...Kenjiro?!?" I exclaimed, taking a step back as my face reddened in embarrassment. "Oh jeez..."
Unluckily for me, I really was a klutz today, as my feet hit my front steps, causing me to nearly trip over once again.
Kenjiro didn't waste any time and immediately thrust his arms forward to catch me, holding my back.
"Are...you ok?" He asked, making sure I could stand on my own two feet without falling over before letting me go.
"Y-Yeah..." I stammered, calming myself down by counting with deep breaths. "I'm fine."
"If you're sure." Kenjiro sighed, glancing up at me and warming up his expression. "I suppose you're glad to see me."
Kenjiro is usually extremely nervous around other people...I mean, usually he can't go a sentence or two without stuttering or stopping himself.
Yet, ever since we've started talking and he's become my...therapist in some way, he's become way more forward and...teasingly playful. I guess this is how he normally is when talking to his clients, so it makes sense.
It...makes me happy to know I'm the only one here who he talks normally to in private.
Kenjiro then paused. "Isn't...Chiyo normally with you?"
"Eh?"
"The two of you normally go for breakfast together. But she's not with you today." He explained.
"R-Right! I need to check on her-"
I was about to rush off, but Kenjiro grabbed my arm.
"Calm down...Is she ok?" He wondered.
"That's exactly what I need to find out," I said before quickly summarising everything, even showing him the message she sent me.
"That...is weird. I understand why you're worried now." Kenjiro nodded going over everything in his head.
"Logically, I should check the dock first, right? That is where she was last night. And if I can't find her, then-"
"Once again...calm down." He repeated. "Everyone should be at the dining hall, right? So I think we should check there first. Maybe she just went to breakfast by herself today."
"Maybe..." I took a deep breath. "Alright. Let me check the dining hall then."
"Take me with you," Kenjiro stated, not stuttering one bit.
"Y-You want to come with me?"
"Of course. Besides, I doubt you'd refuse. You...like talking to me after all, don't you?" Kenjiro smirked.
He already knows the answer to that.
This suaveness must be what got him those kisses he admitted to in truth or dare back at that party. I totally understand why now...
-
I pushed open the door to the dining hall and let Kenjiro stroll in first, me following right behind him.
I expected the usual scene of everyone eating with some chatter but...
I heard nothing at all.
Just the sound of someone sipping, before setting their teacup down.
"Oh my, I was starting to think you wouldn't show up!" She chuckled.
"R-Ryoko..." I tended up immediately once I saw her.
"You...W-Where is everyone?" Kenjiro spoke up, back to his usual stammering self.
"Everyone?" She tilted her head. "Well, I figured they deserved a day to rest, so I messaged for them not to come. The privacy is nice too...That is all."
"Wait...I didn't get any message from you." I said.
"M-Me neither."
"Hm? That's because I wanted you two to turn up!" She clapped her hands and sat up straight. "I need to point you all towards the right direction after all."
"Right direction?" I repeated, confused.
"You two are looking for Chiyo, am I correct?" Ryoko leaned forward with a grin.
"H-Huh?!?" Kenjiro exclaimed. "How did-"
"How I know isn't the issue here." She cut him off. "As I said, I'm going to point you guys towards the right direction to find her."
"So you know where she is?" I assumed. "Did some-"
"Did something happen to her? Well, you have to find that out on your own." She giggled. "And before you start whining and demanding me to just tell you outright, I won't. Where would be the fun in that?"
"Fun...?" I scoffed.
"Anyway...You should look at the dock. There you'll find exactly who you're looking for." She told us before getting up with her cup of tea. Ryoko then turned away, presumably to get a refill.
"The dock? So I was right!" I realised. "Chiyo must be there. And now Ryoko has something to do with it."
"We should go check now that we're certain." Kenjiro gave me a nod, slipping back into the other tone he used.
However, as we turned to leave, Ryoko entered back into the room. My eyes caught onto something on her usually white gloves.
A blood stain.
Yet I couldn't say anything as we were already out the door.
-
Together, we rushed to the dock, stopping immediately when I noticed something was off.
"Hold on...A boat is missing." I pointed out.
There are usually five, yet now there are four?!?
This is just making me worry more...Chiyo, where the hell are you and what happened?
"That's not the only thing that's strange." Kenjiro gulped, glancing down.
When I followed his gaze, I felt my heart stop.
The wooden planks of the dock now had a hole. A type of hole I recognised all too well.
A bullet hole.
The hold that had stopped my heart disappeared, making it instead beat ten times faster as my eyes widened.
"N-No...Not here..." I shook my head, stepping back and covering my face as sweat began to pool and I bit my lip.
Damn it...Damn it! Shit!
With each second, my worry just grew. That plus the flood of flashes of unpleasant memories corrupted my mind.
"No...No, n-no."
Blood began to enter my mouth from my lip from how hard I was biting, the metallic taste overflowing my senses.
However, my spiral was cut off by someone grabbing my shoulders.
"Look at me. Remember what Chiyo told you." He said. "Breathe and count. That works for you, right? So stick to it..."
He...He said...
One.
Right, of course. Kenjiro...Kenjiro is with me right now.
Two.
I trust him. He...makes me feel safe.
Three.
I need to clear my head and focus on the task at hand.
Four.
I could not just stand around and let my body react like this...I-I need to move!
Five.
I need to find Chiyo.
I licked the blood off my lip and raised my head, taking a few more deep breaths as my blurry vision adjusted once again.
"There we go. Good job." Kenjiro smiled, praising me. "You did so great."
"T-Thank you..." I mumbled, lowering my head.
A bullet hole...Things can't be good then. I have to find her.
Kenjiro then took my hand to lead me along and to make sure I was fine. He walked down the dock right to the edge, me following behind him.
"I see something in the middle of the lake." He said. "...I can't tell what it is though."
I saw what he was talking about: a seemingly brown blob floating out on the lake.
If that was a living thing or...anything in general, it would've been eaten by the stuff in the lake. So this must be important.
I stood on my toes and leaned over the edge to try and figure out exactly what it was, Kenjiro holding onto me to make sure I didn't accidentally fall in.
"It looks like a...Boat." I said, before stopping. "The missing boat! But it seems to be flipped over."
"Do you think the random boat out on the lake has to do with Chiyo's disappearance?" Kenjiro pondered.
"Of course." I firmly nodded. "I know it is. That's why we have to go investigate it."
"Investigate it?" He repeated. "You do know what that means, right?"
"...Huh?"
"You have to get on a boat yourself." He reminded me.
"Oh...O-Oh no!" I shook my head. "No way! I-"
Kenjiro just chuckled, giving me another quick smile. "I'll come with you, of course, so don't worry. I'll even row the boat."
Right...He's right! When it comes to getting on this boat with Kenjiro, I shouldn't worry.
Plus...he's way stronger than me, so we'd probably get there quicker.
-
Kenjiro's words of encouragement earlier fell on deaf ears as I still felt terrified, and the boat trip only just started.
"I see you're still scared, hm?" Kenjiro noticed right away, tilting his head. "Let's try something else to get you to calm down...How about talking?"
"I-I...guess."
"Good, good." He nodded, humming while trying to think of something we could talk about. "Let's see...I know. How about the fact that I have suspicions that you may like me."
"H-Huh?!?" I stuttered, almost falling off the boat from how hard I jumped.
"And when I say like...I don't mean a friendly way." He chuckled.
"Crap...T-This is so embarrassing..."
"No, no," Kenjiro reassured me. "It's fine, really. It's...common for people to fall for their psychologists or therapist."
"Really...?"
"Mhm." He nodded. "That's why people see me as attractive I suppose...I build such close bonds with clients as they open up to me and those bonds, well...cause them to grow attached."
"I-I see..." I hummed.
So I'm not the first, huh...?
"However." He then looked into my eyes. "This is the first time where I've reciprocated such feelings."
"W...W-What?!?" I exclaimed once again.
"But, I can't pursue these feelings," Kenjiro said, almost harshly changing the entire tone.
"W-Wait!" I paused. "Why?!?"
"Because it's unethical." He crossed his arms. "Someone like me shouldn't...fall and romance their patient. That's inappropriate. If I were to pursue you, I'd have to quit being your psychologist and refer you to someone else. And I-"
"But...I-I want to talk to you! Not as psychologist Kenjiro...but as normal Kenjiro." I sighed. "Even if you're my psychologist or not, I still want to talk to you..."
Kenjiro paused, going over what I said. "I understand. And I do like you a lot. Even back at the beginning when you tried your best to act intimidating and brooding so no one would talk to you. It was charming in some sort of way." He then glanced over at me. "Now you're much more..."
"Pathetic? Annoying? Unhappy?" I filled in the blanks.
"...I wasn't thinking of those words. I was going to say cute."
"C-Cute?" I exclaimed. "Right...I-I guess I am kind of...cute."
"But nonetheless," he got back on topic, sighing. "Your health is more important to me. It's a top priority since I care about you so much. So until we're out of this killing game, I won't pursue any feelings for ethical reasons."
"I...get it."
"However, once we're in the outside world and I can refer you to one of my colleagues," he smirked. "Then we can see how things go."
I perked up, but then returned his expression with a smile of my own. "I-I'd... like that."
Now that the mood was much more light-hearted, Kenjiro paused and shifted his glance away.
"Can...I tell you something?" He wondered.
I assumed he was still in a playful mood and began to joke around. "What? I'm the psychologist now?" I chuckled.
"No, it's just..."
A few moments of thought later and with one final sigh, he lifted the trousers covering his left ankle.
And that's when I saw it.
A wristband.
"You're the first and only person I've told." He admitted. "And it's not like I can lie...seeing as I'd be dead if I were to."
I closed my agape mouth and stammered. "S-So you can't lie? That's your rule?"
"Yeah..."
So everything he's said is true...
Including his feelings...
Not the time, Satoshi! Thank god Chiyo isn't here to see this. She'd tease me nonstop.
"Why are you telling me this?" I wondered.
"I wanted to tell someone. I needed to get it off my chest and...I trust you." He nodded. "And don't ask why it's on my ankle, ok?" Kenjiro looked away. "My short sleeve shirt would've made it too obvious and it attached either way, so..."
"...Thank you for telling me." My expression warmed up. "I won't let anything happen to you. I made the mistake of not knowing about Hidemi's wristband and causing her death...I won't let the same happen to you."
"Good to know." He smiled.
But then I stopped once I realised something.
"That's all five."
"Eh?" Kenjiro was caught off guard. "Five? Five what?"
"Five people with wristbands!" I explained. "You, Hidemi, Shimura, Yukari and...Ryoko. I've finally figured out who has...or well, had one. All five people..."
"I see. Now that's useful." He nodded.
"But again...I'm really glad you told me." I reminded him.
"Hey." He took his hand in mine. "I'm the one that should be glad now that someone else finally knows."
Our conversation was cut short and interrupted by the sound of the boat we were on hitting something. Kenjiro noticed this and reassured me, telling me we had made it and just hit the boat which was indeed upside down.
I nodded and stood up, looking at the boat.
"We need to flip it back over to see it properly. I also need to check the boat's compartments. Anything that gives me a sign of Chiyo's whereabouts." I sighed. "I...need to find her. No matter what."
"Right. Let me help you with that then." Kenjiro chimed in.
I didn't refuse his help, allowing Kenjiro to stand next to me and use his greater strength to grip the sides of the abandoned boat and flip it back over so it was the right way up.
However, we couldn't investigate straight away as instead of finding more useless water under the boat, we found something much worse.
Or should I say, someone...
Under the boat, there had been a body, floating just above the water. They must have been on the water for a while since their skin was almost paper white while their eyes pale, glassy and almost void of colour.
Yet their eyes somehow stared into my soul as my breath hitched. I stumbled back in shock, catching myself on the ledge of the boat as Kenjiro just looked on in horror.
There was no doubt about it.
They were dead.
"N-No...Not again..." I mumbled, shutting my eyes tightly to try and forget what I had just seen.
But I couldn't. It was all too real.
Another murder has been committed.
And another nightmare was staring right at me on the lake's surface...
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Chapter 4 - A State of Uneasy Equilibrium
Daily Life
- END -
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