Published at 26th of March 2019 12:07 am

Volume 4, Part 5

▶Third Day {D} Big room

You may find this surprising, but I was very self-confident until middle school. My grades were always the best and I played the piano so skillfully, I won prizes in various contests! I was the head of the wind instrument club and the student council president at the same time. I was surrounded by people that adored me all the time.

That might be the reason why I unconsciously considered myself special.

I was convinced that wouldn't change even when ascending to high school. But that 《special》 seat was nowhere prepared for me in high school life. Because Iroha Shindou sat on that seat since the time she gave the welcome speech of the freshmen during the entrance ceremony.

But naturally I didn't give up right away. I was confident in being able to regain this seat. Rather, I was even happy about having gained a rival.

With the belief that I would outstrip her in no time and become the number one again, I worked even harder than I did in middle school. I raised the time I would concentrate on learning before doing anything else. Of course I didn't just learn as long as possible; I also tried out various techniques to improve my effectiveness or to keep up my concentration while learning.

But I couldn't match her.

It was then when I finally started to get nervous. Because I wanted to win against her at least in grades, I stopped playing the piano which I had continued since elementary school, I stopped going to the literary club I had entered, I reduced the time I would play with my friends, I slept less and I even studied during breaks, prepared to be called wonk-chan.

But even so, Iroha stayed out of reach.

Even though Iroha took part in her club's activities, was busy with the student council and slept during classes, totally looking like she wasn't making such a big effort like me... I couldn't reach her at all.

But actually it wasn't that strange. In mock examinations, there were usually almost 100 people with better results than me, despite my great effort. There were many better pianists than me as well, and just turning on the television I would see much more beautiful women than me, one after the other. It was certainly not only Iroha whom I couldn't reach. Thus, it wasn't strange that it came like that.

I was merely taught by her that I'm nothing more than an ordinary person. That I'm not special.

Thanks to Iroha, I was able to graduate from my embarrassing conceit. I think I would have noticed that even without Iroha sooner or later.

But still, it was mortifying.

It was terribly mortifying.

Why wasn't I the special one?

Because I'd needed so much time to notice, I had already lost everything. I had lost my friends, my hobbies, my special abilities, and instead I had become a boring girl that was relatively bright but nothing more.

At that time, I noticed that Iroha was in love with someone. She tried to hide it, but to me it was more than obvious. And at the very moment when I took notice of Iroha's feelings, that boy looked incredibly charming to me. Because I thought that he had to be lovely if he managed to steal Iroha's heart.

If he had the choice between Iroha and me, who would he choose...?

- When I thought that, a wicked thought crossed my mind.

If that boy chose me---

Wouldn't that mean that I'm more attractive than Iroha?

I was aware of the hideousness of my scheme. But even so, I couldn't stop myself from going through with it.

Because I wanted to see!

I wanted to see Iroha, who always seemed out of reach, become the loser for once and be jealous of me.

I wanted her to realize.

Realize that there are people below her that are mortified because they can't reach her no matter what they do.

And then I managed to go out with him.

I pretended to be beside myself with joy and told Iroha about it with an innocent look as if I had no idea of her feelings towards him. In my mind I was chuckling because I highly expected to see her grind her teeth bitterly. It really makes me want to puke when I think back on how I was at that time.

'Come on Iroha, feel bitter! Envy me! Hate me!'

- Everything was right. Everything was right as long she just directed negative emotions towards me. Iroha's reaction, however, was completely different from my expectations.

"Congratulations!"

She said with a gentle smile and stroked my head.

Of all things, Iroha --- blessed my fulfilled love.

She blessed me.

Me!

Although I was always absorbed in planning her misfortune.

Unable to believe it, not wanting to believe it, I still continued to try. I continued to make use of him while pretending not to notice that my love for him was just a misunderstanding. But even so, no matter what kind of advice I asked her for, no matter when I told her that we had split up - she would just root for me.

And each time she did so, I was shown it.

The things I pretended not to see - my ugliness, my pettiness, my wretchedness - were made clearer and stronger to me by Iroha's radiance.

Aah, I know, I know. No matter how painful it was for me --- I'm not the poor victim but the despicable culprit.

But, I can't stop.

I can't retreat.

Because I don't want to admit that I've descended from an ordinary person to a hopeless coward after committing so many sins.

I'm not thinking that my sins will be forgiven and I will stop being a coward if I win against Iroha.

But I have no other choice anymore. There is no way back.

I mean, isn't it true?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

My sin isn't so light that it could be forgiven with just those words.

"And that should make me forgive you?"

Iroha-san laughs coldly in the big room where all members have gathered.

I suppose she has listened to Yuuri-san's confession that was recorded on her portable terminal.

"Do you think I'll forgive your deceit if you put on display how miserable you are?"

Maria, Daiya and Koudai Kamiuchi can only watch as they don't know the circumstances.

"I won't, you bitch!"

She says and spits on Yuuri-san who was forced to kneel in her white underwear.

Yuuri-san's only looking downwards while trembling without saying anything back. Her left cheek's swollen - I guess she was slapped by Iroha-san in her room.

It's painful to watch this. After all, I've known that this could happen. Therefore, this is also my responsibility.

But if I can't even bear this much, I won't be able to oppose Iroha-san.

"......Hey, Shindou, what on earth happened?"

Maria opens her mouth, unable to endure this sight any longer.

"It's no big deal, really. This is just what happens when you join my 《group》, vowing me obedience, and still dare to disobey my order."

"But isn't that too harsh...?"

As if in defiance of Maria's advice, Iroha-san presses the sole of her shoe against Yuuri-san's head.

"Uh...," Yuuri-san groans, which just drives Iroha-san to click her tongue and wordlessly apply more pressure, squeezing Yuuri-san's forehead against the ground.

Yuuri-san looks almost like she's genuflecting.

"Who said it's okay to open your mouth? You ought to just hang your head like an ornament. Do I even need to teach you by force until you get it?"

"S-Stop it, Shindou!"

"I won't. ...anyway. You know already, right? The time's up. You will all be put under my rule in this time-block. It's the best way I can think of so there's no need to change it, no matter what this dirty bitch thinks!"

Iroha-san declares with her foot still on top of Yuuri-san's head.

"And then I will end this game for you by becoming the 《king》."

Right, Iroha-san's this kind of human.

Like this, she treats someone whom she considered a dear friend until just now according to what she needs to to achieve her goal.

Of course it's not like she doesn't feel anything in doing so. She should be deeply hurt and also deeply remorseful. But she seals those emotions. Iroha-san is able to control even her own emotions temporarily for the sake of her goal.

That's something I realized in the third round when she killed everyone on the first day to become the winner.

Right, that's why I was able to predict it.

Predict that she would take this action.

Therefore, I'll---

"Impossible!"

---pull her from the false throne.

Iroha-san slowly removes her foot from Yuuri-san's head and throws me a sharp glance. Without a doubt the intent to kill dwells in that fiery look.

"...does this possibly mean that you don't plan to join my 《group》? Too bad. You're going to die!"

"No, that's not what I meant. I merely told the truth! I mean, someone as soft as you could never rule over others!"

"Soft? What are you talking about?"

Her scowl really gives me the creeps. But to seem as calm as possible, I relax my mouth.

"I'm talking about your soft reaction to Yuuri-san's betrayal! You only stripped her clothes off, punched her, spit on her and put your foot on her head? That's what all call soft!"

Iroha-san flashes a smile to display her composure, too.

"So what do I need to do so that you're satisfied?"

I then say in order to erase that smile of hers,

"Kill her!"

As planned, Iroha-san's smile vanishes and she widens her eyes.

"Right at the beginning... didn't you threaten to flush away everyone's food in the toilet as soon someone shows only a single sign of betraying you? But you didn't do that, did you? You especially put on such a show with putting Yuuri-san into her underwear, so I bet you didn't do it, right?"

Iroha-san flashes a grin.

"...Haha. It's just a show as soon as I don't really flush away the food and kill her? Your thinking is quite distorted, huh? Why can't you understand that flushing away the food is a so-called 'exaggerated expression?' Don't you get that it was something necessary to say at that time, even without actually planning to do it?"

"Even if it's like that, aren't you practically displaying to us that your 《group》 has no binding force anymore by showing us this soft treatment of Yuuri-san?"

"......What do you mean? Do you want me to kill Yuuri?"

"No way. I'm just pointing out that---"

I tell them plainly,

"---such a 《group》 system is flawed to begin with."

"......"

Iroha-san silently crosses her arms. With her fast understanding, she should know that she's going to be overwhelmed by me if she can't counter.

But she can think as much she wants. There's no way to turn it around anymore!

That's because what I said is 100% correct.

"...what exactly is flawed, then?"

Her voice sounds slightly weaker than before.

"The 《group》 is based on trust in you. But there's never been any. You made this plan on the preconception of something that doesn't even exist. That's why it's flawed. Or am I wrong?"

"......"

Just one more push.

Just one more push should be enough to pull Iroha Shindou, who was able to kill everyone or to cut off her own finger just to persuade the others, from her false throne.

---and yet,

And yet, Iroha-san raised the corner of her mouth. To show me that she's as cool as a cucumber.

"Yes, it might be hard to maintain the 《group》 system. I admit that! But so what? If it's too hard to create those 《groups》, then I just need to abandon this plan and make a new one. Or do you think I am not capable of doing so?"

"......"

That was a counter I wasn't able to predict.

She doesn't give up just by being cornered this far.

"Anyway, there is no reason for me to give in to you."

I guess so...

There's no way she would give in to me because of something of this degree. That's because Iroha-san is the one who should be defeated first, and --- the strongest enemy.

I can reach my goal if I can just do something about this strongest enemy. Daiya's goal should match with mine after all, and with the help of Iroha-san and Yuuri-san, we should be able to suppress Koudai Kamiuchi's whims far enough so he won't go as far as to kill.

The hardest thing is always to get onto the tracks. As soon as you're on them, the rest's not as difficult anymore.

And the first step I need to get onto the rails is to get past Iroha-san.

If I manage to do that, I will be able to achieve my goal.

So I will definitely not retreat. I have cornered her without a doubt, so I will definitely not retreat.

I search for the last push.

"......"

I look at Yuuri-san, who's trembling and has her head pressed against the ground.

---Aah, I see.

It doesn't even matter how much Iroha-san tries to persist, does it?

"...so, will you abandon Yuuri-san? In order to save yourself and the others?"

After all, she's already aware of her defeat.

Iroha-san answers without wavering,

"Yeah."

Which is the affirmation I have expected.

And which is an obvious lie.

A lie she begs me to see through.

"You can't trick me like that."

So I'll put an end to it now.

"I told you before, right? Kill Yuuri-san."

"------"

"If you really want to abandon Yuuri-san, show us now. You just have to make us kneel down by impressing us with your force... by killing her, just like you cut off your finger."

Iroha-san.

Iroha-san must be thinking that she's best suited for being the 《king》. It's because she thinks so that she takes the lead. She's doing that because she thinks it's the most probable way for her to achieve her goal.

But what if she considered someone else suited for being the 《king》?

I bet she would hand over the throne to the respective person.

That's why she's testing me.

She's testing whether I'm suited for the throne, whether I can see through such a blatant lie.

"............haha..."

Iroha-san raises a laugh.

"...well yeah, I can't! Thus, I can't become the 《king》 anymore."

Like that---

Iroha-san handed over the throne to me.

Iroha-san sits down alone on an empty seat, lips pursed. "Hah...," she sighs artificially and flashes a wry smile.

"...Iroha, lost...?"

Yuuri-san's widening her eyes, looking at Iroha-san who's sitting there having given up. The girl in underwear stands up, walks to Iroha-san and looks down to her.

"......why? Why don't you kill me? You would do this much, wouldn't you...? If it's to achieve your goal, you would do this much, wouldn't you?"

After hearing that, Iroha-san smiles wryly.

"Yuuri. What is my goal?"

She asks, while looking away and leaning her elbow on the desk.

"Eh? To become the 《king》... right?"

"Of course not! That is just a means to achieve my goal."

"I-I see. But then---"

Iroha-san then speaks to the confused Yuuri-san with a gentle smile, like a parent that's patiently explaining multiplication to a child,

"My goal is to protect you, Yuuri."

Yuuri-san gets even more confused.

Because this was just way too unexpected for her.

But I knew it.

In the very last moment before she died during the first game, she said 《...sorry that I couldn't save you.》 to me, despite it being the last moment of her life.

These words showed me that her goal is to protect Yuuri-san.

Of course she also tried to protect our and her own life. But considering her lifestyle, she would surely prioritize others. And she would surely want to save Yuuri-san more than some people she just met that day.

Therefore, she would never kill Yuuri-san, even if it means that she becomes unable to retain the 《group》 system.

Yuuri-san shakes her head, unable to believe it.

"T-That's a lie! D-Do you realize that I betrayed you? Isn't that also why you got angry and made me get naked and slapped me and..."

"Yuuri, are you making fun of me?"

"Eh?"

"Do you want to say that I would change my goal because of emotional swings? You think of me as such a greenhorn? In order to retain the 《group》, I simply had to punish you symbolically in some way for cooperating with Hoshino-kun. Wasn't stripping your clothes a nice performance, being easy to visually understand and all?"

"......"

"Well, what I did there was a vain struggle. I was convinced that you would silently follow me, you know. I didn't imagine that you could ever fall into Hoshino-kun's hands. Therefore, I already lost in that instance!"

Yuuri-san intensively stares at Iroha-san who said so---but still seems unable to understand and shakes her head.

"...I don't get it! Protecting my life is your goal? Even if it was like that in the beginning, there's no way you would still think so after learning about my deceit. You would never save an atrocious person like me."

"You know what, Yuuri? You're an idiot."

Iroha-san sighs.

"Ueh...?"

"It's so simple you shouldn't even need to think about it."

But when Yuuri-san still remains clueless, Iroha-san scratches her head.

"...aah, jeez! Then tell me, have you ever thought from my point of view?"

"Your point of view...?"

"Right. Yuuri, you said that your grades have always been the best. It was the same for me! I, too, have always been the best!"

Yuuri-san seems unable to grasp Iroha-san's intention and is still perplexed.

"I wanted to stay on that seat as well! But imagine there's still someone pursuing you at high-speed. You have no other choice but to try your best then, right? You don't want to lose then, right? Just what do you think of how frantically I worked in the shadows to protect my seat?"

Surprise is painted in Yuuri-san's face.

"That you couldn't reach me even while trying your best is because I'm special? That has nothing to do with it! In my opinion, you haven't set yourself a proper goal, Yuuri! If you're asked what you want to become and what you want to achieve by learning, can you answer right away? I bet you can't! Well, because you just thought about winning against me and nothing else."

"I......"

"There's no way you could win against me with such low aspirations. You made every effort? You're not in the position to say that! It's nowhere near enough! Folks that really spared no pains don't say sh*t like there was nothing to them!"

"......so, will I be able to become like you if I put more effort into it?"

"Aah, jeez! Are you even listening to me? There's no way you could become like me, is there? I am me. You are you. Everyone has his own qualifications and abilities, so it's absolutely impossible to become the same as someone else no matter how enviable he may be. No matter how enviable I am, you can't become me!"

"I guess you're right. Someone like me could never become like---"

When Iroha-san hears these words, she stands up with a scowl. She then grasps Yuuri-san's shivering shoulders with a bloodcurdling expression on her face.

"O-Ouch!"

"Right! No matter how enviable---"

She roars.

"I can't become like you!"

Yuuri-san's pain-contorted expression disappears and she cannot help but gaze at Iroha-san with widened eyes instead.

"Did I seem calm when I heard that you started going out with him? Did I look like I was purely congratulating you? If so, I succeeded. Not giving my blessings to a dear friend's fulfilled love would be a disgrace, after all."

"I-Iroha...?"

Iroha-san's formerly firm expression has already crumbled. She, who managed to look calm even when the 《group》 system failed, has seriously lost her temper.

"Do you really think there is anyone who wouldn't be mortified when her crush is stolen from her? Of course it was mortifying, even for me! Of course I envied you! But, what should I have done? He chose you, after all! I was like 《Well, of course》 when I heard about it. Can you understand that mentality of mine? Can you understand my mentality of being unsurprised that he would choose you? Or do you even think I wasn't mortified at seeing me like that? But I'm not you, Yuuri, so I had no choice but to give up!

What's that, Yuuri?! Even though you're good at reading others' expressions, why do you only fail to understand that? You wanted me to be jealous of you? Aren't you completely dumb? I... I! Since the entrance ceremony, since the very first moment I saw you---"

She grasps her shoulders even stronger and shouts.

"I was jealous of you!"

Yuuri-san is still unable to comprehend and just stares at Iroha-san.

I bet it's unbelievable for Yuuri-san. I bet it's not so easy for her to believe that the person she considered a superhuman and definitely out of her reach, envied her from the very start.

---Sorry, Yuuri-san. But I knew!

《The first person I respected and found enviable...and probably, was jealous of, was Yuuri.》

I knew since the first round.

Therefore, I also knew what's wrecking them is that they misunderstand each other.

"Even I would like to depend on someone! But for some reason I find myself unable to do so. And each time I think about that... your face comes to mind!"

She says and lets go of her shoulders.

Suddenly, astonishment starts to dwell in Yuuri-san's face that were fixed on Iroha-san.

"Iroha... why are you cry-"

"Haha, what're you talking about? There's no way I would---"

Probably with the intention of tagging along with what she believed was a joke, Iroha-san touches her cheek.

And opens her eyes wide.

Because she noticed that she really was crying.

"No way... I am crying...? I can't remember having cried, actually, ever. There's no way I would cry, especially in front of others, and still..."

But she is shedding tears.

She is really shedding tears.

It's an indubitable fact that Iroha-san is crying.

Iroha-san's expression crumbles.

"Uh......"

Her always-strained face crumbles like a child's.

"Uah... uaaaaaaaaaaaah! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

She cries out loud.

That Iroha-san does.

Iroha-san who could even cut off her finger for the sake of her goal.

Unable to suppress her emotions, she cries like a little child.

"I-Iroha...?"

"Uaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Yuuri you silly silly silly silly! I trusted you! I... was convinced like an idiot that only you would never betray me!"

She sheds a huge amount of tears and has a dripping nose.

"And yet, and yet! A superhuman! Who's that!? I mean, stop kidding meee! Why don't you get mee! I don't want to become some 《king》 either! I'm frightened of this killer game! It hurt to cut off my finger! I wish there was someone who protected me! But I had to do it even without wanting to, right!? I thought I was best suited for becoming the 《king》, so I had no other choice but to take the responsibility, right?! I didn't want everyone to die because I depended on someone, Yuuri, so I had no other choice, right?!"

Not a bit of her usual incredibility is left in the appearance of her wailing like a child.

Yuuri-san asks, still astonished.

"Iroha... what makes you want to protect someone like me...?"

Hearing this somehow strange question, Iroha-san scowls at her with bright red eyes.

"Isn't that obvious?!"

I suddenly recall something I heard from Iroha-san during the first round.

《What do you think? Did I really --- like Yuuri?》

I didn't know the answer to that question until now. The experiences of the third round alone weren't enough to comprehend Iroha-san's true intentions, which she can control to an extent as to erase inconvenient emotions.

But I finally found out.

Seeing her bare emotions, I finally found out.

Iroha-san does---

"Because you're so incredibly dear to me that I want to protect you, of course!"

---love Yuuri-san.

"Because you're so dear to me that I would have to persuade myself that I hate you when I'm unable to protect you, just to endure it!"

Finally feelings return to Yuuri-san's eyes after being just perplexed all this time.

"Ah......"

In the next moment, tears well up and wander down her cheeks. Just like Iroha-san, Yuuri-san's tears also start to flow fiercely in no time and stick to her entire face.

Those two---

---admired each other so much, for so long, that they became jealous of each other.

It may have also been the origin of some failures that occurred in this 'box', but naturally strong emotions made those strong feelings well up in them.

"Iroha... Irohaa......"

She embraces her.

The two crying girls embrace each other.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"I don't want to, hear that! I don't want to hear an apology! I won't forgive you with something like that! There's something I want to hear much more than that."

Yuuri-san's at a loss for just a second, but then immediately realizes with her face dirty with tears and nasal mucus. She flashes a clumsy smile, that no one would call cute anymore, and gently whispers, unfolding the entirety of her heart,

"I also, like you from the bottom of my heart..."

Aah.

These words made me finally realize.

The meaning of Yuuri-san putting on Iroha-san's watch in the second round. And also the reason why she confessed her sin of stealing Iroha-san's loved one to her.

《---please kill me.》

To make it easier for Iroha-san to kill her.

I guess wanting to win against Iroha-san was also part of the reason. But it's because she wanted to make it easier for Iroha-san to kill her NPC that she taught her specially, despite knowing that Iroha-san would become the player afterwards. She tried to save Iroha-san's life even with the preparedness of being hated by her.

It's not easy to do that. She wouldn't have been able to do that...

"I have always... loved you!"

...if she didn't love Iroha-san.

Heh.

It's not even a question of forgiving or not. After all, that doesn't matter as long they love each other.

Of course their relationship in reality won't improve by that. Those two are just NPCs and not the two that are in despair right now.

But I can believe.

I can easily believe that they will have no problems to make up again and wipe the despair away.

And like that, I also had these thoughts.

Having overcome my strongest enemy and having made a first, certain step towards my goal, I was convinced:

I did it. I have doubtlessly gotten on the tracks and now I can achieve my goal. There's no way for me to lose anymore.

Right---

I won against Daiya.

"I will win against you, Daiya!"

Kazuki Hoshino said that.

I couldn't help but laugh out.

"Absolutely impossible."

I am confident. Kazuki Hoshino has no chance of reaching his goal.

If he's really positive that he can win, then that's nothing but a mere delusion.

Kazuki Hoshino makes a basic misunderstanding.

Being able to stay in this room where one can watch over everything --- you may call it the Master Room --- I naturally know about this misunderstanding.

"......heh."

Still,

«Boredom --- there are people that blast their own brain out just to get rid of this beast.»

I like that phrase.

Indeed, boredom is a beast. If it wasn't, then I would surely not use the 'box' that can grant any 'wish' for something like a way to stave it off.

"Okay, I'll go then."

Kazuki Hoshino says so and turns towards the screen. His face gets illuminated by the blue-white light that's coming from the cheap game machine.

Several transparent hands reach out for Kazuki Hoshino who's staring directly at the screen. While looking very discomforted about those hands that overflow from there almost as if they wanted to devour him greedily, he gets drawn in. As if he was being plucked off by the hands, he slowly loses his color, gets transparent and eventually disappears.

Congratulations for that heroic determination.

But it's pointless, you know? Even if, by any chance, you manage to prevent everyone from killing, it would still be pointless.

The 'owner' of the 'Game of Idleness' isn't Daiya Oomine.

«'Natures' are like this. Every event changes its shape according to your nature. Things that you find enjoyable are pure boredom for people that have 'boredom' as their nature.»

«The 'box' can be no more than a way to kill time for people that are engulfed by boredom. Thus, this is only a game. A pointless game.»

It's me --- Koudai Kamiuchi.

Thanks for this lovely explanation of me, Oomine-senpai.

Heh, and Kazuki Hoshino misunderstood that. Our poor Hoshino-senpai got completely deceived by Daiya Oomine's cryptic wording!☆

Right --- that's why he can't win.

It's only natural. How could he win when he mistook his enemy?

"Oomine-senpai."

When I call him, Daiya Oomine turns wordlessly around to me.

"What do you intend to do with Hoshino-senpai?"

"Why do you ask?"

Daiya Oomine moodily responds to my call.

"Weell, you see, listening to your exchange, I got a little confused. Um, you told him, «you can survive if nobody kills anyone during these eight days», right?"

"I told him, yeah."

"But that's a lie, isn't it?"

Daiya Oomine doesn't answer.

"I mean, there's no way such a method would exist, is there? Or do you think I would create such a pointless escape route with this personality of mine?"

The game will be forced to end. His explanation was so persuasive, even I almost believed it. But thinking about it, it's impossible that he would know of such an underhanded trick when he's not even the 'owner'.

In short, bullsh*t.

Daiya Oomine flashes an expression of joy.

Heh, there I was wondering what kind of expression he would show me and then that.

I can't help but smile wryly as well. That guy just fed Kazuki Hoshino a random line, deceived him and now he's laughing at him!

No wonder he easily won the first round when he's like that.

"What the truth is does not matter. What matters is, whether Kazuki Hoshino believes it or not."

"Well, he believed it readily. How pitiful. So, my question was why you did that."

Daiya Oomine answers while scratching his head,

"Would you believe me if I told you that I just want to see how Kazu frantically runs around?"

"...hm? This phrasing means that it's a lie?"

"It's true."

I don't know whether he's telling the truth or not, but the feeling I now have that it's the truth is what makes me snort.

"You're evil, aren't you? Hoshino-senpai doesn't stand a chance in various senses."

"Well, yeah."

He answers indifferently without any expression on his face.

But I guess that's not the only reason. I know that he's not such a shallow human. If it's really true, then it's one of the things he wants to do the most.

"By the way, why are you doing this here? Why did you want to have something like a guide-role for [Kingdom Royale]?"

This 'box' is able to summon the players to this room and suspends them until their turn actually arrives. But for some reason I was unable to suspend him like the others.

When I questioned him about that, he told me something about being able to interfere with others' 'wishes' because he's also an 'owner'. Well, frankly speaking: what the fuck?

Then I asked him why Maria Otonashi, who seems to be an 'owner' as well, wasn't able to do the same, but apparently it's not like she can't. Her turn has simply not come and she's still suspended, therefore she didn't have an opportunity to perceive the existence of this 'box' yet.

In other words, Daiya Oomine is only able to move because he was released from the «suspended» state once in order to play the first round.

Anyway, Daiya Oomine took advantage of this circumstance and did things like explaining [Kingdom Royale] to Kazuki Hoshino or sh*tting him.

"Don't make me repeat myself. Didn't I tell you it was because I want to see Kazu's pathetic dance?"

"But that's not all, right?"

"Then let me say this: I don't intend to give you an answer."

"Ooh! What a daring answer, considering I'm the 'owner' that lets you move freely! Do you understand your position? Well, even if you don't want to answer, I don't really care. It's not like I'm that interested in it anyway."

Everything's right as long it seems interesting. In fact, it seems fun to watch Kazuki Hoshino be deceived and get frantic.

Apparently amazed that I withdrew so easily, Daiya Oomine sighs.

"...come to think of it, I forgot to ask. Why did you choose us as players?"

"Well, don't you usually want to fight against as strong enemies as possible? The HARD-mode's much more fun than the EASY-mode, isn't it? Therefore, I've chosen the people from our school that are said to be brilliant."

"What about Kazu? You can't call him brilliant, can you?"

"Aah, yeah. To tell the truth, I originally wanted to choose someone else! Um, that second year «Ryuu Miyazaki». But since he's not a student of our school anymore, I gave up on that. It's better if the enemy characters have some sense of unity, don't you agree?"

"Kazu in place of Miyazaki, huh. It would be hard to find anyone more inappropriate for that role."

"Ah, you're not being honest with yourself again, Oomine-senpai. I know that you value Hoshino-senpai pretty highly! Besides this, it's not really like that. Sure enough, Hoshino-senpai isn't even a small fry when he's alone, but combined with Maricchi, he can be quite troublesome."

Daiya Oomine frowned, displeased.

"...maybe. But is that something you would know before starting the game?"

"Ah, 'O' told me that."

Hearing this, Daiya Oomine gets surprised for a second, but then flashes a wry smile.

"What's with that smile?"

"No, don't mind me. It just made a lot of sense to me."

He says and turns his eyes towards the screen. Kazuki Hoshino talking with Noitan is being displayed on it. He's exactly the kind of clown that amuses me, being so serious while not knowing anything.

Daiya Oomine was watching this comical Kazuki Hoshino with intensity as if each single moment was precious.

Hah?! Didn't you want to laugh? What's with that serious visage?

"......"

Whatever, huh.

"Hey."

Daiya Oomine says without looking away from the screen.

"...what?"

"...let me confirm this: your NPC neither knows the details of the 'Game of Idleness' nor about himself being the 'owner', right?"

"If he knew, it would be unfair and boring, right?"

"Hmpf, your NPC behaves like this without knowing anything? I bet you think that this 'Game of Idleness' as well as the killing in [Kingdom Royale] have no meaning."

"Hah? Of course they have none. Do you think something else, Senpai?"

Daiya Oomine thinks briefly and answers,

"...leaving me aside, I bet Kazu thinks like this:"

"...?"

Daiya Oomine raises his head and gazes at me.

Then he opens his mouth.

"«I'll find a meaning in this 'Game of Idleness' then»."

For some reason Daiya Oomine seemed a little happy when he said that.

"......"

---What an annoying visage.

To me his expression seems as if he had actually faith in Kazuki Hoshino, while letting him dance all the same.

Although such a feeling couldn't possibly exist between enemies.

But what if those two were actually conspiring against me...? ...Aah, no, that's impossible. I watched their conversation just now after all, and I also watched most of what happened in-game though the game machine. If they were conspiring, I would notice.

...well, and even if they are conspiring---

Well, I don't care, after all.

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