reapers-game-blog

[reapers-game-blog]

Out of the Abyss :: Sascha :: Epilogue

And so this story ends, so bittersweet, The Reaper's Game forgotten. Sascha lives!

How strange that it could end this way for her! Her tearful sacrifices rendered moot– For she, the one she killed, her lover, too, Were always dead to start with… So it goes.

---

Our hero wakes in ruins overgrown, Claimed by the forest, fifteen years untouched. She does not recognize the faces here, Not even the one face she calls her own.

Her hair now tangles like Medusa's snakes, Her chin is grizzled dark– it feels so wrong. She stands to find she's taller than she thought, By four inches? The ceiling seems so close!

What happened to her while she was asleep? Why are the wrinkles in her face so deep?

---

The cops told her a story, strange but true. She didn't want to believe– but she knew. Lost in the woods for years without a trace, Presumed dead in a bloody massacre. They'd searched Rengoku Manor twenty times, But only now had they found signs of life!

Fifteen years later, now they were alive. Fifteen years lost to Sascha's memory…

---

This fragment glimpse of hell now slips away. What moral to this story can there be? When in the end we forget anyway, Should we still fight through pain and misery?

---

The void inside still nags at her today, Spinning forgotten stories of despair. But though she wishes it could go away, she feels that emptiness still belongs there. An absence of grief, memorial to none, A eulogy for loved ones never known…

But now, her life is here, the here and now. She cannot lose more time to the unknown. Her party needs a bard to cheer them on! Her list'ners need her wise writing advice! Her friends long for her lively, warm support! (Maybe that cute redhead will call her back?)

Far more than these, however, she holds dear Her mother... her sweet mother... she needs her.

---

It breaks her heart to see her mother's hair Streaked grey and white from stress and age and fear. But Sascha smiles and hugs her, knowing that She'll never have to leave her side again.

---

((Be strong, my friends, let not despair subdue The kind and caring heart inside of you. Should our ways part forever past this game, I hope life treats you well! Auf Wiederseh'n 💖

"This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!"))

-THE END-

[reapers-game-blog]

🗻 No way, was the one putting up a useless fight me all along? 🗻 Akisa 🗻 Epilogue 🗻

[tw: suicide]

So that was the end of things, was it? They could just….come back to life. That was all. They reached the end of the forest, she stepped out…

…and fell to the ground. What was going on…? Where was she? Her memory was so hazy, this wasn’t like her. Her memory was usually pretty good from her years of hiking so to have such a blank gap was startling to say the least. Movement next to her caught her eye and she noticed that she wasn’t the only one on the ground. A bunch of people were also on the ground, passed out or simply dazed. 

“What the fuck…?”

She tried to calm down and take in her surroundings to see what was going on but the more she saw the more agitated she got. For one, what was this forest? Why was she here? And was her hair always this long? It was almost to the floor, for god’s sakes.

“No really, what the fu-”

And then people were in front of her, asking question upon question and none of them made sense. Where had she been…what kind of dumbass question was this? She’d just…just…?

Oh fuck.

Little by little, things were explained in a more concise manner. She’d been gone for 15 years. Such a gap in her memory that went unexplained, it pissed her off. But she would simply have to take those years back. That’s all.

…Of course, things were never so easy. Upon returning home, she was greeted with the sight of her weeping father. She could only imagine how much of a shock it was for him…but wait…

“Where…Where’s Mom…and..where’s Hisako?”

Her father looked at then with such pity that before he even told her that her sister had died 10 years ago from her own illness and her mother shortly after from the heartbreak of both daughters being lost to her, she was crying. Everything she’d ever wanted to keep safe was gone because she had been in some forest. And she didn’t even know why. 

The next few days blended together. Even trying to hike was difficult; her 15 years of haziness seemed to have taken all her talent for hiking away as she seemed to fail even the most basic of hiking trails. Her title had long been taken from her, passed on to better and brighter people. Though she tried to get back into reading up on things, nothing seemed to stick. All her interests, passions, hobbies…all she was had vanished years ago. Worse still was this tiniest thought that would come to her, one that made no sense, one that said ��you should have died the first time”. What first time, though? Though she tried to will it away, it kept coming back more and more often. Almost unbearable, really.

Which is why she decided to fade away once more. Nobody missed her, really (her father never quite saw her as alive after all that anyway) so it was easy. So easy. After all, with the lab of a dead neuroscientist right in her house, she could just…well, die. 

….

……….

………………………………..

“Um?”

The moment when everything turned black, a figure appeared. She couldn’t make out any details but for some reason, they seemed familiar. Had they met…? As the shadowy figure asked her if she wanted to live and told her that she could have that wish fulfilled, she began to experience something akin to deja-vu. A game…where the prize is life. 

“Back to…life…?”

Familiar…did she play this before? It would explain a few things. But who cares?

“Haha…no, I’ll pass. Give it to someone who actually want it. I don’t mind dying. So…if you’re gonna take me to heaven or hell or whatever then let’s get going.”

And that was that.

[reapers-game-blog]

The stars in my sky have all brightened ||Yuudai​ ​A​​||​ ​Epilogue

(A small warning that it's a very, veryyyy long post, so brace with that. also pda sort of? But it's not blatant)

…

Fifteen​ ​years.

Wow.​ ​What​ ​the​ ​hell​ ​happened?​ ​Did​ ​he​ ​really​ ​miss​ ​15​ ​years​ ​worth​ ​of​ ​life?​ ​Last​ ​time​ ​if​ ​he recall,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​19​ ​when​ ​he​ ​was​ ​supposed​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​the​ ​academy​ ​and​ ​then…​ ​What​ ���just happened​ ​exactly?​ ​If​ ​it​ ​was​ ​true​ ​that​ ​fifteen​ ​has​ ​passed,​ ​that​ ​means​ ​that​ ​he​ ​is​ ​34​ ​now..? That​ ​was​ ​honestly​ ​very​ ​bizarre,​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​sure​ ​what​ ​caused​ ​it​ ​to​ ​pass​ ​15​ ​years,​ ​or​ ​what​ ​he did​ ​during​ ​all​ ​this​ ​time.

Looking​ ​down​ ​at​ ​his​ ​clothes,​ ​Yuudai​ ​noted​ ​that​ ​it​ ​has​ ​not​ ​changed,​ ​which​ ​add​ ​to​ ​the weirdness​ ​of​ ​this​ ​situation.​ ​But​ ​on​ ​the​ ​bright​ ​side…​ ​He​ ​hadn’t​ ​grown​ ​up​ ​much​ ​despite​ ​the long​ ​time,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​a​ ​good​ ​thing. Rubbing​ ​his​ ​face​ ​with​ ​his​ ​palms​ ​and​ ​patting​ ​his​ ​head​ ​in​ ​general,​ ​the​ ​blond​ ​noted​ ​he​ ​grew​ ​a stubble​ ​for​ ​some​ ​reason​ ​and​ ​his​ ​hair​ ​noticeably​ ​went​ ​longer​ ​than​ ​the​ ​last​ ​time​ ​he​ ​kept​ ​it​ ​at​ ​a length.​ ​...Guess​ ​that’s​ ​what​ ​a​ ​long​ ​period​ ​of​ ​time​ ​does. As​ ​he​ ​was​ ​brought​ ​back​ ​to​ ​his​ ​very​ ​relieved​ ​parents​ ​who​ ​finally​ ​saw​ ​him​ ​after​ ​so​ ​long,​ ​the blond​ ​felt​ ​happiness,​ ​worry​ ​and​ ​uncertainty​ ​all​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​time.​ ​Yuudai​ ​wrapped​ ​both​ ​of​ ​his parents​ ​in​ ​his​ ​arms,​ ​tightly​ ​hugging​ ​them.​

​Certainly​ ​they​ ​did​ ​look​ ​more​ ​tired​ ​and​ ​older​ ​now than​ ​the​ ​last​ ​time​ ​Yuudai​ ​saw​ ​them,​ ​and​ ​honestly?​ ​He​ ​did​ ​feel​ ​bad.​ ​However,​ ​the​ ​blond​ ​was at​ ​loss​ ​for​ ​words,​ ​he​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​tell​ ​them​ ​what​ ​happened,​ ​why​ ​he​ ​wasn’t​ ​around​ ​when​ ​he should​ ​but…​ ​No​ ​logical​ ​explanation​ ​came​ ​to​ ​mind.​ ​Just​ ​a​ ​blank.​ ​The​ ​dancer​ ​frowned​ ​while trying​ ​to​ ​find​ ​an​ ​explanation,​ ​anything​ ​that’d​ ​explain​ ​his​ ​long​ ​disappearance…​ ​Until​ ​he​ ​was held​ ​again​ ​by​ ​his​ ​mother​ ​for​ ​a​ ​second​ ​before​ ​she​ ​spoke.

“It’s​ ​very​ ​strange​ ​that​ ​you​ ​don’t​ ​remember​ ​anything…​ ​I​ ​think​ ​that​ ​you​ ​should​ ​see​ ​a​ ​doctor about​ ​your​ ​amnesia,​ ​my​ ​son.​ ​You​ ​know​ ​what​ ​though?​ ​Despite​ ​that,​ ​the​ ​fact​ ​that​ ​you’re​ ​here is​ ​the​ ​most​ ​important​ ​for​ ​both​ ​me​ ​and​ ​your​ ​father.​ ​You’re​ ​safe​ ​and​ ​we’re​ ​so​ ​thankful​ ​for​ ​that. During​ ​all​ ​those​ ​time,​ ​we​ ​were​ ​really​ ​hoping​ ​you​ ​were​ ​safe,​ ​that​ ​you​ ​were​ ​okay,​ ​that​ ​you  were​ ​​alive​.​ ​And​ ​I​ ​imagine​ ​your​ ​boyfriend​ ​would​ ​have​ ​been​ ​relieved..​ ​But​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​know​ ​if​ ​he’s aware​ ​of​ ​the​ ​news​ ​right​ ​now.”

Boyfriend..?​ ​Wait​ ​what?​ ​Taiki?​ ​He’s​ ​around,​ ​right?​ ​But..

“W-what​ ​do​ ​you​ ​mean​ ​by​ ​that,​ ​mom?”

“He’s​ ​not​ ​longer​ ​reachable,​ ​since​ ​our​ ​contact​ ​has​ ​been​ ​drifted​ ​over​ ​the​ ​years…​ ​Huh-”

Suddenly,​ ​a​ ​phone​ ​nearby​ ​rang,​ ​prompting​ ​the​ ​mother​ ​to​ ​pick​ ​it​ ​up​ ​and​ ​then​ ​immediately passes​ ​it​ ​to​ ​Yuudai​ ​few​ ​seconds​ ​later.​ ​On​ ​the​ ​other​ ​line…

“...Hello?​ ​Is​ ​Akiyama​ ​Yuudai​ ​here?”  

That​ ​voice…​ ​That​ ​voice​ ​he​ ​missed​ ​oh​ ​so​ ​much...It​ ​felt​ ​like​ ​it​ ​has​ ​been​ ​forever​ ​since​ ​he​ ​has heard​ ​that​ ​gentle​ ​voice...  

“Taiki?!​ ​It’s​ ​me…​ ​I’m​ ​home!​ ​I..​ ​I​ ​really​ ​want​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​you​ ​right​ ​now…!​ ​Could​ ​it​ ​be​ ​possible… Love?”

For​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​in​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time,​ ​Yuudai​ ​slipped​ ​back,​ ​even​ ​for​ ​a​ ​second,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​familiarity,​ ​he wanted​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​comfort,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​would​ ​not​ ​be​ ​complete​ ​without​ ​further​ ​confirmation.​ ​Fighting back​ ​tears,​ ​he​ ​waited​ ​for​ ​Taiki​ ​to​ ​talk​ ​again.

“O-of​ ​course..!​ ​Your​ ​parents​ ​haven’t​ ​moved​ ​away,​ ​did​ ​they?”

Hearing​ ​that​ ​little​ ​doubt​ ​in​ ​the​ ​voice,​ ​Yuudai​ ​glanced​ ​around​ ​in​ ​silence​ ​then​ ​whispering​ ​the question​ ​to​ ​his​ ​parents,​ ​the​ ​blond​ ​confirmed​ ​that​ ​they​ ​always​ ​stayed​ ​at​ ​the​ ​same​ ​place​ ​even after​ ​15​ ​years.

“No,​ ​they​ ​have​ ​not.​ ​Same​ ​place​ ​as​ ​usual.​ ​Do​ ​you​ ​remember​ ​the​ ​address?”

“Give​ ​me​ ​a​ ​second…​ ​I​ ​found​ ​it!​ ​Let​ ​me​ ​be​ ​on​ ​the​ ​way​ ​right​ ​away.​ ​You​ ​just​ ​got​ ​back​ ​after​ ​all, so​ ​it’s​ ​best​ ​you​ ​wait​ ​where​ ​you​ ​are.​ ​Oh​ ​and​ ​a​ ​heads​ ​up;​ ​it’ll​ ​take​ ​few​ ​hours​ ​for​ ​me​ ​to​ ​arrive but​ ​I’ll​ ​keep​ ​you​ ​on​ ​touch,​ ​okay?”

“Yeah,​ ​I​ ​understand,​ ​no​ ​problem. See you soon..!”

This​ ​exchange​ ​felt​ ​surreal,​ ​from​ ​surprised​ ​to​ ​relieved​ ​to​ ​sentimental…​ ​And​ ​most​ ​importantly, being​ ​hopeful.

Few​ ​hours​ ​later​ ​and​ ​confirmation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​points​ ​where​ ​Taiki​ ​was,​ ​a​ ​doorbell​ ​rang,​ ​prompting Yuudai​ ​to​ ​sprint​ ​toward​ ​the​ ​door​ ​and​ ​open​ ​it​ ​wide-

It​ ​was​ ​none​ ​other​ ​than​ ​his​ ​beloved,​ ​although​ ​with​ ​shorter​ ​hair​ ​and​ ​dressed​ ​up​ ​nicely,​ ​it​ ​was so​ ​contrasting​ ​with​ ​Yuudai​ ​himself,​ ​whose​ ​clothes​ ​has​ ​been​ ​reminiscent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​time​ ​back​ ​in Hope’s​ ​Peak​ ​but​ ​his​ ​physical​ ​appearance​ ​was​ ​in​ ​his​ ​30s.

Staring​ ​at​ ​each​ ​other,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​to​ ​confirm​ ​that​ ​all​ ​this​ ​is​ ​real,​ ​and​ ​not​ ​a​ ​dream,​ ​the​ ​dancer reached​ ​up​ ​and​ ​gently​ ​held​ ​Taiki’s​ ​face.

“You��​ ​Are​ ​really​ ​here…​ ​I’m​ ​so​ ​happy…​ ​And…​ ​I’m​ ​so​ ​sorry​ ​for​ ​being​ ​gone​ ​for​ ​this​ ​long,​ ​I’m sorry...”

If​ ​Yuudai​ ​started​ ​to​ ​tear​ ​up,​ ​Taiki​ ​would​ ​cry​ ​of​ ​joy​ ​after​ ​a​ ​bit,​ ​wrapping​ ​the​ ​dancer​ ​in​ ​a​ ​tight hug.

“You’re​ ​safe.​ ​I’m​ ​so​ ​relieved….”

Lifting​ ​the​ ​shorter​ ​blond​ ​up,​ ​the​ ​taller​ ​male​ ​gave​ ​a​ ​soft​ ​kiss​ ​to​ ​his​ ​beloved,​ ​who​ ​has​ ​returned it​ ​happily​ ​alongside​ ​a​ ​warm​ ​hug.​ ​For​ ​a​ ​little​ ​moment,​ ​it​ ​felt​ ​longer,​ ​as​ ​they’re​ ​taking​ ​the precious​ ​minutes​ ​to​ ​live​ ​in​ ​the​ ​present.​ ​As​ ​both​ ​calmed​ ​down​ ​from​ ​the​ ​highly​ ​emotional reunion,​ ​the​ ​dancer​ ​entwined​ ​his​ ​fingers​ ​with​ ​Taiki’s​ ​and​ ​stayed​ ​quiet​ ​aside​ ​a​ ​small​ ​genuine smile.

“...So​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​dear,​ ​what​ ​are​ ​you​ ​doing​ ​right​ ​now​ ​like​ ​job..?”

“I’m​ ​a​ ​teacher.”

“Sweet…!​ ​Man,​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​catch​ ​up​ ​on​ ​stuff…​ ​Still​ ​can’t​ ​believe​ ​it’s​ ​fifteen​ ​years...”

“Do​ ​you​ ​remember​ ​anything…?”

“...No,​ ​sorry.​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​know​ ​why​ ​or​ ​how…​ ​It’s​ ​just..​ ​A​ ​huge​ ​blank​ ​in​ ​my​ ​brain.​ ​Should​ ​see​ ​a doctor​ ​about​ ​that,​ ​I​ ​dunno​ ​why​ ​it’s​ ​been​ ​like​ ​that.”

“It’s​ ​best​ ​that​ ​you​ ​go,​ ​yes…​ ​I​ ​can​ ​go​ ​with​ ​you​ ​if​ ​it’s​ ​okay.”

“Yeah​ ​well,​ ​I​ ​think​ ​we​ ​need​ ​to​ ​take​ ​an​ ​appointment?​ ​I’ll​ ​do​ ​that​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​possible…​ ​It​ ​just need​ ​confirmation​ ​and​ ​yada​ ​yada,​ ​I’m​ ​wondering​ ​if​ ​it’s​ ​too​ ​soon​ ​if​ ​I​ ​ask​ ​to​ ​visit​ ​your​ ​apart…?”

“Let’s​ ​do​ ​this​ ​after​ ​the​ ​confirmation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​appointment,​ ​okay?​ ​It’s​ ​best​ ​to​ ​avoid coincidences.”

“Oh,​ ​that​ ​works,​ ​haha...”

Taiki​ ​ended​ ​up​ ​staying​ ​for​ ​few​ ​days​ ​at​ ​Yuudai’s​ ​home,​ ​only​ ​moving​ ​back​ ​to​ ​his​ ​apart​ment ​to​ ​pick up​ ​essentials​ ​or​ ​sleeping​ ​there.​ ​But​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​he​ ​wakes​ ​up,​ ​he’d​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​Yuudai​ ​is​ ​still there,​ ​which​ ​he​ ​is.​ ​Once​ ​Yuudai​ ​got​ ​the​ ​appointment​ ​and​ ​went​ ​to​ ​the​ ​doctor,​ ​who​ ​confirmed he​ ​has​ ​amnesia​ ​and​ ​there​ ​wasn’t​ ​any​ ​good​ ​explanation​ ​as​ ​of​ ​how​ ​it​ ​occurred,​ ​but​ ​only theories,​ ​the​ ​dancer​ ​was​ ​quite​ ​annoyed​ ​at​ ​himself​ ​mainly.​ ​​Why​ ​​can’t​ ​​he​ ​remember?​ ​Why​ ​so many​ ​years​ ​lost…?​​ ​And​ ​even​ ​after​ ​physical​ ​exams,​ ​there​ ​wasn’t​ ​anything​ ​strange​ ​with​ ​the man​ ​himself,​ ​only​ ​the​ ​memory​ ​loss,​ ​there​ ​wasn’t​ ​much​ ​that​ ​the​ ​doctor​ ​could​ ​do.​ ​Having​ ​to deal​ ​with​ ​it,​ ​Yuudai​ ​sighed​ ​and​ ​told​ ​Taiki​ ​the​ ​results​ ​as​ ​soon​ ​as​ ​he​ ​was​ ​out​ ​of​ ​the examination​ ​room.

“So​ ​you​ ​see​ ​uh,​ ​there​ ​isn’t​ ​anything​ ​that​ ​explain​ ​my​ ​current​ ​condition.​ ​It’s​ ​bad​ ​but…​ ​The  doctor​ ​said​ ​I​ ​am​ ​fine​ ​otherwise,​ ​that​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​any​ ​other​ ​issues.​ ​So,​ ​I​ ​know​ ​it’s​ ​worrying but…​ ​I​ ​don’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​linger​ ​around​ ​it​ ​too​ ​long,​ ​you​ ​know?​ ​I​ ​do​ ​want​ ​to​ ​take​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to appreciate​ ​the​ ​​present​.​ ​You​ ​get​ ​what​ ​I​ ​mean…?”

Sheepishly​ ​scratching​ ​the​ ​back​ ​of​ ​his​ ​head,​ ���the​ ​dancer​ ​had​ ​too​ ​many​ ​thoughts​ ​to​ ​struggle with​ ​that​ ​maybe​ ​it’s​ ​best​ ​if​ ​he​ ​rests​ ​for​ ​tonight​ ​and​ ​sort​ ​out​ ​the​ ​thoughts​ ​properly​ ​eventually.

“I​ ​see…​ ​​ ​Well,​ ​would​ ​you​ ​like​ ​to​ ​go​ ​stay​ ​with​ ​me​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​being?”

“But​ ​of​ ​course!​ ​I’m​ ​really​ ​curious​ ​as​ ​to​ ​what​ ​your​ ​apartment​ ​looks​ ​like..!”

Once​ ​he​ ​was​ ​leaving​ ​the​ ​hospital​ ​with​ ​his​ ​beloved,​ ​Yuudai​ ​agreed​ ​with​ ​his​ ​parents​ ​that​ ​he’ll stay​ ​at​ ​his​ ​boyfriend’s​ ​home​ ​for​ ​now​ ​and​ ​he’ll​ ​buy​ ​new​ ​clothes​ ​in​ ​the​ ​meantime,​ ​while​ ​also searching​ ​a​ ​job.​ ​The​ ​man​ ​kept​ ​some​ ​good​ ​clothes​ ​that​ ​didn’t​ ​strike​ ​out​ ​too​ ​much​ ​and​ ​were still​ ​in​ ​good​ ​use.​ ​As​ ​his​ ​basic​ ​needs​ ​were​ ​met,​ ​the​ ​dancer​ ​moved​ ​into​ ​Taiki’s​ ​apartment​ ​and visited​ ​it​ ​for​ ​the​ ​first​ ​time​ ​he​ ​was​ ​staying.

There’s​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​of​ ​plants,​ ​an​ ​extensive​ ​collection​ ​here​ ​particularly,​ ​those​ ​did​ ​give​ ​more​ ​life in​ ​a​ ​sense​ ​to​ ​the​ ​apartment,​ ​which​ ​was​ ​nice.​ ​There​ ​were​ ​all​ ​rooms​ ​you’d​ ​find​ ​in​ ​such apartment​ ​and​ ​those​ ​looked​ ​also​ ​spacious.​ ​Yuudai​ ​was​ ​impressed​ ​with​ ​how​ ​nice​ ​it​ ​was​ ​and was​ ​careful​ ​with​ ​the​ ​items​ ​laid​ ​there.​ ​Once​ ​he​ ​was​ ​told​ ​he​ ​could​ ​make​ ​it​ ​his​ ​home​ ​as​ ​well, Yuudai​ ​took​ ​the​ ​time​ ​to​ ​lay​ ​down​ ​and​ ​thought​ ​about​ ​how​ ​he​ ​has​ ​felt​ ​the​ ​last​ ​week.​ ​A​ ​lot happened,​ ​didn’t​ ​it?​ ​What​ ​more,​ ​the​ ​so​ ​mentioned​ ​15​ ​years,​ ​there​ ​must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​a​ ​shitton of​ ​stuff​ ​that​ ​happened,​ ​but​ ​no​ ​event​ ​is​ ​sticking​ ​there​ ​in​ ​his​ ​memories…​ ​What​ ​was​ ​going​ ​on…

He​ ​has​ ​told​ ​himself​ ​he​ ​shouldn’t​ ​bother​ ​with​ ​that,​ ​and​ ​yet​ ​it​ ​was​ ​nagging​ ​him,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​begging him​ ​to​ ​remember​ ​something​ ​important….​ ​That​ ​was​ ​impossible,​ ​as​ ​Yuudai​ ​realized​ ​once​ ​he felt​ ​some​ ​headache​ ​from​ ​over-thinking.

Urgh,​ ​damn​ ​it.​ ​Fine,​ ​so​ ​be​ ​it.

It’ll​ ​come​ ​nag​ ​him​ ​back,​ ​he’s​ ​sure​ ​of​ ​it,​ ​but​ ​he​ ​must​ ​keep​ ​himself​ ​busy​ ​from​ ​the​ ​same thoughts​ ​coming​ ​back​ ​again​ ​and​ ​again…

Once​ ​a​ ​night​ ​of​ ​rest​ ​has​ ​passed,​ ​the​ ​young man​ ​went​ ​to​ ​work,​ ​adjusting​ ​himself​ ​to​ ​the​ ​new​ ​fresh technology​ ​that​ ​Taiki​ ​has​ ​explained​ ​the​ ​purpose​ ​and​ ​the​ ​difference​ ​with​ ​the​ ​technology​ ​back then,​ ​and​ ​after​ ​some​ ​practice​ ​to​ ​be​ ​familiar​ ​with,​ ​Yuudai​ ​wasted​ ​no​ ​more​ ​time​ ​and​ ​went searching​ ​for​ ​a​ ​job​ ​and​ ​running​ ​around​ ​in​ ​places​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city.​ ​After​ ​quite​ ​a​ ​while​ ​and​ ​few interviews​ ​later,​ ​the​ ​short​ ​blond​ ​now​ ​worked​ ​as​ ​a​ ​receptionist​ ​in​ ​hospital.​ ​That​ ​at​ ​least​ ​was something​ ​he​ ​could​ ​start​ ​with,​ ​and​ ​for​ ​now​ ​he’s​ ​content.​ ​But​ ​he​ ​knew​ ​himself​ ​that​ ​this​ ​wasn’t enough​ ​and​ ​eventually​ ​he’d​ ​need​ ​to​ ​learn​ ​something.​ ​Remembering​ ​his​ ​goal​ ​when​ ​he​ ​was really​ ​young,​ ​the​ ​man​ ​looked​ ​around​ ​to​ ​find​ ​a​ ​way​ ​to​ ​manage​ ​study​ ​time​ ​and​ ​work​ ​time​ ​in order​ ​to​ ​get​ ​a​ ​diploma​ ​for​ ​becoming​ ​a​ ​nurse​ ​in​ ​quite​ ​some​ ​more​ ​years.​ ​Even​ ​if​ ​it’d​ ​end​ ​up later,​ ​it​ ​would​ ​be​ ​at​ ​least​ ​best​ ​later​ ​than​ ​​never​.

A​ ​year​ ​later

Even​ ​while​ ​studying​ ​and​ ​getting​ ​his​ ​life​ ​more​ ​on​ ​the​ ​track,​ ​Yuudai​ ​wasn’t​ ​without​ ​surprises. After​ ​a​ ​long​ ​walk​ ​in​ ​the​ ​city,​ ​he​ ​went​ ​home​ ​with​ ​a​ ​small​ ​shopping​ ​bag​ ​and​ ​prepared​ ​all​ ​while waiting​ ​for​ ​Taiki​ ​to​ ​come​ ​home​ ​after.

Once​ ​Yuudai ​hears​ ​a​ ​door​ ​click​ ​and​ ​the​ ​familiar​ ​voice​ ​that​ ​announce​ ​he’s​ ​home,​ ​the​ ​shorter​ ​male appeared​ ​before​ ​Taiki.

“Taiki,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​we’ve​ ​spent​ ​together,​ ​for​ ​the​ ​time​ ​we’ve​ ​laughed,​ ​cried,​ ​cuddled,​ ​anytime that​ ​we’ve​ ​spent​ ​together…​ ​Our​ ​bond​ ​only​ ​managed​ ​to​ ​tighten​ ​even​ ​more​ ​that​ ​we’d​ ​thought, wouldn’t​ ​you​ ​agree?”

Before​ ​Taiki​ ​could​ ​speak,​ ​Yuudai​ ​continued,​ ​kneeling​ ​down​ ​and​ ​opening​ ​up​ ​the​ ​small​ ​box, which​ ​contained​ ​none​ ​other​ ​than​ ​a​ ​ring.

“If​ ​I​ ​ask​ ​you​ ​that​ ​we​ ​could​ ​keep​ ​our​ ​love​ ​eternal,​ ​if​ ​I​ ​ask​ ​you​ ​to​ ​be​ ​my​ ​fiance​ ​because​ ​I​ ​love you​ ​so​ ​much​ ​for​ ​who​ ​you​ ​are…​ ​Would​ ​you​ ​say​ ​yes?”

If​ ​the​ ​teacher​ ​was​ ​honest​ ​with​ ​himself,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​very​ ​happy,​ ​but​ ​also​ ​so​ ​nervous.​ ​This​ ​​was​ ​out of​ ​nowhere.​​ ​Opening​ ​his​ ​mouth​ ​after​ ​being​ ​frozen​ ​at​ ​the​ ​proposal,​ ​Taiki​ ​spoke.

“Are​ ​you​ ​sure​ ​about​ ​this,​ ​Yuudai..?​ ​I..​ ​I​ ​want​ ​to​ ​say​ ​yes​ ​but…​ ​Are​ ​you​ ​sure?”

“A​ ​hundred​ ​percent​ ​sure.​ ​I​ ​love​ ​you​ ​from​ ​the​ ​bottom​ ​of​ ​my​ ​heart​ ​since​ ​a​ ​long​ ​time,​ ​and​ ​no   matter​ ​what​ ​happens.​ ​We​ ​might​ ​not​ ​be​ ​the​ ​same people​ ​we​ ​once​ ​were​ ​when​ ​we​ ​started​ ​to​ ​know each​ ​other,​ ​but​ ​it’s​ ​only​ ​natural,​ ​true​ ​love​ ​would​ ​come​ ​from​ ​our​ ​hearts,​ ​no​ ​matter​ ​the appearance​ ​of​ ​oneself.​ ​I’m​ ​more​ ​than​ ​ready​ ​to​ ​spend​ ​the​ ​rest​ ​of​ ​my​ ​life​ ​with​ ​you,​ ​through both​ ​the​ ​good​ ​and​ ​the​ ​bad…​ ​It’s​ ​what​ ​make​ ​life​ ​more​ ​rich,​ ​right?​ ​It’s​ ​imperfect​ ​that​ ​it’s​ ​perfect in​ ​a​ ​way.”

At​ ​those​ ​words, Taiki then finally offered a smile, and stretched out the hand before speaking.

“Then.. Yes, my dear.”

With a gentle move, Yuudai took the ring from the small box then slid it on Taiki’s finger, before giving a kiss on the teacher’s hand, then on his lips after, fulfilling the wish the dancer wanted so much to do.

[reapers-game-blog]

“If given the chance….

                                                             ….. I don’t think I’d do anything different…

I think I would have turned out the same…

There was nothing wrong with my life…

My family…

                             …. my home…..

                                                                          ….my friends….

It was never them….

                                      …. switch X for Y…… this for that…. no difference…

Because I was the problem in my life….

I know better than to blame anyone else…. No one forced these choices on me…

                                                    … They were mine to make….

… And my sins to reap…

…. I sought pain, because that’s all I knew to give… I didn’t dare ask for that which I could not provide…

                                          So many things I could never have…

Happiness….

                                       … Dreams…

                                                                               … Love…

    … all out of my reach…

But that’s fine……… I was fine with suffering… I craved it….

I’m selfish, I know…

                                    … For so long, I thought I wanted an end….

…. but… I realized that I never wanted a beginning….

I wanted to die…. but never wanted to hurt anyone…

I wanted to be alone in my torment… to quietly fade away, without a thought…

I was truly scared….

                         …. of being loved…..

                                                        … being remembered…

                                                                                                   … being missed…

I didn’t want anyone to cry for me…

                                 I think this is the best outcome for me.

I have no regrets to leave behind…

Nothing I wished I could have changed…

For once, I don’t feel like I’m drowning….

               … My head seems to have finally quieted down…

Even now….                              ….. I don’t know if I’m happy…

…. I’m just tired…

                                     … so…

                                                                    … so very tired….                               “

                                                        ~~~~~

*Poppies have long been used as a symbol of sleep, peace, and death… [when] used as emblems on tombstones [they] symbolize eternal sleep. 

[reapers-game-blog]

THE END.

[reapers-game-blog]

Begin Again || Return To Life

In the end...

You chose to return to the life you once had.

After all, you were given what most people could only dream of having. A second chance at life. And how could you pass an opportunity like that up? To return to your friends and family you hold so dear. Sure, the reaper's game and entry fee's may have taken a lot from you over the weeks you'd been there but that doesn't mean you've given up on hope completely. Even if things would never be the same as they were before at least you could be given back the life and future that was cruelly taken away from you by Kousei just weeks prior.

After you two come to a decision, and after watching the brutal death of a girl you can’t seem to remember anymore, Chuuya and Anatol approach you. You watch them give their farewells and with a flash of their hands there's a sudden flash of white that overtakes your vision...

When you open your eyes you realize you’re  outside of the Haniiro forest. Dazed and disoriented.

How… Exactly did you get here? Weren’t you just in the manor just moments ago? You check over yourself and are relieved to see you’re all in one piece. As you look around you're surprised to see a clear and sunny sky above you, something you hadn't seen for weeks during your stay at the manor. There's birds singing, insects and critters chirping, and no sign of that wretched mansion anywhere to be seen.

Just as you're wondering what to do you hear the crunching of leaves and soft footsteps behind you. As you turn around you hear an audible gasp from a woman staring at you with wide eyes. 

"Oh my god are you...?" 

The Woman pauses for a moment, staring at you for a couple seconds before calling out behind her. 

"...Han-san you're gonna wanna take a look at this."

Soon the two woman are all over you, inspecting you for wounds and making sure you’re alright. You quickly recognize her as one two women you had seen enter the manor just weeks ago. But this time they actually see you. After making sure you’re okay and a couple of questions they quickly usher you with them and before you know it you're at a police station.

What comes next is hard. You're bombarded with questions. Where had you been for the past couple months? Where were the rest of your classmates? Who kidnapped you? It's a struggle to find the right words to say. Police would never had believed your story anyway. After all, even in the old rundown manor Manor in the Haniiro forest there was nothing but old ruins and rotting wood. No signs of the killing game that had taken place. How were you to explain that you had practically been spirited away and been forced to watch your classmates die and murder each other? That your captor was long dead and gone? Whether you told the truth or lied and said you couldn't remember it doesn't matter to you.

In the end you were brought home to your families, some pleasantly surprised to see some of them. While you’re not sure if you had regained your lost entry fees or not it seems the possible ones involving your family members had been returned. Or were they ever truly in danger to begin with? It’s hard to say.

But despite the hardships and struggles you had been through, the deaths you were forced to witness, all of that was finally in the past. The tragedy and the horror would never truly leave you, but at long last you were finally free. Reunited with your family members safe once more

Perhaps the future didn’t look so bleak after all.

[reapers-game-blog]

Memento Mori || Endgame

Once the votes had came in and Megami had clearly wanted neither Anatol approached her first before the remaining two of you.

“Ah...so it seems you will be taking up an offer not originally offered. I understand”

And before anyone could plead what was going to happen a bright light filled the room and the sound of a gasp could be heard before a thump as your eyes focused once more. Your head started to hurt slightly and your eyes adjusted after the light faded.

There you could see was a girl with purplish hair laying on the ground, eyes wide and a knife plunged into her chest.

“Shall we move on now that she has been dealt with?”

But as you stared at the corpse in front of you a lingering thought drifted through your mind... 

Who was she? And why did it hurt to look at her?  

[reapers-game-blog]

Blind Followers || Anatol

“Ah..Dearest Ryo... you ask such an important question in which I must unfortunately say that I have no idea if you will receive your fees back once you pass the threshold of life and death. We are all mighty beings but we cannot predict what will happen!”

He pauses

“It is a risk you must take if you truly want to live your life once more of leading blind sheep”

[reapers-game-blog]

Reality || Ryo || ATTN: Chuuya, Anatol

Hm.. What a tempting offer. He sees Megami ask for death, he sees Ji-Hye ask to go home.. Ryo would want to do that as well, but... He had one question he had to ask. Raising his hand, he waits patiently as if being called on in the classroom. 

"I have a question regarding my life." Ryo looked at Chuuya and Anatol with an intense look. "If I were to choose life, which I am very wanting to... Would we not only regain our lives, but also what we have lost? This is vital information regarding what my decision would be. My life depends on my followers, my family... My ability to convince others. If I do not have that, I have nothing. You have taken everything from me. At least tell me if I'd get that all back if I chose life."

He crossed his arms, serious look on his face. He seemed to be thinking of one hundred things all at once with a look like that on his face.

[reapers-game-blog]

Death Wish || Anatol || Endgame

“Ah...Dearest Megami you never cease to surprise me with attempting to bend our generous offers...but if you do not like either of what we have offered... I will work something out with you....After-all you’re already dead...so if you wish to permanently stay this way then I shall make that what you are.”

And that seems to be the only information Anatol seems to speak on that situation...

[reapers-game-blog]

There's No Place Like Home | Ji-Hye | Endgame

She was still teary-eyed as Kousei was executed. As she watched him be executed, a few tears slipped down her face. Not because she was upset about his death, obviously, but because it felt like a real victory. Yes, they were still dead and this wasn't ideal. But considering her whole goal had been to go home, at least she could watch the bastard that had taken her away from her loved ones suffer.

Ji-Hye wasn't a cruel person, but she allowed herself this one moment to enjoy real pain. Not like Kousei spent his last minutes screaming or begging or crying, but just this one moment of knowing he felt hurt...that was something to her. 

She wasn't sure what was going to come next, but she definitely wasn't expecting that an offer to become a reaper. Yeah, coming back to life was also super cool and amazing but....she didn't think they would even be willing to make that offer. They had been in this hellhole long enough to have witnessed the reaper's doing all sorts of incredible things. Ji-Hye couldn't deny that it was tempting. Do you get a cool suit? Do they all get wings? 

They had taken her love of horror movies, but she knew that the old her would have killed for that kind of lifelong role. But old Ji-Hye had one thing she loved more than horror, and that was always always going to be the most important thing in her life. She wiped her tears, chuckling.

"If it's all the same to you, I'd like to go home. The sooner the better."

Mother, father, sister, dogs. Nothing in the world meant more than her family.

[reapers-game-blog]

I'd Rather Drown || Megami || ATTN: Chuuya

She's become desensitized to it all, barely even looking up when Kousei is dragged off. What does it matter how it happens, he's going to die either way.

No, Megami just lets her eyes fall shut and lets the nicotine fill her lungs. Her, technically dead, lungs. She spares Chuuya a glance afterwards, hair falling back over her eye.

... Brought back?

Why in the hell would she want that? Sure, she didn't make her "peace" or anything, but she has no greater reason to go back.

She knows what she is. Walking out of that forest and going back to her family wouldn't ever change what's wrong with her. She was rotten before she ever came here. Before whatever field trip, before she met any of them, before Hope's Peak itself.

Hope's Peak was just her last ditch effort. The minuscule part of her that still held hope, that was crushed away. Even if she did go back, she might as well be dead. No way in hell was her old life an option for her now.

Megami Satoshi is dead. And she's going to stay that way.

...Or, a job. Ugh, that sounds just as bad. Immortality never interested her. Why the hell should she get a prize, anyway? Just because no one had stuck a knife in her throat this whole time? And now she gets two options that she doesn't even want?

God, the universe really has a way of kicking you right in the balls.

"....fuck..."

Megami lets her head hang as she leans down, against the podium.

".... Question for you, Reapers...."

She peers up between her hair, tone casual, despite what she asks.

"... Would there happen to be a 'stay dead and fade out of existence' option?"

Straightening up, she leans a palm against the podium and takes a long drag before exhaling.

"Because that seems like a pretty good prize, to me..."

[reapers-game-blog]

To Stay Or Go? || Endgame

After it was all over, after watching the mastermind behind all this death and suffering finally get executed, things were silent. There were only three of you left now. Just you and the reapers. And for a moment Chuuya and Anatol just looked at each other and back at all of you. It seems they didn't expect their own 'boss' to just let himself be executed like that. After clearing his throat a bit, Chuuya finally speaks up.

"...Well, I suppose with dearest Kousei finally gone... We're in charge now. We're next in rank after all, it's only fair."

"Besides, I believe it would be much more beneficial for everyone if we took charge. Things are in need of some desperate change around here. Like some well needed precautions in cause some lowly ranked reaper barges in with a murder plan again. Hmph..."

After his initial irritation faded away and realizing he still need to deal with the remaining survivors, Chuuya turns to face you three with a smile. His hands clasped neatly in front of him as he began to speak.

"Now, I'm sure you're all all what's going to happen to you all. You've... Technically won? Or rather since Kousei has been dealt with this game has come to a close. We certainly have no intentions of continuing this little murder game, not with so few of you left. That'd just be cruel wouldn't it?"

Chuuya laughs at his own unamusing joke.

"Anyway, since you've won we can finally offer you your prize. Originally the prize for winning was simply being able to be brought back to life. However... since Kousei is no longer with us I believe it would only be fair if we brought back the other prize option for you all to choose from. You can either return to your life as normal or transcend to a higher form of spiritual existence."

What the heck was that suppose to mean? Seeing the confused look on your faces the reaper clears his throat and starts to clarify.

"Basically it means you become a reaper and work for us. Immortality and a job, intriguing no? Now this won't mean you'll be stuck in these manor forever. There are other games being held in various locations so if you so choose we'll happily relocate you to your heart's desire."

"You don't all have to make the same decision of course. If one of you wishes to join us while the other two wish to be brought back to life then that's perfectly acceptable. We do ask that you hurry up with your decision however. The sooner we can get you all dealt with the better."

With that he goes quiet, leaving you to your decision. For some it may have been an easy choice. For others, not so much. 

But in the end the big question still remained.

Do you return to the life you once had... Or are you willing to give up everything and become a reaper yourself?

[reapers-game-blog]

End Roll || Execution

In a pristine room lays a single bed. One might relate it to a hospital; the tall walls are white, without a speck of dirt or grime, like they’re scrubbed until the paint is just about to chip from the stress, but there’s no sign of anything else you might find in a hospital. Just one bed, barren, with one white pillow and covered in white sheets, with a small table next to it with one, single syringe on it. The far wall has a large screen, making it one of the only splashes of colour in the room - not that grey is much better.

The other source of colour is the mop of familiar navy blue hair, from one Kousei Inori. He sits on the bed, gangly legs easily reaching the floor, eyes flitting from left to right in confusion. Is this the execution? Sitting in a room until he starves?

Apparently not, if the happy tune suddenly floating from the TV has any say in it. A happy, familiar tune.

“Good morning, deranged maniac!” he mumbles in time with the blonde nurse now smiling at him, gesture clearly not reaching her eyes. “How do you like this room?”

“Is it not embarrassing to live in such comfort?” she continues alone, chirping out each biting insult. “Now then… the medicine you’re about to inject… it’s called the Happy Dream Phenomenon. When you inject it, you’ll fall asleep and experience a perfectly happy dream. Why, trash like you hardly deserves to have such a nice, pleasant, and happy experience. You’ll inject it once per day. Now, let’s Happy Dream!”

The screen shuts off before he can respond, leaving Kousei alone in a room with a single bed, single table, and single syringe. He knows this story. Inject the drug, fall asleep, dream of--

Is that all this is? Isn’t that boring? The other ones had a bit more happening to them, didn’t they? The… drama. Blood. An actual death that wouldn’t take a few days to complete. What, he was so immersed in video games that now they just gave him a literal scene of out one and said ‘see you, fuck off.’

Behind him, the door creaks. There we go. That’s something new. He stares at it, but it continues to merely be open. No one enters. No one speaks.

He stands from the bed and exits. Part of him wants to escape, to not die, but most of him really just wants to get this over and done with. If he dies, then he’s dead. In all honesty - isn’t he dead already? Brutalized in a car crash, the same way his mother passed away. He’s almost shocked that they aren’t giving him that death a second time in a row.

The thought doesn’t get to finish in his head. He had warned Clarity that he was going to kill her, but it’s still just that he didn’t get that same sentiment. He looks down one end of the hallway, peering into the abandoned darkness that implies he’s the only person who has ever been here, and just as he’s about to look the other way--

The metal squeals against whatever pulley forces it into motion. Like a dozen, blunt guillotines, the steel rods above him release, and by the time he even dares to think about what that means, they’re on him.

The remaining three classmates might be able to catch parts of him - how his shoulder was skewered by this heavy, blunt object before the rest of him was completely and utterly crushed.

And the music continues to play, softly from the room, muted as the door shuts behind the scarce remains.

Kousei Inori, SHSL Lets Player & Boss has been Executed

[reapers-game-blog]

Cut Short || Chuuya

After Kousei's explanation along with all of your reactions you hear someone clear their throat. Turning your attention you see Chuuya standing up rather impatiently, seemingly getting impatient with you all.

"I believe that's enough time for chatter. Everyone had said their piece, yes?"

For a moment he shifts his gaze over to Kousei, his eyes wary and confused before continuing on.

"Then I believe all that's left is... An execution. So let's get a move on shall we?"

[reapers-game-blog]

Shut Up, Hannibal | Ji-Hye | MM Reaction

The dramatic entrance was certainly appreciated. Ji-Hye feared that Kousei would spend his most dramatic speech in his ugly casual clothes, and that just wouldn't cut it for her. If you were going to announce that you were the reason they were stuck here and go into your big motive rant, at least have some style to it. Thankfully, he managed to gussy up a little.

...so they really were dead. Ji-Hye had tried to deny it, despite the overwhelming proof otherwise, but Kousei was so firm in his words. She'd have to be an idiot to think that he was lying about it. Honestly, despite how dead inside she had become, the scream queen felt real heartbreak. She refused to cry in front of the others, but inside she wanted to curl up and sob for a good hour or two. All of this had been for nothing, if she couldn't actually get out. 

After listening to him talk for what seemed like ages, the most she had ever heard from someone she had talked to once in the eternity they had been here, Ji-Hye crossed her arms, blowing a strand of hair out of her face.

"Nobody's ever going to let the applause I gave go, are they? It was a spur of the moment thing! I was just shocked at how good she had played us! You act like I killed someone here!"

But the joking attitude vanished as quickly as it had come as she narrowed her eyes at Kousei.

"Anyway, you edgelord. You know we're not all heartless. Statistically, we couldn't have survived this long as a species if we were nothing but a bunch of monsters. You looked at one horrible moment of your life and decided it was the end, that all people were cruel. Like none of us have ever had people do awful things to us. You're dead, sure. Your family died, and people didn't give you the sympathy you thought you were due. What in the fuck makes you think that justifies this little experiment? I can't even go home because of the people there, but you don't see me committing murder."

She shuddered just at the memories. But she had never done anything wrong, at least. And then she had told Yuudai that she'd make it without killing someone, and she had succeeded, even with all the pressures tempting her to do so. And Kousei couldn't even make it after...what? A death in the family? Who hadn't gone through that?

...Their families..they were probably safe. Their memories, or whatever, had been taken from them, but they were probably still alive. Maybe even her dogs. At least she had that. Ji-Hye would suffer a million deaths, a million bullets to the head, if that meant they could be safe.

"There's good in this world. You know that. I have nothing but love for my family. My father supported me wholeheartedly in my dreams, my mother did everything to help me get into my career, my sister gave me a shoulder to cry on, and my dogs....well, they're good boys. I've traveled to so many places, worked with so many people. Of course there are assholes. But there's so much worth there, too."

But yes...back to the killing game. Since that was...well, Kousei was wrong in general,  but there was no denying that they had all definitely played into his plan, a bit.

"I don't know why you act like this is some kind of victory for you. Like, yeah we did some shitty things. Beau's murder with no motive was absolutely shitty. And you know what? So was my applause. But I never had any sympathy for any of the murderers, and neither did a lot of people. Maybe we shouldn't have been so desensitized, but how else could we have survived? How could we have made it this far if we broke down every death? You act like you threw us in here and we immediately went bloodthirsty and slaughtered each other. What you proved is that when human beings are fucking pushed to the edge, when we're threatened with losing the things and people we love, when death comes again and again and again, we snap. That's what all animals do. You're not the first genius to figure this out."

She took a deep breath.

"But we're still standing here. And the world is turning without us. And human beings will keep being themselves. There's monsters and there's heroes and there's side characters who are somewhere in between. And...and I am thankful that for nineteen years I got to be apart of that beautiful chaotic mess."

She choked up there, but Ji-Hye managed to keep it together.

[reapers-game-blog]

Again, Again || Megami || MM Reaction

Megami is silent for the most part, smoking a cigarette as Kousei has his little speech. Probably the most she's ever heard him talk. She's dropped the shoes into a pile at her feet, leaning her elbows on the podium as she smokes.

".... That's it?"

Her voice is monotonous, her brow quirking up at him as she waves her cigarette. She sighs, dropping her head for a moment, before she straightens.

"So... your mom died, and you got all emo about it. Then... you went on some self-discovery schtick to fuel your depressing hypothesis, yadda yadda..."

Her cigarette is reaching the filter. Pulling another from the pack, she uses her current smoke to light the new one. Taking one more drag, Megami glances around for somewhere to dispose of it, before just dropping it at the foot of her podium and stomping it out.

"But... did you really have to do all this work just to do that? I mean... I'm pretty sure there's tons of historical moments that can prove your point. Hell, you ever ridden public transit? Prime example of people being assholes...

So, cool. You proved yourself right. Pat yourself on the back, I guess. I'm not going to try to argue with you there..."

Hell, there are so many other people that should be standing here, instead of her. She's regretting surprised that she made it this far.

"And, everyone essentially died -- well, double died,I guess -- for pretty much nothing. False hope, because we don't have lives to go back to. ....Could have tried to get one more paycheck, you bastard...."

She mutters the last part into her cigarette. Even her own death was taken from her.

"... This was really fucking dumb..."

Megami's eyes hold almost a thousand yard stare as she smokes, gazing off somewhere in the room.

"Although, you might not care, since you proved your point...

But, it's a point that's been proven before, and is only going to be proven again. I mean, you think you're special because you had the supernatural on your side and had this whole show by the reigns?

Listen to what you just said.

People are going to move on. They're going to forget about this. About everyone here. It's all just going to loop back around, you know.

You prove people are heartless, someone else proves people are worth it. Then someone like you comes around again and the cycle repeats. Back and forth, back and forth, on and on...

....Just a small fish in a big pond, if you want to get all poetic about it..."

But, even though she tries to prevent it, her mind flickers back to all the examples she's seen that people aren't heartless.

Her dad, she can't even remember anything about him because of this fucking game. But he wouldn't have been something worth taking away if he was a piece of shit. Mom, despite all the crap they've been through as a family, all the crap from her jobs, she still stayed hopeful. Still worked her ass off to make their home a happy place. Emi...

There's a sudden shot of pain in her chest. She doesn't show it, but it's there. Huh, guess this is what 'tugging at the heartstrings' means... Emiko... always so cheerful, bright, and happy. Always so excited to see her and go on and on about her day. All the unconditional love that poured from her little sister....

.... even if Megami didn't deserve an ounce of it.

The sheer difference between her and her sister was as prime an example of "good and bad" that she could think of. No... maybe not good and bad... Innocence... Her sister was pure. Even if she wouldn't always stay that way, Megami know she would never become as horrid as she had become.

Emiko wouldn't rot. She wouldn't fall stagnant and become consumed by her darkness. She would grow, and overcome, and become something wonderful.

There are good people out there. Megami was just never one of them.

She exhales a cloud of smoke and tilts her head back to look at the ceiling. She's already dead, right? That's just one thing off her long term to do list. And whatever happens next won't really matter.

"....It's a sort of bittersweet balance to things... Whichever way you swing the pendulum, it's just going to swing back the other way. Momentum... Newton's law... You can say you won for now, but it doesn't matter... Things just move how they always have.

You took a big step, but it's all going to even out eventually...

So.. I guess congratulations for continuing the cycle...."

After all that, Megami seems "content" with letting her eyes drift off as she smokes.