Emilia looked distressed at Roswaal's statement.
Emilia: [Roswaal. Why would you...]
Ram: [Roswaal-sama. You... lured them here?]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (He's certainly made himself into an annoying adversary.)
Garfiel entered the room.
Garfiel: [The hell? You guys are still flappin' ya gums in here?]
Emilia: [House arrest. Garfiel, are you the one?]
Garfiel smirked.
Garfiel: [That's right, Emilia-Sama. Only Mixed Bloods can take the trial, and until you break the barrier surrounding the sanctuary, none of you are leaving.]
Kiyotaka: [Trial... where have I...]
Kiyotaka shook his head.
Kiyotaka: (I can't quite put my finger on it.)
Kiyotaka: [Emilia, for now. Let's discuss our next move.]
Garfiel: [Her next move is to take the trial. And that is that.]
Kiyotaka: [That may be so, but only after we've discussed things properly.]
Emilia: [It's okay, Kiyotaka. I'll... I'll do it.]
Kiyotaka: [You're sure about this?]
Emilia nodded.
Emilia: [I'm sure.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ram met Kiyotaka and Emilia outside.
Ram: [Emilia-sama. Are you sure about this?]
Kiyotaka: [Have you calculated everything?]
Emilia: [Well, there isn't really any other way to get out. Whether we want it to or not, the barrier needs to go down.]
Kiyotaka: [Alright. You recognised that their request is not negotiable, so what are our options from here? What's the best move?]
Ram looked surprised.
Emilia: [Ram... Garfiel. He's reaaally strong, right?]
Ram nodded.
Ram: [Still, last time I fought with him, he couldn't land a hit on me.]
Emilia: [That's great.]
She stood there for a second, thinking.
Emilia: [But Garfiel might have gotten stronger.]
Kiyotaka: [In my opinion, subduing him should be a top priority. If he's captured and held somewhere where he can't be released, not only will it take away any possibility of our safety being threatened, it will also lower the morale of the co-conspirators, making them less reckless and more predictable.]
Emilia: [But if we did that, they'd never trust us again.]
Kiyotaka: [Which do you think is easier to maintain in these two scenarios? Our safety or their trust?]
Emilia thought about it for a second.
Emilia: [It's reaaally difficult to make sure we're safe even if they trust us, but... I don't think they'll do anything bad. They just want to open the barrier.]
Kiyotaka: (That's not true in the slightest. She lacks a comprehensive understanding of the situation. That's because she's still learning, so it's okay. I just want to see the answer she comes to.)
Emilia: [But if we do want to keep ourselves most safe, it will be impossible for them to trust us... what if we try to reach a middle ground? Like... um rules...]
Kiyotaka shook his head.
Kiyotaka: [We're the ones in a disadvantageous position. They have no reason to entertain our "rules" or reach a "Middle ground" with us. Considering what I've seen from Garfiel, he won't agree to it.]
Emilia looked down.
Kiyotaka: [What's your choice?]
Emilia: [We'll... do as they say. We won't go against them.]
Kiyotaka: [Very well.]
Emilia: [Did I... make the right choice?]
Kiyotaka: [That's up for you to decide when we reach the end of this ordeal. Whether you did or not, you'll learn from this experience.]
Emilia nodded, sitting down and trying to force her brain to think through everything she had just discussed with Kiyotaka a few seconds ago. Ram walked over to Kiyotaka.
Ram: [Emilia-sama... seems to have changed a lot. I see you've been helping her.]
Kiyotaka: [She has. As for helping her, I only give her hints here and there. If she can learn to think things through, then things will get easier.]
Ram: [I'm sure you understand Emilia-sama is the type to stubbornly go for the kindest action.]
Kiyotaka: [Even so, if she can rationalise a plan to make such an action more feasible, then so be it.]
Ram sighed.
Ram: [You really are incredible.]
Kiyotaka: [Thanks.]
Ram: [I'll leave you two alone for a second.]
She walked away as Emilia got up and walked over.
Emilia: [Um, Kiyo. The trial. I'm a bit nervous.]
Kiyotaka: [That's alright. I understand why. You'll have to go through with it, though. Just do your best.]
Emilia nodded.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
It was nighttime, and they were gathered at the testing area. Emilia stood there gathering assistance from the lesser spirits.
Emilia: [I'm ready. But... um... I'd like some encouragement.]
Kiyotaka: [You'll be fine.]
Kiyotaka patted her on the head.
Emilia: [Not that kind of encouragement. I'm going to get reaaally angry!]
Kiyotaka: (The cute way she said that doesn't convince me in the slightest.)
Kiyotaka: [I'll see you when you get back.]
Emilia nodded as she turned around and began walking to the ruins, which lit up.
Garfiel: [That means she's been approved as a qualified challenger in the trial.]
Emilai: [I'm going now.]
Emilia entered the ruins.
Kiyotaka: (There must be some reason Garfiel doesn't just clear the trial himself. It seems like he has no intention of breaking the barrier at all.)
Suddenly, Kiyotaka felt the light shining on his face dim as his eyes darted to the ruins to see the light fading and gone, as Ram and Garfiel looked shocked.
Garfiel: [The light's not supposed to go out as long as the trial's goin' on.]
Kiyotaka: (She failed? That quickly? What exactly is this trial? And... why... does it feel like I can go there...)
Kiyotaka took a step forward.
Garfiel: [Huh? The hell you doin'?]
Kiyotaka walked towards the ruin as the light lit up. Ram and Garfiel looked shocked.
Kiyotaka: [I'm qualified?}
Kiyotaka: (Why... why does it feel like that should be obvious? What is going on with... my memories. Someone has tampered with them!)
Kiyotaka walked into the ruin.
Garfiel: [Hold on! Wait just a...!]
Ram: [Leave him, Garf.]
Garfiel: [But...]
Ram shook her head before clasping her hands.
Ram: [Please be alright... Ayanotaka.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka opened the door to see Emilia lying there unconscious.
Kiyotaka: (There's a chance I could suffer the same fate...)
Kiyotaka shook that feeling off and walked in as he felt his vision blur, and he fell to the floor.
Echidna: [First, you need to face your own past.]
Kiyotaka: (I thought so... I... suddenly remember everything...)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka's vision was dark as he felt that his eyelids were closed. He felt someone kick his shin as he opened his eyes.
???: [Wake up.}
Kiyotaka opened his eyes to see Horikita.
Horikita: [Honestly. This isn't like you at all. You're better than this.]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry...]
Horikita: [Well, just don't fall asleep again.]
She resumed taking notes but then stopped. She seemed curious about something.
Kiyotaka: [What is it? What's bothering you?]
Horikita: [What were you dreaming about? You were smiling after all.]
Kiyotaka: [I was?]
Horikita: [Yes, you were.]
Kiyotaka: [I was transported to another world.]
Horikita: [You should stop watching so much anime with Sotamura.]
Kiyotaka: (I thought that would be the response she would give. Those feelings I felt in that world, though. They weren't fake. That means that this world is fake. Still, Horikita is exactly how I remember her. Probably made from my memories along with everything else here.)
Horikita: [Ayanokoji? Ayanokoji!]
Kiyotaka: [Huh? Yes?]
Horikita: [About the next 『Special Exam』. We'll be facing off against Ichinose. What do you plan to do? Are you going to participate?]
Kiyotaka: [Alright. If you want me to.]
Horikita's gaze sharpened.
Horikita: [You're being awefully... cooperative.]
Kiyotaka: Do you want me to be uncooperative?]
Horikita panicked for a second.
Horikita: [What? No... I mean... I would like you to help Ayanokoji-Kun. It's just you usually ask for something in return or something similar, so it threw me off a little.]
Kiyotaka smiled a little.
Kiyotaka: [Kiyotaka.]
Horikita: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka: [Call me Kiyotaka. That's my condition. That way I'm being slightly uncooperative.]
Horikita: [The... Then... Kiyo... Kiyotaka. Thank you.]
She paused for a second, blushing.
Horikita: [I guess it would be strange if only I called you by your first name, so... I'll... permit you to use my first name.]
Her embarrassment was clear, but she also seemed to be happy.
Kiyotaka: [Okay. Suzune.]
She blushed deeply at her first name being used.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka spent his days in ANHS deciding not to change classes. He spent time with his classmates enjoying the days he had there, when Horikita approached him one day.
Horikita: [Kiyotaka... we... we need to talk.]
Kiyotaka and Horikita moved to a secluded area.
Horikita: [I don't understand all that well myself, but I... I have feelings for you.]
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: [I'm flattered, but... a relationship with you isn't realistic for me.]
Horikita: [I... I see.]
Kiyotaka: [Once I graduate, I'll be very busy, and the work isn't the safest thing either. I doubt I'll have time to stay in touch, let alone consider dating.]
Horikita: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [I'm really sorry, but I'm a temporary friend. After graduation, you won't be able to rely on me.]
Horikita: [But I don't want you to...]
Kiyotaka: [I know. And I apologise. I really do, but this won't work between us.]
Kiyotaka: (From the beginning, I should have spent my time here living normally, and I should have been honest to this extent.)
Horikiia: [I don't understand but...]
She bowed her head slightly.
Horikita: [I'm really thankful for everything you've given me. I... shouldn't be selfish and ask for more, but until the end of the year, just... please stay by my side.]
Kiyotaka: [You're asking me for a temporary relationship?]
Horikita: [I... I want to explore this feeling. If you reject me, then it's fine, but if you're going to, please say that you're rejecting me.]
Kiyotaka: [Alright. One year, but you know what will happen at the end.]
She nodded, walking to him.
Kiyotaka: (I also want to explore this feeling.)
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka woke up and got out of bed.
Kiyotaka: (Everything in this world is sped up. Memories of my time here would appear in my head as time skips ahead. I was only directly interacting with the most important moments. And this is the end of the line. The trial is probably almost over. After all, I've almost gotten all my closure.)
Kiyotaka opened the door to see Ichika.
Ichika: [Congratulations, Ni-sama.]
Kiyotaka patted her head. In this reality, he had spent much more time with her. They'd grown close enough that Ichika began referring to him as her elder brother.
Kiyotaka: [I'll see you Ichika.]
He kissed her forehead.
Kiyotaka: [Love you.]
Kiyotaka hadn't hesitated to show Ichika affection in this reality, it had been long since he had doubted his capacity to feel love. Of course, Ichika still wasn't used to it as a blush appeared on her cheek.
Ichika: [Ni-sama. Are you trying to make me your wife? You're moving on quite fast after Horikita-Senpai.]
Kiyotaka: [You heard about us breaking up, huh?]
Ichika: [Well, I'm sure Ni-sama was exploring his own feelings and letting her explore her's. From how it looked, she was pretty sad, but it seemed like she knew it was coming.]
Kiyotaka: [Ichika. For your last year here... focus on your happiness.]
Ichika looked surprised but nodded.
Ichika: [Okay Ni-sama.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka went up to the gates to see Horikita waiting.
Kiyotaka: [Hi.]
Horikita: [This is really goodbye... Am I really not going to see you again?]
Kiyotaka: [You won't.]
Horikita hugged him.
Horikita: [I... I'm going to miss you.]
She didn't seem to want to let go.
Kiyotaka: [Suzune. Your brother is here.]
Horikita let go and turned around to see Manabu.
Manabu: [It seems like you two have been getting along.]
He then saw the tears in Horikita's eyes.
Manabu: [What happened here?]
Kiyotaka: [Suzune will tell you about it later. But, I'm glad I got to see you before I left Horikita-Senpai.]
Manabu: [I'm not a student at this school, so it's not Senpai anymore.]
Kiyotaka offered his hand with a faint smile.
Kiyotaka: [Thank you for your guidance... Manabu.]
Manabu's eyes widened, and he shook Kiyotaka's hand.
Manabu: [It was a pleasure.]
Manabu and Horikita walked away as Horikita stole glances at Kiyotaka as they left. Kiyotaka stood there and then saw the car pull up. The passenger windshield rolled down as Kiyotaka saw Atsuomi.
Atsuomi: [Get in.]
Kiyotaka opened the door and sat across from him.
Atsuomi: [Are you satisfied now? Living normally? What a joke.]
Kiyotaka: [Not really. I'm far from satisfied.]
Atsuomi: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [Still, I understand that life is behind me now. My future is going to be filled with problems from here on out.]
Atsuomi: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka: [I didn't come here to return to the White Room. I came here to talk to you.]
Atsuomi: [Talk to me?]
Kiyotaka: [While I understand your goal and your motivation, I despise your method.]
Atsuomi: [Despise? When did you...]
Kiyotaka: [I've regained my emotions. I admit my decision-making isn't as good as before when I was a blank slate, but it's okay. It's okay for me to be like this.]
Atsuomi: [What are you talking about? It is absolutely not okay. You're my property. My Masterpiece.]
Kiyotaka: [I am your Masterpiece. There's no denying that, but I am not your property. I will not be what you ask of me... who you ask me to be.]
Atsuomi: [Kiyotaka you!]
Kiyotaka: [I despise you. I really do, but... thank you.]
Atsuomi: [What?]
Kiyotaka: [I am your Masterpiece. All the knowledge that you put inside me. Without it, there are many things that I wouldn't have been able to do, so thank you. Even if I despise you, I will thank you for all the strength and intellect you have given me. Even so, I will not use it for you.]
Atsuomi looked to Kiyotaka as he saw his younger self in him. So determined to achieve his goal, but then he saw his son.
Atsuomi: [You are at the same time my son and not my son. It's not that you're unable to sacrifice those around you. You're deliberately choosing not to.]
Atsuomi sighed, considering everything.
Atsuomi: [Driver! Stop the car.]
The driver stopped the car as Kiyotaka stepped out.
Atsuomi: [Do as you wish. There's nothing I can do to convince you otherwise anyway.]
Kiyotaka: [Goodbye. We'll never meet again.]
Atsuomi: [Goodbye... my Masterpiece.]
Kiyotaka walked away as the door closed behind him and the car drove off. He then saw the world start to turn black.
Kiyotaka: (It must be over now.)
Slowly, the entire space around Kiyotaka became black.
Kiyotaka: (But why does it feel like there's more?)
Echidna: [You're almost there. Just a little more.]
Kiyotaka: (So I was right. There's only one person left.)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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