Everyone went up to the second floor. Not in hope, not in despair, simply because it was said "There should be an axe there." And yes, it should have been there, but it wasn't. And this "wasn't" turned out to be louder than any "was".
Glass shattered to pieces.
The axe had vanished.
Logic — had gone out for a smoke.
— W-what the… hell! — Enua flared up as if the glass in the display case had been broken right inside his head. — I didn't do it! Until this moment I didn't even know it was here! Everyone who saw me knows, I never went up to the second floor!
— Then… how do you explain the axe's disappearance? — asked Yahweh.
— I agree, — Hov picked up. — If you have an alibi, prove it's gone.
Aha… of course… I was listening, but I already knew where this was heading. Enua and I had discussed this. The idea of splitting into groups from Yahweh and Hov — that wasn't a strategic plan, but more of a quiet sabotage. They didn't like Enua. They didn't like his potential to be the first killer. And now they were just using the first opportunity to pin the blame on him.
— I… don't care if you believe me or not! — Enua clenched his fists. — You were against me from the very start. But why me?! Anyone could have gone out! Yahweh! Hov! Tiamut! Even you, Kamiki! Why are you pointing at me?!
— Because, — Kamiki made a theatrical pause. — I have proof that it could only be you.
— As soon as we went to our rooms, — he began. — I immediately called Hov and Yahweh. I had suspicions. From the very start, that you would be the first one who might kill. And then… I left the line open. We didn't hang up if someone had opened the door, we would have heard it.
A blow. Precise. Cold. Right on the weak spot.
— Our group is above suspicion. But yours… you have no alibi.
Enua… was silent. Because check. Because checkmate. Because he understood, he had simply been outplayed.
«He thought of everything in advance… Every option. Every move. This bastard wrote the script, and we're just playing roles in it…»
— You have no proof of your innocence, — Hov summarized. — Confess. You killed Gerudo.
— If you confess… — added Yahweh. — We won't touch you. We'll just take you outside. And you… will sail away.
Three against one. Aragi is the fourth. The only one who still believed Enua, but even faith can't replace proof.
— Excuse me, — a voice came from the side. — We woke up… you're being too loud…
Cheryl and Morgana were standing on the stairs. They didn't know yet. But they were about to find out.
Everything was explained to them, they were led to the kitchen. Shown, the first and most painful "incident".
— AAAH! Why?! Why him?! — Morgana screamed. Without filters. Without masks, just sincerely. — G-Gerudo-sama…
She fell to her knees. Crying.
— Enough. Morgana, that's all… — Cheryl was calm.
Too calm, but in his voice… something was trembling.
— We will bury him. After the rain. And we will clean the kitchen, please forgive it.
An hour passed. The participants gathered in the living room. All except one, Enua remained in the bedroom.
— Sorry if I'm interrupting, — I approached the girl sitting on the steps. — Here, take a handkerchief.
— D-don't worry about me… Mister Aragi.
— Yeah? What if I want to? Can one just stand and watch a girl cry alone, on cold steps, like in a cheap movie? Sorry, but that's not my style. So take it.
— Th-thank you…
She wiped her eyes.
— Feeling better?
— Yes… I'm alright now. Thank you, Mister Aragi. You shouldn't have… a respected guest. For a mere tool.
— Respected?
— Oh! Sorry! I didn't…
— It's nothing. On the contrary. Forgive me. It seems Gerudo was very dear to you. And I… I came too late.
— Don't say that. It's not your fault. Cheryl and I were supposed to be watching. But we went to rest… and he stayed. Why did he stay?
— Even if he had left, — I looked at her. — It wouldn't have changed anything. If the witch chose a target… she will get it.
— Probably… you're right. We heard your conversation… sorry.
— I said, don't apologize. Say everything that's on your mind.
She blushed. Was sitting close. Only now realized how close.
— Sorry… Someone might have seen us…
— A-hah-hah. Even if they see,let them think what they want. And I… I'm glad I dispelled my gloomy thoughts.
Silence. Calm.
— So, what was Gerudo to you? Cheryl looked calm. But you… it's as if you lost family.
— He was our family. He worked here even under the first master. This island is named after him. Gerudo served him alone. For a long time, but with age it became hard, and he hired us. Cheryl and I studied at a school where they make… "tools" out of children.
— Tools?
— Yes… They taught us to be obedient. They beat us, but I don't blame them, they gave us a roof over our heads. And when we turned twelve,we were sent to the Saint Olga's school. A three-year course, the best went to influential families, we made it onto that list. And we met Gerudo-sama. He treated us… like children.
— We've been working here for seven years now. He became a real family to us.
— Sorry if I've tired you…
— No. You… you are strong, you are not a tool. You are a human.
I took her hands.
— You are a real, living human. With a heart, with a soul. With pain and light, never, hear me? Never call yourself a "tool". Especially in front of me.
— I-I'm sorry…
I pulled my hands back. Blushed. Classic.
— Don't apologize. You… are an amazing person. I didn't think I'd meet someone like you again in my life. From this moment on… I am not a tool. I am… a human.
— That's better.
And her face… was glowing. As if I hadn't just said words, but had pushed the sky apart.
If everyone could shine like that from my words…
I would say them endlessly.