Slumpia.
A place that was originally a theme park named 'Utopia' but came to be called that after becoming a ruin due to poor management. Maestro began his experiments there. His goal was to replicate and invert the concept of 'Jubilation' to recreate it as Terror.
But attempting it immediately was impossible. Since there were only two things he could use to achieve his purpose, it was too wasteful to start the experiment right away with them. If he failed, he would waste half of his only two chances, so it was natural.
So he turned his gaze elsewhere. The Amusedolls of Slumpia. Machines that guide audiences and provide laughter through parades. Fortunately, they were abundant. Their structure was simple enough to be convenient for experiments, and even after several failures, he could try again.
Maestro began the experiment immediately. He replicated the Amusedolls' purpose of creation, 'Pleasure,' and based on that, inverted it to create a new Amusedoll. But it was an object he didn't like. Not only did it deviate from the original purpose, but it was also an existence that had twisted even the essence of 'Pleasure.'
What he desired was duality through a single coin. He didn't want the back of a different coin to appear when he flipped the front.
A failure.
That's how Maestro thought of the Amusedoll he created. So he discarded it. He dumped it in a corner of Slumpia and didn't even manage it.
"Beatrice took in that object. While it was a failure to Maestro, it wasn't to her. Although the Amusedoll was a single-use item with poor durability, its value as a disposable consumable was excellent. She must have also turned her attention to that value."
The man started explaining further, but Kenji couldn't focus on his voice.
It has taken root. The man clearly said that. There was no need to dwell on obvious worries like 'what kind of root?' Kenji stretched out his left hand and touched near his left chest where his heart was. He felt a faint, throbbing pulse, but nothing else.
Did he lie?
No, he discarded such convenient, wishful thinking. For reasons unknown, the man hadn't uttered a single lie throughout their conversation so far. All truths. He only told truths that stung to the bone. Was it to make him face reality, or just simple goodwill?
Kenji stared at the man, who was muttering while looking at the night sky. Even without Kenji's reaction, he passionately expounded on the being Maestro created. It wasn't out of genuine awe. Like a circus ringmaster reciting information to ignorant spectators, he conveyed only information in a calm yet profound voice.
"Maestro's replication. The ability he calls 'Mimesis' is truly remarkable even from an objective view. To replicate Mystery and simultaneously invert it... From an outsider's perspective, doesn't it seem helpful to our purpose?"
"The root you mentioned."
In response to the man's question, Kenji offered a different reply. No, it was a question too ambiguous to even be called a reply. But there was no change in the man's expression. If anything, he seemed more pleased than when he was monotonously reciting information just moments ago.
Whatever. Kenji continued speaking while staring at his white eyebags.
"Is that related to Terror?"
"That's correct."
"...Hah."
"To be precise, a seed was planted. It's currently in a state of producing nutrients to make it bloom."
"...What happens when it sprouts."
"I don't know."
The man said proudly. Kenji let out a hollow laugh.
"Is that also because of insufficient information?"
"Coincidentally, yes. That's right. To begin with, 'we' are seeing a being like you for the first time. A being that reacts to Terror, simultaneously observes each other, and takes root is incomprehensible, you see. Kukukuku, I truly never dreamed such a result could be created through Terror via Mimesis."
"Shut up."
"You seem to need time to think. I'll wait."
The man closed his mouth after saying that much. Kenji didn't bother to blame him. Instead, he took a deep sigh and leaned his head back.
His head was a mess. Not receiving Mystery's benefits? That was fine. Didn't he already know that? That he was pathetically weak compared to this place's residents. So that didn't matter.
But a seed is different. An unknown thing that even Gematria's information network can't comprehend. No one could know what kind of effect it would have. In the worst case, he could lose his sense of self or negatively affect those around him.
Kenji isn't a saint. Not a hero, and doesn't want to become one either. So honestly, with a bit of exaggeration, he didn't really care if unrelated people got hurt or died. But the people around him. At least those who have entered his circle, he wanted to protect by any means necessary.
On Earth, he lost everything. Lost his family, was abandoned by relatives. Betrayed by the only woman he gave his heart to, and there were no beings he could call friends to begin with. Those who approached to get close were all just horny bastards faithful to their desires.
A life of only losing until worn down from loss after loss. A life that only makes your chest ache when you reflect on it.
Some call such a life fate. Meaning not to cling too much and start anew.
But Kenji hated the word fate. If they say it was destined from the beginning, that God ordained it that way, then all his struggles to escape would just be downgraded to dog's work. How could he accept that his life-or-death struggles twisting his entire body were inferior to a worm's squirming?
The word fate is nothing but masturbation for a moment. Kenji had not the slightest intention of such an act. Even if the result of his struggles was just a handful of sand, even if he crumbled and his limbs were torn off, he had to squirm until the very end.
He erased distracting thoughts from his mind. And recalled the fundamental problem.
So, what should he do now?
The seed has already taken root. Unless he goes back in time, removing this root is impossible. Grabbing and bursting his heart whole might be possible, but the scales don't balance. Even weighing it internally, the value of 'life' was far heavier than just a seed's root.
So suicide is on hold.
'What about waiting quietly?'
When the seed blooms and flowers, no one knows what effect it will have. The same goes for Gematria, and he who carries the seed in his body is no different. So wait until he can confirm what that effect is.
It was the safest and best method. But what if that effect reaches out in a bad direction?
His surroundings are in danger. Just the people who immediately come to mind number three. Mika, Nagisa, and Seia. He absolutely wanted to avoid any plan that would harm these three. What if he hides somewhere away from them? Then could he wait?
No, impossible. Kenji was skeptical. No matter how he thought about it, if he suddenly disappeared, the three wouldn't fail to find him. They would surely use any means to find him and tie him down within their sight. Then everything would be in vain.
"You seem to have many distracting thoughts."
The man spoke towards Kenji, who was blankly looking up at the sky. He cleared his throat once, then adjusted the position of his tie fluttering in the wind.
"I have a suggestion."
"...A suggestion?"
Kenji's gaze, which had been fixed on the sky, turned toward the man.
"Would you like to hear it?"
Kenji remained silent. A wordless affirmation. The man laughed kukuku and tilted his head.
"Join Gematria."
"...What kind of bullshi—"
"By my estimation, the Terror that has taken root in you will completely bloom in at least half a year, at most one year. There's time, but not plenty. Taking measures before then is best."
"...."
"I will help you."
The man said that and stretched his hand into the air. A fluttering piece of paper landed in his grasp.
"A contract. If you join Gematria, I promise to help you with everything we have. This is good for you, and for us as well. You can prevent Terror's encroachment, and we can conduct our research."
"...."
"As I mentioned before, we research Mystery and Terror, and furthermore, the Sublime. Although not to a tremendous level, we've achieved some results. I'm confident there's probably no one in current Kivotos who understands Mystery and Terror better than us. Perhaps while helping you, our research might progress, allowing us to take more certain measures."
Despite the man's proposal, Kenji chose silence. The man drove the final nail in.
"Even considering your 'friends,' this would be a good opportunity."
"...."
With those final words, the man flung the contract into the air. The fluttering paper soared toward the moon, then instantly turned into black smoke and disappeared. Kenji bit his lip and watched that sight. The man patiently waited until his mouth opened.
After several minutes of silence, Kenji moved his lips.
"...Give me time to think."
The man's mouth stretched wide.
"Gladly."