music ~ bgload ima_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------Suddenly, I wake up. bgload ima_21.png text A vast night. text In the midst of a grassy field that extends as far as the eye can see, I stare blankly at the moon. text There is no one else here. text No signs of human presence; no sounds from any animals. text Maybe it's because I've pushed myself too hard these past couple of days. text I just wanted to lie down quietly and be alone, but it seems I fell asleep. text It was a bright darkness. text Probably because the moon is hanging so low. text The grassy field that looked like a black sea last night is bright, like some sort of a stage. text A clearing illuminated by sharp, sharp moonlight. text ~ text I thought it was like a theater somewhere. text ~ text Only, there are no curtains around. text This field that sweeps far and wide is devoid of any curtains of trees, nor is there an audience or stage crew. text There's nothing here. text The only things here are the moonlight and the white darkness. text The wind does not blow and the grass does not even sway. text ~ text ----How quiet. text ~ text I laugh quietly as it feels like all the commotion until yesterday was just a joke. text No, if you talk about jokes, text then my life until now was so happy that, looking back at it, it seems like it was just an illusion. text A lot of things have happened. text There were a lot of amazing things that occurred, and my life changed pace quite often. text The expected, and the unexpected. text ~ text Everything was illusory. text Looking back, it seems that no matter how trivial things seemed, all those coincidences built on each other. text The days were only a repetition of each other, but no two days were quite the same. text Then, that means text Perhaps each and every one of them was an irreplaceable moment I can never return to. text I recall many things that happened. text The memories are so nostalgic, it makes me smile. text Just the thought of the new experiences awaiting me in the future, different from those of my past, makes me dizzy. text ~ text Truly a mix of emotions. Happiness, excitement, and enough worries to give me a headache. text ~ bgload ima_10.png text ------Thump. text ~ text My heart beats loudly once. text What comes after is my usual anemia. text The dizziness continues for a while, but eventually disappears. text Even though the wound on my chest healed, my anemia didn't go away. text It seems like my fragile health wasn't caused by the wound on my chest alone. text ~ text Well, of course. text Being able to perceive the shape of death means I stand much closer to death than others. text To be honest, I never thought about living a long life, like ordinary people. text Thump. The sound of my heart beating. text It's not like me to think of this, but I wonder just how long I can keep running through time. text The conclusion is rather uninteresting. text ~ text Because, even if it stops tomorrow, or in a few decades, still---- text "Hey you. It's dangerous just lying around like that." text ~ text ----And. text ~ text I hear a familiar voice. music 08.mp3 bgload event/ao_01.png text "Eh?" text "What do you mean, 'eh'? You have an awful lot of free time on your hands if you can just sleep around here in the middle of the night. I was this close to kicking you, so you better watch out." text She says this grumpily while carrying a trunk in one hand. text "Oh? Kicked? And by who?" text I lift myself up. text "Isn't it obvious, stupid? You and I are the only ones here, so who else could it be but me?" text She declares this confidently as she folds her arms. text "Ha-------" text Stifling the laughter spilling out of me, I gaze up at her and the moon. text "I can't believe it I somehow felt that I'd meet you, but I didn't think that day would be today." text "What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you here, either. text I heard you were here, but we never did meet up, did we? So I was thinking that it was our fate this time not to meet. Although" text "If we did see each other, it would have caused trouble, right?" text "Right. I am a member of the Association, after all. We're not quite on good terms with the Church." text She laughs without any hint of guilt. text It really is hard holding back my laughter. text It makes me happy that this person hasn't changed one bit since that day we met. text "And, since I ran out of things to do, I was going to leave here tomorrow. text See, this incident was partially my fault, you know? So, I stopped by here for a final check, and I almost ended up kicking some ordinary person." text "Then we were fated to meet. To be honest, I felt we would meet up again." text I smile. text "You're right. I welcome this sort of fate." text She flashes me an identical smile in return. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Long time no see. You've grown up, Shiki." text "Yes. You seem to be doing well too, Sensei." text ~ text Returning her plain greeting, I look back at Sensei with serious eyes. bgload ima_10.png text ~ bgload ima_21.png text We sit in the field of grass and talk. text We talk about senseless things, just like the old days. text It was only briefly that we talked about what had happened and what we were going to do in the future. text "It's about time. I don't plan on staying here long. I'm leaving before dawn, so we'll have to part here." text Saying that, Sensei stands up. text I try to stand up with her but I collapse. text " Shiki?" text I can hear her voice. text I take a few deep breaths and stand back up. text " Dang. It seems like no sleep or rest until last night just hit me." text "Looks like it. That dizziness is your biggest weakness. text You don't look like you have any injuries. Is your body alright?" text "Yeah, thanks. Unlike you, I have a normal body." text "Hmm If you say so." text She glances at me meaningfully, then looks directly into my eyes. text "----Shiki You know you're not going to last much longer?" text ~ text Her clear words. text "---------" text I'm surprised. text It's not that I'm surprised by her words, but rather, I never thought she would say them. text "----Well, yeah I kind of know about it already." text "Is that so? But you seem pretty calm. text Even now, you strain your body over something that has nothing to do with you. text I would have a hard time believing it, but are you really not afraid of dying?" text She stares at me, somewhat peeved. text "No way. I think I'm more afraid of death than most people." text ~ text But that's something in the future. text It may be tomorrow or next year, but I can't think about the future too much. text ~ text "I can't think about the future too much. I prioritize what I want to be doing now." text "I see, so you can see your own death as well. That's why you're more afraid of death than others. text That makes sense Even for me, I'd be shivering if I could see the thirteen steps to the gallows." text "No, it's not like that. It's not like I can clearly sense when I'll die." text "It's almost the same thing. Let's see can I ask you something, for reference? text You ended up with a body weaker than those of others. It would only be natural to curse it and fear your life. text Hey, Shiki. Don't you find it difficult living life with such a body?" text Sensei looks at me openly, yet with unreadable eyes. text Those are the eyes of a magus, her side of which I'm not familiar with. text "---Isn't that right? You can no longer have 'normal' happiness like everyone else. As long as you have that body of yours, all that awaits is suffering." text "-----That may be so but" text I think it's not that bad. text "But, I'm probably happy. text Because up until now was a lot of fun. So, it'll probably be fun in the future, too." text "-------------" text The sound of her gasping. text With a large sigh, she changes back to her usual self. text "Shiki." text She seems sad as she calls my name. text "To be honest, I do feel some regret. text I feel like I said something to you that I shouldn't have back then." text I look straight into her eyes. text It's different from before Back then I had to look up to see her eyes, but now she is looking up into mine. text "God doesn't give excessive power without reason. And I told you that if you have that power, there has to be some meaning to it. text But, you know, it's up to the individual to decide what that meaning may be. There's no room for anyone else, especially something as ambiguous as a god, to interfere. text So it would have been alright if you did nothing. text Even if you denied those eyes of yours and did nothing, it still would have been alright. text I'm regretting my words, because you could have lead a normal life more suitable for you, as Shiki." text " Sensei." text "Didn't I tell you earlier that you should live your life with an honest heart? You really did, Shiki. text But, that's something difficult to do. text It would have been easier for you to stray from your path a little, because your eyes draw you to disaster. text Isn't it ironic that a killer more skilled than anyone else also hates killing more than anyone else? text If you lived a normal life, or had your heart deviated from the true path, you wouldn't have had to go through so much pain." text "Yeah that may be true, now that you mention it. If I gave up, it may have been a little easier. text But, that has no meaning. It would have only made things a little easier, and to start out with, I never thought of it as particularly painful. text You have the wrong idea, Sensei. Everything I did, I did because I wanted to. It's not like I'm a saint or anything. text I like myself just the way I am. text That's why I was glad that you told me back then to become an adult by living just the way I was. text Sensei. I don't regret anything, so there's no reason for you to regret anything either." text I really feel that from the bottom of my heart, and I smile at her. text As if dazzled by a radiant light, she narrows her eyes, then closes them briefly. text "-----I see text Man, it seems you really have become a wonderful young fellow." text Her hand reaches for her trunk. text "Yeah, you're fine just the way you are, Shiki. text My world is full of devious individuals, so associating with someone like you balances things out. It might be hard on you, but if you don't mind, then I guess it's alright." text ~ text With a "see you," Sensei turns her back to me. text "-------------" text I can't stop her, and there's no reason to. text I can feel that this really is the last time. text All I can remember is the one thing I forgot to say. text ~ text That day. text In an ocean of grass, an important friend who had spoken with me, who was about to disappear. text "-------------" text There's no wind. text The grass does not sway and the only thing that changes is her figure, which gets farther away. text She didn't turn around suddenly back then, and she won't now. text "------Sensei." text ~ text I call out to stop her. text She halts in her tracks. text "What?" text She doesn't turn around. Only her voice drifts to me. text "-------------" text I know what I must say. text The words I've always wanted to say. text It's just that if I say these words, I really won't be able to see her ever again. text But still---I have to say them. text She told me, "All I'm saying is live true to yourself, and become a man in the manner that you think is right." text She also taught me that it is important to accept my mistakes, and to be able to apologize for them. text That's why. text That's why I have to say it. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "----Thank you. I'm glad I met you, Sensei." text That's what I felt as a child. text Those words were the ones from the bottom of my heart that I once could not say, because I was filled with the sadness of parting. text From behind, it seems Sensei is surprised. text She stands there, lowers her head, and turns toward me with her usual expression. bgload ima_10.png bgload event/ao_02.png text "----Take care, Shiki Let's meet again if we are fated to do so." text She says this as if it was nothing, and the wind suddenly gusts. text Swooosh. text It rustles through the swaying grass, and the moon's light disappears. bgload ima_10.png text After that, text as if abducted by the wind, she disappears. music ~ bgload ima_21.png music 07.mp3 text "--------------" text For some strange reason, I'm not shedding any tears. text I feel sad, and I don't want to part. text But not shedding tears also means that I've grown up since then. text The grassy field becomes silent once more. text Gazing up, it looks like the moon is about to vanish from the sky. text All things pass by, just like the moon disappearing. text And yet, after a long time, there may be the chance to meet again. text ~ text And so, tonight's moon disappears. text "----Well then" text I close my eyes just once, as if lowering the curtains. text In the sky, dawn is drawing closer. text Just like the moon that has just fallen, text for the time being, the curtains are lowered on the long story for Tohno Shiki---- bgload ima_10.png text ~ bgload ima_01.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The heavens soar high above. text I look up, while embraced by the clear, brisk night air. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text All things are uncertain, just like a waking dream. text The past is all an illusion. text It doesn't leave behind a tangible form, and even the most vivid of memories are really just transient. text Yet, I believe that the moon's image will never fade away. bgload ima_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Even that is fragile. text ~ text Even though I know it will end one day, I don't care. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The memories continue on. text I'm sure that even the end will be a happy one. text ~ text ----The lunar eclipse is far away. text ~ text Everyone races through their remaining time, and passes on. music ~ bgload fin.png text Fin. jump main.scrif clear_kohaku != 0 bgload TITLE2.png fi if clear_kohaku == 0 bgload TITLE1.png fi setvar ~ ~ text ~ text @Tsukihime DS Edition v0.1.8 text @Translation by Mirror Moon text @DS Port by Digital Haze music 08.mp3 text ! if clear_kohaku != 0 choice Watch Opening|Start Game|"Eclipse" fi if clear_kohaku == 0 choice Watch Opening|Start Game fi if selected == 1 music ~ jump opening.scr fi if selected == 2 music ~ jump s20.scr fi if selected == 3 music ~ jump eclipse.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png music 09.mp3 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -------Suddenly, I awaken with a start. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The night is pitch black. text And no one else is in the house. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text It's scary, being alone in the dark. text So to find everyone, I head out into the garden. bgload IMA_02.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Our mansion's gardens are vast fields of green. text Surrounded by a thick, dense forest. text With the trees blanketing out the light, text almost like a massive curtain. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Like a stage in a theater somewhere. text The curtain of trees opens with a swishing sound. text Excitement fills me, text anticipating the beginning of the grand play. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text In the distance, I hear the sound of echoes, text beyond the black curtain of trees. text Inside the forest, text the sounds of everyone happily playing around. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The curtain doesn't open yet. text Unable to restrain myself, text I wander into the darkness of the forest. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Darkness surrounds me.. text A blackness so deep, it's suffocating.. text Not even the calming rays of the moonlight can reach this deep. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The air is cold.. text A winter's chill so deep, text my eyes feel like they'll freeze. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text For a brief moment, I thought I heard someone call my name, text so I walk even deeper into the forest. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text After passing through the veil of trees, text I find everyone waiting for me in the forest clearing. text But, something is wrong.. text Everyone is lying on the ground.. text .... Everyone is lying on the ground.... in pieces.. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The clearing is bathed in red. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I don't understand. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text A stranger approaches. text text The look on his face says he wants to rip me apart.. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I don't understand at all.. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But, someone else, someone I don't know.. steps in front of me, text and is torn apart in my place. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I'm just a kid, so, I really don't understand. bgload IMA_13B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text A splash. text Something warm and wet hits my face. text It's red.. text A red liquid, red like a tomato. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The person that was torn apart, text that person I called "mom", text never called my name again. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----I really don't understand. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But it is just so cruel.. text I wanted to cry, I just felt like crying. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Warm crimson blurs my vision. text Seeping into my eyes. text But it doesn't bother me at all. text The lonely moon floats above me, text bearing witness in the night sky. bgload IMA_01.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text It's strange. text Why didn't I realize until now? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Such a cold, horrible nightmare. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Yes---I didn't realize it. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That tonight.. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The moon is so------beautiful---- music ~ jump main.scr bgload BG_29C.png text .... Still, still too early. text There's about ten meters in between me and Nrvnqsr. text I need a more definite opening before I can draw close without him realizing me. text "------" text I gulp. text A little more----a little more, something---- text ".... I do not understand." text Muttering. text As if speaking to the moon above, Nrvnqsr mutters aloud. text "It is displeasing to be faced by such unsightly enmity, but I cannot think this is one of the Princess's familiars. text Is that just trash?" text "------! text Shiki, run away!" text Arcueid's composed voice. text "...... Eh?" text But, I can't understand in time. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ text My legs start to sink in something. text The firm ground beneath me is like quicksand. text "Ah------" text The ground is full of something pitch-black. text My body collapses. text My ankles which sunk into the black puddle are attached to nothing. text "------" text I fall with a splash into the puddle. text .... There's no bottom. text This black puddle transforms into a mouth of a large animal and compresses my body----- bgload IMA_10.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s514.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png text Nrvnqsr is looking only at Arcueid. text My chance is only during this instant. text Gripping my knife, I crouch down. text With everything I have, I run towards Nrvnqsr. bgload BG_29C.png sound ~ text All his senses are directed toward Arcueid. text Even I, who is not in this conversation, can tell Nrvnqsr is only looking forward. text His back looks defenseless, not knowing I will dismantle it in a few seconds. text ~ text ----I can do it. text ~ text I feel it. text Without a doubt, I can kill him. text "----" text I run. text Only a matter of steps before I can reach his back with my knife. text His back. text His defenseless back. text There's no mistake; he does not sense me. text "----" text One more step. text Then it's all over. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_29C.png text "------Eh?" text I stop. text What? text What.. is his body------!? bgload IMA_10.png text "No----where." text Nowhere. text Nowhere, nowhere, nowherenowherenowherenowhere....! text There's not a single "line" anywhere! text Impossible, no such "life" is possible---- bgload IMA_11B.png bgload IMA_10.png text ----Thro, b. text ~ text Headache. text My fingers gripping the knife tremble. text After a stab of pain in my brain, text I see a single black "point" on Nrvnqsr's back. bgload CMO_17.png text "------!" text ~ text ----There. text That should be where his fatal flaw is. text .... There's something wrong with it being a point rather than a line, but anyway----I'll stab him there! text I take a lunging step. text The knife in my right hand races towards his "point". text ~ text "------Eh?" text ~ text Right before my hit connects, text the points along his back multiply rapidly. bgload CMO_18.png text One. text Two. text Three. text Four. text Five, Eight, Nine, Ten, Twenty------ bgload CMO_19.png text Eighty, One Hundred, Two Hundred, Three Hundred, Four Hundred------! text "------!?" text .... This.. isn't right. text This doesn't feel like his "death". text These are more like heterogeneous aggregation. text His----His body, what the hell is it----? text ~ text "----Shiki!" text ~ text .... Arcueid's voice. text No, I don't have time to think now. text His back is right there. text Right now, I can just pick any one of his "points" and it will be over. text "----There!" text ~ text I bring my knife down as I yell. text ~ text However, before then, text Nrvnqsr's back rises up like a balloon. text Pop. text A black dog appears from his back as if emerging from a black sea. bgload IMA_14.png text "Wha----!?" text The black dog shoots forth like a missile. text "----!" text I slice its "line" with my knife. text But, it's just a "line". text Only the dog's legs are cut off. text Its trajectory does not stop. text "Gah----!" text Whud! text The black dog rams its head into my stomach. text "-----Ggh!" text What strength. text I fly back several meters and get pushed down on the ground. text The black dog then tries to bite into my neck. text ~ text "Ha.... aa----! text I pierce the dog's right abdomen with my knife. text My knife enters the black dog's "Point of Death" as easily as going through air. text ~ text The black dog's movements stop. text In that instant----its body becomes a black fluid and pours over me. bgload IMA_13B.png text "----!?" text Covered in the black fluid, I can't stand up. text "Why----you!" text I can't get it off. text As if sewn to the ground, I can't move. text ~ text "----Hmph. text It seems something has happened behind me." text I hear Nrvnqsr's voice. text Stretched out against the ground, I look towards Nrvnqsr and Arcueid. bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02A.png 13 0 text "Your familiar? text But, how unfortunate. text Those who enter my domain will be recognized and attacked by one of us even if I do not notice. text There can be no surprise attacks against me." bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text ".... It seems so. text You weren't even looking at anything but me, yet you still reacted to the danger behind you. text That is the strength of a collective, is it not, Nrvnqsr Chaos?" bgload BG_29C.png text Arcueid narrows her eyes slightly and walks toward Nrvnqsr. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T01B.png 13 0 text "----Interesting. text Your are so weak you cannot even use your Marble Phantasm, yet you still challenge me?" text "There's no need. text It can't be helped, even if I am fighting a Dead Apostle. text For someone like you----these claws will be enough, Nrvnqsr Chaos." text ~ text A short laugh comes up. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02C.png 13 0 text "----Fool. text Realize your folly, Arcueid Brunestud----!" bgload IMA_10.png text Nrvnqsr raises an arm. text His coat ruffles like a cape and countless animals fly forth. bgload IMA_10.png setimg KEMO_T04.png 0 0 text ~ text Grrrrrrrrr. text ~ text With a thunderous roar, three beasts run towards Arcueid like bullets. text Not anything like black dogs, text but three giant leopards larger than Nrvnqsr himself, like large demonic silhouettes. text "------" text Arcueid can't move. text Three leopards run, cracking the bricks under them just by running. text They're far faster than Arcueid, who is trying to run away. text ~ text ----The three beasts pounce towards Arcueid. text ~ text It's over quickly. bgload IMA_12B.png bgload event/ARK_E03.png text In an instant, text the three leopards' bodies are cut in half and fall to the ground. text ~ text "----What?" text Nrvnqsr's voice booms. text Arcueid is silent. text From there, she moves to attack him. text "----!" text Beasts emerge from Nrvnqsr's body. text ~ text The instant it emerges, the lion's head is grabbed and torn apart from its body. text ~ text The leopard is killed the instant it attacks Arcueid by getting pierced by her punch through its head. text ~ text The tiger is torn apart like clay. text Everything following them suffers the same fate. text The same with the flying eagle and the giant grizzly bear. text The same with the shark swimming in the ground. text The same with the ridiculously large elephant. text ~ text In the end, they can't even stop her, and turn back into a black, sticky fluid. text "----Wha.." text Nrvnqsr tries to escape. text Arcueid swings her claws. text ~ text ----After the sound of ripping flesh, text Nrvnqsr's body is split in two from the neck down. bgload IMA_13B.png bgload event/ARK_E03.png text "Gaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!" text ~ text Roaring in pain, Nrvnqsr leaps away from Arcueid. text Split from the neck to the waist, he's lost over half his body. text ~ text Splat. text The rest of his body falls at Arcueid's feet. text "--------" text This isn't a fight. text .... What about Arcueid saying she was only able to move? text The beasts Nrvnqsr let out weren't weak. text Those lions and tigers, just one of them can tear a car into scraps. text And that grizzly bear could have torn a tank apart with it's uncontrolled violence. text But such beasts were torn apart by Arcueid, and Nrvnqsr himself is half dead. text "Ha--------" text It almost seems like a joke. text If it was this easy, maybe it would have been better if I wasn't here from the start---- bgload BG_29C.png text "GA.... AH, aaaaa....!" text Nrvnqsr keeps retreating as if to escape. bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text She might be tired.. Arcueid walks towards Nrvnqsr slowly. text Panting. text ~ text I can hear heavy breathing. text .... It belongs to Arcueid. text ~ text Ragged, painful breathing. text Why is that? text Arcueid's breathing sounds more painful than Nrvnqsr's, who is torn in half. bgload BG_29C.png music 06.mp3 bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "--It is quite unbelievable. text Weakened as you are, you still have that much power. text As expected from the executioner prepared by the True Ancestors. text .... Do not face the white vampire princess----It seems the warnings of others were correct." bgload BG_29C.png text Nrvnqsr's voice isn't dimmed at all. text ~ text ----I feel, text a horribly sinking sense of despair. text ~ text Arcueid tries to catch her breath as she slowly draws near Nrvnqsr. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "But, I never expected to defeat you with only ten or twenty of myself in the first place." bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T15.png 36 0 text "----Enough boasting. text You can't kill me with any amount of such familiars, and I have cut off half your body. text No matter what, you have no chance of winning." bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "Hah----My familiars have all been killed, but you seem to be mistaken." text "----?" text "I do not carry familiars, nor do I use them. text All those things you fought were truly me. text .... It is quite unpleasant to be considered similar to the other mongrels who capture other living things to repair their damaged flesh." bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text "You should have been able to tell with a glance if you had not been weakened. text Use your golden Mystic Eyes and see. text Can you see it? text The chaos of the 666 "beasts" inside my body---" bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text Splash. text Something moves quickly at the edge of my vision. text ~ text "A----" text Behind Arcueid. text The half of Nrvnqsr's body which was cut off by Arcueid is shaking. text It rises up in a large clot and shoots toward Arcueid----. text "Arcueid, behind you----!" bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "Shiki----?" text Arcueid turns around. text But, she doesn't make it. text The half of Nrvnqsr's body lying on the ground becomes countless large serpents which attack Arcueid from behind. bgload BG_29C.png text "Cr----" text The large serpents wrap around Arcueid and return to a black fluid. text Arcueid is pinned to the ground like me, but the pressure is hundreds of times worse. text "Wh, what----no way....!?" text As she is pushed down, Arcueid tries to escape. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text "It is useless. text You should understand what that is, Princess of the True Ancestors." text "......!" text Arcueid's face lights up in pain and surprise. text The remaining half of Nrvnqsr raises its voice almost as if howling. text "----Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666---Haha, are you pleased with the chaos within my body, Arcueid Brunestud?" text "Are you sane....!? text A human body.. having more than three hundred factors compressed in something as small and closed-in as a human shape, this is just like----" text "Indeed, no different from the Primordial Sea. text I am not making my body up with other animals. text I merely use the factors called 'animals' as my body, mixing them like mud." text "I have no such things as familiars. text What exists are 666 beasts----and lives equal to that number. text Ripping my body in half or crushing my head is meaningless. text I am one and 666. text If you wish to destroy me, you need to destroy 666 lives at once." text ".... This can't be.... this is what Chaos means....!?" bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "Of course. text ----So my alter selves have no concrete existence. text When released from this body which is my territory, they will take form as some kind of 'species' for the first time. text They have no form of their own from the beginning. text You can kill them outside of me, but once they return, they regenerate as a part of my chaos. text .... Though, even I cannot predict what they will become once they emerge. text Understanding and controlling this disordered dendrogram is my eternal thesis." text ~ text The vampire with only half a body gives a boasting, muffled laugh. text "That's impossible....! text To take in souls----if you encapsulate uncolored conceptualized existences, you yourself will disappear....!" text "Indeed. text That is why this is not a single person here. text The personality of Nrvnqsr already does not exist. text We are not a single body, but closer to a limitless collective. text .... Certainly, there is no meaning of existence in such a life. text There are already life forms in the deep ocean which can be termed eternal systems. text This body will lose its intelligence and become a mere 'specimen' just like them someday." text "But, do you not find it magnificent? text There are things which swirl inside me, and you do not know what form they will take. text This small world is like that of our world in its primal stages. text A chaotic space where what will be born is unpredictable. text The darkness of chaos just like this planet's dendrogram, while still having the possibility of dramatic change. text I wish to know what lies at its culmination before I disappear." text "This is why the Church gave me this name. text ----Nrvnqsr Chaos. text Equipped with 666 beasts, no longer a vampire but a space which has become chaos, a heretic who broke the taboo." text ~ text "------!" text Arcueid's voice is held off. text The black fluid squirms all around her. text Even Arcueid's face is already half-covered----. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text ".... That's all. text Under such a prison, even you cannot escape. text It is a union of five hundred of my parts, the 'Soil of Genesis'. text Even were you to be at full strength, you could not hope to destroy it. text ----It is equivalent to destroying a whole continent." text ~ text Nrvnqsr's remaining half approaches Arcueid slowly. text "Many of our brethren have been killed by you. text Many have sought to destroy you, only to be destroyed in turn. text ----But, that is all over. text I, Nrvnqsr Chaos, will accomplish a great achievement none could perform until now." text "--Nrvnqsr. text This Reality Marble, who---" text "It should be easy to tell. text Your nemesis "The Serpent" came to me to teach me, but not the current one from this generation. text Before you killed him, he bequeathed upon me the method of making this 'cage'." text "------" text I can't hear Arcueid's voice anymore. text Looking, her mouth is covered in the black fluid. text "But 'The Serpent' is also a tragedy. text What was once a priest of the Church can't live on just because a Goddess of Death like yourself is chasing after him. text If he had lived, he may have devised a means to control the chaos in my body. text .... It certainly must have been regretful not being able to fully utilize such a clear heresy before getting destroyed." bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "I was a sworn friend of 'The Serpent'. text Why you persistently pursue him without tiring, I am very curious----but, it seems you can no longer speak." text ~ text The black fluid starts to pin down Arcueid's body. text By now, it is no longer Arcueid's collapsed feminine figure, but only a formless mud. text "----I will make you a part of me, Arcueid Brunestud. text Absorbing your amount of will may require great effort, but it will make me the highest rank of vampire. text A little pain is like a celebration for the new creation. text When that happens----even the professional killers of the abominable Burial Agency will be nothing to fear. text I will eradicate all members of that moldy Church." bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text Arcueid's face sinks completely with a sucking sound. text ~ text Even the lines of her body which I could barely see before have disappeared. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----At this rate, text if I leave Arcueid alone, she'll be absorbed into the black fluid---- text "Why----you~....!" text I "look" at the black fluid covering me. text The black lines of death definitely do exist. text "Gaahh-----!" text Resisting the throbbing pain in my head, I run my knife along them. sound SE_11.wav 1 text The black fluid becomes like mere water as I slice the lines. sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Alright....!" text I breathe heavily as I stand up. text ~ text ----I have to save her. text I have to save Arcueid from that monster. text ~ text But, how? text I can't even get close to Nrvnqsr. text Even Arcueid----as terrific as she was, she wasn't able to take him. text Then if I stand and face him, wouldn't I be killed instantly? text I only barely managed to kill one dog; I wouldn't last a second against those other beasts like the lions or leopards. text Furthermore, text I can see hundreds of "points" on his back. text I couldn't fully understand the conversation between Nrvnqsr and Arcueid, but it seems that each one of those beasts are him. text ~ text Then, text if I want to defeat the vampire Nrvnqsr, I will have to kill all the beasts having that "point"---- text "Agh----" text I can't step forward. text No matter what----A human can't step forward toward a monster like that. text ~ text "Damn----it." text In the end, text once more, I'm trying to save my life and do nothing about someone getting killed---- bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text "----Oh?" text I hear a voice. text Nrvnqsr's voice is full of contained amusement. bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text No. text It's not his voice. text I can hear something like the sound of footsteps. text "This----can't be." text The sound is far away. text But without a doubt, the sound of light, skipping footsteps is drawing closer. text ~ text ----Arcueid said earlier. text The park is empty of people at night----and if people pass by, then they are simply out of luck. text ~ text Far away, I see a small human shape. text Some girl I do not know about my own age. text "----" text This isn't good. text For her to come here, it means---- text ~ text "Run away~~~~~!" text ~ text I scream. text I scream, forgetting that Nrvnqsr wasn't even paying attention to me or that he might attack me. text Yet, the passerby does not stop. text Not knowing anything, she casually heads for this place. text ~ text Half of the vampire in the black coat breathes out in content. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text ".... My body has just been torn apart. text I need more sustenance." text His half of a coat squirms like a living thing. text "Fortunately, it seems sustenance has arrived." bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg KEMO_T03.png 0 0 text A black beast flies from Nrvnqsr's body. text ~ text "Sto------!" text My voice doesn't reach her. text The beast runs like a black wind towards the far-away figure. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload IMA_12B.png text It's over in an instant. text A short scream, the sound of a body hitting the ground. text The smell of blood wafting on the air. text ~ text The black tiger retrieves the human in its mouth. text ~ text .... the girl's face is.. is no more. text Most likely gouged out by the tiger's claws. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Too.. ruthless. text A repulsive, one-sided violence. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_12B.png text "Gah----!" text My head hurts. text My throat is starting to dry. text My mind starts to compress, and I can only see the enemy in front of me---- bgload IMA_13B.png text The tiger slithers like a snake into Nrvnqsr's body. text It's strange. text The corpse of the girl in the tiger's mouth disappears. text ~ text Yet. text ~ text ~ text ------Munch. text Crunch. text Grind. text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text She's not there, yet I still hear the sound. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------Rip. text Gorge. text Gulp. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text The sounds are coming from inside the man called Nrvnqsr. text The sound of dissolving flesh, shattering bones, the slow chewing of a human---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Y------" text No mistake. text Inside his body, he's eating that person. bgload IMA_10.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text Nrvnqsr's lips twist in a smile. text ~ text ----With that, text ~ text a switch goes off in my brain. text "You fucking bastard------!!!!" text I can't think. text I just run towards Nrvnqsr. bgload BG_29C.png text ----My vision soaks in red. text ~ text "----Feed." text A black leopard flies from Nrvnqsr's body. text How many times greater than the black dogs are its speed and ferocity? text "------" text But, I don't care about that. text It's a living thing. text If it lives, then it's nothing against me. bgload IMA_14.png text "You're in my way." text I stop and say so to the corpse by my feet. text The black leopard is lying in four pieces. bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02B.png 13 0 text "----I see. text You are the one who attacked me from behind earlier." text It seems he finally has realized I am here. text ~ text Emotionless eyes look toward me. text ----Yeah, just like Arcueid said. text As long as I don't allow myself to get lost, being stared by him doesn't change anything. text ".... Let Arcueid go, monster." text "------" text "I said, let her go. text I'm your opponent. text You're nothing with that half body of yours." text "------" text Without a word. text Without a word, the vampire with the black coat looks both Arcueid and I over. text "You say you can be my opponent?" text "Yes. text So I'm saying release her and then hurry up and return your body to normal." text "------, ----, ------" text His neck moves up and down. text It seems.. like.. he's laughing. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "You have taken away the fun. text Receive your punishment, human." text Nrvnqsr doesn't change. text He seems like he will leave Arcueid with half of his body and remain as he is. text "I promise you. text I will slowly chew you apart alive." text Flutter. text His remaining arm is lifted. text "----Such an inferior mental circuit. text The price of your arrogance thinking you can face me will be your certain death." text ~ text Whoosh. text ~ text A warm wind blows. text Scores of beasts emerge from Nrvnqsr's half body. bgload IMA_10.png text "----" text The number of beasts emerging isn't ten or twenty. text Even if each is not a strong beast, it is close to a hundred of them against a single human like me, and they swarm like ants gathering around a sugar cube. text "Wha----" text I stick my knife into the neck of the black dog before me. sound SE_05.wav 1 text The black dog dies as it's 'death' is cut. text ~ text Instantly, the sound of birds' wings overhead. sound SE_09.wav 1 text With a grating sound, the meat of my forehead is taken to the bone. text "Ach----!" text I don't have time to react in pain. text At the same time, several black dogs bite my arms and torso from both sides. bgload IMA_13.png text "You, junk----!" sound SE_06.wav 1 text Slice. text Slice. text I stab the "death" of the two dogs in my line of vision. text But, it isn't enough. text For each one I kill, ten more beasts take its place to rip into my body. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ah----Ah.." text I can't see. text I can't see anything. text Everything is pitch black. text There isn't anything wrong with my eyes. text All around me----the black beasts envelop me in darkness. text "------!!!!!!" text Things can't keep going this way. text I will die. text I won't last five more seconds. text My ankles are bit. text Blood flows. text My body feels like it will fall. text If I collapse, it will all be over. text They will ravenously feast on my body if I hit the ground. text ~ text "No----" text No. text That is more fearful than painful. text ---Everything is pitch black. text I can't see anything. text I can't do anything. text But, that's why I have to think. text ~ choice I'll bear with it for now and wait for my chance.|I have to destroy the main body. if selected == 1 jump s102.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s103.scr fi text .... I will bear it for now....! text Even if I recklessly attacked Nrvnqsr, these beasts would get in the way. text For now I have to bear them and wait for an opening to---- bgload IMA_12B.png sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png text "Gah------!" text I get struck in the back from behind. text Did one of the black dogs just ram me with its head? text Anyhow, my spine creaks----and I can't.. breathe. bgload IMA_12B.png sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png text "Ah------" text Both of my thighs are punctured by canine teeth. text "Ha----ahhh....!" text I pierce their foreheads audibly with my knife. text The two dogs dissolve like mud, leaving only burning pain behind in my legs. text ~ text ----The beasts are not uncontrolled. text Even though they could pick me apart in a single instant if they wanted to, they circle themselves around me and come to "feed" one at a time. text ~ text There, text is no opening at all. bgload IMA_13B.png bgload IMA_10.png text "Ah.......... h." text My body collapses. text Not even being able to breathe properly, not even being able to stand from the pain in my legs, text I fall flat on my back. text "I am quite the fastidious person. text Rest assured, there will not even be one of your cells left." text ~ text I hear a voice. text At the same time, a black dome arches over me. jump s104.scr text "------" text .... The main source. text If I can do something to Nrvnqsr's main body manipulating the beasts, I might be able to save at least Arcueid-- text "AAAAAAAAAH!" sound SE_06.wav 1 text I blindly swing my knife. text I force my faltering body and run forward. text If he hasn't moved as he toys with me, text then, he should be standing with his half body ahead of here---- bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "----!" text Nrvnqsr----! text "Stop your noisemaking, it is unpleasant." text His coat wavers. text ~ text From there, text a white horn comes straight at me. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg KEMO_T05.png 0 0 text "Eh----?" text Something like antlers.. sticks.. into my torso. text Thud. text It's so sharp, it doesn't really hurt. text ~ text "------" text I fall flat on my back. bgload IMA_10.png text "I am quite the fastidious person. text Rest assured, there will not even be one of your cells left." text ~ text I hear a voice. text At the same time, a black dome arches over me. jump s104.scr bgload CMO_18.png music 06.mp3 text "Ah------" text A ceiling overhead like a black umbrella. text And all around, the glowing eyes of the beasts. text Rip. text My skin is being ripped. text ----Die. text Rip. text My flesh is being eaten. text ----Die. text Grit. text My bones are being scraped. text ----Die. text ~ text My mind can no longer think of anything. text Only, to frantically use my arms to protect my face. text My right hand tightens, keeping a firm grip on my knife. text ----Die. text I'm being eaten. text Strange----being attacked by this many beasts, they should be able to eat me completely in just one minute, yet they take their time. text ----Die. text I'm bleeding too much. text My blood and their saliva coat my body. text It feels----terrible. text ----Die. text I can't see anything outside. text Just, complete blackness. text ----Die. text Those countless pairs of eyes say it. text They say it as they truly eat me only bit by bit. text They can't talk, so they speak with their blazing eyes. text ----Die. text Hurry up and die. text The black dome of beasts chants in unison. bgload CMO_19.png text "------!" text A scream leaks out. text But no one is going to help me. text ---I'll be killed. text Like that person before, I'll be devoured alive. text "Ah---a, ah.." text ----No. text I don't want that. text I don't want to die this way. text I don't want to be eaten while being conscious. text I don't want to be killed like this. text Scary. text That's scary. text Very scary. text Scary, scary, frightening, frightening, text frighteningscary scaryscaryscary scary---- text "I'll--be killed." text ~ text Yes, I'll be killed. text There's nowhere to run. text "I'll be killed.. like.. this." text ~ text I'll be torn apart and become a meal for all of them. text ~ text There's nothing I can do. text With my eyes painted vermillion, I start at myself emptily. text "Ha. text Hahaha, ha." text ~ text I start to laugh. text Because, I don't even know why I'm being killed. text ~ text But----still, Tohno Shiki will be killed like this. text "You are stubborn. text If you break down, it will be easier for you." text ~ text Ha, haha, ha. text ~ text He laughs in the distance. text Slowly eating me and laughing. text ~ text Ah----it's like my whole body.. is dissolving. text "--------" text ~ text .... Horrible. text Too horrible. text This is too horrible. text My wounds hurt. text They hurt. text Hurt a lot. text Death is frightening. text It's frightening. text Very frightening. text He's laughing in the distance. text Watching me die and laughing. text If I strain my ears, text I can still hear chewing and the smashing of bones coming from within. text ~ text Not only did he devour all those people yesterday. text And not only did he eat that unknown person. text He's trying to eat and kill even me---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_19.png text "Gah----" text Something like claws digs into my chest. text It's where the scar from my old wound is. text A really painful, frightening, only hateful place. text ~ text ----Eight years ago----that summer day. text ~ text Yeah, it really was hateful. text There wasn't any room for pain or fear. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text Yes. text I just.. hated. text Then what is to be done is already decided. text ~ text ----If you are going to kill me, then.. text ~ text My whole body is already numb. text All that remains is the sensation of the knife I refused to drop in my right hand. text ~ text Be killed----be killed? text ~ text Who? text By what? text "Haha, ha----------" text ~ text I laugh out. text ~ text Right, that's exactly how it is. text Running away is absolutely impossible. text Escape is absolutely impossible. text There's only one thing to be done. text Be killed. text Be killed. text Definitely, without a doubt, be killed. text ~ text By nothing else, text and by no one else. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------He will be killed by me. sound ~ bgload BG_29C.png text "Ahahahahahahahahaha!" text In place of a yell, I start to laugh like an idiot. text Strange. text Strangely, I can't stop laughing. text ~ text Slice. text Slice. text Slice. text Slice. text Slice. text With each sound, another beast dies. text My brain is in agony. text All throughout my body: my nerves, my blood vessels, my cells, my blood; everything has gone abnormal. text ~ text ----The black dome disappears. text I just killed about seventy beasts which were eating my body. text ~ text "Wh----at?" text I can hear Nrvnqsr's voice. text Alright----I have to stand, or I won't be able to kill any more. bgload BG_29C.png text I stand up. text "----" text There's no problem. text There's not a single place where I'm not wounded, but I can still move around for a while. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02D.png 13 0 text "What----did you--" text "----Yeah, I understand how you feel, vampire." text My brain is on fire. text It's similar----just like when I killed Arcueid, I can't even breathe properly. text Along with the headache and heat which almost drives me insane, text almost enough to make me puke, text the world is saturated with death---- text "So you want to kill me, monster?" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Then, we have something in common. text "Fine. text ----Let's fight to the death, Nrvnqsr Chaos....!" bgload IMA_10.png text With that, my stiff right hand moves freely. text Switching to a reverse grip on my knife, I run towards Nrvnqsr. bgload IMA_10.png setimg KEMO_T03.png 0 0 text A bigger beast appears from his body. text Finally, he's letting out the big stuff he used for Arcueid. bgload IMA_14.png text "------" text But, they don't last long. text No matter how large, fast or brutal they are, they basically cannot kill me unless they touch me. text If they try to touch me, text I slice whatever part that tries. text In the end, it made no difference whether it's a black dog, a lion or a tiger. bgload BG_29C.png text Two of the large ones collapse and change into black water. text To get to Nrvnqsr--there's still some distance left to close in. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02E.png 13 0 text ~ text "----How can this be? text Those of us even the princess could not eliminate----are returning to nothingness." text ~ text He's.. saying something. text ~ text "----I do not understand. text What did you do?" text ~ text I fix my gaze on Nrvnqsr's body. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02F.png 13 0 text Countless points. text ----If I want to live. text If I want to kill him, I have to kill each and every one of them. text ".........." text It's probably not possible. text Still----I can't finish like this. text Arcueid, who was swallowed by the black liquid. text All of those hundreds of people that were killed. text ~ text ----And, this body being almost killed. text ~ text "............!" text I grit my teeth. text There's no time to speak words of hatred. text Unfortunately, moving takes all of my power. text I don't have any extra energy to answer Nrvnqsr. text ----No. text If I do have that sort of energy, as quickly as possible---- text ~ text "----Very well. text I now recognize you as an obstacle to me." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----killing this beast-smelling monster would be far better. bgload IMA_10.png text His black coat opens wide. text The vile stench of beasts. text The sense of danger before was nothing compared to what it is now. text ~ text From inside his coat, things come out which I've seen at least once when I was a child. text Like this horse with a horn on its forehead, or this huge, winged lizard. text Those are troublesome. text It's not simple to kill them, text because they have very few "parts vulnerable to death". text ~ text So---I get more serious. text Is it because I said "kill"? text The pulsing of my blood is painful. text My nerves are grinding together. text Everything in my body links together to remove that which gets in my way. text I slice in half the horned horse along with its horn. text I slice the lizard from its back to its lower-right abdomen. text ~ text "----Impossible." text I hear that obstacle's voice. text Unfortunately, I can't even see properly now. text All I can see are those black points and lines. text "Scum----why must I attack a mere human with my full force----!?" text With a squishy, fleshy sound, text Nrvnqsr's half-body returns to its previous human shape. text ----It seems he finally put back the half of his body binding Arcueid. bgload BG_29C.png text ~ bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T03.png 13 0 text "----I will kill you. text You will find out that existence far superior to yours exists within me----" text His arms tear into his own chest. text As if ripping apart darkness, text he rips into his own chest. text From the hole in Nrvnqsr, text something bizarre emerges---- bgload IMA_11B.png text If I have to describe it simply, it's a crab-like spider. text A bit bigger than the giant elephant which Arcueid killed. text ~ text "------" text My vision has gone red; I can't see very well. text All I can see are their bizarre silhouettes and their "death". text My fingers are cold. text Maybe I've lost too much blood. text My whole body is frigid. text But still----my body isn't screaming. text It orders me forward, saying that if I have enough strength to scream, use that energy to kill Nrvnqsr even faster. text ~ text ----My spine hurts. text My body is cold. text My fingers are frozen. text Yet, my brain burns with fire. text These crab-spider beasts keep crawling out from Nrvnqsr. text Nrvnqsr is only a little bit away. text These things are in the way of me getting to him. bgload BG_29C.png text For now, these three. text I completely kill those emerged obstacles. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T02A.png 13 0 text "----Impossible." text As if dizzy, Nrvnqsr moves back. text "----There is no way someone can destroy all my killing beasts. text Such a fact is impossible....! text We are immortal. text As long as I live, the immortal beasts return to chaos and are reborn----so then, why do they return to the original nothingness after only being stabbed by you----!?" text ~ text I walk towards my screaming enemy. bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T04.png 13 0 text Nrvnqsr tries to pull back in retreat, but stops himself. text "----Unsightly." text His previously machine-like eyes finally start to burn with crimson hatred. text ~ text I understand how he feels. text ----Probably, text the killer in Nrvnqsr is ordering himself to retreat. text But, the vampire in him does not allow defeat from a mere human. text He doesn't understand. text He doesn't even let himself withdraw. text So, he does not allow himself to even take a single step back. text His mind stubbornly doesn't allow him to realize his powerlessness. text Another step forward. text From here, I can jump and slice his body with my knife. text ~ text "----No, never----! text My name is Nrvnqsr, the immortal called Chaos of the undecaying vampire race! text It is not possible for me to look this unsightly....!" bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text ----His body starts to form a shape. text The body which was only darkness begins to transform. text "This body is immortal. text I have surpassed death long ago----!" text His body leaps forward. text Not his beasts. text Condensing all his remaining beasts to the limit, he transforms himself into the best Beast and moves in to kill me. bgload IMA_10.png text His speed is as fast as Arcueid's. text He reaches out with arms which would pulverize my neck if he contacted me. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text Dodging that, I cut the 'line' on his arm. bgload BG_29C.png text As if unable to control his speed, he rushes past me without stopping. text ~ text ---The distance between us grows once again. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I feel dizzy. text I can't stop shaking. bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T04B.png 13 0 text "------What is this?" text Nrvnqsr stares at his severed arm in astonishment. text "What is this----!? text Why--why does this severed part not regenerate!? text How can such a ridiculous thing be occurring....!? text He isn't a magus or a Burier, so how can he destroy me just by cutting me------!?" text "----How stupid. text If you get too concerned over appearances like that, you'll get killed, Nrvnqsr Chaos." text I hear a familiar voice near Nrvnqsr. bgload BG_29C.png text "You----!" text With bloodshot eyes, Nrvnqsr stares at Arcueid standing elegantly to the side. text ~ text ----Oh, I see. text When he ceased being only half a body, she became free. bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "Oh, don't worry about me. text Shiki will take care of you. text Right now, he would even kill me if I got in the way." text A giggling voice. text "It's your fault for thinking you should kill him painfully. text You should kill your enemy quickly without allowing the opportunity for a counterstrike, right? text That was your mistake." bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg NERO_T04B.png 13 0 text "----Silence. text I do not make mistakes. text I still have 560 lives remaining. text .... Just wait. text Once I kill him, I will get you once more." bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Really? text It won't happen, but I'll be waiting." bgload BG_29C.png text Arcueid doesn't go near him. text Nrvnqsr is only looking at me. text ~ text ----He's coming. text ~ text I brace my right hand with my left as I grip my knife. text ~ text Nrvnqsr crouches. text It's the action of a predator preparing to pounce on his prey. text "Oh, I forget to tell you one more thing, Nrvnqsr." text Her voice flows like the wind before that. text "It may be a little late, but he's killed me once before." text "Wh----at?" text This time, it's for real. text In his astonishment, Nrvnqsr loses sight of his identity. text For a moment, text his entranced thoughts flow into my mind like a curse. bgload IMA_11.png text ----Is this a nightmare? text Kill Arcueid Brunestud? text This monster, for whom even the words immortality isn't enough to describe, was killed by that human? text ~ text No, that cannot be true. text But, wait. text Hypothetically, if it is true.. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Then, text just which one of us was the pretentious one? bgload BG_29C.png text "Exactly. text It seems the pretentious one is you, Nrvnqsr Chaos." text ~ text "Ku----huhu, hahahahahahaha!" text ~ text At the end of hatred and chaos. text Nrvnqsr laughs with pleasure from the bottom of his heart. text ----I can't wait any longer. text I start running towards my unmoving target. text ~ text "I see. text You are going to kill me, human----!" text ~ text ----The Beast roars. text With one arm, text he dashes forth to pierce my heart. bgload event/NERO_E04.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text His speed is so fast, you can't ask for any more. text A simple, text efficient, text motion to kill me. text A motion too beautiful. text "------" text I slice his outstretched arm. text Hundreds of "points of death" are on his body. text But, more than that, text deep inside of him, in his very center, I can see his "Ultimate Point". text ----It doesn't matter how many lives he has. text I am only going to kill the "existence" of Nrvnqsr Chaos. text So, it isn't killing Nrvnqsr, text but the chaos which is him. text I am going to kill one world------- text I attack him head-on. sound SE_11.wav 1 text A light sound of impact. text ~ text ----The knife pierces into his center. text ~ text Twisting his lips in a grin, the vampire laughs voicelessly. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "This can't be." text Numbly, text The Black Beast starts to crumble from his fingertips. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "------You.. are my death?" text His body temperature rapidly dwindles. text The end is instantaneous like a dropping curtain. text With this one attack, text along with the remaining 560 beasts, Nrvnqsr Chaos is annihilated. bgload IMA_10.png if flg2 >= 1 jump s106.scr fi jump s105.scr bgload BG_29B.png text "I'm---exhausted.." text I collapse onto the ground. text I fall on my rear and try to keep my body up with my hands. text "---Cold." text I'm cold. text The pain is numbed; it feels almost comfortable. text My body is ripped with canine bite marks and beak marks. text ~ text ----Well, there's no mistake that I'll probably die like this. text "-----" text I let out a deep breath. text I raise my chin and look up at the sky. text ~ text "-----The moon." text Only the pretty moon is in the night sky. text .... What is it? text It seems awfully familiar.. like I saw a dream like this before. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 music 08.mp3 text "Shiki, are you okay?" text Arcueid walks toward me as if nothing happened just now. text ".... You.. stupid idiot.... If I was okay.. I wouldn't be human." text I speak and breath haltingly. text Even talking is painful, so maybe I shouldn't have responded. text "Kk------ah." bgload IMA_10.png text My consciousness starts to fade. text And then, bgload BG_29B.png text Whack! text Arcueid hits me on the head and forcefully returns me to consciousness. text ".... What.. was that for?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "That won't do. text If you sleep with those wounds, you'll definitely end up dying. text You can't sleep until we close them." text ~ text ---Her argument is perfectly just. text It's so just, it makes me angry. text ~ text ".... Arcueid. text Can I say what I've always thought from before?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hm, what?" text "----Don't say such unreasonable things, you idiot." text I crash onto the ground. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_18.png text ---My consciousness starts to fade. text ~ text Arcueid is raising a racket, but I don't have any strength to hold my eyes open any longer. text It's terribly----cold. text ~ text "Hey, Shiki. text You really will die....!" text ~ text .... I told you, I'm sleepy. text I'll sleep before I die, so I'll wake up in the morning. text "Shiki, you mustn't sleep----! text We have to at least close your wounds and stop the bleeding, otherwise you won't wake up....!" text ~ text ---Man, she's loud. text I'm going to sleep, so just do whatever you want. text ~ text "Eh, it's okay if I heal you? text Why didn't you say that earlier?" text ~ text After she says this cheerfully, text I feel cold fingers, colder than even my body, touch my skin as if in sympathy. text "Well, I'm not too happy about using someone else's familiars, but in these circumstances, it can't be helped." text .... I feel like something is being plastered to me. text I don't know why, text but it feels awfully pleasant-- text ~ text "As to be expected from the vampire called the primordial sea. text Even after the destruction of the source, Nrvnqsr, the familiars still have their regenerative ability.... hm, in this case, all I have to do is give it a little hand. text First, let it live on me----once it's back to normal I'll put it back on you, Shiki----" text ~ text The fingers pull away. text "I guess this'll do. text How is it? text It's a non-polar life, so it can adapt itself easily to your body, right? text Hey, are you sleeping Shiki----?" text ~ text ---Yeah, I'm asleep. text ~ text "Oh well. text Your house is the mansion on top of the hill, right, Shiki? text I'll make sure you get home." text ~ text ---I look up only at the white moon as I sleep. text ".... You really did well, Shiki. text And thanks. text You really saved me tonight." text ~ text .... She thanks me without the slightest hint of heaviness in her words. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... I can't hear her voice anymore. text I fall into a deep sleep without anyone interrupting me this time. bgload IMA_11.png music ~ jump s108.scr bgload BG_29B.png text "I'm---exhausted." text I collapse onto the ground. text I fall on my rear and try to keep my body up with my hands. text My right hand finally lets go of my knife. text "---Cold." text I'm cold. text The pain is numbed; it feels almost comfortable. text My body is ripped with canine bite marks and beak marks. text ~ text ---Well, there's no mistake that I'll probably die like this. text "----Shiki!" text Arcueid's voice. text "----Run, you're getting targeted!" text Arcueid shouts as she dashes towards me. text "........ Eh?" text I stare up at the night sky as I sit. text There, text I see the white moon, bgload CMO_16.png text and the figure of a blue crow. text It screams as it falls straight towards me. text It drops down to pierce my brain with its sharp beak. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text "----!" text I try and stand up to escape. text But, my body is at its limit. text I try to stand but only end up collapsing on the ground. text Because I fell on my back, I get a disturbingly clear view of the crow. text ~ bgload IMA_14.png text It dives just like a bullet towards my face---and with the sound of sliced flesh, it dies right before my eyes. bgload IMA_10.png text The blue crow was impaled by a flying nail which looks like a large sword. text It had to have come from somewhere above. text "........" text I look up at the night sky. bgload IMA_18.png text There, is the white moon. bgload event/CEL_E04.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text And, there's someone dressed in black, priest-like garments. text "-----" text The figure stands on a streetlight and stares down at me. text Despite just being almost killed, I vacantly think those high-laced boots look really cool. text ~ text The figure doesn't say anything. text The emotionless eyes resemble the sharp moonlight. text Resembles.. text The figure----really resembles Senpai. text ~ text "............" text My mind swims. text Caaaaaaawww. text The crow's death cry. text And, I close my eyes quietly. bgload IMA_10.png music 09.mp3 text .... I keep bleeding. text In my g.wavy state, text I can hear Arcueid and someone else arguing. text "I cannot leave it to you. text I will heal him." text A horribly hostile voice. text "Don't do anything you shouldn't. text This is mine, so it doesn't concern you." text Arcueid sounds the same too. text ~ text .... She sounds the same, but I wish she wouldn't selfishly make me her object. text "Yes, this certainly does not concern me right now. text However, I do not think you can heal such wounds. text All you can do is watch him die. text Or----do you intend on making this young man one of your subordinates, Arcueid Brunestud?" text ".... Do you think I would do such a thing?" text .... I can hear more than hostility in their voices. text There's so much tension I expect another fight to the death to start. text "Then please be quiet. text With those wounds, he cannot last long." text "---I really hate you. text You should just disappear before I kill you." text "I really hate you as well. text You don't need to tell me anything; I plan on leaving once his wounds are healed. text You yourself should disappear before I kill you. text I can't stand seeing you around." text ~ text .... A conversation full of tension and hostility. text My mind goes totally blank---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_29B.png text "----Har.. d." text Yeah, it's hard. text I feel something hard against my back, and it causes me to wake with a start. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "................" text "Huh?----Arcueid?" text I look around. text I'm in the park lying on a bench. text I look at the park's clock, and it's past one in the morning. text I guess it hasn't even been an hour since then. text "............" text Arcueid looks at me wordlessly. text .... Or maybe it's more like a glare. text "Ar.... cueid....?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "................" text Arcueid doesn't respond. text I don't know why, but she seems really angry. text ".... There." text For now, I stand up. text "Oh----my wound's healed." text I was so bloody and cut up, but there isn't a single scar anywhere. text There isn't any pain either, as if my fight with Nrvnqsr was all a dream. text ~ text ---But, that was no dream. text Then, this---must be.. text ~ text "Arcueid. text Don't tell me you used another part of Nrvnqsr's body again....?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "No, unfortunately not. text It would've been a quick fix and you would've gotten stronger with it too. text But since you 'killed' Nrvnqsr completely, we can no longer use his body." text "Really? text I guess you healed me in another way then. text .... Wow, I really am back to normal. text I don't feel pain or dizziness. text Just how in the world did you do it, Arcueid?" text "I don't know. text I wasn't the one who healed you." bgload BG_29B.png text She exclaims and looks away, displeased. text "........?" text It seems that's the reason. text But.. if she wasn't the one to heal me, then just who did----? bgload event/CEL_E04.png bgload BG_29B.png text "------Ah." text ~ text There was. text There was another person. text Someone who helped me. text .... That woman in black garments who resembled Senpai far too much. text "Arcueid.. where is that person from before!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "............" text Still looking displeased, she looks away and ignores me. text "Hey, Arcueid! text I'm asking you what happened to that person from before!" text "I don't know. text I didn't see anyone." text She turns away and pretends not to know anything. text "Hey---you just said you weren't the one who helped me. text If it wasn't you, then who else could've done it?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Oh, enough already, I said I don't know, so I don't know!" text ~ text Oh. text It seems she's taking it out on me. text ~ text "In the first place, why are you so interested in that person? text It doesn't have anything to do with you, right?" text "Idi---there is something. text .... It was dark; I couldn't really tell, but that person looked like someone I know." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "----That's just a coincidence. text Just forget about that person. text If you talk about it again in front of me, I'll really get mad." bgload BG_29B.png text Ending quickly, she looks away. text ".... Why are you so angry?" text I should be the one getting angry. text I just want to know who that person from before was, that's all. text ".... Fine, I got it. text I won't ask anymore. text Besides, our partnership ends here anyway." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Eh---?" text "Isn't it obvious? text We defeated the vampire who did as he pleased in this town, so my responsibility's gone now. text I have to get back home soon, or Akiha will yell at me. text I think it's about time to cut it off, Arcueid." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hm----you're right. text Now that you mention it, it's already this late, too." text Arcueid nods. bgload BG_29B.png text "Alright." text I also nod in understanding. text ~ text .... I nodded out of understanding, but.. text there's still something lingering. text As if I regret parting with her. text ~ text "-----" text That's ridiculous. text She's a vampire, and I'm a normal human. text If I associated with her anymore.... something will happen that I can't take back. text ".... Bye, Arcueid." text Raising a hand, I step away. text "Um. text There were a lot of horrible things that happened, but it was pretty fun, too. text So---um, take care of yourself." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah. text It is late, and you have to get back home." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Good night. text Till next time, Shiki!" bgload BG_29B.png text "........" text .... I think she just said something odd. text I try to say, "This is the last time, idiot," but I stop myself. text ".... Well, there are a lot of problems, but she is quite an interesting person." text I speak as if trying to convince myself. text But, it's the truth. text So, even if it is just once in a while.. text I feel like--if by some chance we got to meet again--it wouldn't be a bad thing. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_32D.png text I return to the mansion. text It's about two in the morning, and there's not a single light on in the mansion. text ~ text ".... I have to sneak in." text I climb over the fence and enter the garden. text Fortunately, the door is open and I am able to enter inside without waking anyone. bgload BG_48D.png bgload BG_33D.png bgload BG_40D.png text *sigh* text I get back to my room and take a deep breath. text ~ text It's over. text I truly feel all the events these past three days, all the strange things, are actually finished. text ~ text "Well then----time for bed." text I sink my tired body into bed and fall asleep. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ---Or at least, I intended to. text ~ text "................" text But, I just can't sleep. text My mind and body are tired, but I can't stop thinking about that figure and I can't sleep. text ".... It couldn't.... have been Senpai, but...." text But, she resembles Senpai so much. text I couldn't get a good look at her face, so I can't say for sure. text So---I think it's just my mistake. text ".... Tomorrow.... I'll ask her.... at school." text Yeah---that's right. text I can see her at school any time, so I'll ask her then. text Then, she can just say, "That wasn't me," and it'll all be alright. text "----Alright, that's what I'll do." text It's decided. text Now, then---if I just read a boring book, I'll probably fall asleep. bgload CMO_15.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Immortality". text If those words are to be a grand reality, it would be one of the things which would define eternity. text But in reality, nothing in existence has reached that level. text For example, those vampires occasionally spoken of in legends are not immortal. text After all, they are defective because they require stealing from others to exist. text Furthermore, the fact that their supplemental parts have to be of the same species---in this case, generally referring to humans----means that they are not versatile at all. text They call themselves the transcendent race, but that is not evolution, it is degeneration. text ~ text That which cannot function independently in perpetuity cannot be called eternal. text It is presumptuous to call something immortal if it depends on others to halt its aging. text There already exists something close to perfection which can function independently in perpetuity. text It feeds on itself and multiplies. text It has no such thing as a lifespan. text Old cells become food as nutrients and new cells are produced from it. text Such as a jellyfish. text However, it is perpetual only because it has no intelligence. text If having no intelligence is fine, then it is no different from gaining eternity by death. text If you want to be eternal living as a human, it is impossible by the method of immortality. text Long years destroy the body and wear away flexibility of the mind. text Immortality or eternity. text I have no attachment to stained immortality. text Persistently maintaining individuality makes eternity unattainable. text ~ text Instead of gaining immortality as a single human, text I chose the infinity in which I continue to exist eternally. bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_10.png text .... I see; certainly a different approach than I. text However, with your method, will you not lose eternity at the extinction of the human race? text Your method always requires an unborn child other than yourself. text Yes, that is true. text But if no other humans existed, I would not be able to confirm my own self. text So----if humans become extinct, then continuing to live would be worthless. text At that point, my immortality would end. text .... I do not understand your theory. text That is far from the thesis of eternity, Serpent. text No, it is eternity. text When a time comes to perish, everything should perish. text If observers cease to exist, then that means everything is unchanging. text The eternity I embody is temporary until that time occurs. text I cannot turn everything into nothingness. text Therefore, I will continue living until it happens. text .... Although, I have found yet another amusement. text Is that why you called me? text Yes. text I will show you a mystic method which allows you to slightly shape what is inside of you. text There is someone I wish for you to catch using this achievement from the age of the gods, Chaos. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s200.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_01.png music 09.mp3 text In my dream, I'm staring at the moon. text I can't remember where I am or why I'm looking up at it. text Maybe I looked up into the night sky not wanting to see anything, and the moon happened to be there. text My back creaks. text Coursing through my veins is an image of coldness. text A solitary darkness that makes me dizzy. text A radiant moon that sickens my heart. text .... Strange. text The overwhelming coldness feels more like a sense of nostalgia. music ~ bgload IMA_11.png text "---Shiki-sama." text .... I can hear Hisui's voice mingling with the morning light. text ~ text "---Shiki-sama, it is time. text Please wake up." text Her inflectionless voice awakens me. bgload BG_40E.png text "------" text ~ text As soon as I wake up, terrible things enter my vision. text I get a headache like I was just shot in the head. text "Ah----" text I almost lose my just awakened consciousness. text Before I fade away completely, I quickly grab my glasses. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama....? text Are you not feeling well?" text ".... No, I'm just a little tired from yesterday. text I'll be alright, so don't worry." text Lightly shaking my head, I clear my head of what I was seeing. text .... Last night, I forced myself to keep my promise with Arcueid, so my body isn't back to normal yet. text "Good morning, Hisui. text Thanks for coming to wake me up, as always." text Sitting up in bed, I do my best to smile naturally. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "No, this is my duty. text There is no need for you to thank me, Shiki-sama." text "Really, but I am grateful. text You are infinitely better than an alarm clock." text ~ text I stand up. text It's not yet seven o'clock---about ten minutes earlier than I usually get up. text ".... Hmm, breakfast? text I'll be there soon, so please go ahead of me." text "Yes, I will wait for you in the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text Giving a bow, Hisui exits the room. text ----Well then. text I'm still feeling a little sluggish, but it's not too bad to skip school. text I'm sure after I eat the breakfast Kohaku-san prepared, I'll feel a lot better. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, and Hisui is waiting by the wall. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san. text Did you sleep well last night?" text Akiha greets me calmly as I enter the room. text She doesn't know I left last night. text .... Since she was so worried, I feel guilty for sneaking out. text ".... Yeah, good morning Akiha. text You're up early today, too." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "No, I'm like always.... Nii-san?" text As if reading my mind, she looks directly at me. text "Um----Is there something on my face, Akiha?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T17A.png 40 0 text "No, that isn't it.... Nii-san, are you really alright? text You still do not look well, so if you are still sick, maybe it is better if you just rest today----" text ~ text ----Oh, that's it. text I relax, realizing she did not find out about last night. text "No, I'm really okay. text I'll be better sooner or later, so please don't look so worried." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... Okay. text If you say so, Nii-san, then I will not say anything." bgload BG_34A.png text She goes quiet, still looking worried. text "Hm, it's quite rare for you to be convinced this quickly. text It's not like you." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png -24 0 text "Hey, I'm always sensible. text I only warn you because you're the one with the problems. text So please do not blame me for your imperfections." text She glares at me. text "Oh, that's more like it. text Hey, Hisui, doesn't it not feel like morning unless Akiha gets harsh?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "................" text Is it because I suddenly called out to her or because she doesn't know what to say? text Hisui neither confirms nor denies my statement. text "See? text Look, Akiha, Hisui thinks so, too." text "Don't be foolish. text Hisui doesn't say anything because she is surprised." text Wrinkling her forehead in a frown, Akiha glares again. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "Also, I've always wanted to say this, but you rely on Hisui too much. text You have been sleeping since yesterday, so it would have been fine if you woke up earlier. text But you always wake up late. text Are you slacking off because Hisui does not say anything?" text "Wha----You make it sound like I'm causing her trouble!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "Not 'like', you are causing her trouble. text Hey, don't you think so, Hisui?" text "............" text Hisui still doesn't say anything and stands there quietly. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "See? text Hisui says she thinks so, too." text "No way! text She didn't say anything!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 text "................" text Hisui is silent. text But, her silence feels like she's agreeing more with Akiha. text "........ Oogh." text I feel like it's now two against one. text "Shiki-san. text Breakfast is ready~" text With great timing, Kohaku-san's voice echoes through the room. text "Um, I'm gonna go eat." text I quickly head towards the dining room. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T08.png 126 0 text "................" text I feel the silent pressure of the two behind me drilling into my back. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After breakfast, I head back to the sitting room. text Akiha isn't there, and Hisui is the only one standing. text "Huh? text Akiha left for school already?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Yes. text It is also time for you to go to school as well, Shiki-sama." text "Ah, it's already twenty after? text I guess I should get going soon." text .... To be honest, I still don't feel too good, but I'm sure I'll return to normal soon. text "Sorry, Hisui, but can you get my bag from my room? text I'm going to wash my face." text "As you wish." bgload BG_34A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_48A.png text After getting all my preparations done, I leave the mansion. text Holding my bag, Hisui sees me off at the entrance. text "I'll be going. text I'm not sure when I'll be back, but probably by dinner." bgload BG_48A.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "Yes, I will be waiting." text She gives a silent bow. text .... There's a trace of uneasiness in her face. text "Hisui? text Are you feeling sick?" text "No----it is not me, but you do not appear well. text I am unsure if it is a good idea to let you go." text She speaks hesitantly. text "I'm alright. text I don't feel great, but just a little heavy. text Geez, both you and Akiha like to worry a lot." text ".... Is that so? text If it is just us, then that will be fine, but.." text ".... Geez. text I'll come back early today and rest, so that should be good, right? text I won't overdo anything, so don't look like that." text "........ Yes. text Forgive me, Shiki-sama." text She still looks very worried. text "I'm off. text I'll be better by the time I get back, so please relax." bgload BG_48A.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text "Ah----Shiki-sama----" bgload IMA_03.png text I ignore her and leave the mansion. text The image of Hisui watching me uneasily remains in my head. music ~ bgload BG_22A.png music 03.mp3 text I head towards school. text My feet are heavy and it feels like I'm in another person's body as I head down the hill. text .... It's probably just the weariness from last night. text Even though I thought I would recover right away, the sluggishness doesn't fade. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text It's ten minutes until eight. text The school gate is flooded with arriving students. text "---Ah." text By the gate, I see a familiar figure. text ".... Ciel.. Senpai." text It's a completely normal, morning scene. text But, what I saw that time---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E04.png bgload BG_01A.png text If it wasn't for that, it would be a normal morning. text "------" text Not even knowing what I plan on doing, I chase after Senpai. bgload BG_03A.png text "Senpai!" text I call after her. bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, good morning, Tohno-kun. text It's strange meeting you out here." text ".... Yeah, I saw your figure from behind, so I ran after you, Senpai. text Um.... there was something I wanted to ask." text I sneak a look at her face. text "Yes, what is it?" text She faces me with her usual, gentle smile. text ".... Uh Senpai. text Two nights ago, were you near my house? text In a black coat and a skirt flowing in the wind." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "....? text What are you talking about?" text "Um....! text well--yeah, the high-laced boots suited you. text I was kind of fascinated, you looked, really cool." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text ...."Huh?" Senpai tilts her head. text She frowns like she doesn't understand my words completely, and then denies it. bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Um, I don't quite understand, but you're saying that I was near your house two nights ago, looking like that?" text "Yeah. text Senpai, that was you, right?" bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "No way. text Tohno-kun, are you saying I look like I really have that much free time?" text ~ text ---Senpai is really angry. text She can't be playing dumb or lying. text "Ah----No, that's not it, but I just.... saw someone that looked like you in park last night, so---" text Senpai gives a sigh. bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, that wasn't me. text I don't have that kind of hobby." text "Ah---Yeah, I know. text I just wanted to ask." text .... Certainly after having her say that, she is right. text Ciel-senpai and the person that night aren't related at all. text In the first place, Senpai's just a normal person, and if she was actually there---she had to have seen me fight that bandaged guy with my knife. text If she saw such a gruesome scene, there'd be no way she could talk with me normally like this. text ".... Sorry, please forget about it. text I guess it was just someone else." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "That's fine, but.... did that person really look like me? text That weird person?" text "Well, I'm not too sure. text It was dark, and far away........ huh?" text Yeah, it was far and I couldn't make out her face. text So why did I think it looked like Senpai....? text ".... Hmm.. Maybe there is something wrong with me." text I cross my arms and think. text ~ sound SE_02.wav 1 text Then, the ten minute bell rings. text "---Crap, we'll be late. text Bye, Senpai, see you later!" bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text I dash into my classroom. text It's still five minutes before class, so it's very noisy inside. text "Arihiko, isn't here." text Knowing him, he'll probably come in around second period. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text Lunch time. text It looks like Arihiko's not coming. text .... Inui Arihiko and Yumizuka Satsuki are the two people absent today. text Yumizuka Satsuki has caught a cold or something and she will be absent for a while. text ".... Senpai doesn't seem to be coming too, so I guess I'll eat by myself." text I say that, but I'm not hungry. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_06A.png text .... What is it? text I didn't feel so good to begin with, but after coming to school, I feel a lot worse. text It's not just my body feeling heavy. text The scar on my chest is irritating; it's an annoying sensation. text ".... Maybe I shouldn't have come to school." text .... For a brief moment, I see the worrying faces of Hisui and Akiha in my mind. text Maybe the fact that I ignored Akiha's wishes for me to rest last night and instead went to see Arcueid might've caused this. text Being worn out by just sitting, I start to feel a strange uneasiness. bgload IMA_10.png jump s107a.scr bgload BG_06A.png text .... Class has started already. text Which class was it? text I can't remember today's fifth period lesson. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06A.png text Even though I look at the blackboard and stare at the marks left behind by the teacher's chalk, I still don't know what class this is. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text I can't read it. text The letters start to flow like water and mix together like some sort of hallucination. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ugh........" text I feel like I'm going to throw up. text Dizziness. text My mind starts to slide away. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06A.png text Click, click. text Tremble, tremble. text Creak, creak. text Wobble, wobble. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06A.png text Those noises stick out. text Incompatibility. text Where is that inconsistency coming from? sound SE_00.wav 1 text I can't settle this feeling of something being out of place throughout my body. text It fills me to the brim. text As if my bones are sliding out of place in their joints. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Yes, since my joints are out of place, it causes the unnatural feeling. text My corpse is burning unseen smoke and crumbling away. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Click, click. text Tremble, tremble. text Creak, creak. text Wobble, wobble. bgload IMA_11B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06A.png bgload IMA_10.png text I fall from my chair. text A girl screams. text I hear the footsteps of the teacher running to me. text I.. text Even though I've completely passed out, I calmly watch myself from far away. text .... What follows is like always. text Collapsed from my anemia, I was carried to the clinic where I slept until I recovered. text Since I had a fever of over 38 degrees Celsius past seven o'clock, the school's closing time, the nurse called my house for someone to pick me up and went home. text ~ text And this resulted in.. music 01.mp3 bgload BG_10C.png bgload BG_10C.png setimg KOHA_T01B.png 52 0 text "Are you okay, Shiki-san? text You still have a fever, so please do not hesitate to lean on my shoulder." text ~ text ----Yeah, that's how it is. text ".... No, I'm alright. text I can at least walk, so please don't worry." text Stepping away from Kohaku-san, I attempt to bluff my way out of it. text .... Geez. text It's embarrassing enough for Kohaku-san to come pick me up. text The day I lean on her shoulders too, I'll die. text "Oh that's not good, forcing yourself like that. text It isn't your fault that your body is weak, Shiki-san. text So you can ask for help a little. text I won't tell Akiha-sama or Hisui-chan, so it's okay to depend on me for now." text With a gentle smile, she takes my hand. text "Ah.... yes, sorry." text Blushing furiously, I meekly do as she says. text .... Certainly I might collapse if I continue to be stubborn. text "There is a car waiting outside, so please hold on until then." bgload BG_10C.png text Pulling my hand, Kohaku-san starts to walk. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_10C.png text "Ah----" text .... This isn't good. text Just walking makes me incredibly dizzy. text I depend upon Kohaku-san to lead me to the stairwell as I hold onto my consciousness. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_07B.png bgload BG_11C.png text Hu----h? text Why----am I going up.. to.. the second.. floor? text "Um.... Kohaku-san.. this.. isn't.. the right way." text I call out to her. text There's no response. text No, not only that----I don't feel her hand, or even see her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11C.png music 06.mp3 text "Kohaku.... san?" text I use all of my foggy consciousness to look around me. text There's no one in the hallway. text Only the moonlight streaming from the window is vivid. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "--------" text It comes suddenly. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ah------" text The sound of my heartbeat. text And a chill that races up my spine. sound SE_01.wav -1 sound SE_07.wav 1 text Thump. text Tap. text ~ sound SE_07.wav 1 text Thump. text Tap. text ~ sound SE_07.wav 1 text Thump. text Tap. text ~ text Thump. text Tap. text Thump. text Tap. text Thump. text Tap. text Tap. text Tap. text Tap. text Tap. text In the darkness, the footsteps draw closer. text ~ text ---This is. text ~ text This is similar to the fear I felt from that one time. text "Kohaku, san....!" text I call her name. text Not to call for help, but to tell her to escape, I frantically call her name. text "Kohaku-san, Kohaku-san, Kohaku-san....!" text Where is she? text I don't see her anywhere. text The footsteps are near me now. text ~ text At least.. text I want Kohaku-san to escape here unharmed. text "It's useless Shiki. text She's already done." text .... I hear a voice. text In the darkness in front of me is bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text the bandaged man who tried to kill me that night. text "------Ah." text .... Why is it..? text I feel like I know this person's face. text "You sure aren't lucky. text If knew it was like this, I wouldn't have waited for you in front of the mansion." text ~ text .... The footsteps draw closer. text ~ text "Ka.... aah." text I try to move. text But I can only totter along. text I guess I pushed my body too hard every day. text It seems like my body, at the very last moment, broke down. text "This is the end, so I'll tell you. text This is my lair now." bgload IMA_11B.png text I hear a stabbing sound. text In his hands, a knife. text The silver blade pierces directly into my heart. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_18.png music ~ text ----I collapse to the ground. text I feel death working its way from my very fingertips. text My mind fades away, drop by drop. text In that process. text With my fading mind, I look up at the sky. text I have nowhere else to look, so I just look there. text ~ text The blue moon is in the night sky. text .... How stupid. text I'm about to die, but I.. text I am charmed by such an ordinary thing. bgload IMA_10.png text When is this memory from? text In a forest like a black veil. text On that terrible night. text Just like this, I was staring only at the moon---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s516.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png text I feel the morning sunlight. text I keep my eyes closed as I try to fall asleep again, but the gentle sunlight keeps urging me to open my eyes. text ~ text ---Slowly, I start to awaken. text A quiet atmosphere. text The air is comfortably cold, and yet it feels gentle. text I guess the weather will be great today. text ~ text ---Then, I should get up and go to school. text ~ text That's right, I have to go to school. text The past three days, my life was in chaos and it made me forget I was a student. bgload BG_40E.png music 02.mp3 text "...." text I wake up. text I'm lying on my bed, and my glasses are on the bedside. text I put on my glasses and look around. bgload BG_40A.png text The sunlight streams so strongly through the window, I almost expect to hear it pouring through. text "----" text I take a quiet breath. text I fill my lungs with fresh air, and it feels like my chest is purified. text I hear the clock ticking. text Small birds chirp in the woods outside. text I stay on my warm bed, aimlessly feeling the relaxed passage of time. text ~ text -----Ahh, I'm back. text ~ text Even though there's nothing special about this morning, text Right now----I feel like there's something almost holy about it. text "----Thank goodness." text It really is good. text Not the fact that I'm alive, nor that I was able to do something about that black vampire. text But that even though I was in such a world, I was able to return to my normal days and feel happy about this morning. text ~ text ----And then. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaa!" text I jump up in my bed. text Now that I look, Hisui is standing quietly at the side of my bed. text "Hi-HiHi-Hisui---" text ".... Please excuse me, Shiki-sama, but since you did not notice, I spoke." text "Ah---well, I mean, I'm sorry, too." text Hisui respectfully bows to me. text ~ text ---Sh-she surprised me. text My heart is still pounding rapidly. text "---Huh? text But it's still before seven o'clock, Hisui." text "Yes. text It is a bit earlier than your usual waking time, Shiki-sama." text "Well, yes---then why are you here, Hisui?" text "I came to wake you up. text Akiha-sama wants to know what have you been doing these last two days so she wanted me to bring you no matter what." text "----Ah." text .... I forgot. text Come to think of it, I skipped school last Saturday and was with Arcueid through all of Sunday. text ".... Don't tell me, Akiha's angry..?" text "I do not know. text Please confirm for yourself, Shiki-sama." text ~ text ---Hisui's voice sounds very cold. text ~ text ".... Wait a minute. text Before that, why am I sleeping in my room....?" text "Shiki-sama, you returned around two o'clock in the morning. text Nee-san found you sleeping in the doorway and carried you up to your room." bgload BG_40A.png text "Wha------" text .... My mouth hangs open. text That's bad----Not contacting anyone for two days, returning in the middle of the night, and sleeping by the doorway. text I'm acting like a drunk! text ~ text "----That woman----treating me like some sort of cat----" text Arcueid's face flashes in my mind. text .... But, maybe I do have to be thankful for her carrying me as far as the entrance. text "---Alright. text I'll head down immediately. text Umm.. and, if possible, I'd be happy if you tried to calm her down as much as possible." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "----I refuse." text She answers. text .... Maybe Hisui might be also angry at me. bgload BG_40A.png text "---" text Ugh, one problem after another? text The owner of this mansion is Akiha, so does this mean that if Akiha's angry, no one is there to defend me? text ~ text Well, time to get up. text I can't do anything staying in bed. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png text "Ts......!" text O----ow. text As soon as I stand, pain shoots throughout my entire body. text ~ text "----Last night's--wounds?" text .... Oh yeah. text If there's anything to be surprised about, it's the fact I'm still alive. text Even though I was that wounded and bloody, I still managed to wake up normally. text It just isn't natural. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, those are----" text .... That's rare. text Hisui widens her eyes and looks at me. text "What, is there something wro----" text I look down at my body. text And---- text ~ text "Wha, what is this....!?" text A pattern of red spots covers my pajamas everywhere. text Of course this design wasn't ever here; it's my blood soaking through everywhere. text "------" text Hisui suppresses her words. text --I'm thankful. text It lets me calm down. text .... The reason for the bleeding is clear. text But since I can't tell her why, I have to lie to make her not worry. text "Shiki-sama, your body----" text ".... I'm fine, nothing hurts. text See, didn't I come back late at night? text Truth is, I was in a fight, and that's why I came home late. text These wounds are from that fight, and they're just scratches, so don't worry about them." text "------" text Hisui's eyes implore me, saying, "Please do not tell lies." text But from her standpoint, she probably can't ask me any further. text .... I feel sorry, but I'll have to stick with my lie. text "Um, so could you please not tell Akiha about this? text She would get really mad if she heard about me getting in fights." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "----Yes, I understand. text Definitely, Akiha-sama will not find out." text Hisui nods. text "Thanks. text Ah, I have another request. text Do you have any disinfectant? text I have a lot of scrapes all over my body so I want to take care of them." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "Ah----Yes, I will bring some right away." bgload BG_40A.png text "....?" text What is it? text She looks really uncomfortable all of a sudden. text In any case, I'm glad she went to get me some disinfectant. text Once she brings it here, I can take care of it by myself. text It's only slight pain, so anything that hides the blood is good. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Thanks for waiting~" text The one who opens the door and walks in isn't Hisui, but Kohaku-san. text In her hand, she carries a box with a red cross on it. text "Huh, Kohaku-san----?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes, I heard the situation from Hisui-chan. text Shiki-san, you went out and got in a fight?" text "Ah.... no, not really, I----" text I can't come up with any other explanation. bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T04.png 52 0 text "Geez, you shouldn't be doing those things. text It's okay to be naughty, but you shouldn't be violent. text It's just painful for the one doing it and the one receiving it." text Painful for the one hitting and the one getting hit, huh. text Kohaku-san's words hit me pretty heavily. text ~ text ".... Yeah. text That's.. right. text Hitting.. is only painful." bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Isn't it? text I am disappointed you have those wounds. text No matter what the situation was.. I will be disappointed in you if you keep on doing these kinds of things, Shiki-san." text Her words penetrate sharply into my chest. text ~ text ----Deep inside my heart, I want to apologize. text ~ text Sorry, Kohaku-san. text I probably----did numerous things to make her disappointed in me. text "----Yeah, I'm an idiot and I regret it. text I won't ever do it again." text "As long as you understand, then that is fine. text I'm going to examine your wounds, so please take off your clothes." bgload BG_40A.png text "----Eh?" text Kohaku-san pads over and grabs my shirt. text She's telling me to get naked here. text "W-Wait! text You don't have to go that far. text I just wanted to put a little disinfectant on a few scrapes, that's all!" bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T04.png 52 0 text "What are you saying? text Even if you say you only have a few scratches, they don't look that minor." text "No, I'm fine. text I can do it by myself." text "That won't do. text The ones on your back----" text Seeing the wounds on my back, Kohaku-san gasps. bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "----How terrible. text Did you get into a fight with a Doberman, Shiki-san?" text ".... Yeah. text Well, something like that." text "--------" text Kohaku-san sighs in amazement. text ~ text "Geez, now I really can't let you handle it, Shiki-san. text Come on, please hurry up and take off your clothes. text With your clothing on, I can't take care of you!" text "No, I said I can do it myself! text They aren't a big deal, I don't need to be naked....!" bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "----I see. text You must be embarrassed, Shiki-san." text With a smile, she goes ahead and tries to remove my pajamas anyway. text ~ text "I am already used to seeing your body, Shiki-san. text Please just take off your clothing." text ".... 'Used to', Kohaku-san?" text "I have already changed your clothing once so I know every detail of your body." text "W-W-Wha?" text "Let's go, we haven't much time. text If you take too long, Akiha-sama will notice." text ----Ugh. text I can't argue with that. text But, to get naked in front of Kohaku-san, it's.... text ~ bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text ".... I guess it can't be helped. text Then, I will only examine your upper body. text This way, there isn't anything to be embarrassed about, right?" text Even that's embarrassing, but I guess that's the best compromise. bgload BG_40A.png text "........ I guess so. text Then, please do." text I sit down on my bed and take off my shirt. text Kohaku-san expertly tends to my wounds. text She carefully tends the wounds on my arms, shoulders and back. text The disinfectant sinks into the wounds. text They sink in, but compared to my occasional dizziness or the pain from my old scar, it's nothing. text While applying the disinfectant, bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T05.png 52 0 text "Wow, you really are a boy." bgload BG_40A.png text Kohaku-san says happily, so it probably helped me to put up with all the pain. bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Now we have to stick on this compress patch. text It may rub off, so let's bandage it." text She puts a compress over my bruised chest and wraps a bandage around it. bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "All finished. text Are you sure you don't want me to do your legs?" text "Yeah, I can do the rest. text .... Thanks, Kohaku-san. text I know you're busy and all." text "No, no. text Please do not worry about it. text Then I'll be going back to the kitchen. text When you are finished, please come to the dining room, okay?" bgload BG_40A.png text Kohaku-san walks to the door. text "Ah, Kohaku-san." bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes?" text "Um----sorry. text Like you said, fighting is just stupid. text It's just a big bother, and nothing good ever comes from it." text "------" text Kohaku-san looks at me in amazement and then suddenly starts to laugh happily. bgload BG_40A.png setimg KOHA_T05.png 52 0 text "I understand. text I will let it go this time, okay?" bgload BG_40A.png text She happily says that and exits the room quietly. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33A.png text ---Alright, I'm here. text Now only a door separates me from the sitting room where Akiha awaits. text No matter what the circumstance was, there's no excuse for skipping school and not coming home for two days. text Now-- text ~ choice I can't explain the circumstances, so I'll at least apologize.|I can't explain the circumstances, so I'll somehow lie about it.|No, I should tell the truth. if selected == 1 jump s109.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s110.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s111.scr fi bgload BG_33A.png text ".... That's right. text I think that's the best choice." text I don't think Akiha will understand about non-humans like Arcueid and Nrvnqsr, and since I can't tell the truth, I should at least sincerely apologize. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "--Good morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me, "I am angry." text "Um, uh.... Morning, Akiha." text "Let's dispense with greetings. text Please sit there. text I wish to speak with you, Nii-san." bgload BG_34A.png text "------" text Her words are so forceful, I can't say no. text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from her. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "----Ugh." text Despite her polite language, Akiha's words are unmistakably a threat. text But, her Onii-chan cannot tell her such a story. text ~ text "About that, Akiha." text "Yes, what is it?" text "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you." bgload BG_34A.png text Crash. text The teacup that Akiha was holding falls to the table. text Rather, I think she dropped it intentionally. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 text "Akiha-sama---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 setimg AKI_T04A.png 104 0 text "Oh, I'm sorry, Hisui. text Would you please clean it up?" bgload BG_34A.png text Hisui silently cleans up the spilled tea and the shards of the (very expensive-looking) teacup. text ~ text I uneasily watch her do so while Akiha is glaring at me. text Once done cleaning, Hisui goes to the kitchen. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "---Then, Nii-san." text ".... Yes?" text "Could I ask you again?" text Akiha doesn't give up. text I can feel her drive to get the story out of me no matter what. text But still, I don't think I can tell her about it. text Of course not just for my sake, but hers as well. text ".... No. text No matter how many times you ask me, I can't tell you. text I feel sorry that I made you worry, but I can't tell you about it." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "--Even though you are sorry, you can't tell me, Nii-san." text "That's right. text I'm sorry I haven't contacted you and for not being able to talk about it. text But I haven't done anything wrong the past two days. text .... I don't even want to think that was a wrong thing to do." bgload BG_34A.png text ---That's right. text Even these past two days were simply kill or be killed--I want to believe it was the right thing to do. text ~ text I did it to help Arcueid, but most of all.. I do not regret killing that cannibalistic monster. text ~ text At least, there will be no more victims killed by having their blood drained. text "---I'm sorry, Akiha. text I'm sorry to make you worry, but please don't ask me anymore." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "------" text Akiha stares at my eyes. text For a while, she stays like that. text ".... I understand. text Thinking about it, you must have your reasons, so I won't press you on this anymore, Nii-san." text ".... I'm sorry. text Thanks for understanding." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "-----" bgload BG_34A.png jump s112.scr bgload BG_33A.png text Well, I just have to deceive her somehow. text I don't think Akiha will understand about non-humans like Arcueid and Nrvnqsr, so I'll have to minimize my lying without telling the truth. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "--Good morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me, "I am angry." text "Um, uh.... Morning, Akiha." text "Let's dispense with greetings. text Please sit there. text I wish to speak with you, Nii-san." text "------" text Her words are so forceful, I can't say no. text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from Akiha. text "Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "----Ugh." text Despite her polite language, Akiha's words are unmistakably a threat. text But, her Onii-chan cannot tell her such a story. text "About that, Akiha." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Yes, what is it?" text "The truth is, I ran into a minor acquaintance of mine and I showed that person around the city." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Oh? text A minor acquaintance?" text "Yeah, I got to know the person just recently, and we met just outside of school. text I was asked to keep this acquaintance company until Sunday, so--" text "So you skipped school and stayed away from home without even notifying me or asking permission." text ~ text .... Akiha's gaze is extremely frigid. text She seems even more shocked than angry. text ".............." text ".............." text I remain quiet as Akiha stares at me wordlessly. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "And, who was it?" text "Eh?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "I asked who this acquaintance of yours is." text She looks at me directly in the eye. text I can feel her thinking, "I will not be deceived". text "--Well, I--" text "If you can't tell me, that means you feel guilty about it, Nii-san." text Her gaze shoots right through me. text I get the feeling she'll attack me more if I look away, so I stare back at her. text .... Well, this is totally random, but.. text She does not remind me of the Akiha from back then. text Her stretched back, her perfect posture, her unwavering eyes. text Perhaps this is imprudent, but I honestly think she has become very beautiful. text "You know, Akiha." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "What?" text "Your eyebrows are pretty thick." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T15A.png 40 0 text "------!?" text Bam! text Akiha's leg smacks the table as she jumps up. text "........ Ah." text How do I say this--she's surprisingly surprised? text ".... I don't get you at all. text That wasn't something to be surprised about." text "---------" text With a deep breath, Akiha slumps her shoulders. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, it seems like you do not wish to answer me seriously." text ".... That's not right. text Honestly, I won't lie to you. text It's just that I have a lot of things I can't say to you." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "Geez. text Really, ever since we were small I was never able to tell if you were an honest or dishonest person, Nii-san." text ".... Really? text I don't really remember how I was when I was small." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T13A.png 40 0 text "You don't have to remember. text But, I haven't changed either. text Pressing you like this even when I know how it will turn out.. maybe I haven't grown up at all." bgload BG_34A.png jump s112.scr bgload BG_33A.png text ---I'll try telling the truth. text ~ text I don't want to lie to Akiha, and if I explain everything sincerely, Akiha may understand. text .... Well, the possibility of that is like winning a lottery. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "---Good morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me, "I am angry." text "Yo, morning, Akiha." text A defiant person is strong. text I give a cheerful greeting to Akiha's bullying gaze. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "----" text She might be confused with my cheerfulness, as she just stares at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, let's dispense with the greetings. text Please sit here; I wish to speak with you." text "Sure. text Let's keep it short though." text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Well then, Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "-----Hm." text .... I knew it. text Since I left the house for two days, there's no excuse. text Time to honestly tell her all about Arcueid and these past two days. text "About that, Akiha." text "Yes, what is it, Nii-san?" text "These past two days, I was hunting a vampire. text You know about the recent killings, right? text They were the work of a vampire, so I helped the 'good vampire' I met recently, and I fought with the 'bad vampire'." text ~ text ----Like that, I explain concisely. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T15A.png 40 0 text "Wha------" text Akiha is taken completely by surprise. text .... Well, I guess it is a natural reaction. text In her head, she's probably thinking I'm making a fool of her, and anytime in the next instant, bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg AKI_T07.png 40 0 text "Are you making a fool out of me, Nii-san!!!!???" text She'll shout something like that to me-- bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T10.png 40 0 text ".............." text ...... Huh? text She seems upset, but she doesn't say anything. text "Um.... Akiha?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san, is this some sort of a bad joke?" text "------Uh.." text Akiha looks at me quietly, like she was seeing directly into my heart. text "No.... well, how should I put this.." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "A joke, right?" text ".... Well, I know it sounds like one, but.." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "---No, it has to be a joke. text So please do not say such things in the future, even if it is a joke." bgload BG_34A.png text She stares at me, more uneasy than angry. text Since her stare looks so serious, text "............ Yeah." text I can only nod to her. bgload BG_34A.png jump s112.scr bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "I understand. text Then, I will no longer ask about this. text But, please refrain from doing anything like this ever again. text Nii-san, you are the eldest son of the Tohno family; if you do not understand your position better, it will be very troubling." text "--Hey, that has nothing to do with this. text Besides, you're the successor to the Tohno family, so it doesn't really matter what I do. text If you're so worried about the future of the Tohno family, you should go find a husband appropriate for the Tohno household." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "-----" text ....? text For some reason, Akiha descends into silence. text "What's wrong? text Are you feeling alright, Akiha?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T06.png 40 0 text "--It's nothing. text If you have enough time to worry about me, please pay more attention to yourself. text You have your chronic anemia to worry about, Nii-san." text "...... Hmph." text .... Well, it is true that I frequently collapse from anemia. text "Anyway, please do not leave the mansion by yourself often. text Even without that, the city is dangerous recently. text Someone like you, who meanders about in a daze is just asking to be attacked by that serial killer." text "Serial killer?--Oh, those serial killings." text ~ text Those serial killings where nine victims have been found. text Their bodies were all drained of blood, so they call it the modern day vampire, but-- text "Oh, that's okay. text Those incidents, they won't ever happen again." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "----Huh?" text "It means the vampire isn't around anymore. text That killer--is caught already." text "Is that so....? text Nii-san, how do you know about that?" text "Well, I just happened to see it, but for sure, such things will not happen again." bgload BG_34A.png text .... Yeah, at least there won't be any more people killed by Nrvnqsr. text These past two days spent with Arcueid.. so many things happened I really can't say just what is right and what is wrong. text But, the simple truth remains--I can say it was all for the best. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san----? text What happened? text You suddenly seem very happy." text Akiha looks strangely at my face. text "It's nothing. text I just feel that it's finally, finally over." text A smile unconsciously creeps over my lips as I answer. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_33A.png text It's half past seven. text Akiha left twenty minutes earlier than me, by car! text After eating Kohaku-san's delicious breakfast, I decide to head for school. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32A.png text Hisui walks with me to the gate, carrying my bag. text "Well, I'll be going. text Thanks for seeing me off, Hisui." text Hisui wordlessly hands me my bag. bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, around what time will you be returning?" text "You don't trust me either? text It's okay. text I'll definitely be back in the afternoon." text "--I understand. text Then please be careful on your way." text Hisui bows deeply. text Feeling a bit embarrassed about it, I leave the mansion's gate. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png text At the intersection there are only the figures of my fellow high school students. text No young woman sitting on the guardrail like that one time. text "--Well, of course." text I probably won't ever see her again. text First of all, her goal was to execute the vampire, and with Nrvnqsr gone, there's no reason for her to stay around here any longer. text ~ text --Just a little bit, in my chest. text ~ text Things like regret.. and lingering affection. text It is true she only brought trouble, but even still.... it was fun being with her. text ".... What, am I stupid?" text I almost got killed.. What part of that would make me feel lingering affection? text The wounds from last night still hurt. text .... Remember back to when you almost became Nrvnqsr's food. text You certainly don't want something like that to ever happen again. sound SE_02.wav 1 text ~ text The school bell rings. text "----Crap, I'll be late." text Shaking off my idle thoughts, I run to the school gate. bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_06A.png text I fly into my classroom. text It's still five minutes before class, so it's very noisy inside. text ~ text "--Whew." text I take a breath and head to my seat. text With this much time left, I didn't even need to run at all. text "Yo, Duke of Delinquency." text "......" text From behind, I hear the voice I never look forward to. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "What's going on, Tohno? text I never heard you were skipping class. text It's a lot of trouble. text You have to tell me when you skip school and go play!" text Arihiko says those preposterous words with an unbelievably happy expression. text ".... Why should I have to tell you when I don't go to school?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Isn't it obvious? text When you don't show, neither does Senpai, so it's bad unless I think of something ahead of time." text .... What's bad for this guy? text "But seriously--What happened? text Since middle school, you've had anemia, but never skipped school. text Well, you did that cool trick several times, leaving as soon as you arrived." text "It's kind of like that. text I made it to the intersection and felt bad, so I went back home." text "Hmmm.. Both you and Yumizuka seem to be acting like bad students lately." text "--Well, I'm guilty as charged, but.... is something wrong with Yumizuka-san?" text "Her? text She's been absent lately. text She was always such an honor student, so I think she might have been stressed out. text But I bet she can't call a raise 'cause she has a bad hand." text ".........." text Arihiko's words are always.. very unique. sound SE_02.wav 1 text The homeroom chime rings out. text ~ text "Well, I'm off. text Since you skipped Saturday, make sure you study hard today." text Arihiko leaves the room quickly. text In other words, he's going to skip class today. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text Morning classes end. text With the bell announcing lunchtime, half the people in the classroom clear out. text ".... Well then, what should I do?" text Arihiko isn't here, so I should take my time and eat lunch. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Oh? text Tohno-kun, you're by yourself?" text "Yeah----Senpai, did you come here to eat?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Yes, I thought I would eat with everyone so I hurried over here, but----" text She stares. text Without any warning, she looks at my face intently. bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text I don't know what she's thinking, but she suddenly draws close to me. text "Hey--Se, Senpai....?" text She's right next to me. text Almost embracing distance. text Something would be wrong with my heart if it wasn't beating quickly. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "------" text Senpai doesn't say anything. text She only stands right next to me----and sniffs. text "----Huh?" text .... What is she doing? text Senpai then gets away. bgload BG_06A.png text ".... Um, Senpai?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, did something happen?" text She asks me with a serious look. text To be blunt, I don't know what's going on. text "Something.... uh, like what?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "I don't know. text I don't know, that's why I'm asking." text She looks up at me as if she was angry. text "Nothing--I'm just as always. text Do.. do I seem strange today?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "Hmmm, I'm not sure either. text I just thought so, so perhaps I was just imagining things." text "......?" text I tilt my head in confusion. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Well, shall we get lunch? text You are eating at the cafeteria today, right Tohno-kun? text If we don't hurry, the seats will all be taken." text "Ah, yeah. text You're eating at the cafeteria too, Senpai?" text "Yes, I want to eat something good today." text She grins and pulls me by the hand as she starts walking. bgload IMA_10.png text In the end, I talk with Senpai about the athletic festival in two weeks and the culture festival shortly thereafter over lunch. text ~ text .... To tell the truth, Senpai saying, "I want to eat something good," and ordering curry leaves more of an impression in my mind than what we talked about. music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text Classes end and school is over. text Well, what should I do now?---- text ~ choice Go into the city and look for her.|Space out in the classroom.|Just return to the mansion and rest. if selected == 1 jump s113.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s114.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s115.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png text I go out in town aimlessly. text Why the heck am I walking around here for no reason? text ~ bgload BG_25A.png bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 bgload BG_25A.png text "----Ah." text It's just a mistake. text There's no way she'll still be around, and it's not like I have any reason to talk to her. text So why did I think it was her? text Why----am I walking around town pointlessly like this? text ~ text ".... I have to go back to the mansion." text I shake my head as if trying to clear my head of drunkenness and turn away from the nonexistent illusion of Arcueid. bgload IMA_10.png setvar ark_regard + 1 jump s116.scr bgload BG_06B.png text .......... *sigh* text I don't feel like going back to the mansion, so I kill time spacing out in the classroom. text Outside, the sun is setting. text I can hear the voices of those practicing in athletic clubs; I'm quite comfortable with sitting at my desk peacefully. text It's probably because yesterday and the day before were out of some extraordinary world. text ~ text ----And then, text ~ bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Good. text I see you're still here, Tohno-kun." text Senpai's face suddenly comes into view. text "Hm? text Senpai....? text What makes you come down to a second year classroom? text Is there something special you had in mind?" bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "Yes, I was wondering if you were still here, so I came to take a look." text Senpai says something that makes me happy. text "Yes, I'm here.. What is it?" text "There is something I forgot to say during lunch. text I was thinking of waiting until tomorrow, but I thought I should just say it as soon as possible." text ".... Hm. text Something you forgot to say?" bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Yes. text Tohno-kun, you seem to be going out at night lately, so I wanted to warn you. text There have been a lot of dangerous things going on, so you shouldn't stay out too late." text "Ah----um, well...." text ....? text How does Senpai know that? text Do I look pale from a lack of sleep? text Or, maybe she saw me walking around at night....? text "Well Tohno-kun, I let you know. text You shouldn't involve yourself in dangerous things." bgload BG_06B.png text As quickly as she arrived, Senpai disappears like a gust of wind. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01B.png text After spending an hour doing nothing in the classroom, I decide to go home. text It's past five o'clock. text If I'm too late, Hisui will worry, so I should head back soon---- bgload IMA_10.png jump s116.scr bgload BG_06B.png text .... Yeah. text I would feel bad if I kept causing trouble for Hisui and Kohaku-san. text Since I wasn't able to go home for the past few days, I should at least go straight home today. bgload IMA_10.png jump s116.scr bgload BG_32B.png music 01.mp3 text I head up the road and draw near the mansion. text After a little more walking, I see Hisui standing by herself at the front gate. text ~ text "....? text I wonder what Hisui is doing?" text Tilting my head to the side, I head for the front gate. text Hisui realizes I'm here and bows her head. bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." text "---Ah, yeah---thanks, Hisui." text I can barely reply since I'm bewildered by the respectfulness of it all. text "Um---were you waiting for me to come home?" text "Yes. text Greeting the master is a servant's duty." text Answering very matter-of-factly, she doesn't even bat an eyelash. text "Um, Hisui, I'm truly happy you waited to greet me, but there's really no need to wait outside. text I'll come back on my own, so you can just greet me whenever you realize I'm back." bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "-----" text Hisui's face clouds slightly. text .... Oh, maybe.. text Maybe she was waiting for me to return like this on Saturday and Sunday. text "--Hisui, um--" bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Starting from tomorrow, I will await your return in the lobby." text Hisui gives a quick bow and opens the mansion gate. text Hisui turns around as she does so. text ........ *sigh* text For some reason, the atmosphere isn't exactly conducive to conversation. text Hisui closes the gate after I pass through, then she silently walks to the entrance to open the door and leads me into the lobby. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40B.png text I get to my room. text Akiha isn't back yet from her lessons, Kohaku-san is preparing dinner, and Hisui is cleaning the mansion. text ~ text "---Geez, there's nothing to do." text Well, there's quite a mountain of studying, reviewing, and memorizing a student like me has to do. text But, I just don't feel like doing anything. text Suddenly, Arcueid's face flashes in my mind. text Whether good or bad, it's probably just a reaction to the crazy two days I just had. text Perhaps spacing out here in my room will be good, giving my mind and heart a break. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text After eating dinner by myself in the large dining room, Kohaku-san treats my wounds and I go back to my room. text Akiha didn't make it back in time for dinner. text Her lesson was apparently going to last a while, so she was going to eat away from home. text It's past ten at night now. text It's a bit too early, but since I'm exhausted, I should sleep early tonight-- music ~ jump s116a.scr bgload IMA_10.png text ........ My body is exhausted. text But, I can't fall into a deep sleep. text The wounds all around my body sting and wake up my mind as it tries to sleep. text ~ text I look at the clock as I lie in bed. text It's past three o'clock in the morning----already five hours of unsatisfactory rest. text "...... Damn it, I can't sleep." text Not being able to sleep when I want to.. it's like torture. text Tick, tick, tick. text The sound of the clock's second hand gets on my nerves. text ~ text Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, creak, tick, tick, tick, tick---- text ~ text "Eh--?" text I think I heard something mixed in with the ticking. text It sounded like the door opening, but who would be coming at this hour? text Tap, tap, tap. text ~ text No, there's no mistake. text Someone came into the room and is coming near me. text "----" text Who is it? text .... If someone was to come this late at night, it would be--- text ~ if cleared != 0 jump s117.scr fi choice It might be Arcueid.|It might be Ciel-Senpai.|It might be Akiha. if selected == 1 jump s118.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s119.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s120.scr fi choice It might be Arcueid.|It might be Ciel-Senpai.|It might be Akiha.|It might be Hisui.|It might be Kohaku-san. if selected == 1 jump s118.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s119.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s120.scr fi if selected == 4 jump s121.scr fi if selected == 5 jump s122.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png text "Hey---Shiki, wake up." text ~ text I hear a voice by my ear. text Last night---the voice I heard until right before I slept.. the voice I can't forget. music 05.mp3 bgload BG_40D.png text "Ar.... cueid---?" text I sit up in bed and look around the unlit room. bgload BG_40D.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Good evening. text I'm glad you seem well." text Arcueid greets me with smiling eyes. text "Er, good evening---?" text ~ text ---Why did you come here? text ~ text "Is it strange for me to be here?" text "Strange? text Of course it---" text ~ text ---Well, maybe not.. text Come to think of it, the night is her time, so I guess it isn't strange for her to be anywhere. text "Aren't you the one acting strange, Shiki? text I came all the way here to see you, and you're just lying there." text "----Yeah, hold----on." text ~ text I get out of bed and stand up. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40D.png bgload BG_40D.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text ----But, text my body starts to tilt, and I fall back down on the bed. text "Huh----?" text Something is strange. text Blood wells in the back of my head and my vision blurs. text Something's wrong---- text "Goodness, Shiki." text Arcueid draws closer. bgload BG_40D.png text She stands before me, and her red eyes.. text "You can't do anything like that, right? text Come on, stand up and touch me. text I want to feel your fingers on my body." text ~ text .... I can hear her voice right by my ear. text ----What's going on with me? text ~ text She's right in front of me, but I can't stare at her face. text Something is wrong. text Though I try to look at her face, my eyes won't move. text Her well-shaped, soft-looking breasts. text Her delicately curved, embraceable hips. text Her luscious red lips. text It all lets me feel her feminine nature, and as a man, I am transfixed. text "Hey----" text I get dizzy. text Something is----weird. text I can hardly breathe; my mind is blank. text It feels as if my heart has stopped. text ~ text "----I see. text You can't move by yourself, huh?" text ~ text I can hear her voice by my ear. text Casually, text Arcueid wraps both arms around me as I sit frozen on the bed. text "Wha----" text Thump. text Even though my heart feels like it stopped, a beating resonates deep inside my chest. text "Your heart is pounding like it's going to break, Shiki." text Her voice pulls at my eardrums. text No, in reality----her luscious lips are nibbling on my ear. text "Ah........!" text She's just nibbling on my ear. text That's all she's doing, text but a shockwave runs through me. text "Ar.... cueid...." text I try to move my arms to push her away. text .... but I can't even lift a single finger. text "Ah.... gu----" text My body won't move. text The instant I realize this, my breathing quickens. text I can't understand why my body won't move. text Just the fact that my body won't move in this situation seems so indecent----that it takes my reasoning and sets it on fire. text "Oh?----I see. text Shiki, you want me." text Arcueid giggles. text The voice moves from my ear to the side of my neck. text Her light breathing moves along my throat. text With a small, rasping sound, she licks my neck. text ~ text ----As if to taste me. text "Erh........!" text Thump. text My heart is shattering. text My pulsing blood and my blank mind. text The coolness of Arcueid's hands on my back. text The soft pressure of her breasts pressing against my chest. text Her freezing tongue tracing the lines of my throat. text ~ text All of it destroys what reason I have left. text ".... Don't.. be stupid.. why would I----I be turned on by you?" text "Mmm.. liar. text You're so excited." text ~ text Her breathing moves from my neck and travels down to my chest. text ~ text ----My breathing is heavy. text I want to get away. text But, more than that, I want to take her. text Golden hair. text Red eyes. text White Skin. text Slender fingers. text Soft arms. text What----a lustful body. text My mind is screaming that I want to taste her from the top of her head all the way down to her toes. text ~ text "G......" text What is this? text I can still think rationally, but---my mind is assailed by animalistic excitement---- text "Ha.... gh....!" text I put all of my concentration into lifting my arm. text But it doesn't move. text My body is reacting to her breathing, and I can't move it. text ~ text ----I can't believe it. text ~ text More than being bound by something I can see, text Just the fact that her breathing is binding me gets me so excited, it practically makes me come. text "----Stop.... if you keep doing this.. it'll be.. bad----" text "That's funny, Shiki. text Your body doesn't agree with what your lips are saying. text You've gotten so stiff down here----we better do something about it." text Her hands move away from my back. text And then, text her lovely white fingers descend below my waist. text Finding my already erect shaft. text "Sto----" text "You're in pain, right? text It's okay, you don't have to hold back. text I'll calm it down----" text Her breath hits my hard shaft. text ~ text Her slender fingers wrap themselves around me. bgload IMA_10.png text "Ga----!" text Just that causes my body to jump. text My back arches and I fall back on the bed. text "I-Idiot! text What are you thinking....!?" text I manage to shout as I lie on my back. text "----------" text Arcueid looks down on me without saying anything. text .... And then, she quietly removes the last of her clothes. text Staring at me with her unfocused red eyes, a soft, text ~ text "Shiki, you look delicious," text ~ text escapes her lips. text "------!" text I strain with all my might to rise from the bed. text But I still can't move a finger. text She climbs onto the bed and her lush, naked body slowly eases down to press against mine. text Thump. text My blood stirs harder. text ~ text Just like when I get dizzy, I can't think clearly. text But this time, text I don't lose consciousness. bgload event/ARK_H01.png text "Amazing----I didn't know you could get this hard." text .... Her fingers teasingly caress me. text It's more like touching than gripping, until the sensations strengthen---urging me to hurry, hurry, hurry! text "Can you feel it----? text You're dripping so much down here, Shiki, it's almost as if you're crying." text "How cute," she says, smiling. text Her lips move down to plant a warm, soft kiss directly on the head. text "----!" text I frantically hold back the cry threatening to escape my lips. text Arcueid looks up at me, her eyes dancing with unbridled glee. text "Can't you just be honest? text If you're going to be like this, Shiki, I'll have to tease you a little more." text "Wha----what are you----m....!" text I stifle my voice once again. text Just the touch of her fingertips overloads my senses. text Then.. the wet sensation of her tongue. text Sliding along my length. text As if to drench my parched shaft, a line of saliva runs from her mouth. text Her golden hair sways, partially concealing her face. text All I feel is guilt and hesitation.. and the pleasure which starts to eclipse it. text "K----!" text I start to soar even higher. text My grotesque shaft has hardened into an offensive, glistening pillar. text ~ text Her white fingers grip it. text Embrace it. text Gliding noisily up and down, driving me crazy. text "Ha, ah......!" text "Hehe.... your voice is very hot. text I was always thinking that this part of you looked delicious." text With that, she pulls her mouth away. text .... Her white fingers, such beautiful works of art, crawl up my shaft. text "Nn----....!" text She compresses it from below as if trying to squeeze the very life out of me. text As she moves her fingers----something rockets up from the base of my body. text All I can do is to frantically resist this feeling. text While her four slender fingers move up my hardness like separate living things, text her thumb forcefully rubs my tip----back and forth, up and down, over and over. text "Amazing.... Dripping this much and more coming? text You really are excited aren't you, Shiki?" text "Idio----of.. course----not." text "Hey now, I'm doing what you want. text You should just be.. honest!" bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H01.png text "Ah----!" text Her thumb spreads the opening on top of my shaft. text From the lower half of my body, pain and pleasure mix together like an electric shock. text "Ha, ah----haa----ha, ah----" text ~ text I can only.. breathe.. in fragments. text Squish. text My heartbeat, my breathing, everything has fallen into perfect synchronization with the movement of her slender fingers. text "----Hm, I guess you're almost ready." text ~ text Releasing my swollen organ, she looks up at my face. text ~ text "How was it? text It felt good, didn't it, Shiki?" text "................" text .... I can't say anything. text My mind screams in denial, but my body has succumbed to Arcueid's voice. text My mind is still my own----but my body is waiting for Arcueid to continue. text "Ar---cuei.. d-----tha.. t's, enou.. gh." text With the last of my will, I manage to somehow form those words. text Arcueid simply chuckles. text ~ text "Now Shiki----I think I'll get serious." text Her white fingers grab my base. text My locked-down member swells as if trying to get away from her tight grip. text I'm almost exploding. text From the side, as if playing a flute, Arcueid takes me into her mouth. bgload event/ARK_H02.png text "Gh-----!" text My spine feels like it could break in half at any moment. text Arcueid's tongue plays along what is now the most sensitive part of my body. text This naked feeling--this attacking sensation of pure pleasure consumes me. text Just this causes my mind to feel like it will fly away, but her tongue does not stop. text Her lips wrapping around me glide higher and higher. text Engulfing my tip. text She drinks it in like the fluid oozing from the end. text "........!" text This sensation. text I can't believe how good the inside of her mouth feels. text A lukewarm feeling. text The slippery texture of saliva. text Inside her narrow mouth, my twitching manhood and the movement of Arcueid's tongue trying to hold me down---- text "Mm.... Shiki, it's so cute." text Saying that, her fingers once again move lower. text Pushing against where my rod sprouts from my body, only her tongue moves up and down---licking from bottom to top. text "Ha.... n...." text Her hot, pleasured breathing. text The soft flesh of her tongue pushes strongly along my entire length. text "N.... n, mm.... ah, mm----" text Her breathing flows into my nerves like liquid pleasure. text The wet, sticky movement of her tongue. text The mingling of her soft, forceful tongue licking my hardened shaft. text "N----ha, ah...., mm....!" text Heavy breathing. text As her halting breaths puff against my hardness----another sensation rises up within me. text "A----Ar, cuei, d----" text I desperately swallow my words. text I know if I speak out, my mind will lose completely to this pleasure. text I know this, but---- text "Mm.... Shiki, this is so hot....!" text "------!" text Her white teeth press down onto my naked rod and I----just don't care about anything---- text "Ha.... kk.... ah.." text Warm saliva seeps from the corners of her mouth. text Just thinking of that, from somewhere deep inside of me.. a ball of heat starts to rise up. text "Haa.... haa.... ha.... ah.." text I desperately try to hold it back. text Here----I can't do it here, ever. text If I did----I would probably.. to Arcueid---- text ~ text Slosh. text Slide. text ~ text The fluids of her mouth and my own mix together noisily. text Dirty, wrong----primitive lust. text "Ha----rgh....!" text I bite my tongue to hold back. text But it's useless. text Her fingers grab me tightly. text Not the gentle, mild touch of a playful lover, like before. text She just slides it quickly up and down, forcing me to the edge. text ~ text I'm past my limit. bgload IMA_11.png text "Ah------!" text ~ text Thump. text ~ text Burning heat travels through my shaft. text ~ text Thump. text ~ text It bursts forth into her mouth. text ~ text "Ha----ah!" text This irresistible pleasure travels to my brain, battering my mind into submission---- text .... Arcueid's caresses cease. text She takes everything I offer and gulps it down without hesitation. text "------Ah." text Her pure white, porcelain throat moves up and down as she swallows. text Her beautiful lips pull away from my grotesque member. text Between the two, a thin line of saliva hangs like obscene spider silk. text ~ text She wears an almost dazed expression. text Her golden hair shimmers as a blush creeps up her cheeks and she looks up into my eyes. text "Ah------" text ~ text Anything resembling reason or restraint is long gone from my mind. text My body is already able to move. text Breathing wildly, like an animal, I push Arcueid down onto the bed---- music ~ setvar ark_regard + 3 jump s125.scr bgload BG_40D.png text .... Ciel-senpai, perhaps? text ~ text ".... That's dumb. text It could never be Senpai----" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Good evening, Tohno-kun." text "Ehh---!?" text I jump up in bed. music 01.mp3 text "S-S-Senpai......!?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I wanted to see you, so I came." text Senpai says this with a smile as if it was the most natural thing in the world. text "You came to see me----no way." bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "But it's happening. text In reality, I'm here right now." text "That's why I'm saying this isn't real....! text It's already this late! text This is my room too, so it's not a place where you can just come in....!" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "It's all possible. text Because, this is a dream." text "----Eh?" text ~ text A dream? text Huh? text ~ text "A dream---Senpai?" text "Yes, this is a dream you are seeing. text Let's think of it that way." text Senpai smiles. text .... Senpai is her usual self. text But, I feel there's something---incredibly wrong with her. text Her eyes normally full of kindness now look like they are planning on something. text Her polite words are rather making me uneasy. text ~ text ---No, what is the most strange is this situation where Senpai is in my room. text I steal a glance at the clock. text It's still past three o'clock in the morning. text Such a thing--- text ~ text "No, there can't be such a realistic dream....!" text I get up from bed. text I try to walk towards Senpai who is in the middle of my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text "H...... uh?" text My legs. text My legs won't move at all....!? bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "That won't do, moving on your own like that. text Please stay there, Tohno-kun." text ".... Please stay here?---hold on, Senpai. text My legs, why won't they move....?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "It's obviously because this is a dream. text Tohno-kun, do you still not believe me?" text As if shocked, she raises her shoulders. text But, I'm the one who's shocked. text "A dream?---please stop fooling around. text Why in the world are you in my room at this hour, Senpai!?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "Do you need to ask? text There is only one reason for a girl to come to a boy's room you know." text Blushing, she gives a smile loaded with meaning. text "Eh.... only one.... um, Senpai?" text Uh, um, ah---that's not to make some delicious food, or to play a card game, so--- bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text ~ text "Yes. text Let's do something dirty." text ~ text With her normal carefree tone, text Senpai says something outrageous. text "H---Hey, what are you saying, Senpai....!? text Wh-wh-why are you thinking that, all of a sudden....!" text I wildly wave my hands in the air as I blush furiously. text I don't know how this situation came about, but there's something definitely wrong with what Senpai is saying. text First of all, she is my Senpai, text Um, we're not lovers or anything, text We're more like friends, and.. text um, I really am happy for her to say that, but I'm mad at myself for thinking that way, and--- text "Oh enough already. text Isn't this strange? text Why would you say such a thing to me....!?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ".... " text Senpai sighs. text "I understand, you don't want to do it because it's me." text "Ah---no, that's not it.... w-w-well, I mean that's it! text But, isn't this odd? text To me, you are an important confidant, and I thought our friendship had nothing to do with love, and I was thinking it would be great if all three of us including Arihiko could have fun together. text so---Even.... if this a dream, there's something wrong with this." bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Oh, I see. text I understand what you mean." text Senpai looks away from me. bgload BG_40D.png text "Ah......" text My legs that could not move before can move. text I don't know why they weren't moving earlier, but I can now get Senpai out of the house---. text "Tohno-kun." text Senpai's voice is sharp, and unthinkably strict. text "Eh---y, yes?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "I have decided. text I will be more mean." text She grins. text Senpai takes a step towards me. bgload BG_40D.png text "Hey--Senpai, stop fooling around." text "I'm not fooling around. text Isn't this what fooling around would be?" text She snaps her fingers. text ~ text ---At that instant. text ~ text "----!?" text I suddenly fall back on my bed. text "Wha----!" text Wha, what's going on!? text Both my hands are behind my back. text Something---like a leather belt ties them together. text Both my ankles are also tied with a belt and I can't move at all. text "Wh, why, is this happening, all of a sudden....!?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, this is a dream, so doing that is a piece of cake." text "Wha----" bgload BG_40D.png text I strain my arms trying to break free. text The belt groans under the stress, but it doesn't even seem like it'll come off. text "............ What are these, chains?" text These facts are suddenly weighing down on me. text It looks like my hands and feet cannot be freed. text The Ciel-senpai before me is not like her usual self. text I don't feel like I'm in any danger---but I feel really uneasy. text Let's do something, dirty. text ~ text Senpai said that. text To have her say that in a room at night with the two of us, it's more strange not to be excited text In reality, my heart is pounding so hard it feels like it will explode. text But---there's still something wrong. text It feels there's something wrong to do such a thing with Senpai---- text "-------" text I don't care about anything now. text My mouth isn't gagged, so if I shout, Hisui would probably come---! bgload BG_40D.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "That won't do. text If you shout, won't someone come here? text And if they do, what would you tell them?" bgload BG_40D.png text Senpai gets on the bed. text The bed creaks under the weight of two people. text And then, text the sound of a ribbon being untied. text "Wha----" text Without time to stop her, text .... No, my thought to stop her was probably beat by my desire to see it.. text And then, text ~ bgload IMA_10.png music 05.mp3 bgload event/CEL_H01.png text I can only hold my breath as Senpai takes off her clothing and even her underwear. text ".... S-Senpai----" text "See, it's already over. text If someone came now, you would be the one in trouble." text With a wicked smile, she mounts the bed, crawling towards me like a cat. text "-------" text My throat is hot. text My head is swimming like I'm drunk, and I can't think of anything to say, or what I should do, or what I was doing before now----- text "........ Ah." text I swallow hard. text Before me is Senpai, who isn't wearing so much as a stitch of clothing. text What I should do right now is look away and try not to see her naked body---but my body doesn't listen to my mind's recommendation. text .... Her well-developed, soft-looking breasts. text Her bare, white skin entices me. text I can almost smell its lasciviousness. text My heart explodes with excitement. text I know I shouldn't look---but her voluptuous body captivates both my mind and my eyes. text "Hm, what should I do now? text I could just rape you now, but that's kind of boring, don't you think?" text With a strange smile on her lips, she slowly crawls closer. text .... It's different. text I said she looked like a cat earlier, but it's different. text What creeps towards me isn't a cat, but a panther stalking its prey. text "S-Senpai....! text Stop fooling around. text Please put your clothes back on....!" text I manage to resist my desires long enough to push these words out. text "........ Geez, Tohno-kun. text It seems that you don't understand your situation yet." text She makes a disappointed sound and looks at me. text "Right now, there's only a few places you can move. text And when you say things like that, it makes me want to tease you more." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text "Eh---Senpai!?" text Suddenly, she disappears. text There's no one on the bed. text I can't see her anywhere, and all I can feel is someone's presence in the room--- text ~ text "Whew." text ~ text "Uwaaaaaaa!?" text ---Suddenly, text from behind me, she blows into my ear. text "Se, Sese, Senpai....!?" text "Did I surprise you? text I didn't mean to, but you must be sensitive, so I guess I surprised you, Tohno-kun." text Saying that, text she presses her body up against my back. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_H01.png text "-----!!!!!!" text "You shouldn't make so much noise. text In the middle of the night like this, someone just might come check on you." text ~ text .... I hear her voice directly behind me. text Her fingers slide along the back of my neck. text "Nn-----............!" text A shiver runs through me. text My heart pounds desperately in my chest. text Thump. text As if acting in concert with my pulse, my mind floods with lust. text ".... Stop.... hey, Senpai....!" text "Goodness, do you hate me that much, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text ---That. text That's not.. it.. at all. text ~ text From my neck to my back. text From my back, as if to embrace me, her fingers come to my chest. text A soft sensation. text From behind me, I can feel the sensation of her soft breasts pressing against my back. text "Tss............!" text This isn't good. text I have no intention of doing anything---but I AM a guy, so--- text "That's why I came here like this. text Even if you're stubborn, I thought you would be honest in your dreams." text She whispers in my ear. text Her lips are so close that her breath plays along my skin. text ".... A dream.... really....?" text "Yes. text If this wasn't a dream, we couldn't be doing this." text ".... Hey.... then even if I do shout.... no one would come, then." text Trying to resist the growing pressure in my groin, I speak haltingly. text ~ text Senpai chuckles by my ear. text "They will come. text If you shout, your sister will get suspicious and check on you. text This is THAT kind of dream." text ~ text ---That is, text maybe a reality that cannot truly be called a dream? text Her fingers glide down my chest. text One by one, her fingers, like the legs of a spider, teasingly make their way downwards. text My pulse is racing. text Before I realize it, I am completely naked and already fully erect. text ~ text Slowly and lightly. text Her fingers continue their descent. text "Now then, the teasing will begin. text Please prepare yourself, Tohno-kun." text Her fingers touch my bared shaft. text I feel a hand other than mine surround me. text Just that by itself is embarrassing enough, but since it's Senpai's fingers---I feel so embarrassed I want to die. text "--Wow, you're really hard already, Tohno-kun. text In that case, I can be a bit more forceful." text Her voice is filled with delight. text Her fingers--teasing up until now--wrap themselves around me. text She squeezes so hard it feels like she'll tear it off. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/CEL_H01.png text "Nn........!" text I let out a gasp. text A shock rushes from my groin to my brain. text "Oh, did I surprise you? text Sorry, you're not even wet yet, Tohno-kun. text Don't worry, I'll be more gentle." text Her palm pulls back. text This time her fingers delicately hold my shaft. text "Ah---,---!" text The sensation takes my breath away. text "No---Senpai, that's.. not---" text I.. just want.. her.. to stop. text I try to move my arms. text ~ text ---But I can't. text I have no freedom. text ~ text With glittering eyes, Senpai watches my struggles and vain attempts to stifle my voice--- text "Hee hee, I'm looking forward to this. text I wonder how long you can resist, Tohno-kun." text Speaking seductively, she slips her red tongue into my ear. text "...... Nn!" text I shut my eyes. text .... Below, a far more direct torture is taking place. text "---Sto.. p---" text Three of her fingers slide slowly across the length of my shaft. text ~ text Up. text Down. text Sliding. text ~ text The sound of dry flesh slowly becomes slick. text Rubbing. text Squeezing. text And pulling. text ".... Mm, you're getting very dirty Tohno-kun. text Hey, your eyes are free, right? text Why don't you take a look at yourself." text "Wha---" text Her voice embarrasses me even more. text ~ text The sound of her rubbing me fills the silence. text ~ text Over and over again, my manhood swells even larger as she caresses it. text The harder it gets---just watching is making me go crazy. text ~ text .... Her fingers cycle in an endless caress. text "----K, ha---" text Try as I might, I can't hold my voice back. text I clench my teeth, telling myself I'm not feeling it---but my body doesn't listen to what I tell it. text My shaft is fully erect and I feel like I am going to explode at any moment. text Just her touching me makes me lose all rational thought---but the movement of her fingers is much more destructive. text Just by sliding her fingers up and down, text I almost explode, releasing all of the burning heat welling inside of me. text "Ha---k,---" text As I rein in my voice, text I attempt to breathe quietly. text .... Every time I do so, text Senpai laughs. text "I feel kind of excited. text Your voice is so full of passion, Tohno-kun." text "Don't be ridi---" text Before I can finish, her fingers move once again. text The movement of her fingers. text My body is being controlled by less than an inch's worth of movement. text ~ text .... I can't resist her. text Bound as I am, and being teased like this. text Breathing wildly, I try to resist the pleasure. text .... But.. I can't. text ~ text Normally, it would make me mad. text But--now, it's only making my conscience go numb. text "Senpai---let's stop. text This.... is.. wrong...." text .... Yeah, it's wrong. text This isn't right at all. text I don't love her, so I shouldn't be doing this. text .... I don't love her....? text Is that true? text If this really is my dream, it would mean this is what Tohno Shiki desires. text "Hhaahhh....hhaahhh.... haagggghhh.... ---" text ~ text .... No, I can't think.. clearly. text It feels---too good. text Why am I so horny? text It's not like this is the first time I've had fingers slid along my shaft. text But this is way different than when I do it myself text I can't hold back like this. text That's why I want it to stop.. but since they aren't my fingers, they won't listen to what I say. text MY shaft is already dripping wet. text I'm oozing so much pre-come that it covers my whole shaft. text "Ha.. gah...." text But my remaining sanity is keeping me from crossing the edge. text ".... Goodness, you really are stubborn. text Your body is honest, why is your mind so.. so stubborn!?" text In time with her voice, text her gentle fingers suddenly dig into me. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload event/CEL_H01.png text "--------!!" text ~ text ----Aah! text My back arches in response. text The longing welling up inside me suddenly switches to a desire to get away. text A collision of pleasure and pain. text This sensation shoots from my groin to my brain. text My arms struggle against the chains. text I strain against them as hard as I can, trying to break free. text But they don't move at all. text "Ah---a, a----!" text Her nails are still digging into me. text She tortures my manhood as if to stop what I was about to release. text "S-Sen.. pai......!" text "Oh, you should stop struggling Tohno-kun. text Those chains won't come off, so if you push yourself too hard, you'll only hurt yourself." text "No--not that, your.. nails---!" text "Oh? text Tohno-kun, are my fingers making you feel good?" text I can't believe she can say such unbelievable things with such a mean voice. text "............!" text I grit my teeth and bear the pain. text Her fingers pull back. text The nail marks remain. text Thanks to that, it seems my urge to come has gone away. text ".... Senpai, please stop.... if you.. keep this.. up.. I'm going to get pissed---" text "Yes, I know. text I won't do anything more if you don't feel like it." text With eyes that seem to stare into my heart, she starts moving her fingers again. text "....! text You don't get it, stupid!" text Senpai doesn't answer. text She simply starts rubbing me once more. text Slowly. text From my base to my top. text Slowly. text Gently. text Making little wet sounds. text Over and over. text Ever so slowly---so slow that I want her to move faster and just end it all. text ".......... Ah." text My breathing is getting calmer. text Getting used to her fingers, it finally settles. text But it's too late. text It's so slow, and it feels so good, but I can't quite reach the edge. text I'm oozing as much fluid as a woman. text But I haven't even come once. text ".... Ah......" text With her slow movements. text Only my pre-come seeps out. text "Ah...... gah." text I want to let go, but I can't. text I am ready to come, but I'm so used to this soft sensation, I can't reach the end. text I want to come. text But I can't. text I want to climax. text But I can't. text Her slow moving fingers, text she's moving so slow--not fast enough to get me off.. why? text She went this far, too. text Why won't she squeeze me like earlier and make me come? text ---Hurry. text ~ text Hurry, or else I'll go insane. text What's welling up inside me is so heavy and painful that if I don't let it outside soon-- text this pleasure will go on forever and drive me crazy....! text ".... Damn.... it." text My brain is about to shut down. text Hurry--I don't care now. text I don't care about Senpai or my conscience, those are all meaningless things. text I'm not being stubborn about it, so hurry--- text "Hey Tohno-kun. text Are you going to come soon?" text From my side, Senpai speaks in a quiet voice. text It isn't full of pleasure like before, but completely serious. text "Wha---no. text I don't.. feel anything---so all this is useless." text .... But my words clearly are not what I feel. text Senpai gives a sigh. text "Fine, I lose. text Since I can't beat you, I'll stop, Tohno-kun." text "----Eh?" text Her fingers pull away. text The slow caress ceases. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text "See, you must feel better now, right Tohno-kun?" text "----Ah." text This---can't be happening. text Her slow moving, smooth fingers are gone, and I'm harder than ever. text ~ text It's so hard. text My shaft is so swollen, it's still dripping. text But, I can't come. text Her fingers got me so worked up I'm right on the edge of coming. text But I'm still bound, and her fingers are gone. text "...... Don.." text "Yes? text What is it, Tohno-kun?" text "Don't......" text "Didn't I stop already? text Or is there something else you wanted?" text Senpai's voice is full of glee. text "What do you want? text If you don't tell me, I won't know, Tohno-kun." text ".........." text I can't say it. text I can't say it, no matter what. text But if I don't, I really will go crazy---. text ".... Don't.... stop...." text "I can't hear you, please speak louder." text Her voice shoots towards me, loaded with pleasure. text .... I didn't know. text I didn't know Senpai was so mean. text ".... Please, don't stop. text I want.... you to continue, Senpai...." text I say it haltingly. text From right beside me, text I can hear her laughing voice once more. text "I understand. text Then.. here is your reward for being honest, Tohno-kun." bgload IMA_10.png text Her body pulls away. text A light thud. text Ciel-senpai kneels in front of me. bgload event/CEL_H02.png text "Se---Senpai......!?" text I pull my hips back in surprise. text Because Senpai got down on her knees in front of me, and---and dropped a light kiss on my shaft. text "Mm.... that's an amazing amount of fluid. text Tohno-kun, it's because you were so stubborn." text Holding onto my sticky member, she takes a small sniff. text She is putting her face so close to my--- text ----Thump. text ~ text ".... Ha...." text She hasn't even done anything, but my rod twitches. text I don't know if the pleasure is physical or mental, but just the fact that Senpai has her face so close to me brings back the burning sensations that had started to fade--- text .... Senpai's face is flushed as well. text I thought I was the one being teased, here. text But, has she---was her face like that the whole time? text ---Thump. text ~ text Now more, text my emotions well up in my throat. text ".... Senpai, I.... can't hold on." text ".... I know. text But this is amazing---Tohno-kun, you're burning up." text She almost sounds admiring. text Then, Senpai takes her tongue.. and slowly licks my tip. text "H----!" text The sensation is completely different from her fingers. text Her tongue feels so soft, yet solid. text "Haa---ah, ah." text Her tongue noisily plays along my skin. text "---N!" text Just that was already threatening to overwhelm me, but then her fingers begin to move. text She grabs my shaft with her fingers and starts to rub me up and down. text Veins stand out on my hot flesh, and my rod reflects the light as it covers itself in sticky fluids. text But she continues stroking that grotesque thing. text She moves as if trying to squeeze out what's welling up inside me. text Her thumb rises up to my tip and presses into the hole at the top. text "Senpa---I'm---going to--" text I can barely sound out the words. text I can hardly breathe. text She doesn't move away. text Her tongue and her fingers continue their movement, ignoring my warning. text "I can't--hold.. back---!" text No matter what---I can't.. in her face. text I strain as hard as I can to hold back. text My arms. text If my arms were free, I would be able to push Senpai away---! text "Tohno-kun, why are you holding back?" text Not knowing how I feel, she asks me that. text ".... I.... I can't.... let it out on your face...." text I say through clenched teeth. text But---I can't hold on. text ".... Hehe, you are so cute, Tohno-kun." text ~ text Senpai chuckles and.. text ~ text "So---I will tease you even more." text Using her other hand, she pushes at an area below my shaft---right at the base of my balls. text "-----!?" text My body shakes uncontrollably. text It--feels like someone drilled a hole in my skull. text "You know, if you push this spot, a man won't be able to ejaculate." text "Ah---eh?" text My shaft twitches. text But what should come out normally isn't there, and it only convulses. text "Hmm, if I keep caressing you like this, you might break." text Lick. text With her tongue still painted with my fluids, she licks her lips. text "But, you told me you wanted me to make you go crazy. text So---" text "Ah.... Sen, pai....?" text "---So, now I'll break you, Tohno-kun." text So saying, text Senpai takes the tip of her tongue and sticks it into the narrow opening at the top of my shaft. text "Ha------ah!" text Down---down there....! text Into a place no one should touch. text I'm going to go crazy from the feeling of her tongue forcing its way in. text Getting attacked by the greatest sensation by far, my rod tries its hardest to ejaculate. text But it can't. text Senpai's finger is blocking the way, not allowing me to come. text "Ha---ah, ah, ah---!" text I flail on the bed. text The sound of rattling chains echo in the room. text I don't---care who might wake up and come see what's wrong. text If I even think about something like that, I'll go crazy. text Sl.. ur.. p--- text ~ text The sensation changes. text The tongue invading me recedes. text And Senpai's lips suck me in. text Even though she knows I can't release anything, she sucks as if trying to draw it out. text It feels like she's sucking my entire body dry. bgload IMA_11.png text "Ga-----!!" text It feels like someone's poured alcohol into that hole in my skull. text My mind goes as blank as a clean slate. text Her finger pulls back. text The digit holding my semen back lets go, and what has been contained for so long finally explodes. text Thump. text Thump, Thump, Thump, Thum.. p. text As if taking out my whole consciousness and my memory with it, the white fluid squirts out of me. text ~ text ---My dazed mind can't even make out Senpai's face anymore. text I collapse onto my bed. text The chains holding me down disappear as if they never existed. text ~ text "Ha-----" text ~ text .... I can still feel her mouth on me. text Senpai keeps sucking, drinking up the last of the semen inside of me. text "------Ah." text ~ text But that finished me off. text It seems the last little bit of consciousness I had left was completely swallowed by Senpai---- music ~ setvar ciel_regard + 3 jump s126.scr bgload IMA_10.png text .... If someone is coming to my room, it either has to be Kohaku-san, Hisui or Akiha. text Hisui and Kohaku-san would probably knock so that leaves only Akiha.... text ".......... Akiha?" text I sit up in bed and call out. text The moonlight only dimly illuminates the room, so I can hardly see. text I look around, but I don't see anyone's silhouette. text ".... Must be my imagination...." text My mind must be a little dull from lack of sleep. text I let out a breath and roll over onto my side. bgload BG_40C.png text The light on my nightstand comes on. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "------Eh?" text My heart skips a beat. text ".... That's strange. text I don't remember turning that on...." bgload BG_40D.png text I turn off the light. text I have school tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep. text "That won't do, Nii-san. text We'll need the lights on for this." text Suddenly, text from behind me, a calm voice calls out. text "-----!" text I turn around. text There, I see---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text Akiha, bgload BG_40D.png bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T03B.png 52 0 text and Kohaku-san. bgload BG_40D.png music 01.mp3 text "Akiha....? text What are you doing here at this hour? text And why is Kohaku-san with you? text Did something happen?" text I slip out of bed as I speak. text After exchanging glances, they laugh. bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T03B.png 52 0 text "Geez Shiki-san, you're too out of it. text Akiha-sama and I are here because there is something." text Kohaku-san giggles. bgload BG_40D.png text "....?" text I don't understand what's so funny. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "Kohaku, laughing like that is rude to Nii-san. text I understand how you feel, but you shouldn't surprise him too much. text We have to save the fun for later, right?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T12.png 52 0 text "Oh, forgive me Akiha-sama. text He's just so cute when he doesn't understand simple things like this, so I couldn't help it." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text ".... That's true. text Certainly Nii-san is a bit dense. text I mean, not even realizing why the two of us would come here this late at night, not even knowing his own position. text Yes, he's just like an innocent little puppy. text Cute, but clueless." bgload BG_40D.png text With a cold smile, Akiha looks my way. text "Aki, ha........?" text Seeing her eyes finally makes me understand that there's something wrong with the way they are acting. text .... How should I say it. text I don't sense any hostility, but it feels like they are up to something. text "Akiha, if you have something to say, I'll listen, so can't you just go ahead? text We have school tomorrow, so we should go to bed early." text I tell her this as coolly as I can. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "............" text She stares at me without saying a word; she's not happy with something. text No, more than that.. text Akiha sighs. text ".... I thought Nii-san would be a little more flustered, but I'm a bit shocked that he's not getting in the mood." text She's talking as if I'm not even here. text "----? text Um, Akiha. text I still don't know what you are trying to say, but...." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T03B.png 40 0 text "Geez, Nii-san. text Just what kind of upbringing did you have at the Arima household? text Look, someone of the opposite sex is in your room at night. text A gentleman of your age should be excited just by that, but you're acting like normal. text It's just natural for a woman like me to be shocked by that." text She glares at me. text ".... Wait a minute, Akiha. text I would notice if girls were in my room, but you guys are different. text We're brother and sister, so this isn't a big deal, and Kohaku-san comes to check around every night." text Yeah, that's why this isn't surprising. text Akiha is my little sister, and Kohaku-san is a servant. text It isn't a big deal for them to come here, day or night, so I really don't---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "In other words, Nii-san, you see us more as family than you do as women? text ........ I see. text It might be good for you if that was really true." text She looks me over again with that strange smile. text That quiet look that seems to look into my mind. text "--------" text Thump. text My heartbeat starts to quicken. text .... There's something, odd. text Being looked at like that by Akiha, I start to feel more and more uneasy. text .... For example, text ~ text Like my true feelings of not being able to accept Akiha as my sister yet since she's changed so much since I last saw her. text ~ text Like my true feelings of me starting to feel more for Hisui and Kohaku-san than I should to just servants. text ~ text It feels like she is staring into my hidden feelings and I feel guilty. text "Oh? text What's wrong, Nii-san? text Suddenly looking away like that.. you look like you're hiding something." text "Wha----" text I realize my cheeks are getting red. text "O-of course not....! text Just tell me what you want. text If we don't get some sleep soon, tomorrow will be difficult." text Not to be defeated, I match her stare. text ~ text And then, text For some reason, Akiha gives a bored sigh. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "How disappointing. text I was looking forward to seeing your confused face, Nii-san. text But this is boring. text Well, we'll watch you be embarrassed further, so I guess it will be okay." text "Huh------?" text I climb out of bed. text Wait a minute. text I think she just said something terrible----- text "Akiha, what are---" bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "Oh? text Is it okay for you to stand up with your body? text You have anemia, so you should be calm during the night. text You seem to be lacking sleep even now, and you were tired for the past few days, right? text Please pay more attention to your health, Nii-san. text Your body is very weak. text So, won't you collapse if you keep pushing yourself like this?" text "Wha------" text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Thump. text Her words seem to affect me. text "---What are you saying? text I'm fine---" text "Oh? text Funny, you're looking a little strained to me. text As if.... yes, your breathing is going to get wilder, your blood will feel sluggish in your veins, and see, your hands and feet are going to start feeling cold." text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Thump. text ~ text "Hey----Stop, it. text If you say that-----" text I really.. will feel.. dizzy--- music ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "No, it isn't just your imagination. text Your body was strange from when we came in, but you just never realized it, Nii-san. text See? text Kohaku was laughing earlier because you didn't even notice it yourself. text You're so weak that you might collapse at any time, but you don't ever think of your condition, Nii-san." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "You are like a scarecrow, you being the only one not noticing that. text Wearing old clothes, bamboo for arms and legs. text From far away he looks human.. but once you look close, it's just something made up to take human form." text ~ text "Wha-----" text Why did she suddenly start talking about all this nonsense?----- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "Really, you still don't understand? text Your face is pale and your mind is numb. text You really are like a scarecrow, that you don't even want to admit to that. text Don't you think so too, Kohaku? text That Nii-san is like an ornament that could break at any time." text "Stu.... That, can't----" text ~ text be true. text It can't, but.. text Why----why am I really feeling dizzy---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T11B.png 40 0 text "See, you're already at your limit. text Stop pushing yourself and lie down. text But you will stay awake. text You won't be able to move your arms and legs, but you will still be conscious." text "Stu---sto...... p----" text ~ text My body collapses. text I'm falling towards the bed, just like Akiha said--- text "----" text No. text My body isn't strange. text Because, I didn't have any symptoms of anemia earlier--- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "I told you, it does not matter. text Your body is always under constraint. text So, you have no control tonight either. text ----Because. text ~ text You've always been my puppet, Nii-san." text ~ text "Wha-----" bgload IMA_10.png text I fall onto the bed. text .... In the end, Akiha was right. text Just like whenever I have an anemic spell, I lose consciousness--- sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png music 05.mp3 text "Hu----h?" text .... No, this time it's different. text My entire body is numb, but I'm still conscious. text I can't really concentrate, but I'm awake. text "Different, than my, usual, anemia...." text I stare blankly at the ceiling. text "Akiha-sama? text Um, did we overdo it....? text He looks like he really has anemia...." text .... Kohaku-san's, voice. text "What are you talking about, Kohaku? text You're the one who put some drugs into his dinner, so he will be a little dazed. text I only wanted him to sleep a bit. text I could have done that myself." text .... Akiha sounds dissatisfied. text ".... Hey, you two." text I call out to them, still lying down. text My arms and legs won't work, but I somehow manage to turn my neck and look at both of them. text "Shiki-san is very pure, so I guess suggestion seems to work easily on him. text I suppose that's a good trait about him too." text ~ text .... It seems they are ignoring me. text ~ text "Yes, but Kohaku, when they are too pure.. don't they make you want to dominate them?" text ~ text .... She looks over at me. bgload event/AKI_H14.png text "-----" text As soon as our eyes meet, I feel a chill run up my spine. text Coldness sinks into my skin, burrowing under my flesh and into my very core. text I feel as if my brain is becoming numb. text My body feels tied up as she looks at me with those eyes, as if time has stopped and the whole area has frozen up. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "A----Aki, ha?" text "............" text She doesn't say a word. text .... Thump. text My heart beats loudly. text Her face is entirely devoid of expression, but her eyes---her eyes glow like a predator stalking her prey----- text "Domination, huh? text Well, I like seeing his troubled face as much as his happy face, so I understand what you mean, Akiha-sama." text .... Next to Akiha, Kohaku-san tilts her head. text Akiha doesn't look at Kohaku-san, but she gives a small nod. text "Let's see, it's like a painting. text Hey Kohaku, let's say there's a painting that is well done, but not magnificent. text Because it's well done, you don't have any complaints, but you can't like it because it's just well done and doesn't have anything interesting about it. text In that case, do you know how to make it special for you, Kohaku?" text "Umm, let's see.... I don't know, Akiha-sama." text "It's simple. text You just have to paint over the painting and make it worthless. text As a result, that good painting will turn into trash. text But the process, breaking what is "good" for you, isn't it wonderful? text "---Isn't it beautiful just thinking about it? text I feel love and regret for that painting. text The pain as the painting gets ruined, anger at myself for ruining it, frustration because it's beyond repair, and more than anything else, the fact that I am the only one who can break it is absolute. text I think it is the happiness of owning it. text Because it is the only one, and because the wounds on it are put on there by me, you feel more attached to it. text Because the more marks you put on it, the more it becomes yours." text ~ text ----Without any motion. text Like a machine, Akiha laughs. text "Hey, Kohaku. text Don't you want to break that? text I think it will be.. enjoyable." text ~ bgload BG_40C.png text "Wha----Hey, Akiha........!" text I shout. text But Akiha doesn't respond, and Kohaku-san with her smile, text ~ text "Yes. text I understand, Akiha-sama," text ~ text responds like that. text "Erggh!" text I rally all of the strength in my body. text I strain as hard I can and order my lifeless limbs to stand. text "Tss,n~~~~~~~......!!!!!" text I strain. text I gradually feel my ability to move my arms and legs starting to return--- bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "That is enough, don't do that, Shiki-san. text You are anemic, so you shouldn't strain your body too much." text With her usual smile, Kohaku-san crouches beside the bed. bgload BG_40C.png text "Kohaku-san, what are----" text "What does it look like? text I am tying you down so you won't struggle. text It's okay, I'll only tie your wrists and ankles so it won't hurt that much." text "Tie? text What are you thinking----owww....!" I clench my jaw at the sudden pain. text As if she had a lot of practice, Kohaku-san expertly binds my hands and feet to the bed. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Tss............!" text I feel a tinge in the back of my head. text I don't know what those two are thinking. text But being bound hand and foot on my bed, just imagining what I look like makes me go crazy. text Having them see me like that, I'm so embarrassed I want to die---- text "Kohaku-san....! text Please stop fooling around....!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T15.png 52 0 text "Oh, Shiki-san, you're blushing. text To scream so much, it must be your first time being tied down." text "........! text Of, Of course it is! text Look, just untie me!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Akiha-sama, Shiki-san is saying all these things. text He doesn't seem to realize his position, so isn't it alright to treat him more roughly?" bgload BG_40C.png text "Eh-----Kohaku, san?" text Still smiling, she gazes down at me tied down. text Her look is far more frightening than Akiha's sharp gaze. text Is it like the cruelty of young kids? text Kohaku-san seems to be enjoying this far more than Akiha. text "This won't do Kohaku. text If Nii-san wanted you himself, you could do whatever you want, but this time is different, isn't it? text For tonight, the ownership of him belongs to me. text Your duty is just to serve him." text "I understand. text Then, excuse me, Shiki-san." text So saying, text Kohaku-san begins to take off my clothes. text She straddles me as she begins her work. text In that position, she slowly undoes the buttons of my shirt, one by one. text With this task complete, her fingers move down to my pants. text "Wha, wha, wha........!" text I try to flail around, but it's no use. text I hear a dry, metallic sound. text Kohaku-san slowly begins to slide my zipper down. text "------Wha, what, are you, do........!" text I can barely speak. text I can't understand how or why all this is happening. text I can't grasp how I came to be tied to my bed, or why Kohaku-san is taking off my clothes. text "Shiki-san? text I haven't done anything yet.. does it really feel that good already....?" text With these outrageous words, Kohaku-san places her hand lightly on the front of my underwear. text "Th.. that's not it, but, Kohaku-san---!" text "Oh really? text Then you won't mind if I see all of you, Shiki-san." text "Tssss!" text She pulls my underwear down. text "----------" text My mind goes entirely blank. text She's exposed my lower body. text My limp member is unveiled for all to see. text "Aha! text Shiki-san, you're so small and you look so cute!" text Kohaku-san speaks happily from somewhere near my pelvis. text Being bound and stared at by Akiha's cool gaze makes me shrivel even more. text "--------!" text The rope creaks as I strain against it. text Embarrassed, I wanted to cover myself with both hands. text But bound as I am, I can't even do that. text "............" text Akiha continues to stare at me without speaking. text Blood rushes to my head. text "Ah-----ck." text I grit my teeth. text "It's okay, Shiki-san. text I'll help you perk up, so don't worry.." text With no regard for what I want, Kohaku-san's fingers reach out to me. text "N-------!" text My back arches in response. text Her fingers crawl up my thigh like an unhurried spider, her ultimate destination all too obvious. text One by one, they continue to advance with insidious slowness. text So slowly. text The feeling of being touched by someone else. text .... And the sensation that it is nearing my most personal space, throws my brain headlong into chaos. text "Mm----Shiki-san, for you to be this excited already.. what a naughty boy you are." text Tap. text As if playing a keyboard, Kohaku-san feels along my inner thigh. text "-----, h........!" text I try to hold my breath. text I close my eyes to avoid seeing her face, but I can still feel a piercing gaze boring into me. text .... It goes without saying. text It is Akiha's stare. text As long as that's there---I can't let anything out of my mouth. text .... Kohaku-san keeps going. text The delicate fingers creeping up my thigh---finally arrive at their destination. text "----, -----!" text A jolt rushes through me. text With just her finger, so softly they barely make contact, Kohaku-sa-Kohaku plays around.. my whole.. shaft. text "Ha----, gh----" text ---I don't.. understand. text Does it feel this good to be touched by someone else, or are her fingers special? text My blood starts pounding as her hand takes me in a light embrace. text Thump. text Thump. text In spite of my conscience, I find myself starting to get hard. text "Mm.... Shiki-san, you have to speak up----" sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png text "-----,m----!?" text The bed creaks. text Just now---I felt something slippery glide along the length of my scrotum. text "Hey----Kohaku.. san---!" text I lift my head and look down at her. bgload IMA_10.png text "What-----" text Even though I expected it, text looking at the scene enchants my already confused brain. bgload event/KOHA_H10.png text "Kohaku, san---what, are you---" text "What am I doing? text I am servicing you, of course." text She answers as if what she's doing is perfectly natural. text But, that---to lick me there--- text "Y, you can't....! text Don't you think there's something wrong with doing something that dirty....!?" text "No, I don't. text Because these are Akiha-sama's orders, there's no room for me to think." text Akiha's orders? text That's ridiculous. text "A, Ah, Akiha............!!!!" text "Yes? text Why are you screaming like that, Nii-san?" text "Why am I..!? text .... What are you thinking....!? text Do you know what I'll do to you later for this....!?" text ".... Goodness. text You still don't seem to realize your position Nii-san. text If you keep resisting us like this, we can't be nice to you." text Narrowing her eyes in disappointment, Akiha glares at me. text .... Is it because she was left alone in the Tohno mansion these past eight years? text Her gaze is as sharp as a blade, and unspeakably commanding. text "A----Aki, ha.... What, are you thinking----" text My questioning voice starts to fade away. text Akiha gives a brief snort and looks at me as I lay tied to the bed. text "What am I thinking? text Does it need to be said? text I'm just paying you back, Nii-san." text "? text Paying me back....?" text Not understanding, I dumbly echo her words. text ~ text ----And then, text Akiha laughs like it was so funny. text "Yes, payback. text You who left me all alone and ran away from the Tohno house, I have to pay you back for many things. text These past eight years----I want you to know how much I've suffered." text "A------" text .... When she puts it like that, there's nothing I can say back. text It's true I left Akiha alone to go live with the Arimas. text It's also true that I became Arima's child and tried to forget about the Tohno family. text ".... I understand that. text It's natural for you to hate me. text But, how does that relate to this....!?" text "Oh, you don't understand? text You don't have the education as the member of the Tohno family, right? text So I thought I'll teach you like this. text By the time our father was your age, it seems that he'd known about many things, and it would be a problem for you unless you know a bit about women. text "Wha-----education? text What kind of education is this, you idiot!? text Are you saying since you were with that old man so long, you started to think like him!?" text It pisses me off and I try to stand up. text But, my bound hands do not move, and the ropes only dig deeper into my skin. text "I see, so you're going to take me lightly. text .... Too bad. text I was going to go easy on you, but I've changed my mind." text Her eyes narrow. text .... It's probably a glare, but for just an instant, it seemed like it contained enjoyment. text "Stupid Nii-san. text You are no different from a fish on my plate. text How I bring you to my mouth is my choice, but you never realized it until the very end." text After saying that, text Akiha licks her lips as if she really had just eaten. text "----Okay Kohaku. text Show Nii-san just how much of a beast he is." text "Yes, I understand. text .... But Akiha-sama, is it really okay for me to service him?" text There is no emotion in Kohaku-san's voice. text After a brief silence, text "----Of course. text We're siblings. text There is no affection between us even if we pretend, and besides, I certainly can't touch him. text .... I don't really like Nii-san anyway." text She looks away from me. text "--------" text .... My chest hurts for some reason. text I should be getting mad at Akiha for doing this to me, so why----do her words weigh down on me so much? text ".... Let's stop, Akiha. text I don't know how I can make up for what I did, but I'll apologize for what's happened until now. text So stop doing this. text If you think about it, this really isn't normal. text I don't know how you think of me, but you're my sister. text So----" text "Sister?" text Her whisper sounds mad. text "I don't want to hear that word out of you. text And Nii-san, no matter what you say, your body is enjoying my discipline. text It's been pleading for more all this time." text "Eh------" text Having said that, my whole body becomes hot. text Just like she said, my manhood has hardened from Kohaku-san's teasing. text Even though I deny it with my words, my body seems to have a mind of its own. text "Now do you understand? text This is what you've wanted in the first place, Nii-san. text There's no escaping it." text "Th-...." text That's, not, true. text ~ text "----Kohaku, please continue." text ~ text The instant I try to deny it, Kohaku-san touches my shaft with her fingers. text That fully erect, expanded piece of meat. text Kohaku-sa.. n.. takes her delicate fingers and wraps them around it. text "------A, gg........!" text More than just her touch, the simple fact that it's Kohaku's fingers causes my mind to white out. bgload IMA_11.png text Kohaku's fingers. text Their soft touch make me more excited. bgload event/KOHA_H10.png text "Oh.. Shiki-san, you're becoming more like a man. text You're so lively. text Amazing." text Her voice is getting heated. text "But there is still a long way to go. text See--Akiha-sama is watching, so you should make it a little bigger." text Suddenly, text her fingers start to move. text Sliding sensually up and down my entire length. text "Ts----, ah......!" text I let out a weak gasp. text Unprepared for this sudden attack, my back arches in surprise. text "Hm.... You really are excited. text I can't believe you're getting bigger." text Kohaku sounds as if she really is impressed, using three fingers to stroke me like she is playing with a new toy. text "Ah----, Kohaku, s.. to---" text It almost feels as if she's squeezing me rather than stroking me. text She grins like she is truly enjoying this. text "Now, now, Shiki-san. text Akiha-sama is watching you, so you have to make sure she can hear you." text Kohaku-san moves her fingers as if she's enjoying this. text My swollen organ is already rock hard----but Kohaku-san's fingers manipulate it as if it were as soft as clay. text "Ah------, gg-------" text It really does feel like clay. text Kohaku-san's delicate fingers swirl around the surface like a master craftsman working an old, familiar potter's wheel. text Twisting. text Pushing. text Squeezing. text Stretching. text Her fingers dart playfully here and there like a school of icefish. text Totally disconnected from my mind, my shaft is shaped according to Kohaku-san's will. bgload IMA_11.png text "------, Ah........!!!!" text What a technique. text All ten of her fingers have transformed into an obscene, fine-tuned machine and taken control of my shaft---- bgload event/KOHA_H10B.png text ".... Mm, Shiki-san, you're gritting your teeth too much. text Now now, if you make that sort of face, it makes me want to service you more." text "-----Kohaku.. san----" text "That won't do. text You shouldn't be calling my name, Shiki-san. text You belong to Akiha-sama, so please call her name. text Isn't that right, Akiha-sama?" text .... Kohaku calls over to where Akiha is leaning against the wall. text ".................... Yes. text .... Nii-san.. is mine.. after all------" text ~ text Her voice is very soft, almost inaudible. text "Heh, that's how it is. text Do you understand Shiki-san? text No matter what happens, you must only think of Akiha-sama, okay?" text Saying that, text the gentle movement of her fingers changes. text For just an instant, text she grabs my shaft with one hand, and pushes at the tip with her thumb---- text "Ha, ah----,..........!" text A weak groan sneaks past my lips, despite my attempts to stifle it. text Kohaku's fingers return to their gentle caressing. text "Ohh. text You can't keep it in, can you, Shiki-san? text Does it really feel that good? text Even though I'm doing this to you against your will, and Akiha-sama is watching, it really feels so good that you can't even hold back?" text "Ts------" text Kohaku's teasing voice. text "You're wrong----" text "It's not wrong. text Even though Akiha-sama is watching you, you let your voice out because it felt good. text Shiki-san, you are her Onii-san, but you couldn't even hold yourself back in front of Akiha-sama." text "-----------" text In the midst of my mingling embarrassment and resentment, these sensations force their way through, and I start to bulge out against her delicate fingers. text "Kya---!" text Kohaku's small voice cries out. text Momentarily freed, my completely swollen shaft sways back and forth. text "Wow.... Shiki-san, amazing...." text Kohaku-san sounds impressed. text ~ text "........, a........" text I hear the half-hidden sounds of breathing coming from near the wall. text ~ text "Going back and forth like this and twitching so much.. how dirty." text "Wha------" text Kohaku san's words are so embarrassing I look away. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text nn...... ah........, ha.......... text ------What is it? text From just beyond the edge of my vision, text comes the sound of suppressed exhalation---- text "Hehe----but even though you're this dirty, it's still very pretty. text Your skin is stretched tight, and it has no weird spots. text Most men look very ugly down here, but yours is very different Shiki-san." text She says this happily, then purses her lip together and blows against me. text Her soft, hot breath swirls around my throbbing tool. text "Tss------" text I can't stand it, so I close my eyes. text I can't even deny Kohaku's words. text No matter what I say, I'm still bound hand and foot, erect in front of Akiha. text It----is too embarrassing. text I can't look them in the eyes. text "Don't you think so too, Akiha-sama? text Right here, Shiki-san is hard and erect--like the antlers of a stag." text "Eh...... ah, y.... yes.... I can't believe.... that is Nii-san." text Her faltering voice is mixed with what sounds like heavy breathing. text "Akiha-sama? text Is this the first time you've seen a man?" text "Of.... of course it is....! text I.. I've never.... seen, something like this----" text "Is that so? text Oh, then please don't be mistaken. text Shiki-san really is pretty down here. text Other men look much uglier in comparison." text "Eh....? text R-really? text .... Um, Nii-san's.. is special....?" text "Yes, it's well-shaped and bigger than most people. text But that doesn't really matter. text Can you see Akiha-sama? text The most important thing is that it is Shiki-san." text "Yes.... That's.... Nii.. san----" text "No, Shiki-san is still holding back. text So as you have ordered Akiha-sama, I will make him into a dirty beast." text ~ text "Sorry, Shiki-san." text ~ text Speaking without a hint of apology in her voice, Kohaku brings her face between my legs. text At that instant----an incandescent shock of lighting races through my back. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png text I feel something.. wet. text My hot, burning manhood suddenly comes into contact with something very wet----- text "Eh----eh----!?" text I throw my head up, and in that instant, lose all the remaining reason I have left. text Kohaku's tongue is licking me. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Ah........................ text "Mm.... Shiki-san, so.. hot." text "Tss......, tss......" text Kohaku's.. sweet breath swirling around me.. is making me crazy. text I feel my entire being focus on that one point. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ................ ha.............. text ".... mm.... n, mhm, ah.... n...." text Her fingers hold me.. and as I swell, she licks me with her delicate pink tongue. text "Ah----mm.... Shiki.. san---" text .... Her movements.. are very careful and enthusiastic. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... Hwa...... nn...... Nii-san, how.... dirty.... text The back of her tongue. text The tip of it as it slides around me. text The lips that embrace my tip. text She licks me as if trying to taste everything. text Her small tongue laps diligently at my tip. text ~ text This sensation. text It's so much better than her fingers alone. text Why----with just her tongue, can she make my heart pound like this? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ........ Ah........ N, nn............ text "Shiki-san.... hey, Shiki-san, does.. it.. feel good....?" text She looks at me with glittering, upturned eyes. text But she still doesn't stop caressing me. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .......... ah,........ nn. text aah----! text "It feels good, doesn't it....? text Since you're feeling good, I also.. feel----" text "A----, ha, gh----........!" text Resisting the heat rising inside of me, I grip the bed sheets. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ........ mm........ nn, haah, ah------ text Her dainty, delicate fingers continue to embrace me. text Indecent slurping noises. text From my testicles to my tip, her fingers stroke me with wet slopping noises. text ~ text "See Shiki-san, if I do this, you will----!" text ~ text She slides her fingers even harder. text "-----, ah-----!" text ~ text ........ mm, ah........! text ~ text I'm not the only one experiencing this pleasure. text "Eh----Aki.. ha........?" text I shift my blank stare. text I hear the sounds of heavy breathing. text But they don't belong to me---- bgload IMA_10.png text Ah.... nn, Nii, san......! text ~ bgload event/AKI_H15.png text ----Akiha is also panting quietly. text "Wha......" text .... My mind is blank and I can't quite understand what's happening. text All I can see is Akiha's indecent state. text Her white legs are positioned unabashedly on the chair, spread apart as if they were ready to receive a man. text ~ text "Haa.... ah.... Nii-san, how----" text ~ text I hear the sounds of fabric on moist flesh. text Her pure white panties were wet and stuck directly to her. text "Aah, mm.... dirty.... Nii-san.... making that kind of a face----!" text Her fingers rub her panties over her swollen folds. text Her long middle finger, like a well-crafted work of art, slides up and down along the crevice formed in her panties. text ~ text "Ah----haa, ah------ah........!!" text ~ text Breathing heavily and appearing as if she can't see anything, Akiha continues moving her fingers. text As her essence drips onto the chair, she goes from one finger to two. text "Ah...., nn......! text Ha, no----Nii-san, more, har.. der------!" text Her body starts to tremble softly. text Her panties, the chair, and her fingers are coated with dripping juices as Akiha continues to pleasure herself. text "Ah, ha.... a, Nii, san----Shiki-Niisan, you--just don't.. know----!" text Akiha breathes heavily, as if trying to expel something hot from inside her. text I realize her passionate breathing is strangely----matching itself to the rhythm of my own. text "A----Aki, ha----" text "Hwaa, haa.... ha, I love you so much----so why........!" text Her face contorts in pain. text .... She bites down on her pinky finger, as if trying to bring herself out of her trance---- text ~ text "Now, now, you shouldn't do that, Shiki-san. text I have to punish you for looking away." text ~ text ----Kohaku's voice. text As she speaks, I feel a sensation like a blade flowing along my shaft. text "----, Ah, ha......!" text I don't even know what she's doing anymore. text My body bound by Kohaku, my mind bound by Akiha.. I don't even know where I am. text "Ts---ha, kk........!" text Thump. text A sensation rises from my hips. text .... Am I climaxing even without me knowing about it? text What I've held back for so long is already released. text But I'm still erect as Kohaku continues to play with me. text ~ text ----No, am I wrong? text ~ text "Mm----Nii-san, louder----so I can hear, Shi.. ki----!" text Akiha moans so wildly I think she might break herself. text The sight of her writhing figure soaks my brain. text "Ah----Hwaa, ah, ah----Nii-san.... Nii-san, Nii-san Nii-san Nii-san....!! text Even though I love you so much Nii-san,----!" text ~ text Akiha frantically calls my name. text Ashamed, but unable to stop herself, she asks for me with her fingers. text A deep breath. text Her sighs are so hot they might burn me if they touch my skin. text ".... A.... Aki.. ha.... this----" text ".... Ha, haaa----ah.... kk, mm....!!" text Akiha's back arches. text .... She doesn't see me or even hear my voice. text Well, for that matter, text her voice and image don't reach me either. text "Akiha----I.. you-----" text "Nii.. san----more, more----" text My mind is melting. text I don't even know who is caressing me right now. text It's Kohaku's mouth. text But in reality, only Akiha's voice matters. text "Akiha----me too----" text "Naah....! text Ah, n, Nii, san----!" text .... I can hear her voice. text Akiha seems to have reached her limit. text The sound of our wild breathing synchronizes in perfect harmony. text From that, I feel like Akiha and I are making love, and I go mad. text Any taboo, or common sense, or the me that was embarrassed.. none of that matters now. text "Ah-----A, Aki, ha----" text "Yes-----come, please come, Nii-san........!!" text A broken pulse. text A final scream issues from my splattering shaft, its limit reached long before. bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text "Nn-----Shiki, my.. Shiki......!!" text With my impulse comes that voice. text "A------kiha." text My body is drained of energy. text Spurt. text Spurt. text My pent up emotions spray all over the bed, dirtying the sheets. text ~ text ................ text ~ text I can't hear her voice anymore. text "Ha----ah, ah------" text My raging heart gradually begins to calm. text Calm. text With that, everything that I had tried so hard to resist, and the person that was the brother of Akiha.. crumbles away---- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar akiha_regard + 3 jump s128.scr bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text "-----Hisui, perhaps?" text .... Maybe she is just checking to see if I am sleeping soundly during her nighttime patrol. text It wouldn't be strange if Akiha told her to check up on me since I've been spending the night somewhere else.... text ".........., Zzzz~" text Well, I should just pretend I'm fast asleep to make Hisui feel better if that's the case. sound SE_08.wav 1 text .... The footsteps don't stop. sound SE_10.wav -1 text The noisy footsteps don't sound like Hisui. text She is always trying to politely hide her presence, so this is very strange. text .... I sense her draw near. text It seems she is just standing by my bed. text "............ Zzzz~" text It might not be Hisui. text I open my eyes slightly so as not to give myself away. bgload BG_40D.png bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T02.png 62 0 bgload BG_40D.png text ".......... Zzzz~" text Without a doubt, it's Hisui. text But I'm certain that she appears to be acting strange. text "...................." text ".................... Zzzz~" text Hisui stares at me silently. text "------Ah." text She tries to speak, but stops herself. text .... Hisui repeats herself and remains in place. text .... text ........ text ............ text ................ text .................... text ........................ text ............................ It's gotten very tense. text ~ text I don't know what she wants to say, but to leave her like that seems pitiful. text First of all, I can't sleep like this. text "............ Zzzz~" text But the instant I decide to stop pretending I'm asleep and ask her, text ~ text "...... Are you awake, Shiki-sama....?" text ~ text I hear her hesitant voice. text "............ Hisui?" text As naturally as I can, I pretend to wake up. text As soon as I sit up, there--- sound ~ bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T20.png 62 0 music 01.mp3 text ~ text ----I see Hisui acting strangely. text ~ text "What is it Hisui? text This late at night.. did something happen?" text ".... Yes, I have come to complete my nighttime duty, Shiki-sama." text Hisui says something I can't quite understand in a fading voice. text "....? text A nighttime, duty? text What's that?" text Titling my head, I look at Hisui directly. text "................" text Hisui doesn't answer but just averts her gaze. text "............" text "................" text "...................." text "........................" text "............................" text ~ text ----Another long, uncomfortable silence ensues. text "Hisui. text Um, unless you explain a bit clearer, I won't understand what you mean." text I say this to break the silence. text And then, bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T13.png 62 0 text "A nighttime duty is a nighttime duty. text It is what you desired, so such words are very troublesome." text She almost looks like she is sulking. text "-------" text I don't understand what she is getting at. text But, more than that.... tonight, she seems different from her usual self. text .... Not so much her words, but she seems so cute, I suddenly want to tease her. text ".... Hisui? text Sorry, but I still don't get it. text What is this nighttime duty?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T20.png 62 0 text ".... Um, do you really not understand, Shiki-sama?" text "Isn't that what I'm saying? text If I can help, I'll help, so tell me what you need." text "................" text Hisui goes quiet again. text But this time, it isn't for very long. bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T21.png 62 0 text "I am here to be your nighttime partner, Shiki-sama." text Hisui blushes furiously as she says this. text "Oh, I see. text My nighttime partner. text That's what it is." text After I understand, music ~ text ~ text "-----EeeeEEEEh!?" text ~ text I pull back so quickly I almost fall out of bed. text "............" text Still looking down, Hisui doesn't say anything. text "--------Wha--" text I try to say something, but I can't speak. text .... Um, in other words, text it seems Hisui came here to sleep with me. text "............ I'm dreaming." text I pinch myself to check. text .... It hurts, and Hisui doesn't disappear. text "W-why?" text All I manage to blurt out is that single word. bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T20.png 62 0 text "................" text Clutching her hands together, Hisui barely meets my gaze. text ~ text "........ Because, I am yours, Shiki-sama." text ~ text Her voice is full of warmth. text "Mine? text Hisui-----" text Thump. text My pulse quickens. text "I don't think of you like that---" text I don't want to think about it, but. bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T28.png 62 0 text "-------" text If she makes that expression, text my dizziness gets worse. text "---Hisui, you can't be serious. text I don't.. really." text I never thought about having sex with Hisui or anything like that--- text ".... Shiki-sama, are you saying you hate me?" text She looks like she's scared I might say yes. text There's no man in this world who could resist those eyes. text "N-no way....! text Hisui, I---" text ~ text .... In the very depths of my dreams, text did I think I want Hisui? bgload IMA_11.png sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload BG_40D.png text .... My pulse races. text .... My reasoning is fading. text .... There's something wrong. text .... I just confirmed this wasn't a dream. text But it seems like I'm in a dream and my thoughts are inconsistent, and I really am thinking that I want Hisui----- bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T02.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama.... am I no good?" text "Stupid---That's not it. text Hisui, I like you." bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T20.png 62 0 text Hisui relaxes visibly. text ".... But, this is something different. text Even if you are my servant, this isn't something you have to do.... I can't do anything you don't want to do." text Thump, Thump. text I manage to gather up enough reason to point this out. bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T21.png 62 0 text "---------Shiki.. sama." text She clenches her hands even tighter. text ".... I am not against it. text I am completely yours. text .... So is it wrong for me to wish for you to love me too?" text She speaks in bits and pieces. text As it reaches my ears, the last traces of rational thought disappear. text "Hisui, but---" text I take my eyes away from Hisui as I speak. text But, even that, bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T22.png 62 0 text "Please.... take a look, Shiki-sama." text Once I glimpse her fingers grasping her skirt, I can no longer look away. sound ~ music 05.mp3 bgload event/HIS_H15.png text That instant, my breath catches in my throat. text "-----------" text Her upraised skirt. text The delicate, graceful legs of a young girl. text And between those legs, that which would normally be covered is plainly visible. text "...................." text I can hear her trembling as she breathes. text Her delicately curved, trembling white body. text Her exposed slit is a perfect match for the rest of her beautiful body. text The lips around it are so small, they really do seem like flower petals. text "........ Ah.........." text Those petals quiver slightly. text Being seen must be extremely embarrassing for her. text ".................." text But she still doesn't move. text Skirt raised and completely exposed, she closes her eyes and blushes, waiting for me. text "Hi----sui." text It's all I can say. text .... There is no smell coming from her. text Yet I am completely intoxicated from the aroma. text Her figure isn't full of womanly curves, but I still feel my heart racing. text It feels like the warmth from underneath her skirt has somehow filled the entire room. text My head, my throat, even my fingertips are all held in thrall. text ----Hisui. text ~ text Hisui, who is shyly closing her eyes.. text Even though I know I should stop her, I keep on thinking the opposite---- text "................" text Hisui trembles in silence. text Her delicate trembling. text It was only her fingers at first, but then her legs, and her thighs too. text She's shaking. text She brings her legs closer together, as if to hide the glorious treasure between them. text "...................................." text Hisui's breathing becomes harder. text .... I thought she would speak up. text No, that's not it, I just simply--- text ~ text "---Hisui." text ~ text wanted to hear her voice. text I reach out. text And bring Hisui's trembling body into my embrace. text ~ text ".................. Ah." text ~ text Her body jerks. text "Hisui, I----" text I don't know what I should say. text When I snatch her violently into my arms, she looks up at me with moistened eyes. text ".... Yes. text Please, take good care of me, Shiki-sama." text "-----------" text Her words have a strange magic. text My raging heart suddenly calms. text ".... I understand. text That makes me very happy, Hisui." text I sit her down on the bed. text "Then, don't move until I tell you to. text And don't speak unless I ask you." text Hisui nods. text My fingers moves under her upraised skirt. text "................" text She watches my finger, unable to do anything. text Pretending not to notice, I reach out with my middle finger and lightly stroke her slit. text "Ah............" text Hisui's whole body quivers. text I tried to be as gentle as I could, but she seems to have felt it strongly. text ".... Mm.... you're so soft here, Hisui." text I put my middle and index fingers together and continue stroking her. text As gently as I can, I stroke the entire area. text "Ha........ ah......" text Her breathing becomes louder. text A soft caress. text I continue my soft massage, taking my finger up and down her slit. text "-----, Nn........!" text "Hm....? text Hisui, did you say something?" text "Ah.... No, it is.... nothing, Shiki.. sama." text "I see, that's good. text I thought you forgot I told you not to speak." text Saying that, text I suddenly slip a finger inside her. text "------Nha........!" text Her back arches in response. text I haven't even put more than the tip of my finger in yet, so I don't know what will happen if I go farther. text ".... Wow, this is how it always is? text It's moist all over and it's really wet." text "Ah............" text Hisui swallows her words and blushes to the tips of her ears. text Probably to obey my order not to speak. text "You really are dirty. text I haven't even done anything, and you're already wet, Hisui." text "---------" text Hisui stands there in embarrassment. text "No, I'm sorry. text If that's how it is, I should have hurried up and done.. this!" text I plunge my finger deeper. text "Kgh...., mm......!" text Hisui throws her head back. text I feel her body squeeze me lightly in response. text ".... Man, it's only one finger. text You must be sensitive, Hisui." text I slide my finger in deeper and slowly twist it around inside of her. text "------! text Tss,.... a." text Her lips shake uncontrollably. text .... But still, she continues to follow my command. text Desperately trying to keep from crying out and breaking the rule I've set for her. text ".... You're pretty persistent, Hisui. text But, well---it doesn't seem like you can hold out much longer." text "Eh.... Shiki.. sama....?" text "Because you're already really wet inside. text Being wet from just one finger, there's something wrong with that." text "--------" text Hisui's face turns even redder. text ".... No, Shiki-sama---it is because you're the one touching me, I----" text "Hey, don't speak. text I didn't ask you about that." text "Ah------!" text I move my finger again. text It slides along her inner walls. text "---Ah---ngah, mm........!" text I can feel the warmth of her breath. text ".... Hisui, did you say something?" text ".... Ah........ no, noth.. ing-----" text She clenches her teeth. text But she can't keep her breathing from growing louder. text ".... That's good, but.. I don't think this finger will be enough for you." text I pull my finger out with a wet sound. text Coated in her juice, a wet line connects my finger to her. text "Ah-----" text Hisui looks down in amazement. text "Then I'll do this next.... Hisui, make sure you remember what I told you." text "Ah...... Ye.. s." text Hisui nods. text At the same time, I thrust two fingers inside of her. text "Hya, nn------!" text Her back arches once more and she tightens inside. text "Ah.... oh.... ahn------" text Her escaping breath is so hot it's almost burning me. text To make it even hotter, I slide both of my fingers up and down. text "Nn.... nn----" text Her whole body shakes in response. text No matter how she tries, she can't seem to resist the pleasure seeping through her whole body. text Her movement betrays her passion even as she tries to stifle her cries. text "Hisui, even if you moan this much, I can't hear it. text You're making too much noise down here." text I move my fingers hard, and the sound of wet flesh on flesh gets louder. text "No----no.... Shiki-sama." text She looks away, blushing furiously. text Her face is so cute---I just want to tease her even more. text "You have to want this. text You're leaking so much you're making my carpet dirty. text It's pretty obvious that you're a dirty girl." text "Ah.... nhaa....,......" text I continue to work my fingers as I speak. text While moving my finger inside her, I curl my middle finger. text "----Ha..........!?" text Her body instantly jerks. text My bent finger slides along her inner wall. text "Aahh----nghaa, hwah-----!" text She must be really sensitive there; she can't stifle her cries. text "Hisui, didn't I tell you not to say anything?" text "A-----Yes, Shiki.. sama----" text Hisui is panting heavily. text But I still don't stop rubbing inside her. text "Nn.... haa, ah----Ah." text She's breathing hard, as if she has a high fever. text ".... Hm.... You've even gotten bigger down here." text I lean forward and lick her swollen clit. text "Nahh------!?" text Hisui tries to arch back. text "Hisui. text I didn't say you could move." text ".... Ye.... yes.... Shiki.. sa.... ma." text Her voice is barely audible. text I caress her, inside and out. text Even though I'm barely doing anything, her body seems to be at its limit already. text ".... Hisui. text Is this, your first time?" text "A---n, Ah.... Ye.. s..... text Because, Shiki-sama, you are.. my only master-----" text She answers me with a quivering voice. text ".... I see. text Then, here is your reward." text I lick her once more. text Using the tip of my tongue, I pull her hood back and lick her clit. text "Eh---ah, oh......!!!" text It's her loudest cry so far. text Ignoring that, I lick even harder. text "Ah, haa, ah----Shiki-sa.. ma------!" text It isn't just licking. text I lick as if I was trying to flatten her clit. text "Ah.... ngah.... N, no-----Shiki-sama, please----please stop it-----Haa, ahn, ah.... Shiki.. sama....!" text She convulses with pleasure. text Her face rises up to heaven as she breathes wildly. text ~ text The knuckles of the fingers grasping her skirt turn white. text "Ha---This is.. too much---! text Ahh.... Shiki.. sama, please.... please forgive me, Shiki.. sa.. maaa-----!" text She gives a crumbling, weak cry. text Her knees give out and she falls onto the bed. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40D.png text .... The sound of labored breathing echoes throughout the room. text Hisui lays exhausted on the bed. text Since I am sitting on the bed, Hisui naturally falls into my arms. text "............ Hisui?" text I whisper into her ear as I hold her. text "--------" text There's no response. text All I can hear is her heavy breathing. text She does not seem capable of answering me. text .... Just, text the warmth of her arms grabbing me tells me she is conscious. text "............" text Time passes by with the two of us like that. text Just holding her warm body in my arms feels so nice---and more than that, I'm thrilled by the feeling of Hisui grabbing onto me like a child. text "-------Mm." text I can feel her heartbeat. text .... Really, what came over me earlier? text Hisui was entrusting herself to me so honestly, and I treated her like that. text I feel so guilty I want to die. text ".... If Akiha finds out, she'll kill me...." text .... Yeah, there's no denying that. text "............" text Hisui finally catches her breath. text ".......... Shiki.. sama....?" text Still in my arms, she looks up at me. text ".... Oh, I'm sorry, Hisui. text I guess I overdid it." text "............" text She looks directly at me with vacant eyes. text ".... No, I am fine. text Shiki-sama, if you are satisfied, then I am happy." text Blushing, she speaks with her usual serious expression. text .... That face.. is just too cute. text Thanks to that, something that was calm starts to re-awaken inside of me. text "--------!" text I quickly pull away from Hisui. text .... Because if we stayed in that position, my hardened shaft would poke into her stomach. text ".... Shiki-sama....?" text Hisui looks at me in confusion. text "Is something wrong? text Um.... was I.. unsatisfactory after all....?" text She sounds uneasy. text Like she's worried that I might hate her. text "---No. text It's not like that at all. text There's nothing unsatisfactory about you. text See, it's just that my mind is satisfied, but my body isn't...." text I don't say it exactly right. text ~ text ----And then, text Hisui blushes and looks down. text ".... Hisui?" text ".... Please forgive me for making you say that, Shiki-sama." text She speaks hesitantly. text "Ah-----" text Looking down, I realize that I am standing fully erect in front of her..... text It would be strange if she didn't notice, really. text "Ah, no, that---that's fine, really! text I'll calm down soon, so don't worry about it!" text My frantic stammering seems to have the opposite effect. text ".... Shiki-sama. text I have not yet serviced you." text She looks directly at me. text "Please relax. text I am not used to this, but I will do my best to serve you." text I don't even have time to stop her. text She takes off her clothes and slowly brings her face towards my crotch. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/HIS_H16.png text .... Her movements really are innocent. text Lowering my zipper, she exposes my swelling member. text She doesn't show so much as a hint of distaste at seeing this large, grotesque thing, but touches me with hands that seem to be doing this for the first time. text ".... Ah...." text She touches it and lets out a gasp, probably out of surprise at how hot it is. text Slowly and hesitantly, she grasps my shaft, moving as if handling something fragile. text ".... Hisui, if it's your first time, you don't have to force yourself." text ".............." text Hisui shakes her head. text Without hesitating, almost as if she is kissing it, she touches me with her lips. text "-------" text I swell in response to that soft sensation. text The feeling of another's lips.... the feeling of Hisui's lips causes my blood to burn. text "Shiki-sama....? text Does it.. hurt?" text "Oh, no. text Your lips just felt so good." text ".... So, it doesn't hurt....?" text "Of course not," I say with a smile, trying to reassure her as she looks at me full of worry. text Clearly relieved, she uses more pressure than before. text "N-------" text Heat boils deep in my loins. text Her caress really is light. text She might not know how to do it, because she only holds me with her fingers and sucks my tip gently. text .... But, that doesn't mean it doesn't feel good. text ~ text ".... Ah.... mm.... Shiki-sama, is this.. good....?" text ~ text Even though she is inexperienced, she does her best to please me. text The delightful sensation of her lips as they embrace me. text Not even fully in her mouth, but just between her lips. text ".... Oh.... you're starting to drip." text A line of pre-come drizzles out. text Not minding it the least bit, she uses her tongue to lap it up. text "----, Ah----" text My hips rise in response to the sensation. text ".... Mm.... Shiki-sama, it's so hot." text Hisui tightens her grip, trying to stop my shaft from moving around. text ".......... Hisui." text .... I could have told her what to do to make it feel even better. text But, I don't need it. text Just having her trying her best to please me is enough. text ".... Shiki.. sama....?" text ".... Yeah, it feels good, Hisui." text I let my fingers wander through her hair. text I love her right now more than I want her. text Her red hair, her flushed cheeks.... Trying so hard, even though it's her first time. text "Ah.... Yes, I am very happy, Shiki-sa, ma---" text She continues to work on me with even more enthusiasm. text Her fingers squeeze me hungrily. text Her tongue, her mouth, they caress me almost non-stop. text "-----Ah." text The heat within me rises higher. text .... As if she started to figure out what to do, she starts to kiss not only my tip, but my whole shaft. text "Mm.... ahmm.... Shiki-sama, is this good....?" text "-------" text Not answering, I resist the urge welling up within me. text ".... Ah.... nn, mmh-----" text Her lips lower themselves around my shaft. text In between them, her tongue plays back and forth. text "Hey----Hisui, you should get back." text I say this, but I don't even try to make her get away. text "Ah---Shiki-sama, it is.. so----" text Big, she probably means to say. text On the verge of release, I'm swelling even larger. text "Hi.. sui---I'm going to come, so you should.. get back." text "Yes.... please come, Shiki.. sama...." text As she says this, her hot breath billows all around me. text .... She knows. text She knows what's coming next, and embraces my manhood firmly with her lips. text "Ahh----,---!" text With that, I explode. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/HIS_H16.png text "Ah, mmph------!?" text I can hear Hisui's muffled voice. text I release all of my pent up desire. text With her small lips, she diligently swallows it. bgload IMA_11.png text "-------Hi, sui." text Intoxicated by the feeling of release, I look at Hisui's throat. text She's swallowing every drop. text Her blue eyes like glass, brimming with tears. text ~ text ----With that, I suddenly think. text ~ text Hisui is so dedicated, but clumsy. text .... It really is sad. text If this is reality and not a dream, I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking of her as being like a doll----- music ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text ......, ............, ................ text ~ text "---Mor---ning?" text I dazedly open my eyes. text Sunshine pours in from the window, and the room is enveloped in a warm atmosphere. text "--------" text I stare down at my hands. text My hands are a little sweaty. text My body is drenched in sweat as well, as if I was in an incredibly hot night. text My body is sluggish. text It isn't uncomfortable, rather it is more the feeling of completion. text ~ text "-------?" text I shake out my shoulders. text .... My body seems just fine. text But Hisui is not in front of me. text Her fingers and breath that were caressing me until now have disappeared like they were never there. text "Huh-----?" text Hisui's fingers, and breath....? text ~ text "AAH-------!" text ~ text I jump out of bed. text Thinking back to that dream, I'm suddenly assailed by regret. text "I don't, believe it----" text .... Just what kind of dream was I having? text I imagined Hisui coming here and telling me she's here to do her nighttime duty.... I really have to question my taste. text "Haa----ahhh." text Stretching my back, I take in a deep breath. text .... I try to forget about my dream, but it won't fade that easily. text "............ Hisui." text I know it had to be a dream---but it felt too real. text It makes me think it might have actually happened. text .... All the same, it had to have been a dream. text I could say that it was good at least on that note. text ".... But she sure was cute." text ~ text ---As I remember the dream, my feelings are mixed. text The real Hisui is never that open about her feelings. text She is always calm and expressionless, and she rarely blushes. text "................" text .... So I still can't help but to feel regret on that part. text I know it's wrong, but I think back to the honest Hisui in my dream. text And, then, bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaaaaa!" text ~ text ---Hisui appears with her usual expression. text "AAAhHHHhh Hisui!" text Scramble, scramble, roll, thud. text The shock causes me to roll out of the bed and plaster the nearby wall. text Thankfully, the sheets were still wrapped around my waists. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T18.png 62 0 text ".... Shiki-sama. text Do you have something against me?" text She looks angry. text .... Well, suddenly spinning around like that and calling her name, she probably has a right to feel I'm acting strange. text ".... N-no, it's nothing.... uh, anyway, how long, were you here?" text .... Still in disarray, I blurt the first thing to come to mind. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Before you awoke, Shiki-sama, why do you ask?" text She looks at me with a dissatisfied expression. text "Uh.........." text Seeing her eyes like that, I feel like I am the lowest form of life on earth. bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text ".... Oh. text Before I, woke up...." text ---Eh. text That means, text Hisui saw my face when I was having that dream?--- text "Hisu, Hisui, um-----" text Still lying on the floor tangled in the sheets and unable to stand, I look up at Hisui's face. text Hisui just stands there expressionless as usual and makes no attempt to speak. text "Um.... Did I look, strange....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text "I do not wish to describe it." text "Ah---oh." text .... I knew it. text I must have looked really weird. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "But, if you insist, Shiki-sama, I can describe as accurately as I can." text ".... No, you don't.. have to do that...." text My face still flushed, I speak in a fading voice. text "Um, Hisui-san?" text "What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Um, I'm going to change, so could you please go outside?" text ~ text --Or rather, I'm so embarrassed, I just want her to leave. text ".... I understand. text Please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png text She gives a bow and goes to leave. text I take a deep breath, text and relax. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T18.png 62 0 text ".... By the way, Shiki-sama." text She turns around with a fearsome expression. text "Could you please tell me what kind of dream you were having?" text She looks at me. text .... This isn't good. text I might have said something really bad in my sleep. text ".... Um, it isn't much to talk about. text I may have spoke something in my sleep, but it would be great if you think it has nothing to do with me at all...." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text ".... That is fine. text But from now on, please refrain from sleeping while talking about the smallness of someone's chest, or the wideness of their foreheads, or other characteristics of their body. text It makes my duty to wake you up a little more difficult." bgload BG_40A.png text "Please excuse me," Hisui says as she leaves the room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After calming down enough, I head to the sitting room. text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, elegantly sipping tea. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Oh, good morning Nii-san. text You are certainly up early this morning." text She must be happy I woke up early because she greets me with a smile. bgload BG_34A.png text "Yeah, good morning. text There were, well, a lot of things going on this morning." text "? text A lot of things? text What do you mean by that?" text "Um, well-----" text ~ text ----And then, text I suddenly recall my dream about Hisui. text "Ugh---" text This isn't good. text I can tell my face is blushing beyond my control. text "Nii-san---?" text A brief clamor. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "What's wrong? text Your face is red, do you have a fever?" text "-----!" text Rushing over to me, she looks up at me from below. text But, that angle, text Looking up at me like that, it resembles too much of the dream last night---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text Akiha sighs. text "You do seem to have a fever. text Kohaku, come quickly. text Nii-san doesn't seem to be well." text Akiha calls out to the dining room. text Kohaku-san has to be preparing my breakfast in the kitchen. text "I'm fine--! text It's just a minor cold, so don't worry!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "If it is a cold, then I can't let it go by. text For you, a trivial illness is a big deal. text The strength of your immune system is much lower than most people's." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha seems to be fed up and puts her hand on my forehead. text ~ text The sensation of her cool, delicate hand. text Her white, delicate fingers. text Completely different from a man's, those slender, pretty, white fingers------ text "Ah!" text This isn't good. text This isn't good at all, so I break loose and run out to the lobby. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text The sound of my footsteps trail behind me. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you finished your breakfast already?" text "No, that's not it, but--um, where's my bag?" text "I have your bag here. text Are you already going to school?" text Nodding, I snatch my bag from Hisui. text "I'm going. text Don't worry about seeing me off!" bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, you've been acting strange. text What are you doing with that fever?" text "Geez, I told you it's nothing! text Since it's nothing, I'm going to school! text I'll have breakfast later, so leave me alone!" text "Leave you alone---hey, Nii-san!?" text ~ text The sound of my running footsteps are my only response. bgload BG_32A.png text *sigh* text Even if it is Akiha, she wouldn't chase me this far. text Since we're not kids anymore, she won't stop me from going to school. text "----Whew." text I take a deep breath and calm down. text "...... What am I running away for?" text Once I calm down, I can think clearly. text I didn't do anything wrong, so there was no need for me to run away like that. text "---I don't believe it. text I look like a complete idiot." text But, to go back to the mansion to eat breakfast sounds more dumb. text "---School, then?" text Letting out a sigh, I go downhill along the residential street. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s129.scr bgload IMA_10.png text .... If someone is coming to my room, it either has to be Kohaku-san, Hisui or Akiha. text Hisui and Kohaku-san would probably knock so that leaves only Akiha.... text ".......... Akiha?" text I sit up in bed and call out. text The moonlight only dimly illuminates the room, so I can hardly see. text I look around, but I don't see anyone's silhouette. text ".... Must be my imagination...." text My mind must be a little dull from lack of sleep. text I let out a breath and roll over onto my side. bgload BG_40C.png text The light on my nightstand comes on. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "------Eh?" text My heart skips a beat. text ".... That's strange. text I don't remember turning that on...." bgload BG_40D.png text I turn off the light. text I have school tomorrow, so I need to get some sleep. text "That won't do, Nii-san. text We'll need the lights on for this." text Suddenly, text from behind me, a calm voice calls out. text "-----!" text I turn around. text There, I see---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text Akiha, bgload BG_40D.png bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T03B.png 52 0 text and Kohaku-san. bgload BG_40D.png music 01.mp3 text "Akiha....? text What are you doing here at this hour? text And why is Kohaku-san with you? text Did something happen?" text I slip out of bed as I speak. text After exchanging glances, they laugh. bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T03B.png 52 0 text "Geez Shiki-san, you're too out of it. text Akiha-sama and I are here because there is something." text Kohaku-san giggles. bgload BG_40D.png text "....?" text I don't understand what's so funny. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "Kohaku, laughing like that is rude to Nii-san. text I understand how you feel, but you shouldn't surprise him too much. text We have to save the fun for later, right?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg KOHA_T12.png 52 0 text "Oh, forgive me Akiha-sama. text He's just so cute when he doesn't understand simple things like this, so I couldn't help it." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text ".... That's true. text Certainly Nii-san is a bit dense. text I mean, not even realizing why the two of us would come here this late at night, not even knowing his own position. text Yes, he's just like an innocent little puppy. text Cute, but clueless." bgload BG_40D.png text With a cold smile, Akiha looks my way. text "Aki, ha........?" text Seeing her eyes finally makes me understand that there's something wrong with the way they are acting. text .... How should I say it. text I don't sense any hostility, but it feels like they are up to something. text "Akiha, if you have something to say, I'll listen, so just go ahead. text We have school tomorrow, so we should go to bed early." text I tell her this as coolly as I can. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "............" text She stares at me without saying a word; she's not happy with something. text No, more than that.. text Akiha sighs. text ".... I thought Nii-san would be a little more flustered, but I'm a bit shocked that he's not getting in the mood." text She's talking as if I'm not even here. text "----? text Um, Akiha. text I still don't know what you are trying to say, but...." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T03B.png 40 0 text "Geez, Nii-san. text Just what kind of upbringing did you have at the Arima household? text Look, someone of the opposite sex is in your room at night. text A gentleman of your age should be excited just by that, but you're acting like normal. text It's just natural for a woman like me to be shocked by that." text She glares at me. text ".... Wait a minute, Akiha. text I would notice if girls were in my room, but you guys are different. text We're brother and sister, so this isn't a big deal, and Kohaku-san comes to check around every night." text Yeah, that's why this isn't surprising. text Akiha is my little sister, and Kohaku-san is a servant. text It isn't a big deal for them to come here, day or night, so I really don't---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "In other words, Nii-san, you see us more as family than you do as women? text ........ I see. text It might be good for you if that was really true." text She looks me over again with that strange smile. text That quiet look that seems to look into my mind. text "--------" text Thump. text My heartbeat starts to quicken. text .... There's something, odd. text Being looked at like that by Akiha, I start to feel more and more uneasy. text .... For example, text ~ text Like my true feelings of not being able to accept Akiha as my sister yet since she's changed so much since I last saw her. text ~ text Like my true feelings of me starting to feel more for Hisui and Kohaku-san than I should to just servants. text ~ text It feels like she is staring into my hidden feelings and I feel guilty. text "Oh? text What's wrong, Nii-san? text Suddenly looking away like that.. you look like you're hiding something." text "Wha----" text I realize my cheeks are getting red. text "O-of course not....! text Just tell me what you want. text If we don't get some sleep soon, tomorrow will be difficult." text Not to be defeated, I match her stare. text ~ text And then, text For some reason, Akiha gives a bored sigh. bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "How disappointing. text I was looking forward to seeing your confused face, Nii-san. text But this is boring. text Well, we'll watch you be embarrassed further, so I guess it will be okay." text "Huh------?" text I climb out of bed. text Wait a minute. text I think she just said something terrible----- text "Akiha, what are---" bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "Oh? text Is it okay for you to stand up with your body? text You have anemia, so you should be calm during the night. text You seem to be lacking sleep even now, and you were tired for the past few days, right? text Please pay more attention to your health, Nii-san. text Your body is very weak. text So, won't you collapse if you keep pushing yourself like this?" text "Wha------" text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Thump. text Her words seem to affect me. text "---What are you saying? text I'm fine---" text "Oh? text Funny, you're looking a little strained to me. text As if.... yes, your breathing is going to get wilder, your blood will feel sluggish in your veins, and see, your hands and feet are going to start feeling cold." text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Thump. text ~ text "Hey----Stop, it. text If you say that-----" text I really.. will feel.. dizzy--- music ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "No, it isn't just your imagination. text Your body was strange from when we came in, but you just never realized it, Nii-san. text See? text Kohaku was laughing earlier because you didn't even notice it yourself. text You're so weak that you might collapse at any time, but you don't ever think of your condition, Nii-san." bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "You are like a scarecrow, you being the only one not noticing that. text Wearing old clothes, bamboo for arms and legs. text From far away he looks human.. but once you look close, it's just something made up to take human form." text ~ text "Wha-----" text Why did she suddenly start talking about all this nonsense?----- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "Really, you still don't understand? text Your face is pale and your mind is numb. text You really are like a scarecrow, that you don't even want to admit to that. text Don't you think so too, Kohaku? text That Nii-san is like an ornament that could break at any time." text "Stu.... That, can't----" text ~ text be true. text It can't, but.. text Why----why am I really feeling dizzy---- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T11B.png 40 0 text "See, you're already at your limit. text Stop pushing yourself and lie down. text But you will stay awake. text You won't be able to move your arms and legs, but you will still be conscious." text "Stu---sto...... p----" text ~ text My body collapses. text I'm falling towards the bed, just like Akiha said--- text "----" text No. text My body isn't strange. text Because, I didn't have any symptoms of anemia earlier--- bgload BG_40D.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "I told you, it does not matter. text Your body is always under constraint. text So, you have no control tonight either. text ----Because. text ~ text You've always been my puppet, Nii-san." text ~ text "Wha-----" bgload IMA_10.png text I fall onto the bed. text .... In the end, Akiha was right. text Just like whenever I have an anemic spell, I lose consciousness--- sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png music 05.mp3 text "Hu----h?" text .... No, this time it's different. text My entire body is numb, but I'm still conscious. text I can't really concentrate, but I'm awake. text "Different, than my, usual, anemia...." text I stare blankly at the ceiling. text "Akiha-sama? text Um, did we overdo it....? text He looks like he really has anemia...." text .... Kohaku-san's, voice. text "What are you talking about, Kohaku? text You're the one who put some drugs into his dinner, so he will be a little dazed. text I only wanted him to sleep a bit. text I could have done that myself." text .... Akiha sounds dissatisfied. text ".... Hey, you two." text I call out to them, still lying down. text My arms and legs won't work, but I somehow manage to turn my neck and look at both of them. text "Shiki-san is very pure, so I guess suggestion seems to work easily on him. text I suppose that's a good trait about him too." text ~ text .... It seems they are ignoring me. text ~ text "Yes, but Kohaku, when they are too pure.. don't they make you want to dominate them?" text ~ text .... She looks over at me. bgload event/AKI_H14.png text "-----" text As soon as our eyes meet, I feel a chill run up my spine. text Coldness sinks into my skin, burrowing under my flesh and into my very core. text I feel as if my brain is becoming numb. text My body feels tied up as she looks at me with those eyes, as if time has stopped and the whole area has frozen up. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "A----Aki, ha?" text "............" text She doesn't say a word. text .... Thump. text My heart beats loudly. text Her face is entirely devoid of expression, but her eyes---her eyes glow like a predator stalking her prey----- text "Domination, huh? text Well, I like seeing his troubled face as much as his happy face, so I understand what you mean, Akiha-sama." text .... Next to Akiha, Kohaku-san tilts her head. text Akiha doesn't look at Kohaku-san, but she gives a small nod. text "Let's see, it's like a painting. text Hey Kohaku, let's say there's a painting that is well done, but not magnificent. text Because it's well done, you don't have any complaints, but you can't like it because it's just well done and doesn't have anything interesting about it. text In that case, do you know how to make it special for you, Kohaku?" text "Umm, let's see.... I don't know, Akiha-sama." text "It's simple. text You just have to paint over the painting and make it worthless. text As a result, that good painting will turn into trash. text But the process, breaking what is "good" for you, isn't it wonderful? text "---Isn't it beautiful just thinking about it? text I feel love and regret for that painting. text The pain as the painting gets ruined, anger at myself for ruining it, frustration because it's beyond repair, and more than anything else, the fact that I am the only one who can break it is absolute. text I think it is the happiness of owning it. text Because it is the only one, and because the wounds on it are put on there by me, you feel more attached to it. text Because the more marks you put on it, the more it becomes yours." text ~ text ----Without any motion. text Like a machine, Akiha laughs. text "Hey, Kohaku. text Don't you want to break that? text I think it will be.. enjoyable." text ~ bgload BG_40C.png text "Wha----Hey, Akiha........!" text I shout. text But Akiha doesn't respond, and Kohaku-san with her smile, text ~ text "Yes. text I understand, Akiha-sama," text ~ text responds like that. text "Erggh!" text I rally all of the strength in my body. text I strain as hard I can and order my lifeless limbs to stand. text "Tss,n~~~~~~~......!!!!!" text I strain. text I gradually feel my ability to move my arms and legs starting to return--- bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "That is enough, don't do that, Shiki-san. text You are anemic, so you shouldn't strain your body too much." text With her usual smile, Kohaku-san crouches beside the bed. bgload BG_40C.png text "Kohaku-san, what are----" text "What does it look like? text I am tying you down so you won't struggle. text It's okay, I'll only tie your wrists and ankles so it won't hurt that much." text "Tie? text What are you thinking----owww....!" I clench my jaw at the sudden pain. text As if she had a lot of practice, Kohaku-san expertly binds my hands and feet to the bed. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Tss............!" text I feel a tinge in the back of my head. text I don't know what those two are thinking. text But being bound hand and foot on my bed, just imagining what I look like makes me go crazy. text Having them see me like that, I'm so embarrassed I want to die---- text "Kohaku-san....! text Please stop fooling around....!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T15.png 52 0 text "Oh, Shiki-san, you're blushing. text To scream so much, it must be your first time being tied down." text "........! text Of, Of course it is! text Look, just untie me!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Akiha-sama, Shiki-san is saying all these things. text He doesn't seem to realize his position, so isn't it alright to treat him more roughly?" bgload BG_40C.png text "Eh-----Kohaku, san?" text Still smiling, she gazes down at me tied down. text Her look is far more frightening than Akiha's sharp gaze. text Is it like the cruelty of young kids? text Kohaku-san seems to be enjoying this far more than Akiha. text ".... I suppose. text Nii-san wanted you, so I'll leave the manner of lovemaking to you, Kohaku. text But, don't overdo it though. text Even if he does seem like a doll, Nii-san cannot be fixed once he's broken." text "That's true. text I'll try to be gentle, then." text So saying, text Kohaku-san begins to take off my clothes. text She straddles me as she begins her work. text In that position, she slowly undoes the buttons of my shirt, one by one. text With this task complete, her fingers move down to my pants. text "Wha, wha, wha........!" text I try to flail around, but it's no use. text I hear a dry, metallic sound. text Kohaku-san slowly begins to slide my zipper down. text "------Wha, what, are you, do........!" text I can barely speak. text I can't understand how or why all this is happening. text I can't grasp how I came to be tied to my bed, or why Kohaku-san is taking off my clothes. text "Shiki-san? text I haven't done anything yet.. does it really feel that good already....?" text With those outrageous words, Kohaku-san places her hand lightly on the front of my underwear. text "Th.. that's not it, but, Kohaku-san---!" text "Oh really? text Then you won't mind if I see all of you, Shiki-san." text "Tssss!" text She pulls my underwear down. text "----------" text My mind goes entirely blank. text She's exposed my lower body. text My limp member is unveiled for all to see. text "Aha! text Shiki-san, you're so small and you look so cute!" text Kohaku-san speaks happily from somewhere near my pelvis. text Being bound and stared at by Akiha's cool gaze makes me shrivel even more. text "--------!" text The rope creaks as I strain against it. text Embarrassed, I wanted to cover myself with both hands. text But bound as I am, I can't even do that. text "............" text Akiha continues to stare at me without speaking. text Blood rushes to my head. text "Ah-----ck." text I grit my teeth. text "It's okay, Shiki-san. text I'll help you perk up, so don't worry.." text With no regard for what I want, Kohaku-san's fingers reach out to me. text "N-------!" text My back arches in response. text Her fingers crawl up my thigh like an unhurried spider, her ultimate destination all too obvious. text One by one, they continue to advance with insidious slowness. text So slowly. text The feeling of being touched by someone else. text .... And the sensation that it is nearing my most personal space, throws my brain headlong into chaos. text "Hm...... What a bad boy, Shiki-san. text Getting this excited already?" text Tap. text As if playing a keyboard, Kohaku-san feels along my inner thigh. text "-----, h........!" text I try to hold my breath. text I close my eyes to avoid seeing her face, but I can still feel a piercing gaze boring into me. text .... It goes without saying. text It is Akiha's stare. text As long as that's there---I can't let anything out of my mouth. text .... Kohaku-san keeps going. text The delicate fingers creeping up my thigh---finally arrive at their destination. text "----, -----!" text A jolt rushes through me. text With just her finger, so softly they barely make contact, Kohaku-sa-Kohaku plays around.. my whole.. shaft. text "A----, gg---" text ~ text ---I don't.. understand. text ~ text Does it feel this good to be touched by someone else, or are her fingers special? text My blood starts pounding as her hand takes me in a light embrace. text Thump. text Thump. text In spite of my conscience, I find myself starting to get hard. text "Mm.... Shiki-san, you have to speak up----" bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png text "-----,m----!?" text The bed creaks. text Just now---I felt something slippery glide along the length of my scrotum. text "Hey----Kohaku.. san---!" text I lift my head and look down at her. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text "What-----" text Even though I expected it, text looking at the scene enchants my already confused brain. bgload event/KOHA_H10.png text "Kohaku, san---what, are you---" text "What am I doing? text I am servicing you, of course." text She answers as if what she's doing is perfectly natural. text But, that---to lick me there--- text "Y, you can't....! text Don't you think there's something wrong with doing something that dirty....!?" text "No, I don't. text Because these are Akiha-sama's orders, there's no room for me to think." text Akiha's orders? text That's ridiculous. text "A, Ah, Akiha............!!!!" text "What is it, Nii-san? text I'm right here. text There's no need to shout." text "Stop fooling around....! text What are you thinking!? text This is wrong....! text Why are you.. making Kohaku-san do this....!?" bgload event/AKI_H14.png text "Oh, just because I want to see it." text ~ text ---Simple. text She declares this as if I'm some sort of idiot making a big deal out of nothing. text ".... H, hey. text Y, you want to see it, Akiha....?" text "Is that a problem? text I am the head of the Tohno household. text When you returned here, you became mine. text You must have known that when you came back." text "Wha-----" text Is she kidding? text .... Certainly, I knew since she's the heiress for the Tohno family, I'm just a hanger-on, but--- text "You understand, don't you? text Tohno Shiki can only live in the Tohno household. text You have nowhere else to go, and you cannot separate yourself from me. text Tohno Shiki is owned by the Tohno family, and I am the head of that family, so you can't disobey me." text ~ text ---Why is it? text Akiha's words.. just listening to them makes me believe that it's the truth--- text "See? text You're my possession, so I can do whatever I want with you, Nii-san. text I just wanted to see your dirty, indecent body. text I'm not interested in anything else, and I don't want to hear anything you have to say." text Akiha's voice sounds terribly disinterested. text She-----she made Kohaku-san do such a dirty thing, but it seems like she's getting disappointed. text "Damn it! text Really, what are you thinking, Akiha....!? text If you don't stop this now, I'll really get angry....!" text "Is that so? text Funny, your body seems to like it just fine." text "Wha------" text Having said that, my whole body becomes hot. text Just like she said, my manhood has hardened from Kohaku-san's teasing. text Even though I deny it with my words, my body seems to have a mind of its own. text "Now do you understand? text This is what you wanted in the first place, Nii-san. text There's no escaping it." text "Th------" text That's, not.. true. text The instant I try to deny it, Kohaku-san touches my shaft with her fingers. text That fully erect, expanded piece of meat. text Kohaku-sa.. n.. takes her delicate fingers and wraps them around it. text "------A, gg........!" text More than just her touch, the simple fact that it's Kohaku's fingers causes my mind to white out. bgload IMA_10.png text "Damn-------it." text I close my eyes and grit my teeth, desperately trying to rid my mind of these perverted thoughts. text ~ text ----But, it's just wasted effort. text ~ text Kohaku's fingers. text Their soft touch make me more excited. text "Heh.. that's wonderful Shiki-san. text You're so lively. text Amazing." text Her voice is getting heated. text "But there is still a long way to go. text See--Akiha-sama is watching, so you should make it a little bigger." text Suddenly, text her fingers start to move. text Sliding sensually up and down my entire length. bgload event/KOHA_H10B.png text "Ts----, ah......!" text I let out a weak gasp. text Unprepared for this sudden attack, my back arches in surprise. text "Hm.... You really are excited. text I can't believe you're getting bigger." text Kohaku sounds as if she really is impressed, using three fingers to stroke me like she is playing with a new toy. text "Ah----, Kohaku, s.. to---" text It almost feels as if she's squeezing me rather than stroking me. text She grins like she is truly enjoying this. text "Ha, ah----,..........!" text A weak groan sneaks past my lips, despite my attempts to stifle it. text "Ohh. text You can't keep it in, can you, Shiki-san? text Does it really feel that good? text Even though I'm doing this to you against your will, and Akiha-sama is watching, it really feels so good that you can't even hold back?" text "Ts------" text Kohaku's teasing voice. text Makes me remember. text Akiha. text She's right there, and watching me---- text In the midst of my mingling embarrassment and resentment, these sensations force their way through. text I start to bulge out against Kohaku's delicate fingers. text "Kya---!" text Kohaku's small voice cries out. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/AKI_H14.png text "---------" text I can feel Akiha's gaze pierce my skin. text "----Hmm. text Nii-san, you've finally decided to be honest with yourself, it seems." text .... Akiha looks cool and composed.. the exact opposite of me at this moment. text "Okay Kohaku. text Please begin." text Her voice is like ice. text Kohaku gives a quick affirmative.. and a sudden flash runs through me. bgload IMA_11.png text I feel something.. wet. text My hot, burning manhood suddenly comes into contact with something very wet----- text "Ah----Ah----!?" bgload event/KOHA_H11.png text I throw my head up, and in that instant, lose all the remaining reason I have left. text Kohaku's tongue is licking me. text "Mm.... Shiki-san, it's so.. hot." text "Tss......, tss......" text Kohaku's.. sweet breath swirling around me.. is making me crazy. text I feel my entire being focus on that one point. text ".... Ah.... mmph.... mm,.... ah...." text Her fingers hold me.. and as I swell, she licks me with her delicate pink tongue. text "Ah----mm.... Shiki.. san---" text .... Her movements.. are very careful and enthusiastic. text The back of her tongue. text The tip of it as it slides around me. text The lips that embrace my tip. text She licks me as if trying to taste everything. text Her small tongue laps diligently at my tip. text This sensation. text It's so much better than her fingers alone. text Why----with just her tongue, can she make my heart pound like this? text "Shiki-san.... hey, Shiki-san, does.. it.. feel good....?" text She looks at me with glittering, upturned eyes. text But she still doesn't stop caressing me. text "A----, ha, gh----........!" text Resisting the heat rising inside of me, I grip the bed sheets. text Her dainty, delicate fingers continue to embrace me. text Indecent slurping noises. text From my testicles to my tip, her fingers stroke me with wet slopping noises. text ~ text "-----, nn----!" text ~ text ----The pleasure almost makes me go mad. text As if studying it all, Akiha watches the two of us---- text "Mm.... Shiki-san, moan louder." text This time, she targets the very tip of my shaft with her tongue. text The sensation feels even better than before--- text ~ text "------, H----" text ~ text I twist the sheets as I try resist these sensations. text Her hot tongue seems to suck at me just by making contact. text She seems to be sucking the very life out of me. text "Ah.... mm, mha, ah,........ mmh." text Her wet, sticky tongue. text From the very base of my shaft around my testicles, I start to feel a light pain. text Viscous fluid starts to dribble forth. text ".... Heh, Shiki-san, how indecent." text I want to look away from her. text ~ text -----But. text If I do that, I'll have to look at Akiha. text ~ bgload event/AKI_H14.png text "................" text Akiha doesn't say a word. text She simply watches our exchange in silence. text Even when our eyes meet, she just brushes her hair away from her eyes and acts like she doesn't care----- text "Ga...." text That makes my heart pound even faster. text Akiha is watching me. text My sister is watching me, and I can't stop it. text I'm horny like a beast, and I can't resist Kohaku's caress----- bgload event/KOHA_H10B.png text "Hey. text Shiki-san, don't look away." text "-------" text Kohaku pulls me back to reality. text .... Her stroking fingers are now coated with sticky fluid. text Not just her saliva. text But from me as well. text .... Is it.. dirty? text Kohaku licks my wet member and starts to stroke it with her fingers. text Wet sounds fill the air. text Her actions are wilder than before, her movements making loud noises. text "-----,gah-----!" text It starts to fill up at the back of the shaft. text Her tongue is enough to make me explode, but her wet fingers increase the sensation. text "Ko.. haku-----that's, enough----stop." text I try to hide my gasping as I manage to speak. text Kohaku.. just giggles and looks back at me. text "No, I can't do that Shiki-san. text Akiha-sama wants to see you finish. text So there's a lot left to do." text "What---See me finish.. what.. do you.." text "Isn't it obvious? text She wants to see you come. text Over and over again, until you break and completely forget what happened here tonight." text Saying that, text Her lips close around my tip. bgload event/KOHA_H11.png text "Ah-------!" text Thump. text Numbness spreads from my back up to my head. text All I have felt up to now was her licking, so doing this so suddenly is more like pain than pleasure. text "N.... mm, mmh...." text She rolls me gently inside of her mouth. text It's hot. text I was already burning up, but the sweet moisture inside her mouth is like lava. text "----------" text She attacks the tip of my shaft again. text Sucking, pushing, rolling with her tongue. text Kohaku continues her teasing. text "Mm----ah." text But, I'm already at my limit. text The heat rising within me threatens to explode. text "Ah----........!!" text I'm going to come. text I can't hold back. text Inside of Kohaku's mouth, I--- text ~ bgload event/AKI_H14.png text ----I can't. text ~ text Akiha is watching. text Full of interest. text No, she has no interest in me. text She is taking pleasure in this situation. text No, as if thinking lowly of me by seeing me like this. text "Ga-----hh......!" text I clench my teeth as I try to resist. text .... I can't. text I can't let go in front of her. text That would be the last straw. text If that happened, I really would break---- text "Aha, Shiki-san, you really are persistent." text Kohaku-san sounds happy. text "But it's useless to resist. text I've developed a liking for you Shiki-san, so I'll play around with you a bit more." text Her voice.. seems far away. text Right now---Akiha's gaze is many times more painful. text "Heehee, Akiha-sama gave me permission, so I'm going to get serious now. text Please prepare yourself, Shiki-san. text I'm actually pretty rough, when I want to be." text She is still distant. text And then, I'm suddenly assailed by a new sensation. bgload event/KOHA_H11.png text "-------Ah............!!!!" text It's such a shock that it causes my hips to shoot upwards. text The lips that were only enclosing my tip now take my whole shaft--- text "M, mm, mmph----" text Her lips slide all the way to my base. text "Ko---koha.. ku....!" text It's useless to resist. text My back is arching, my hips floating, like a dog in heat. text "Mm.... a, haa.... Shiki-san, don't be so.. wild---" text Her fingers grasp me tightly. text Once again, she takes me almost into her throat. text Her hot mouth. text Her tongue flicks all around with a life of its own. text She sucks on me. text Her tongue moves back and forth as she holds me in her mouth. text "Nn, nn, nnnn........!" text Her neck shifts, and as she does---I feel like I'm about to rip apart. text "K----sto.. Kohaku.. stop.. it----" text "Mm.... You shouldn't, Shiki-san. text Don't ask for things that won't happen." text She smiles mischievously. text Ever so softly, she bites down with the tips of her teeth. text "-------!?" text This catapults me even higher than before. text "Ah, Ah, g------!" text I try to move my arms, and the ropes digs into my skin. text .... That pain helps me hold back. text "Huh? text That's strange.. I really thought you'd come that time." text "Kohaku.. why.. are,....!" text "It's alright. text I told you earlier, this is all according to Akiha-sama's orders." text Kohaku-san.. doesn't sound guilty at all. text She's enjoying these orders. text "Akiha, you----" text I look to where Akiha is sitting. bgload event/AKI_H14.png text She is silent. text She doesn't even twitch when I glare at her. text She just stares as if possessed by something. text ----Huh.... as if, possessed....? text ~ text Is it my imagination? text She doesn't look any different, but.... why does she seem to be eagerly watching us---? bgload event/KOHA_H10B.png text "Then I guess I'll play around here." text "Eh---Ah, wait, I said stop....!" text "Hm----how cute, Shiki-san." text "N, not, there----" text My body falls back on the bed. text A different sensation runs up my back and into my brain. text A sucking sensation. text Kohaku-san isn't sucking my shaft.... but my testicles. text Licking all along my scrotum. text While her fingers stroke my manhood, she uses her index finger and thumb to caress me down there. text ~ text ---It isn't even as strong as when she was licking me. text But I'm already so close to my limit, touching me softly like that makes it even worse. text "Ah........, tss........!" text I stifle a cry. text Maybe if I cry out, I might be able to resist this pleasure. text ~ text But, I don't want to do that. text Akiha is still watching. text Even my rough breathing, my stifled voice. text My hands clenching the sheets, my erect shaft, she's watching everything. text "------............" text .... I start to lose track of what's going on. text Am I about to explode from Kohaku's touching? text Or does that have nothing to do with it, and I'm going crazy from having Akiha look at me? text "A.... Aki.... ha........" text Thump. text Kohaku's fingers travel even lower. text There is my ass, wet with her saliva. text "Ah.... ha, haa, ah...." text Even though I knew what was going to happen, I couldn't do anything. text Because even if I did resist, I wouldn't be able to stop her, and more than that----I'm captivated by Akiha's eyes and I don't care about Kohaku. text "Shiki-san, you have to lift your hips. text You have to show Akiha-sama when you let it out." text I feel a sliding sensation. text In my ass. text Into that hole where nothing should ever enter, Kohaku sticks her slender finger. text "------!!!!!" text There's only pain. text My hips jump in response. text The muscles squeeze as if trying to push out the foreign object. text "Ow---! text What are you doing, Shiki-san!?" text Taking advantage of my position, she adds another finger. text She starts to wiggle them around inside me. text "Ga-----!!!!!!" text The sensation is only pain. text My body protests in agony. text Kohaku's fingers. text With just those little things, my body screams in agony. text "Ah----ii,-----!" text Despite this, my shaft now stands harder and taller than before. text Has this pain become pleasure? text My twitching manhood swells further, pulsing with blood. text "Hmm---t looks like this is it. text But Akiha-sama, don't you think it's a little embarrassing for him to come because his ass was violated?" text "Wha--------" text I blush furiously. text Akiha still doesn't speak. text She just stares at me like that and---- text "Haa.... ah, haa, ha, a------" text I can't.. breathe. text Kohaku's fingers attack me inside. text .... I know I can't resist. text But I feel something is wrong. text I'm certainly being caressed by Kohaku. text But more than that, I feel like Akiha's gaze is violating me and crawling deep into my skin---- text "This is it. text You can come now, Shiki-san." text Saying that, Kohaku slips a third finger into me. text That really was it. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png text "A, a-------!!!!" text Thump. text My blood pounds in my ears. text My rod, that resisted for so long, finally starts to go wild. text "A---Aki, ha----!" text I let go in a fury of heat and liquid. text It wasn't just that I could no longer resist what Kohaku was doing. text I almost explode with the strength of my release. text My pent up emotions spray all over the bed, dirtying the sheets. text "Ha----ah, ah-----" text My raging heart gradually begins to calm. text With that, everything that I had tried so hard to resist, and the person that was the brother of Akiha.. crumbles away---- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s127.scr bgload BG_34A.png text "Morning, Kohaku-san. text Today is a lovely day." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T05.png 116 0 text "Yes. text Good morning, Shiki-san." text Kohaku-san delivers her ordinary morning greeting with a smile on her face. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "Did you sleep well last night? text I was worried that you might be inconvenienced, staying in an unfamiliar mansion and all." text "Ah, no, there were no problems. text I used to live here, after all, and now I've got you to watch over me, Kohaku-san." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T05.png 116 0 text "Oh, you're quite good at this, Shiki-san." text "Eh? text No, I'm just saying what I think.. what is it I'm good at?" text Kohaku-san just looks at me, smiling. bgload BG_34A.png text .... Somehow, I feel embarrassed when she looks directly at me, so I shift my gaze to the side. text ~ text ---And then. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text --I realize another stare, one which has been on me silently for a while now. bgload BG_34A.png text "Ah.. hey there." text I give a light wave to greet her. text Akiha continues to stare at me.. or perhaps, glare would be a better word. text "Well.. um.. good morning, Akiha." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png -24 0 text "Oh? text You don't have to force yourself to greet me. text Please, go right ahead and ignore me. text After all, it seems you'd prefer to enjoy the morning with Kohaku." text "Uuh.." text Akiha's words sting. text .... It's not like I had intended to ignore her. text I just said hello to Kohaku-san.. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text "Please don't tease Shiki-san too much, Akiha-sama. text We don't have much time, and Shiki-san hasn't finished his breakfast yet." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text "Well, that's Nii-san's fault for waking up late, isn't it? text He's just getting what he deserves for leaving everything to do in a rush in the morning." text "Hmph!" Akiha sniffs. text .... It seems like my failure to greet her was another point she was unimpressed with, in addition to her objection to my late arrival. text "Um.. Kohaku-san. text Is my breakfast ready?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "Yes, I've laid it out in the dining hall. text Please, eat up at your leisure." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "That won't do, Kohaku. text Nii-san has no time to eat breakfast at this time." text "Hey, listen, Akiha. text It's only seven, so I've got at least that much. text It's an easy thirty minute walk from here to school, so I can take it easy for at least ten minutes, can't I?" text "Are you saying you're going to finish breakfast in just ten minutes? text You're not some starving dog, so if you're going to eat breakfast, I'd like you to take your time." text "------" text Akiha's words really do have thorns in them. bgload BG_34A.png setvar kohaku_regard + 1 jump s206.scr bgload BG_34A.png text "Good morning, you two." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-san." text Wearing a white apron that suits her, Kohaku-san replies with a smile that could not possibly be any larger. bgload BG_34A.png text On the other hand, Akiha just casts a glance at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 text "Good morning. text You certainly took your time this morning, Nii-san." text She certainly knows how to put a damper on things. text "Took my time? text It's barely past seven! text It only takes thirty minutes to get to school from here, so I'm actually up early." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png -24 0 text "So you're saying you're going to finish breakfast in just ten minutes? text You're not some starving dog, so if you're going to eat breakfast, I'd like you to take your time." bgload BG_34A.png text "------" text Akiha's words really do have thorns. jump s206.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text "Wait~~~~~~!" text Whoosh! text I get up forcefully from bed. text ~ text *pant*----*pant*----*pant* text ~ text My breathing is out of control and my mind is still numbed with the feel of Arcueid. text .... No, hold on Shiki. text Try to be calm, it can't hurt. text ----First, this is my room. text Check. text That's good. text ~ text ----Second, I'm on my bed. text Check. text Seems that way. text ~ text ----And, it's now morning, and I was having sex with Arcueid until now. text Check. text That's good----that's not good! text Never, not even slightly, not one bit......! text The sound of my panting fills the air. text I manage to catch my breath. text My hands gripping the sheets are drenched in sweat. text There is a lingering warmth as if I really was sleeping with Arcueid until just now. text ~ text .... But it definitely was a dream. text I can't tell if that's something I should be happy or disappointed about. text "----Why----" text did I see such a dream? text Does that mean I'm so interested in her that I see her in my dreams? text Does that mean--I want her so bad I do those things with her in my dream? text "------Uu" text As I remember, the sensation of her skin forces itself into my brain. text I feel my arms to make sure this is real. text .... Yeah, it's real. text Her skin was so fundamentally different from a guy's skin.. so soft, so warm. text "Yeah.... So hot I wanted to go wild." text Just thinking about it makes my breath go wild. text .... Well. text Whatever happened, it's true that it felt exceedingly good. text I should feel a bit guilty dreaming about doing that to Arcueid, but I recall the dream and just sit there thinking about it. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaaaa!" text I flail around off my bed as if trying to escape. text No--in fact I was trying to escape, but it just ended up with me landing on the floor with the sheets. text "Hi, Hihi, Hisui.... !? text H, how long have you been there!?" text "Since before you awoke, Shiki-sama." text She speaks with her usual lack of expression. text Still lying on the floor tangled in the sheets and unable to stand, I look up at Hisui's face. text ".... Before I.. woke up...." text ~ text --Then, that means.. text ~ text Hisui saw my face when I was having that dream? text My face turns deep red. text Hisui just stands there, expressionless as usual, and makes no attempt to speak. text "Um.... did I look.. strange....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text "I do not wish to describe it." text "Ah--h" text .... I knew it. text I must have looked really weird. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "But, if you insist, Shiki-sama, I can describe as accurately as I can." text ".... No, you don't have to do that...." text My face still flushed, I speak in a fading voice. text "Um, Hisui-san?" text I give a cough to clear the silence. text .... Adding "san" to her name is a clear sign of my vulnerability. text "What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Um.... I'm going to change, so would you mind waiting outside?" text ~ text --Or rather, I'm so embarrassed I just want her to leave. text But Hisui doesn't obey today of all days. text "Once I can confirm you are awake, I will leave the room, Shiki-sama." text "....!" text Huh? text Is, is is is she joking!? text Why does she think I'm covering myself up in these sheets!? text It's to hide something that's still standing! text "I, I'm fine, so please leave. text I can get up, and I won't go back to sleep. text I'll change and go to the sitting room as soon as you leave." text "Shiki-sama--Are you hurt and unable to stand....?" bgload BG_40A.png text Hisui approaches me out of worry. text "No, that's not it. text I'm standing----I mean I can stand, so don't worry about it." text I crawl pulling my sheets like a slug, and gain some distance from her. text Using the bed as a barrier, I get far enough away. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ".... Then, please excuse me. text I will prepare your breakfast, so please come after you change." bgload BG_40A.png text She has got to be suspicious, but she bows and leaves the room. text *sigh* text I was so surprised. text The contents of my dream were surprising enough, but knowing Hisui saw me while I was dreaming is very troubling. text .... It's all Arcueid's fault for doing something like that. text "Even now she's being bothersome, really----" text Really----really what? text I can't finish. text "............?" text What did I want to say just now? text Not even able to confirm my own feelings, I decide to change and head to the sitting room with a vague feeling in my chest. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After calming down sufficiently, I head to the sitting room. text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, elegantly sipping tea. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san. text You are certainly up early this morning." text She must be happy I woke up because she greets me with a smile. bgload BG_34A.png text "Yeah, good morning. text There were, well, a lot of things going on this morning." text As soon as I say that--I suddenly recall the memory of Arcueid's skin. text "Uh--" text This isn't good. text I can tell my face is blushing beyond my control. text "Nii-san--?" text A brief clamor. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "What's wrong? text Your face is red, do you have a fever?" text "-----!" text Rushing over to me, she looks up at me from below. text But--In doing so, from this angle, um---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text Akiha sighs. text "You do seem to have a fever. text Kohaku, come quickly. text Nii-san doesn't seem to be well." text Akiha calls out to the dining room. text Kohaku-san has to be preparing my breakfast in the kitchen. text "I'm fine--! text It's just a minor cold, so don't worry!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "If it is a cold, then I can't let it go by. text For you, a trivial illness is a big deal. text The strength of your immune system is much lower than most people's." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha seems to be fed up and puts her hand on my forehead. text ~ text The sensation of her cool, delicate hand-- text ~ text "!!!!!!!!" text This isn't good. text This isn't good at all, so I break loose and run out to the lobby. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text Footsteps echo as I dash off. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you finished your breakfast already?" text "No, that's not it, but--Um, where's my bag?" text "I have your bag here. text Are you already going to school?" text Nodding, I snatch my bag from Hisui. text "I'm going. text Don't worry about seeing me off!" bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, you've been acting strange. text What are you doing with that fever?" text "Geez, I told you it's nothing! text Since it's nothing, I'm going to school! text I'll have breakfast later, so leave me alone!" text "Leave you alone--hey, Nii-san!?" text ~ text The sound of my fleeing footsteps is my only response. bgload BG_32A.png text "Sigh----" text Even if it is Akiha, she wouldn't chase me this far. text Since we're not kids anymore, she won't stop me from going to school. text "----Whew." text I take a deep breath and am finally able to calm down. text "...... What am I running away for?" text Once I calm down, I can think clearly. text I didn't do anything wrong, so there was no need for me to run away like that. text "--I don't believe it. text I look like a complete idiot." text But, to go back to the mansion to eat breakfast sounds more dumb. text "--To school, then?" text Letting out a sigh, I go downhill along the residential street. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png setvar flg4 + 1 jump s129.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text ~ text ......, ............, ................ text ~ text "--Mor--ning?" text I dazedly open my eyes. text Sunshine pours in from the window, enveloping the room with a warm atmosphere. text "............" text I stare down at my hands. text They are a little sweaty. text My body is drenched in sweat as well, as if last night was incredibly hot. text What's more, I'm panting heavily. text "............ Um." text .... Alright, I need to calm down. text First, I catch my breath and then close my eyes. text This is my room. text It is before seven in the morning. text I am the only one here, and of course Senpai is nowhere to be found. text ~ text Just as she said, text it was all a dream. text "......" text Yeah, I know. text I know it was a dream. text Now that I'm calm, I know she wouldn't ever do anything like that. text Then that means.. what happened last night was not real. text "Hhaa--ahhhh." text I let out a deep breath. text .... All the same, I definitely still feel vestiges of her touch lingering on my body. text Like the sensation of her breasts as she embraced me from behind in her underwear, and her dancing fingers on my penis. text I know it was a dream--but it felt too real; it makes me think it was real. text .... All the same, it has got to be a dream. text I can't tell if that's something I should be happy or disappointed about, but it's just all my imagination anyway. text But, text "--Why--" text Why did I see that kind of dream? text I know Senpai is my important friend; but does having a dream like that mean I see her as a woman too? text "----Uh." text Just thinking of it, the overly real memory of her skin rushes back. text To make sure I'm not still dreaming, I hug myself. text .... Yeah, this is definitely real. text Her skin was so fundamentally different from a guy's skin like this.. so soft, so warm. text ".... And she was really mean." text --Just thinking about it makes my breath go wild. text .... Well, maybe I went through a lot of bad things, but it's true that it did feel exceedingly good. text I should feel a bit guilty dreaming about doing that to Senpai, but I recall the dream and just sit there thinking about it. text ~ text But then, bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaaaa!" text I flail around off my bed as if trying to escape. text No--in fact I was trying to escape, but it just ended up with me landing on the floor with the sheets. text "Hi, Hihi, Hisui.... !? text H, how long have you been there!?" text "Since before you awoke, Shiki-sama." text She speaks with her usual lack of expression. text Still lying on the floor tangled in the sheets and unable to stand, I look up at Hisui's face. text ".... Before I.. woke up...." text ~ text --Then, that means.. text Hisui saw my face when I was having that dream? text ~ text My face turns deep red. text Hisui just stands there, expressionless as usual, and makes no attempt to speak. text "Um.... did I look.. strange....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text "I do not wish to describe it." text "Ah--h" text .... I knew it. text I must have looked really weird. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "But, if you insist, Shiki-sama, I can describe as accurately as I can." text ".... No, you don't have to do that...." text My face still flushed, I speak in a fading voice. text "Um, Hisui-san?" text I give a cough to clear the silence. text .... Adding "san" to her name is a clear sign of my vulnerability. text "What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Um.... I'm going to change, so would you mind waiting outside?" text --Or rather, I'm so embarrassed I just want her to leave. text But Hisui doesn't obey today of all days. text "Once I can confirm you are awake, I will leave the room, Shiki-sama." text "....!" text Huh? text Is, is is is she joking!? text Why does she think I'm covering myself up in these sheets!? text It's to hide something that's still standing! text "I, I'm fine, so please leave. text I can get up, and I won't go back to sleep. text I'll change and go to the sitting room as soon as you leave." text "Shiki-sama--Are you hurt and unable to stand....?" text Hisui approaches me out of worry. bgload BG_40A.png text "No, that's not it. text I'm standing----I mean I can stand, so don't worry about it." text I crawl pulling my sheets like a slug, and gain some distance from her. text ~ text Using the bed as a barrier, I get far enough away. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text ".... Then, please excuse me. text I will prepare your breakfast, so please come after you change." bgload BG_40A.png text She has got to be suspicious, but she bows and leaves the room. text *sigh* text I was so surprised. text The contents of my dream were surprising enough, but knowing Hisui saw me while I was dreaming is very troubling. text .... Or is it my own fault for having that kind of dream about Senpai? text ".... I guess it is my fault. text With a good person like Senpai--why did I have a dream like that?" text I give a sigh of self-loathing. text But, I can tell that I won't forget that dream any time soon. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After calming down sufficiently, I head to the sitting room. text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, elegantly sipping tea. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san. text You are certainly up early this morning." text She must be happy I woke up because she greets me with a smile. bgload BG_34A.png text "Yeah, good morning. text There were, well, a lot of things going on this morning." text As soon as I say that--I suddenly recall the memory of Senpai's tongue. text "Uh--" text This isn't good. text I can tell my face is blushing beyond my control. text "Nii-san--?" text A brief clamor. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "What's wrong? text Your face is red, do you have a fever?" text "-----!" text Rushing over to me, she looks up at me from below. text But--In doing so, from this angle, um---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text Akiha sighs. text "You do seem to have a fever. text Kohaku, come quickly. text Nii-san doesn't seem to be well." text Akiha calls out to the dining room. text Kohaku-san has to be preparing my breakfast in the kitchen. text "I'm fine--! text It's just a minor cold, so don't worry!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "If it is a cold, then I can't let it go by. text For you, a trivial illness is a big deal. text The strength of your immune system is much lower than most people's." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha seems to be fed up and puts her hand on my forehead. text ~ text The sensation of her cool, delicate hand-- text ~ text "!!!!!!!!" text This isn't good. text This isn't good at all, so I break loose and run out to the lobby. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text Footsteps echo as I dash off. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you finished your breakfast already?" text "No, that's not it, but--Um, where's my bag?" text "I have your bag here. text Are you already going to school?" text Nodding, I snatch my bag from Hisui. text "I'm going. text Don't worry about seeing me off!" bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, you've been acting strange. text What are you doing with that fever?" text "Geez, I told you it's nothing! text Since it's nothing, I'm going to school! text I'll have breakfast later, so leave me alone!" text "Leave you alone--hey, Nii-san!?" text ~ text The sound of my fleeing footsteps is my only response. bgload BG_32A.png text "Sigh----" text Even if it is Akiha, she wouldn't chase me this far. text Since we're not kids anymore, she won't stop me from going to school. text "----Whew." text I take a deep breath and am finally able to calm down. text "...... What am I running away for?" text Once I calm down, I can think clearly. text I didn't do anything wrong, so there was no need for me to run away like that. text "--I don't believe it. text I look like a complete idiot." text But, to go back to the mansion to eat breakfast sounds more dumb. text "--To school, then?" text Letting out a sigh, I go downhill along the residential street. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png setvar flg5 + 1 jump s129.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text ......, ............, ................ text ~ text "--Mor--ning?" text I dazedly open my eyes. text Sunshine pours in from the window, enveloping the room with a warm atmosphere. text ~ text "--------" text ~ text I stare down at my hands. text They are a little sweaty. text My body is drenched in sweat as well, as if last night was incredibly hot. text What's more, I'm panting heavily. text "Ah--------" text I shake both my hands. text ".... I can.. move...." text There isn't any mark left on my wrist from the ropes. text The bed is clean, and neither the chair Akiha was sitting on nor Kohaku-san are anywhere to be seen. text "H------uh?" text ~ text Akiha, and Kohaku-san....? text ~ text "Ko----Kohaku-san?" text I look around wildly. text I see-- text "...... There's.. no one......" text Right, no one's here. text The bed doesn't look rumpled--and Kohaku-san who was acting like a mischievous devil isn't here. text "A----dream?" text As soon as I realize it, I heave a sigh of relief. text I shut my eyes and catch my breath. text This is my room. text It is before seven in the morning. text I am the only one here, and of course Kohaku-san and Akiha are nowhere to be seen. text "Ha............ a." text Yeah, I know. text I know it was a dream. text Now that I'm calm, I know she wouldn't ever do anything like that. text In that instance, what happened last night was not real. text "Ha--ah." text I let out a deep breath. text .... All the same, I definitely still remember what happened last night. text I know it was a dream--but it felt too real; it makes me think it was real. text .... All the same, it has got to be a dream. text But I guess that is good in a way. text "But, why--" text Why did I see that dream? text .... Well, I really do think Kohaku-san is cute. text She seems to be the most free one here, and for some reason, whenever I see her, I feel more lively. text But, that's different. text I think of her as my family, certainly--not as a woman. text "------Uh." text All the same, I keep remembering her mischievous eyes. text "Damn--what the hell am I thinking?" text I shake my head to clear out the remnants of the dream. text But then, bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaaaa!" text I flail around off my bed as if trying to escape. text No--in fact I was trying to escape, but it just ended up with me landing on the floor with the sheets. text "Hi, Hihi, Hisui.... !? text H, how long have you been there!?" text "Since before you awoke, Shiki-sama." text She speaks with her usual lack of expression. text Still lying on the floor tangled in the sheets and unable to stand, I look up at Hisui's face. text ".... Before I.. woke up...." text ~ text --Then, that means.. text Hisui saw my face when I was having that dream? text ~ text My face turns deep red. text Hisui just stands there, expressionless as usual, and makes no attempt to speak. text "Um.... did I look.. strange....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text "I do not wish to describe it." text "Ah--h" text .... I knew it. text I must've looked really weird. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "But, if you insist, Shiki-sama, I can describe as accurately as I can." text ".... No, you don't have to do that...." text My face still flushed, I speak in a fading voice. text "Um, Hisui-san?" text I give a cough to clear the silence. text .... Adding "san" to her name is a clear sign of my vulnerability. text "What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Um.... I'm going to change, so would you mind waiting outside?" text ~ text --Or rather, I'm so embarrassed I just want her to leave. text But Hisui doesn't obey today of all days. text "Once I can confirm you are awake, I will leave the room, Shiki-sama." text "....!" text Huh? text Is, is is is she joking!? text Why does she think I'm covering myself up in these sheets!? text It's to hide something that's still standing! text "I, I'm fine, so please leave. text I can get up, and I won't go back to sleep. text I'll change and go to the sitting room as soon as you leave." text "Shiki-sama--Are you hurt and unable to stand....?" bgload BG_40A.png text Hisui approaches me out of worry. text "No, that's not it. text I'm standing----I mean I can stand, so don't worry about it." text I crawl pulling my sheets like a slug, and gain some distance from her. text Using the bed as a barrier, I get far enough away. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ".... Then, please excuse me. text I will prepare your breakfast, so please come after you change." bgload BG_40A.png text She has got to be suspicious, but she bows and leaves the room. text *sigh* text I was so surprised. text The contents of my dream were surprising enough, but knowing Hisui saw me while I was dreaming is very troubling. text .... Or is it my own fault for having that kind of dream about Kohaku-san? text ".... I guess it is my fault. text Just what was I thinking? text Having that kind of dream about Kohaku-san..?" text I give a sigh of self-loathing. text To feel relaxed around Kohaku-san again, I should just forget about this dream as soon as possible. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After calming down enough, I head to the sitting room. text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, elegantly sipping tea. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san. text You are certainly up early this morning." text She must be happy I woke up because she greets me with a smile. bgload BG_34A.png text "Yeah, good morning. text There were, well, a lot of things going on this morning." text As soon as I say that--I remember that cold stare from last night. text "Uh--" text This isn't good. text I can tell my face is blushing beyond my control. text .... I acted foolishly in front of Akiha. text Akiha, watching it all. text "Nii-san--?" text A brief clamor. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "What's wrong? text Your face is red, do you have a fever?" text "-----!" text Rushing over to me, she looks up at me from below. text So, if you stare at me that seriously, I--- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text Akiha sighs. text "You do seem to have a fever. text Kohaku, come quickly. text Nii-san doesn't seem to be well." text Akiha calls out to the dining room. text "Ko---Kohaku-san? text That's bad." text If I see Kohaku-san now, I might faint from being too embarrassed. text "I-I'm fine--! text It's just a minor cold, so don't worry!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "If it is a cold, then I can't let it go by. text For you, a trivial illness is a big deal. text The strength of your immune system is much lower than most people's." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha seems to be fed up and puts her hand on my forehead. text The sensation of her cool, delicate hand. text White, slender fingers. text White, beautiful, fine fingers that men's fingers doesn't even come close to----- text "!!!!!!!!" text This isn't good. text This isn't good at all, so I break loose and run out to the lobby. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text Footsteps echo as I dash off. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you finished your breakfast already?" text "No, that's not it, but--Um, where's my bag?" text "I have your bag here. text Are you already going to school?" text Nodding, I snatch my bag from Hisui. text "I'm going. text Don't worry about seeing me off!" bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, you've been acting strange. text What are you doing with that fever?" text "Geez, I told you it's nothing! text Since it's nothing, I'm going to school! text I'll have breakfast later, so leave me alone!" text "Leave you alone--hey, Nii-san!?" text ~ text The sound of my fleeing footsteps is my only response. bgload BG_32A.png text "Sigh----" text Even if it is Akiha, she wouldn't chase me this far. text Since we're not kids anymore, she won't stop me from going to school. text "----Whew." text I take a deep breath and am finally able to calm down. text "...... What am I running away for?" text Once I calm down, I can think clearly. text I didn't do anything wrong, so there was no need for me to run away like that. text "--I don't believe it. text I look like a complete idiot." text But, to go back to the mansion to eat breakfast sounds more dumb. text "--To school, then?" text Letting out a sigh, I go downhill along the residential street. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s129.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text ......, ............, ................ text ~ text "--Mor--ning?" text ~ text I dazedly open my eyes. text Sunshine pours in from the window, enveloping the room with a warm atmosphere. text "............" text I stare down at my hands. text They are a little sweaty. text My body is drenched in sweat as well, as if last night was incredibly hot. text What's more, I'm panting heavily. text "Ah--------" text I shake both my hands. text ".... I can.. move...." text There isn't any mark left on my wrist from the ropes. text The bed is clean, and neither the chair Akiha was sitting on nor Kohaku-san are anywhere to be seen. text "H------uh?" text ~ text Akiha, and Kohaku-san....? text ~ text "A----Akiha!" text I jump out of bed. text I wildly look around the room. text I see-- text ~ text "...... There's.. no one......" text ~ text Right, no one's here. text The bed doesn't look rumpled--and that cold Akiha isn't there either. text "A----dream?" text As soon as I realize it, I heave a sigh of relief. text I shut my eyes and catch my breath. text This is my room. text It is before seven in the morning. text I am the only one here, and of course Kohaku-san and Akiha are nowhere to be seen. text "Ha............ a." text Yeah, I knew. text I know it was a dream. text Now that I'm calm, I know she wouldn't ever do anything like that. text In that instance, what happened last night was not real. text "Ha--ah." text I let out a deep breath. text .... All the same, I definitely still remember what happened last night. text I know it was a dream--but it felt too real; it makes me think it was real. text .... But, it was without a doubt a dream. text That has to be true. text "--Why--" text Why did I see that dream? text .... Well, certainly Akiha is strict, and she is the head of the Tohno household, so it makes her the most powerful person here. text But she wouldn't do that. text She is my dear sister, but seeing that dream--Does that mean I'm seeing her as a woman? text "------Uh." text I remember her cold stare, like ice. text I hug myself to make sure this is real. text "Damn--what the hell am I thinking?" text Lusting after my sister, there really is something wrong. text .... Well, she is different after eight years, like a completely different person. text She seems more like a refined young lady I've never met. text But still-- text ".... But.... she was.. really cute." text ~ text --I blush furiously as I remember. text ~ text Maybe it was only a dream within a dream, but I remember Akiha feeling herself while wildly calling my name. text I know it truly is forbidden, but I recall the dream and just sit there thinking about it. text And then, bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaaaa!" text I flail around off my bed as if trying to escape. text No--in fact I was trying to escape, but it just ended up with me landing on the floor with the sheets. text "Hi, Hihi, Hisui.... !? text H, how long have you been there!?" text "Since before you awoke, Shiki-sama." text She speaks with her usual lack of expression. text Still lying on the floor tangled in the sheets and unable to stand, I look up at Hisui's face. text ".... Before I.. woke up...." text ~ text --Then, that means.. text Hisui saw my face when I was having that dream? text ~ text My face turns deep red. text Hisui just stands there, expressionless as usual, and makes no attempt to speak. text "Um.... did I look.. strange....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text "I do not wish to describe it." text "Ah--h" text .... I knew it. text I must've looked really weird. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "But, if you insist, Shiki-sama, I can describe as accurately as I can." text ".... No, you don't have to do that...." text My face still flushed, I speak in a fading voice. text "Um, Hisui-san?" text I give a cough to clear the silence. text .... Adding "san" to her name is a clear sign of my vulnerability. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Um.... I'm going to change, so would you mind waiting outside?" text --Or rather, I'm so embarrassed I just want her to leave. text But Hisui doesn't obey today of all days. text "Once I can confirm you are awake, I will leave the room, Shiki-sama." text "....!" text Huh? text Is, is is is she joking!? text Why does she think I'm covering myself up in these sheets!? text It's to hide something that's still standing! text "I, I'm fine, so please leave. text I can get up, and I won't go back to sleep. text I'll change and go to the sitting room as soon as you leave." text "Shiki-sama--Are you hurt and unable to stand....?" bgload BG_40A.png text Hisui approaches me out of worry. text "No, that's not it. text I'm standing----I mean I can stand, so don't worry about it." text I crawl pulling my sheets like a slug, and gain some distance from her. text Using the bed as a barrier, I get far enough away. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ".... Then, please excuse me. text I will prepare your breakfast, so please come after you change." bgload BG_40A.png text She has got to be suspicious, but she bows and leaves the room. text ~ text *sigh* text I was so surprised. text The contents of my dream were surprising enough, but knowing Hisui saw me while I was dreaming is very troubling. text .... Or is it my own fault for having that kind of dream about Akiha? text ".... I guess it is my fault. text Having a dream like that about my own sister." text I give a sigh of self-loathing. text For my sake and for Akiha's reputation, I should just forget about it as soon as possible. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After calming down enough, I head to the sitting room. text As usual, Akiha is sitting on the sofa, elegantly sipping tea. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Oh? text Good morning Nii-san. text You're up early today." text She must be happy I woke up because she greets me with a smile. text "Yeah, good morning. text There were, well, a lot of things going on this morning." text As soon as I say that--I remember that cold stare from last night. bgload BG_34A.png text "Uh--" text This isn't good. text I can tell my face is blushing beyond my control. text .... Myself being made a complete fool. text And Akiha, who was always watching. text "Nii-san--?" text A brief clamor. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "What's wrong? text Your face is red, do you have a fever?" text "-----!" text Rushing over to me, she looks up at me from below. text But, if she looks at me that seriously, I---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text Akiha sighs. text "You do seem to have a fever. text Kohaku, come quickly. text Nii-san doesn't seem to be well." text Akiha calls out to the dining room. text Kohaku-san has to be preparing my breakfast in the kitchen. text "I'm fine--! text It's just a minor cold, so don't worry!" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "If it is a cold, then I can't let it go by. text For you, a trivial illness is a big deal. text The strength of your immune system is much lower than most people's." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha seems to be fed up and puts her hand on my forehead. text ~ text The sensation of her cool, delicate hand. text White, slender fingers. text So different from those of a man. text Delicate, beautiful, white fingers------ text "!!!!!" text This isn't good. text This isn't good at all, so I break loose and run out to the lobby. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text Footsteps echo as I dash off. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you finished your breakfast already?" text "No, that's not it, but--Um, where's my bag?" text "I have your bag here. text Are you already going to school?" text Nodding, I snatch my bag from Hisui. text "I'm going. text Don't worry about seeing me off!" bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, you've been acting strange. text What are you doing with that fever?" text "Geez, I told you it's nothing! text Since it's nothing, I'm going to school! text I'll have breakfast later, so leave me alone!" text "Leave you alone--hey, Nii-san!?" text ~ text The sound of my fleeing footsteps is my only response. bgload BG_32A.png text "Sigh----" text Even if it is Akiha, she wouldn't chase me this far. text Since we're not kids anymore, she won't stop me from going to school. text "----Whew." text I take a deep breath and am finally able to calm down. text "...... What am I running away for?" text Once I calm down, I can think clearly. text I didn't do anything wrong, so there was no need for me to run away like that. text "--I don't believe it. text I look like a complete idiot." text But, to go back to the mansion to eat breakfast sounds more dumb. text "--To school, then?" text Letting out a sigh, I go downhill along the residential street. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s129.scr bgload BG_01A.png text ----I arrive thirty minutes earlier than usual. text The figures of students around the school gate are sparse. text It seems I'm the only one who's arrived at this odd time. bgload BG_03A.png text On the school grounds, the athletic clubs are holding their practices. text .... I'm not in any clubs right now, but truthfully, I like to move around a lot. text I know that I have some athletic ability, at least enough to be proud of. text ~ text But, I can't join any clubs. text My body always has this recurring anemia so I would just be a bother----and my doctor has told me that I should not exercise frequently. text Since middle school, I've been asked more than a few times to join a club. text But I always have to say "it's not my thing" and refuse. text Every time I refused----I felt a sense of separation. text That might have been.. text a subconscious wall that told me I will never be able to mix in with the people on the other side. text "........" text Ah, that's enough. text This really isn't my thing. text I'll stop thinking such thoughts and hurry on to the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text "Huh----?" text I thought I was the first one, but it seems like some of my classmates are already here. text "Yo, you're early Tohno." text "Morning. text This class seems to have a lot of people with spare time." text "Nah. text Our practice just got over with. text Those that come here this early who aren't in clubs are usually only those with daily duties." text ~ text I see. text That does makes sense, now that he mentions it. text Greeting those around me, I take my seat. text It's half an hour before homeroom. text It's not a bad idea to just watch my classmates arrive. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text The classroom starts to get busy around seven fifty. text "----Huh?" text I think I saw Senpai in the hallway. text "She's down at the first year hallway again----what is she doing?" text Maybe she came to see me? text Then---- text ~ choice I'll go into the hallway and talk to her.|No, it probably doesn't concern me so I'll just watch from here.|An opening! I'll surprise her from behind! if selected == 1 jump s130.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s131.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s132.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text Well, if she's walking around my classroom like that, maybe she does want to see me for something. text ~ text ".... I wonder. text She normally just walks in without hesitating." text Or did she finally realize it's strange for a third-year to come to a second-year's classroom? text ~ text "--No. text That definitely can't be it." text Nodding to myself, I go to the hallway. bgload BG_11A.png text "Senpai." bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Huh--Tohno-kun?" text Senpai seems rather surprised I called her and stands there with her mouth open. text "What are you doing? text Class is about to start, so why are you still hanging around here?" text "-----" text Senpai looks at me in amazement, then looks away. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "What am I doing? text That is not any of your business, Tohno-kun." text "No--Well.. maybe it isn't." text "--No, I was lying. text It is, a little." bgload BG_11A.png text I thought she was looking away, but she starts sniffing me. text ".... Um--Senpai....?" jump s133.scr bgload BG_06A.png text Is she looking for someone in the hallway? text Senpai paces back and forth. text .... Looking at it calmly, she looks like she doesn't have anything to do with my classroom. text ".... As usual, I don't understand her at all. text What the heck is she doing?" text I sit down in my chair and watch her. text Senpai crosses her arms as if thinking about something, and stares at the students passing by. text "Maybe she dropped something." text .... It sounds weird for a third-year student to drop something in the second-year hallway, but this is the ever-roaming Senpai we're talking about. text ~ text ----Huh? text Senpai suddenly enters into my classroom. text She strides directly to me. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun!" text "!" text And she suddenly yells at me. text "Wh, what is it, Senpai? text I haven't done anything bad to make you angry." text "No excuses. text Just come over here, please." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11A.png text She pulls my arm and drags me out into the hallway. text "H, hey, Senpai, what are you doing all of a sudden? text Weren't you looking for something!?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "It's fine, just stay right there!" bgload BG_11A.png text "...." text Under Senpai's intensity, I quickly snap to attention. text And like yesterday, Senpai starts to sniff me. text ".... Um, Senpai....?" jump s133.scr bgload BG_06A.png text .... Senpai is glancing all around the hallway. text I don't know if she's looking for something or someone, but she looks really suspicious. text ~ text "........ He--hehe, he." text I get this sudden irresistible urge. text Senpai's always taking everything at her own pace; I think I can respond sometimes to balance things out. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11A.png text Senpai is seriously searching for something. text I sneak up behind her. text .... Luckily, Senpai doesn't sense me at all. text Here goes, text ~ text "Boo!" text "----!" text I grab her from behind, but---- sound SE_04.wav 1 bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T06A.png 52 0 text .... before I know it, I'm lying on the ground. bgload BG_11A.png text "Oh----Tohno.. kun?" text Senpai sounds worried. text "Yeah--it's me, Senpai." bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Geez, don't surprise me like that! text I reflexively got away, but are you alright?" text "Eh? text I'm fine. text I just tripped." text I stand up. text .... I guess the strange looks from all the other students in the hallway are to be expected. text "Ooowowow.... Man, I think I hit my hip. text Guess I shouldn't pull pranks like that." text Regret. text "Exactly. text I think I overdid it, but since it was your fault I will not apologize." text "Ah, I know, I know. text Sorry Senpai, I interrupted your search. text Well, this mischievous boy will now go back to his classroom." text Rubbing my butt, I start to head to class. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, wait Tohno-kun. text Can you stand there as a punishment?" text "?" text Stand here as a punishment? text As usual, she says something strange. text "Sure.... What is it?" text "Just don't move, please." bgload BG_11A.png text Like yesterday, she starts sniffing me again. text ".... Um, Senpai....?" jump s133.scr if flg5 >= 1 jump s134.scr fi bgload BG_11A.png bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, did you sleep well last night?" text "Eh?" text She looks directly into my eyes as she asks. bgload BG_11A.png text .... Sleep well? text That goes without saying. text I couldn't get to sleep easily last night, and also-- text "Uh...." text I blush as the memories resurface. text With a piercing gaze, Senpai looks up at me. text "Senpai, um--" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, you pervert." text "Huh?" bgload BG_11A.png text With a look indicating she wants to say more, Senpai quickly walks away. bgload IMA_10.png jump s135.scr bgload BG_11A.png bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "----Ah." text Having her stare right at me like this--makes me remember my dream. text "Tohno-kun? text What's wrong? text Your face is turning red." text "I, it's nothing. text Just, I had a bad dream. text I don't feel very well." text I think I'm honest as I don't say I don't feel bad at all. text "...... Tohno-kun?" text She looks at me with a very serious expression. text ".... Senpai....?" text I'm perplexed. text I feel as if Senpai is reading my mind, and I remember more and more of last night's dream. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, you said you had a bad dream. text What does that mean?" text "It doesn't mean anything, and it's none of your business. text Don't worry about it, and I'm asking you what you're doing." bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "It is my business! text Tohno-kun, you didn't sleep well last night, did you?" text "----Eh?" text Well--she is right but. text ".... Senpai, how do you know about that?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Because your face is all red. text I don't know if you are sick, but you don't look well, Tohno-kun." text "Oh--I see." text I was surprised for a moment there. text She guessed right about last night, so I thought-- bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "About this dream, Tohno-kun. text Please tell me what kind of dream it was." text .... Senpai asks me again, as she hasn't given up. text ".... Fine. text It's not a big deal really. text Just.... Um, you were in it a little." text ~ text I answer reluctantly. text ~ text All of a sudden, bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T10D.png 52 0 text "I, I was in it!?" text Senpai gets mad. text "Um.... Senpai?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T09B.png 52 0 text "................" text Senpai quickly takes a step away and stares at me. text "........" bgload BG_11A.png text Senpai looks like she wants to say something more, but she just gives a quick bow and runs away. text "......?" text I tilt my head in confusion. text Then, the homeroom bell echoes through the hallway. bgload IMA_10.png jump s135.scr if flgE >= 1 jump s244.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text At lunch break, that guy who didn't even show up for a single class arrives. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Yo Tohno! text Food, let's get some food!" text He's happy about something, being even more energetic than usual. text "Of course, food. text But you seem to be in a great mood. text Did something happen, Arihiko?" text "Yup. text I just asked Senpai if she wanted to eat lunch together, and she refused." text "............" text That's odd. text "Senpai" must be referring to Ciel-senpai, but this guy seems to get happy when his offer is refused. text "Hey, Arihiko, you have that sort of taste?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "No, no, I'm not finished. text So I asked Senpai why not, and she said 'If Tohno-kun is there, then I don't want to come'!! text Uwahahahahahahahaha! text Isn't that great, Tohno!?" text ".........." text That's odd. text Why have I been friends with this guy since middle school? text "Oh man, she really hates you Tohno! text A rival's loss is my gain, so I'll treat you to lunch today!" text Arihiko happily slaps my back. text ".... I see. text Senpai's still mad at me about this morning." text I have no idea why she's angry at me, but she definitely is angry. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey, let's go Tohno. text There's only seats enough for half the people using the cafeteria." text Arihiko takes me by the arm and drags me off. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text I sit next to Arihiko and eat my lunch. text My school's cafeteria has a television, and for better or worse for our education, they play back the morning news they recorded this morning. text ~ text At any rate, the news they are playing back is talking about a drunk customer stabbing to death a convenience store employee, something that makes me not want to go to a convenience store for a few days at least. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "What a dangerous world we live in. text Indiscriminate serial killers, drunken people stabbing people. text A man can't even feel safe playing around at night anymore." text Arihiko seems like he is seriously watching the news. text ".... Well, certainly it is dangerous. text But at least those serial killings won't happen anymore, so things should be like usual." text "Oh really? text Did they catch the serial killer?" text "No, they haven't caught him.." text ~ text ---But Nrvnqsr is no longer in this world. text So the stupid title of the modern day vampire killings shouldn't be showing up in the news anymore and there will be no more of those meaningless killings. text "Anyway, those terrible incidents won't happen anymore. text There won't be any more victims, and the streets will be back to normal." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "No----I think there'll actually be another victim, Tohno." text "----What? text How can you be so sure, Arihiko?" text "Well look for yourself. text The news says they've found the tenth dead body." text ~ text -----Eh? text ~ text "Aw really.... that's right behind the movie theater I always go to." text "Hey----hey, wait." text I push Arihiko and look at the TV. text What I see is without a doubt, text the news reporting that the tenth victim of the serial killings was found last night. music ~ text "That----can't be." text He, Nrvnqsr, is dead. text So why----is there another dead body with most of its blood drained? bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hmm, this modern vampire guy. text I don't know anything about the person, but if it's like a sexy chick, I maybe wouldn't mind getting my blood sucked." text "------" text ~ text If it's like a sexy chick, he maybe wouldn't mind getting his blood sucked? text ~ text His stupid talk----might be right. text ~ text "----No way." text I don't want to think about it, but.. text Even with Nrvnqsr gone, there's still one more vampire left, Shiki---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text Classes end and school is over. text Actually, it's more like at some point, school was over. text Wrapped up in my bad thoughts, I look up and suddenly find myself alone. text "----The serial killings are still happening." text I don't know what that means. text The only one who knows the answer is probably Arcueid. text ~ text I don't know. text I'm not involved in any of those incidents anymore. text Once I settled things with Nrvnqsr, I came back to the ordinary world. text Then----I can only be insane to want to go back to that abnormal world once again. text "I shouldn't----be involved." text ~ text I understand even if I don't say it. text That's probably my second most correct choice. text But a long, long time ago, someone taught me the most correct choice. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Listen, Shiki. text Every person's life is filled with pitfalls. text You have more power to do something about it than most people, so you've got to get it together---- text "----" text So I just can't pretend I didn't see it. text This incident isn't over yet. text It seems once I got involved in this incident, I have to see this out to the very end-- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png text I leave school. text First, let's go to Arcueid's place. text ~ bgload BG_23A.png bgload BG_12A.png bgload BG_13A.png bgload BG_14A.png bgload BG_15C.png bgload BG_12A.png text Her room is still the same, but Arcueid isn't there. text .... Well, I didn't think I'd find her this easy. text Looks like I have to go out into the city and look for her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text The sun sinks and the city is really starting to get dark. text I looked around the major places in the city, but I didn't even catch a glimpse of her. text "----Damn it. text She was around when it didn't matter, so why can't I find her when I do need her?" text .... What should I do? text The night is just beginning, so--- text ~ choice Search for Arcueid aimlessly.|Return to the mansion. if selected == 1 jump s138.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s136.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32C.png text It's quiet at the mansion gate. text The time is seven o'clock at night. text Akiha should be back, probably having tea in the sitting room. text ............ *sigh* text I don't really feel like leisurely eating dinner at all, but if I don't go back, Akiha and the others will probably worry about me again. text Looking for Arcueid will have to wait until after dinner. text I'll leave when Akiha and everyone else go to sleep. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text ----Dinner with Akiha is over and I head back to my room. text I had some tea after dinner with Kohaku-san and the others, but I don't even remember what went on. text ~ text "----Where the heck is she?" text My head is only filled with thoughts of that golden-haired vampire. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32C.png text At ten o'clock, the lights in the mansion are turned off. text At bedtime, everyone goes back to their rooms, so I slip out of the mansion undetected. text ".... She's, probably in the city?" text .... I don't want to think about it, but most of the victims are usually found in alleys. text If I want to find Arcueid----if I want to find the vampire killer who's continuing to murder, then I have to search the streets. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text ------*sigh* text I sit down on the guard rail. text It's been several hours already. text I looked around aimlessly, and I didn't even catch a single glimpse of Arcueid. text "........ Damn it." text It's so, frustrating. text Of course, I knew it isn't easy to just randomly find someone in town, but I still felt optimistic I would find her. text ~ text "Where did she go....?" text .... Why? text I just wanted to ask her about the serial killings, but once I find out I can't see her, I---- text "Ah, stop. text Stop. text I should just stop." text I stand up from the guardrail and start walking. text It'll be midnight soon. text Searching for Arcueid any longer really is just useless. text "........" text But, if I've gone this far, I can do just a little more. text There's one last place I need to check. text If she's not there, then I'll go back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text .... The deserted park. text I arrive at the place where I cooperated with Arcueid and defeated Nrvnqsr. text Having only looked in town, I've yet to search here. text ".... Well, not that I'll find anything...." text Grumbling to myself, I enter the park. bgload BG_28B.png text Midnight. text As expected, there's no one here this late at night. text With this much silence, it rather feels refreshing. text ".... That's right. text It's not like I can conveniently find her." text I let out a sigh and slump my shoulders. text ".... How stupid. text Why am I so disappointed?" text I don't understand it myself. text Just, once more----I think maybe I wanted to see her smile. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, there you are. text Good evening, Shiki." text ~ text .... Yeah, just like this. text Her face that's so cheerful and carefree you can't believe it belongs to a vampire---- text ~ text "A, Arcueid----!?" text Without even thinking, I grab both of her shoulders. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Eh----?" text Arcueid flinches in surprise. text Her shoulders are indeed real, and I quickly pull my arms back. bgload BG_28B.png text "Y, you, why----" text Even though the one I've been searching for so long is right before me, I can't do anything but stumble over my words. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Why? text That's odd. text I was looking for you, so I don't think it's coincidence we met here." text "Eh----You, were looking for me? text Why?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Why?----Oh, no reason." text She says straight out that she has no reason to be looking for. text "............" text .... I forgot. text She really is kind of like a cat this way. text ".... Well, I guess it works out. text To be honest, I wanted to see you too. text So meeting here, um----" text I was about to say it makes me really happy, but I frantically choke those words off. text "----Anyway, I want to have a serious talk. text I want to talk about it somewhere else since I feel uneasy here, so is that okay?" text "Sure----but talk about what?" text "You'll see. text .... Let's go more to the back of the park." text Telling her to come on, I start walking. bgload BG_28B.png text Tilting her head in curiosity, she follows me obediently. bgload IMA_10.png setvar flg8 + 1 jump s139.scr bgload BG_32C.png text It's quiet at the mansion gate. text The time is seven o'clock at night. text Akiha should be back, probably having tea in the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_48C.png text ....? text I'm not sure what's going on, but I hear voices coming from the sitting room. text It's almost time for dinner, so it's strange for people to be just talking at this time. text Kohaku-san should be in the kitchen, and I think a conversation between Hisui and Akiha would be out of character. text ~ text ".... Kohaku-san and Akiha are drinking tea, perhaps." Well, I guess that's most likely. text First thing's first. text I open the mansion's front door. bgload BG_33C.png bgload BG_33C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text Hisui is standing in the lobby. text "I'm a little late, but I'm back." text "............" text Hisui silently greets me devoid of any expression. text She does not say her usual "Welcome back", and looks like she's in a bad mood. text "Did something happen? text I might be imagining it, but you seem a little angry." bgload BG_33C.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text ".... There is a guest for you, Shiki-sama. text She has been waiting in the sitting room, so please hurry there." text "A guest for me?" text Hisui nods. text "I wonder who. text There isn't anyone who would come visit me----" text ~ text Oh, wait. text I have this terrible, terrible feeling. text ~ text "Hisui. text What, kind of person is it....?" text "A pretty woman with golden hair." text Hisui's response is straightforward. text I wordlessly dash towards the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34B.png music 03.mp3 text ----Too late. text It seems the current state of affairs is already at a level I can't escape from. bgload event/ARK_E08.png text "----Welcome home, Nii-san." text "Oh, you're finally back." text They both greet me in completely opposite manners. text "............" text What, is this? text Arcueid and Akiha seem to be confronting each other. text They are both sitting down calmly. text But while Arcueid's calmness is natural, Akiha's calmness is from her hostility toward Arcueid. text Akiha takes a look at me. text "What is the matter, Nii-san? text You do not have to stand there, please have a seat here." text ~ text Uh, I feel like I'll get stabbed if I go over there. text ~ text "Uh, I'm fine. text Anyway, Akiha, this person is, well----" text Hmm----how should I explain this? text Akiha would not believe me if I say she's a classmate of mine, and telling her I met her in town would be like throwing oil on a fire. text "Well? text What is it?" text "Um, that's, uh----" text ~ text Now that we're in this situation, I think it doesn't matter what I say, but I have to make a good excuse and get out of it. text That's what I have to do, but----why did Arcueid come here in the first place? text ~ text "Um----did she say why she came here?" text I point to Arcueid in a desperate suicide gamble. text "Hm?" text She tilts her head, confused. text ".... Isn't she one of your friends, Nii-san? text That is what she told me." text "Well---yeah, you can say she's a friend." text "I see. text I really would like for her to be introduced to me. text If she is your friend, Nii-san, I can't push her out of our house." text "Ah---well, Akiha-san." text I start to stammer again. text Then Arcueid, unable to sit quietly during our sibling conversation, joins in without my permission. text "Please don't worry about it. text I just came here to get Shiki, so we'll be on our way. text Isn't that right, Shiki?" text .... My whole world jolts. text ~ text ------This is bad. text If I let her keep talking, she'll lead me to an early grave. text "Huhu, ahahahaha!" text Laughing desperately, I run to Arcueid and grab her arm. bgload BG_34B.png bgload BG_34B.png setimg ARK_T06.png -28 0 text "Hey, Shiki, what are you doing all of a sudden?" text There's no time to listen to her complaints. bgload BG_34B.png text I pull on her arm and dash out of the sitting room, leaving a stunned Akiha behind. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33C.png bgload BG_33C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text Hisui is in the lobby. text She looks at me with somewhat colder eyes than usual as I run with Arcueid. text ~ text "Are you leaving, Shiki-sama?" text "----Yeah, I'll be back late. text I really am sorry, but can you leave the gate open?" text "----Yes, as you wish." text I dash past Hisui's courteously bowing figure and escape the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32C.png bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Ow. text Just what in the world were you thinking, taking me outside so quickly like that?" text "That's my line....! text What in the world were you thinking!? text Coming into my house like that is just insane! text Are you trying to destroy my life, you idiot....!" text I grit my teeth as I glare at Arcueid. bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "I---idiot!? text Are you calling me an idiot!?" text "I'm calling an idiot an idiot, so what else is there, idiot! text If you want to argue, I'm listening!" text "Eh----ah, huh?" text I'm completely infuriated. text It's been a while since I've been this mad, and once I'm mad, I have to say everything I want to the person I'm mad at, no matter who it is. bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hey, I just came to see you. text I didn't do anything to make you mad!" text ".... Wait. text Are you serious, Arcueid? text You only came to see me?" bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "I didn't even say anything weird. text I didn't say anything to your sister about your eyes or about me or anything." text "Of course. text If you did, we wouldn't be talking like this. text I would not have hesitated and thrown you out if you did." bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text ".... I don't get it. text Then why are you so mad?" text "That's because you don't ever think! text Look, you already stand out just being here. text I'll say it now, but you should realize that just by being here you cause trouble....!" text For the time being, I said it all. text Getting it all out of my system calms me down, but obviously Arcueid isn't so calm. text Looking like a cat, she stares at me ill-temperedly. bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "----What, saying things like that.. What do you mean I stand out? text Don't I look like any other human?" text "No, beautiful women always stand out. text It doesn't have anything to do with being human." text I answer directly. bgload BG_32C.png text ~ text I answer so flatly that Arcueid understands flatly, too. text "---Well, I said too much. text It was the first time that's happened to me, so I kind of panicked." bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text ".... That's okay. text It seems like I was the one to blame." text Arcueid nods meekly. text I feel a little guilty because I think there's something more to it than that. text .... In the first place, why did she come to my house....? text "Anyway, why did you come over? text .... Well, I wanted to talk to you, too, so I guess it's a good thing." bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Really? text I was just.. wondering how you were doing, so I swung by to see you." text ".... I see. text Next time, please do so in a different place. text And as stealthily as possible, too." text .... I'm worn out. text "----Anyway, I want to have a serious talk. text I want to talk about it somewhere else since I feel uneasy here, so is that okay?" bgload BG_32C.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Sure----but talk about what?" text "You'll see. text .... There'll be less people around, so let's go more towards the middle of the park." text Telling her to come on, I start walking. bgload BG_32C.png text Tilting her head in curiosity, she follows me obediently. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar ark_regard + 1 jump s139.scr bgload BG_25B.png text ----The night has just begun. text No, to be more exact, if Arcueid would be walking around, it would most likely be during the night rather than during the day. text ~ text ".... I guess it would be more efficient to search around town." text .... I don't want to think about it, but most of the victims are usually found in alleys. text If I want to find Arcueid----if I want to find the vampire killer who's continuing to murder, then I have to stick to searching the streets. text "----Damn it. text What am I doing!?" text Not understanding my own feelings, I curse and start to run around aimlessly. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text ------*sigh* text I sit down on the guard rail. text It's been several hours already. text I looked around aimlessly, and I didn't even catch a single glimpse of Arcueid. text "........ Damn it." text It's so, frustrating. text Of course, I knew it isn't easy to just randomly find someone in town, but I still felt optimistic I would find her. text ~ text "Where did she go....?" text .... Why? text I just wanted to ask her about the serial killings, but once I find out I can't see her, I---- text "Ah, stop. text Stop. text I should just stop." text I stand up from the guardrail and start walking. text It'll be midnight soon. text Searching for Arcueid any longer really is just useless. text "........" text But, if I've gone this far, I can do just a little more. text There's one last place I need to check. text If she's not there, then I'll go back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text .... The deserted park. text I arrive at the place where I cooperated with Arcueid and defeated Nrvnqsr. text Having only looked in town, I've yet to search here. text ".... Well, not that I'll find anything...." text Grumbling to myself, I enter the park. bgload BG_28B.png text Midnight. text As expected, there's no one here this late at night. text With this much silence, it rather feels refreshing. text ".... That's right. text It's not like I can conveniently find her." text I breath out a sigh and slump my shoulders. text ".... How stupid. text Why am I so disappointed?" text I don't understand it myself. text Just, once more----I think maybe I wanted to see her smile. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, there you are. text Good evening, Shiki." text ~ text .... Yeah, just like this. text Her face that's so cheerful and carefree you can't believe it belongs to a vampire---- text ~ text "A, Arcueid----!?" text Without even thinking, I grab both of her shoulders. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Eh----?" text Arcueid flinches in surprise. text Arcueid's shoulders are indeed real, and I quickly pull my arms back. bgload BG_28B.png text "Y, you, why----" text Even though the one I've been searching for so long is right before me, I can't do anything but stumble over my words. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Why? text That's odd. text I was looking for you, so I don't think it's coincidence we met here." text "Eh----You, were looking for me? text Why?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Why? text ----Oh, no reason." text She says straight out that she has no reason to be looking for me. text "............" text .... I forgot. text She really is kind of like a cat this way. text ".... Well, I guess it works out. text To be honest, I wanted to see you too. text So meeting here, um----" text I was about to say it makes me really happy, but I frantically choke those words off. text "----Anyway, I want to have a serious talk. text I want to talk about it somewhere else since I feel uneasy here, so is that okay?" text "Sure----but talk about what?" text "You'll see. text .... Let's go more to the back of the park." text Telling her to come on, I start walking. bgload BG_28B.png text Tilting her head in curiosity, she follows me obediently. bgload IMA_10.png setvar flg7 + 1 jump s139.scr bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 music 01.mp3 text "What did you want to talk about, Shiki?" text "About vampires. text You said it before. text That the recent serial killings were the work of a vampire." text Arcueid nods. text "Then do you know the morning news said another victim was found? text She was killed last night and drained of blood." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "-----" text .... Arcueid's eyes narrow. text Something.. text Something like a freezing tension races down my spine. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "Oh? text And?" text "And?---you...." text I swallow hard. text She stares right at me. text Almost---a stare which says she will attack me immediately if I move even the slightest bit. text "Is---isn't it strange, Arcueid? text Nrvnqsr is dead. text So why are these incidents still happening? text Don't tell me, that, you---" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "That's not it at all. text That's not me, but another vampire." text Arcueid responds immediately, loosening the tension. text But I'm not satisfied. text "What do you mean? text The work of another vampire? text So they just keep coming?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Of course not. text The serial killings were always the work of just one vampire from the very beginning. text So no new vampires will come, and Nrvnqsr was unrelated to those incidents." text ~ text ----Eh? text Nrvnqsr was, unrelated....? text ~ text "Wha---what do you mean?" text "It's just like I said. text .... You're normally pretty sharp, but you're lost at some points. text Think back, Shiki. text Nrvnqsr was a vampire, but did he ever suck human blood?" bgload BG_29B.png text "Suck blood? text He ate humans and---oh." text ~ text I see. text Why didn't I notice such a simple mistake? text The victims of the serial killings are found with their bodies drained of blood. text But Nrvnqsr was different. text He didn't leave any dead bodies behind. text He not only drank the blood, but also ate the meat, leaving no trace. text To prove it, the people eaten by him in the hotel were treated as missing people, not killed people. text ~ text So---that means, it is something completely different. text "Wait. text Then what is the serial killing going on right now? text Just who is doing it?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "That's a different vampire than Nrvnqsr. text To be more specific, that vampire is why I came here, and Nrvnqsr came here following me. text It's that sort of correlation." text "---Wha.. So the one you're after wasn't Nrvnqsr after all....!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, I didn't ever say he was my initial target. text I was his target, but he was never my target; my target is the one called the 'serial killer' in this city." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text ".... Shiki. text I don't quite believe it, but don't tell me you made such a simple mistake?" bgload BG_29B.png text "Wha-----" text I gasp in shock. text But---it really is just as she says. text She said her purpose is to kill vampires, so I just thought it was Nrvnqsr she was after---- text ~ text ".... So what is it? text Killing Nrvnqsr that night, was pointless......!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "It wasn't pointless, you fought in my place. text Well, if you didn't kill me, you probably wouldn't have had to in the first place." text ~ text "------" text I feel a little dizzy. text ".... In other words, those vampire killings had nothing at all to do with Nrvnqsr and it was the work of another vampire....?" text "Yeah, that's right. text But, that's my problem so you don't have to worry about it. text But more than that, hey." music ~ bgload BG_29B.png text With an extremely happy smile, Arcueid looks up at me as I still stand there in surprise. text ~ text "How was last night? text Who came?" if flg4 >= 1 jump s140.scr fi jump s141.scr bgload BG_29B.png music 03.mp3 text "Huh?" text What does she mean by last night? text I don't understand what she's talking about. text After all, I'm the idiot who mistook Arcueid's words and made such a stupid mistake, so of course I don't understand what she is saying, and---huh? text ~ text Did Arcueid ask me who came last night---? text ".... Arcueid. text What do you mean by 'last night'?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Hm? text That's strange, I know I sent you a dream familiar." text "Wait, what's that dream familiar thing?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Um, it's like a familiar that lets you see a dream about what you desire the most. text You're a male, so I sent you a succubus. text Wasn't it a good dream?" bgload BG_29B.png text "I-----" text ~ text A good dream? text That was.. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H02.png bgload BG_29B.png text I remember the realistic dream I had and my face turns red. text "You, that was your doing---!" text Arcueid grins even more. text ---Crap. text If I stayed quiet this conversation would have been over, but since I reacted so strongly--- bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, so you did get it. text So, who came? text I know, it was your sister, right?" text "N, n, not Akiha----! text What kind of a guy do you think I am! text I'm not crazy to do that to a sister!" text "Hmm. text If it wasn't your sister, then was it the maids at the mansion?" bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid looks up at me full of amusement. text "Uh----" text She's acting like the Arcueid from last night's dream. text ~ text "It doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text I look away from her and refuse. text But Arcueid keeps saying "Come on, come on," over and over. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Come on, tell me. text You can at least tell me who you dreamed about." text She asks like a curious kid. text Every time I turn away she keeps jumping in front of me, saying "Come on, come on." text ~ text .... This is pure torture. text She's as mischievous as last night's dream. text I bury my face in my hands. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hey Shiki, don't be quiet and tell me." text Arcueid keeps looking at me with those upturned eyes. text ~ text ---I can't, God. text This is my limit. text ~ text ".... You." text I hesitatingly let it out in a quiet voice. text "---Eh? text What about me?" text "Don't make me say it again. text I'm saying that it was you who came!" text I shout angrily as I look away. text Arcueid's eyes widen in surprise. music 01.mp3 bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "M, me....?" text "Yeah, it's not a joke. text You came, and----" text There's no way I can finish. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "Ah----" text Now Arcueid looks away from me, looking very uncomfortable. bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text "............" text "............" text Neither of us know what to say. text The uncomfortable silence continues. text .... text ........ text .............. text .................... text .......................... *ahem* text I can't bear the silence any longer and force out that cough. text ~ text ".... In the first place, why did you send me that dream familiar thing? text Are you still angry at me for killing you?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "That's not it at all. text I sent it as thanks for defeating Nrvnqsr. text I really am grateful to you, I thought you'd be extremely happy." text "As thanks?---I'll pass on that kind of thanks. text Having that kind of poor taste, just what are vampires thinking?" text I slump my shoulders. text I don't know what she's mad about, but she looks at me with a dissatisfied expression. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "What's that all about, you meanie? text I know I'm not human." bgload BG_29B.png text She turns away, then starts walking off. text "Hey, hold on. text Where are you going?" text "It has nothing to do with you. text Don't follow me!" text Is she really that angry? text Arcueid walks away without even turning around. text "........" text Where does she plan on going anyway? text "........" text Maybe I did say too much. text No matter what the results were or the methods used, she really thanked me with good intentions. text I start to feel intense regret and think that maybe I should have just accepted her gift happily. text "-----" text Damn it. text Why is it that I just can't leave Arcueid alone....!? text ~ text "Aw---Hey, I said wait!" bgload IMA_10.png jump s142.scr bgload BG_29B.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text ~ text ---I'd die before I'd say it. text ~ text "Arcueid, it doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text I look away from her and refuse. text But Arcueid keeps saying "Come on, come on," over and over. text "Come on, tell me. text You can at least tell me who you dreamed about." text She asks like a curious kid. text Every time I turn away she keeps jumping in front of me, saying "Come on, come on." bgload BG_29B.png text ".... Please, just let it go. text There was something wrong with that dream. text .... Even now, that---" text I don't know why I saw that dream. text Arcueid says it's my greatest desire, but I don't want to think that's what it was. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Oh, maybe it turned into a nightmare? text She does tend to write the story to her liking when fond of her target. text She's only a novice, so I guess it couldn't be helped." text Arcueid mumbles to herself. text "....? text Writes the story to her liking? text What do you mean?" text "I'm saying she interprets your desire in her own way. text That dream familiar I sent you is just a child, so she likes to play pranks." text "----I see." text .... That's a relief. text That's right, that dream---It couldn't have been what I wanted. text I let out a sigh of relief. text With this, my innocence has been proved but--- text "Arcueid. text Why did you send me such a thing? text That's too much even for harassment." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hmph. text I wouldn't harass you. text I sent you the dream familiar to thank you for defeating Nrvnqsr. text I really am grateful to you, so I thought it'll be great if it made you happy." text "Thank me?---Well, I'm happy you were grateful, but.." text But no matter what, I'll pass on that sort of thanks. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Oh come on. text Are you saying you can't accept a person's goodwill?" text ".... Hey, you're not a person, you're a vampire, Arcueid." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text ".... That's.... true but." text Arcueid slumps her shoulders. text .... How do I say this.. Arcueid is very open in expressing her emotions. text Being happy, being angry, she changes her expressions so quickly---It's actually kind of charming. text ~ text .... I said she was a vampire, but, text she really does seem like a human, enough to even make me forget that fact. text ".... In the first place, why did you send me that dream familiar thing? text Are you still angry at me for killing you?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "That's not it at all. text I sent it as thanks for defeating Nrvnqsr. text I really am grateful to you, I thought you'd be extremely happy." text "As thanks?---I'll pass on that kind of thanks. text Having that kind of poor taste, just what are vampires thinking?" text I slump my shoulders. text I don't know what she's mad about, but she looks at me with a dissatisfied expression. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "What's that all about, you meanie? text I know I'm not human." bgload BG_29B.png text She turns away, then starts walking off. music ~ text "Hey, hold on. text Where are you going?" text "It has nothing to do with you. text Don't follow me!" text Is she really that angry? text Arcueid walks away without even turning around. text "........" text Where does she plan on going anyway? text "........" text Maybe I did say too much. text No matter what the results were or the methods used, she really thanked me with good intentions. text I start to feel intense regret and think that maybe I should have just accepted her gift happily. text "-----" text Damn it. text Why is it that I just can't leave Arcueid alone....!? text ~ text "Aw---Hey, I said wait!" bgload IMA_10.png jump s142.scr bgload BG_52.png text Surrounded by the night, Arcueid walks down the street. text She looks straight ahead, her white figure with golden hair fluttering. text It bears a horrible resemblance to the first time I saw her. text No, or perhaps.. text Perhaps it's like the time she faced off with Nrvnqsr. text ~ text .... For some reason I have a bad feeling about this. text "Hey, Arcueid!" bgload BG_52.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "------" text Arcueid continues to walk without turning around. text "I want to talk to you. text You can at least tell me what you're going to do." text "------" text Of course, Arcueid just continues walking without turning around. text .... It'd be miserable if I left it like this. text I decide to follow her silently for now. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text The footsteps echo through the night air. text ~ text ---And then, text Arcueid suddenly stops and turns around. bgload BG_26A.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "Don't follow me. text Don't you understand it's troubling for a normal person like you to follow me around?" text "---So tell me what you're going to do and I'll go back." bgload BG_26A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text ".... It doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text Arcueid strides off once more. bgload BG_26A.png text .... Crap. text It seems like our wordless wandering is going to continue. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text When we approach the main street, Arcueid freezes. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 music 04.mp3 text "---Found it." text "Eh...... ?" text Her voice is cold, like a totally different person's. text "----Ah." text .... A chill runs up my spine. text Even from behind, I can feel the hostility manifesting itself in her. text "Arcueid---What, are you--" text I can't even finish. text It's clear what she intends to do without saying anything. text Without a doubt, there is nothing but the pure, unadulterated intent to kill. text "Hey---What are you, thinking....!?" text "----" text Arcueid doesn't answer. text Her eyes are fixed solely on a man in a business suit walking by. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki. text Take off your glasses and look at that person." text "That person---you mean that business man?" text "Hurry. text If you want to know what I'm doing, then leave the questions for later." text "----Alright. text I don't like to look while in town, but---" bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png text I take off my glasses. text ".... Gah." text Instantly a light headache springs forth. text In exchange for the pain, I can see "lines" running all along the walls and the ground. bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Another question, Shiki. text You only see "points" on living things, right?" text "Eh---? text Yeah, that seems to be true. text Things like buildings only have lines." text .... I saw them back during the time in that hotel, but at the cost of a headache that almost caused me to pass out. text "Right, since you are a living being, you can't comprehend the death of inanimate objects. text So in order to "see" the death of inanimate objects, you must first connect to a circuit of the same orientation as them. text To "see", you have to "comprehend" them first. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Then another question. text Shiki, how does that person look to you?" bgload BG_25B.png text "----?" text It'll just be the same as always--- bgload BG_25B.png setimg MAN_T03.png 47 0 text "----!?" text Without thinking, I step backwards. text .... What is that? text Certainly, all humans have "lines" on them. text But they only have countable amounts and they also look like geometric patterns. text ~ text But---what is that? text There are "lines" running all through him. text Those "lines" are all over him like blood vessels.. so much that I can't even make out his appearance. text "----Gah." text I want to puke. text Those, black "lines"---scribbles making a human shape.. everywhere throughout it, I can see "black points" that look like they are flowing blood---- bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki, how does it look? text I was hoping it would look normal to you." text "------" text I can't answer. text Right now---it takes all my strength just not to vomit. text "---I see. text How unfortunate that you can even see death on that thing." text "Yeah.... it's not, normal, but.... I can, still see, the lines...." bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "I knew it---you can even kill The Dead. text The fact that they don't have any life has no meaning for you. text Something that moves, something that breaks, you can stop it completely without exception---You're more of a monster, Shiki." text "Eh-----" bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "As you saw, you can't call that thing human anymore. text It's a vampire that deceives death by sucking the blood of other people." text Arcueid quickens her steps. text She walks straight towards the man. text "Hey, Arcueid---" text "Stay there Shiki!" text Did that young man realize Arcueid was there? text He starts running towards a back alley. text Arcueid strides silently. text Underneath the moonlight, she disappears into that alley. bgload BG_25B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text The sound of my heartbeat is awfully close. text It's not even real late at night. text Even though I'm in the midst of a bustling shopping district, I can't sense anyone besides myself. text ~ text ---THUMP. text ~ text My glasses---I have to put on my glasses. text If I don't do that, I'll see terrible things. text I'll see something so terrible that everything I've seen so far would be nothing in comparison to it. text ~ text ---Th, u, mp. text ~ text But my body won't move. text My eyes that can see this patchwork world look towards that alley in fascination. music ~ text "------" sound SE_01.wav -1 text Suddenly, sounds vanish. text And the presence of other people, text the sound of the wind, text and the smell of the dirt. text ~ text All of it freezes. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------GI text Under the frozen moon. text A bizarre noise sounds from the other side of the wall. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------GO. text ~ text ~ text No way I can see it, text I can't hear anything. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------A sickening sound text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But I can see it. text My eyes definitely see the sound of death and death crashing. bgload BG_25B.png text "Gah----" text My vision turns crimson. text Why---do my eyes see "death", something that shouldn't be able to be seen? text "----" text My glasses. text I have to put on my glasses or I'll go insane. text ~ text I hold back the rising gorge in my throat and use my shaking hand to put on my glasses. sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25B.png text Sound and light return. text Now that I'm calm, I glance around and see nothing out of the ordinary in the shopping district. text The bustling of many people passing by. text The brightness of a store's decorated show window and the sound of rushing car engines. text I'm panting excessively. text ~ text I can hardly breathe. text Even though I put my glasses back on, I can still feel a lingering remnant of that "death" and it makes me sick. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "Ar--cueid....?" text Arcueid walks out from the alley with faltering steps, breathing even harder than I am. text ~ text "---Shiki.... I see, you were, still here." text Shoulders heaving up and down, she passes by me. text Her body sways back and forth, and she walks weakly as if she was sick. bgload BG_25B.png text ~ text ---To be honest, I still feel nauseous. text But, seeing Arcueid in pain like that makes me bear it. text ~ text "Wait, what in the world....!" bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "I'm fine, just a little tired so don't worry. text ---It really doesn't concern you Shiki." text "Idiot, if you're tired then rest! text With such a pale face, you can't be fine!" text Even as I breathe shallowly for air, I grab Arcueid's arm. text ".... Hey now. text You say that, but you look like you'll collapse too." text "It's just my anemia. text If you have time to worry about me, worry about your health." text "---It's fine. text There's no point in worrying about it anyway." bgload BG_25B.png text Her breathing really is weak. text "Don't tell me---that wound from that time---" text It hasn't healed? text But I can't bring myself to finish. text It's because she got it saving me. text "-----" text She doesn't answer and looks down. text That is affirmation rather than disagreement. text "Stu----What are you doing in your condition!? text You have to take it easy until you're fully healed!" text "I do think I'm, taking it, easy." text "No you're not! text Even if you are at a level beyond humans, what in the world were you doing earlier in your condition---" text ~ text .... I just can't leave her be. text I knew it. text I just can't leave this person who's always getting into trouble alone. text "Don't be silent and answer me. text Until you tell me, I won't go away....!" text I grasp both of her shoulders. text Still looking down, she gives a slight nod. text ".... Geez, you really are persistent. text Fine, let's go somewhere else to talk." text Releasing herself, she waveringly starts to walk away. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text We come to the park. text As if walking restored her strength, her face looks as cheerful as always. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 music 02.mp3 text "Well, as you wish, Shiki, I'll talk about whatever you want." text I don't know where her previous weakness went, but she looks really haughty all of a sudden. text "Then I'll ask, but just what was that guy earlier? text You said he was a vampire, was he what you were after?" text "No, he certainly is part of my target, but putting The Dead back into the grave isn't my goal. text I only got him because he was a minion of my 'enemy'. text If I left him alone, he would kill more people to increase his power." text ".... Arcueid. text Um, could you explain it so I can understand? text I don't even know if that guy was even human or not." bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh. text I guess I never really did explain to you in detail about vampires. text Nrvnqsr was sort of an aberration amongst the vampire race, so I didn't really need to explain it at that time." text "....? text What is a normal vampire then?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "What I mean is what you all think of vampires. text Immortal, never aging, sucking human blood, turning that human into a vampire, being destroyed by sunlight, all of that. text My 'enemy' is that old type of vampire." text ".... Um, so you mean this 'enemy' of yours is the one behind all the recent serial killings?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text ".... I suppose. text But the killing of all those people by sucking their blood might be the work of "The Dead" like the one you saw earlier. text Shiki, you remember how Nrvnqsr's body was made of all those familiars, right?" text "---Yeah, that's not exactly something I can easily forget." text "The Dead are like that. text When humans have their blood sucked by a vampire, they can also receive some of the vampire's blood. text They die, but remain in this world as a servant of the vampire. text They are called The Dead and they are like the vampire's familiars. text Ah, maybe it's easier to understand if I use the word zombie. text It's closer to the voodoo belief in Haiti where the white serpent-god Damballah is invoked to control a dead body, but let's just say a dead body that moves is a zombie, okay?" text ~ text ---Yeah, I can visualize it better that way. text "I get it, so that man was killed by a vampire, who uses him as a zombie?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, yes," Arcueid nods happily. text "---I'm still confused though. text Why would a vampire do that? text Killing people---not letting them die but controlling them, what bad taste." text "You're right, those vampires do have bad taste. text But that's something only the Dead Apostles do. text Those that were always vampires from the very beginning do not do such things." text "----?" text Always vampires from the very beginning ....? text "---I remember. text You said there's two types of vampires, those who were vampires originally, and those who were humans. text .... When I heard that before, it kind of stuck in my head, I thought it was a little odd. text So what exactly do you mean by those who weren't originally vampires?" text "Simple, I'm just saying that Dead Apostles used to be humans. text They either gained immortality through magic or became servants of the True Ancestors that sucked their blood. text .... Shiki, you said it was bad taste to use killed humans, but that's just the least of it. text There are other vampires who think up of worse games." text "---A game---what is that? text You guys kill for fun, and use their dead bodies as toys....!?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text ".... I won't deny that. text For vampires, "amusement" is the same as breathing. text For those who were once human but gain imperfect immortality, their greatest enemy is boredom. text They didn't have a reason to become immortal to start with, so once they gained immortality, they lost all kinds of greed. text Their goal was immortality itself, so I guess that's just the way things are." text "---They're bored so they want to play? text Don't be ridiculous. text Isn't it enough that they won't age or die? text Do they really need anything else?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "That's what I said, they got everything they wanted. text After that, there is no meaning to existence. text As soon as someone realizes they have no value---that their life is stopped, then their meaning of existence disappears too. text Immortality is also another word for death. text So they started to wear down and they started to create their own amusement, as if to tell themselves they could have fun as long as they lived. text ---That's their beginning. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "They copy humans and see themselves in a game as lords of a castle expanding their territory. text I guess you could call it a country of The Dead. text It seems they got more enjoyment out of that than they expected." text ~ text .... She speaks as if she was talking of other people. text Arcueid should be one of those, but she certainly doesn't seem like she has that sort of hobby. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Well, we'll change the topic, but the Dead Apostles were originally human. text There are a few cases where they became vampires through their own magical research, but the majority of them were humans who had their blood sucked. text They are immortal, but they can't last forever. text They can only be immortal if they drink the blood of others. text Didn't I say their immortality was imperfect? text If they can't feed on humans then their immortality is gone." text ".... Wait a minute, isn't that odd? text In order to become immortal they drink the blood of humans, but doesn't that mean new Dead Apostles will be born every time they do that?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "That's true, but things get complex from here. text The people who have their blood sucked die. text But at that time, if the Dead Apostles place a little of their blood inside the corpse, the body cannot die. text Those bodies that were unable to die stay a number of years in the grave and when the brain decays and the soul is "fixated" in the body, they become a flesh-eating corpse (ghoul). bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text Only one out of every hundred people have this potential, so not everyone gets to 'stay'. text .... Well, there are those that have a natural ability to 'step up' this progress and become a vampire immediately, but this is so rare it's out of the question. text "So, the dead bodies that became ghouls eat the flesh of other corpses in order to sustain their decayed body parts. text After restoring their body fully, they can become zombies.... members of the class of living corpses (The Living Dead)." text "---Hm. text So these Living Dead, is that the "The Dead" from before?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Not at all. text "The Dead" are just puppets. text The Living Dead are much weaker than The Dead, but they are members of the vampire race with a will of their own. text They are a on a different level than those manipulated "Dead"." bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "And after many years, once a Living Dead is able to restore it's intelligence, it becomes a vampire. text There's probably about only one out of every ten thousand who have this ability. text I said it before, but the more potential you have, the higher the success rate to stay. text We call the Dead Apostles the ones that make all these kinds of vampires." text ".... That's still odd. text If this game goes on, then won't the world be overflowing with vampires eventually?" text "Not necessarily. text The Dead Apostles usually get killed by the new vampires they created. text Didn't I say it before? text They act like humans. text For their own enjoyment, they place their own blood inside the humans they preyed upon. text These corpses go through the one out of tens of thousands rate to become vampires and eventually kill their parent vampires, becoming a new Dead Apostle themselves. text "Like knights becoming lords through strength of arms, and killing the king----they can only survive by playing those sorts of games. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text .... Yeah, I don't really understand why, but I guess that stops them from dying of boredom. text The whims of an existence close to a devil, I suppose. text Even if they are immortal, if they can't hold onto their meaning for existence, it is an empty immortality." text Arcueid remarks how silly it is as she slumps her shoulders. text ".... I see. text Then, that Dead that you killed earlier.... that was something like a soldier of the Dead Apostles?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Not so much a soldier as a puppet. text The Dead Apostles control the dead bodies by skipping the process of becoming a vampire. text The Dead are completely connected to their parent vampire. text In order for them to survive, they attack others to eat their flesh, but more than half of that energy goes to their master. text Like a queen bee nourished by the worker bees, the Dead Apostles can use The Dead to increase their power while they sleep." text ".... My 'enemy' can't be found easily because he's using a lot of The Dead. text He only dirties his hands once. text After that, he simply controls The Dead while he sleeps and expands his territory. text ---They say many bodies are found in the recent supposed serial killings, but those are actually just failures. text To tell the truth, there are over a hundred victims in this city. text But only a small amount, the ones discovered, are the victims in the news." bgload BG_27B.png music ~ text "Wha----" text Over a hundred---? text There are that many that had their blood sucked? text And all those people suck the blood of others to make them into monsters like themselves, like that wandering, lifeless thing earlier--- text "...... That's ridiculous." text Three days ago. text I remember how all those people in the hotel were killed for no reason. text ~ text I was there but I didn't see it, so I can only visualize and can't really tell what kind of violence it was. text ~ text It's still the same. text I can't fathom the existence of vampires that suck human blood, just to increase their own territory. text ---Just, text ~ text without reason, without even recognition, if someone close to me died liked that, how would I act? text I don't want to imagine it, but just a bit. text I imagine Akiha being drained of blood and discarded like trash. text ~ text "K----" text What makes me mad---is that this worst case scenario could happen at any minute in this town and I didn't even have a clue about it before. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "I knew you would be angry, Shiki. text .... I didn't want to talk about it, because for the prey---for you guys, this is an inexcusable evil. text For people like you, the actions of the vampires are inexcusable." text ".... That's right. text That's just all so ridiculous. text Even if it's people I don't know about, they have their past and even the dreams they hoped for. text Even I---don't want to be killed just for the fun of it. text That's just too regretful. text It's too meaningless. text That's all just so---so regretful, isn't it?" bgload BG_27B.png text --That's right. text All those people were killed by Nrvnqsr in the midst of fear and chaos. text Weren't their last thoughts full of regretful sadness? text ~ text That night at the park. text That girl who was killed by Nrvnqsr when she passed by the park by sheer coincidence. text She didn't even realize when she died. text That meaninglessness. text The abruptness of its ending. text A death no one else even knows about. text When it happened, I was broken apart by the complete irrationality of it all. text My fear of Nrvnqsr disappeared and more than anything else, I hated him. text ".... I can't accept it. text No matter what the reason, I can't accept it." text I grit my teeth. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Shiki, there is no reason. text For them, it's just a game." text "---That's why it's ridiculous. text It's just a game to you all....!? text Nrvnqsr and this other guy, what do they think human life is....!?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "They come up with such games because they think it's nothing. text Even I can't understand how they think, nor do I intend do. text But, if you ask who is at fault here, it's the weaker one, right? text In the end, those that are killed are at fault. text It's all the will of nature that those who are unable to protect themselves are killed." text "Wha----" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "But, Shiki. text If you talk about it that way, your human species is really strong. text The ability to make up for their weakness as a species with other things, that makes them the strongest in a way. text Probably, the only ones that can kill the greatest creature called the 'world' are you humans." bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "But even though they are strong as a species, they are weak as individuals. text They can't live without sacrificing the lives of those not of their race, which is the ultimate 'evil', is it not? text It doesn't matter if they have intelligence or not, for you guys, everything is fair game for food, is it not? text So---the ones doing the killings are always right. text If there is a sin, then it is you guys not being able to protect yourself under that rule." text "That---that's just the argument of the strong. text Humans aren't as strong like you all. text Because we can't protect ourselves fully, that's why we have to live together, to help each other---I don't know what to do if somebody like you guys came in and---" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "That's true. text That is your defense mechanism. text Since you can't protect yourself when those kinds of species enter your group, you guys make rules to ensure they are unable to enter. text .... Yes, it's just like you say, Shiki. text So usually, this town's case doesn't happen. text "You may not know it, but your human race is really strong. text You have erected a defense mechanism against those races which far exceed yours. text If it was functioning properly, this city would not have had a vampire these last eight years." text "Defense.... mechanism?" text "Yes. text The reason vampires hide the bodies of their victims and stay out of sight isn't because they don't want to be known to humans. text To protect their own lives, they conceal their identity and expand their territory. text They don't want it to be known that vampires exist at all. text If they moved freely about, the defense mechanism would arrive. text Well, they probably haven't arrived even though that "Modern Day Vampire" news is going on because this is an atheist country." text "........?" text Her word choice is too unique and I can't really grasp what she's saying. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 music 08.mp3 text "But you can relax, Shiki. text Even if their avowed enemies are not in this country, I'm here right now. text Didn't I say earlier my purpose was to execute vampires?" text I don't know where that heavy atmosphere went because Arcueid instantly becomes cheerful. text "Yeah, I remember. text .... But, you're a vampire too, right? text Why do you side with us humans?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I'm not really siding with you humans, but I'm doing it because I don't have anything else to do." text ~ text "----?" text She doesn't have anything else to do? text I still don't understand her. text "Well, doing that does bring the Dead Apostles after me, but you beat Nrvnqsr who was pursuing me, didn't you Shiki?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "So now I can go back to the original plan and defeat my 'enemy'. text You can go back to living your normal life now, and you don't have to associate with me anymore." text She smiles as if she is happy about something. bgload BG_27B.png text "Ah--yeah. text That makes me happy, but--" text ~ text But---are you okay by yourself? text ~ text Those words float in the back of my head. text .... There's something wrong with me. Feeling guilty about letting her face danger all by herself. text There really has to be something wrong with me. text "............" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Shiki? text Why are you making that troubled face again?" text "Because I'm troubled. text This is something that involves the city I live in." text "I said you shouldn't worry. text In two or three days it'll all be over, and there won't be any more victims." bgload BG_27B.png text ~ text Yeah, honestly, I don't want to be involved. text ~ text ---But, saying that line.. text Shouldn't I, the one actually living in this city, say that line instead of Arcueid? text ".... Arcueid. text Um, can I ask a question? text This 'enemy' you speak of, is he strong?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Well, he should be many times superior than The Dead earlier. text I haven't met him this time, but he has been latent for eight years so maybe he's a Class Five by now." text "---You're saying he's stronger than The Dead before?" text Looking like she was in so much pain from fighting just him, isn't she taking him a little lightly? text ".... Class Five? text I don't get it, but does that mean he's stronger than Nrvnqsr?" text "Not a chance. text Nrvnqsr was special. text He was a pure, supreme vampire that would be difficult to defeat even with my full power. text Compared to him, this enemy is pretty weak." text "----Oh. text Then there's no way you'll be defeated." text I breathe out in relief. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hm, who knows? text A few days earlier and he wouldn't be a problem, but now I'm just recovering. text The possibility that he has more power is actually high." text ".... Recovering? text Are you sick or something, Arcueid?" text "Yeah, I still have the effects from when you killed me and I don't think I'll be fine for at least a few more days." text "----Ah." bgload BG_27B.png text That's right--the reason why Arcueid is weak.. it isn't anyone's fault but mine. text Arcueid lightly touches her side. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "It seems the wounds don't heal like usual. text I could manage the outside, but I can't seem to heal the inside." text ~ text ---That wound as well. text The one she received to save me. text "U-----" text I'm at a loss for words. text It's completely my fault she's in that position. text ~ text So why? text Why doesn't she hold it against me? text Why does she just give that innocent smile---? text ".... You need to stop. text Until you heal up, you should just rest. text If you take a day or two off, things won't be that bad, so---" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "That's no good. text Thanks to Nrvnqsr coming, 'the enemy' knows I'm here. text If I rest, that's like telling him I'm weakened." text "So you're saying you're going to keep on going like this?" text "Yes. text Since I don't know where 'the enemy's' lair is, I have to keep destroying his blood supply. text If I cut that off, it will force him to come out." bgload BG_27B.png text "---Arcueid. text What if that's tomorrow? text Wouldn't you be killed instead....!? text Then---" text I want to tell her to stop, but I halt mid-sentence. text ~ text Like Arcueid says--if 'the enemy' sees that weakness, Arcueid might be killed. text More than anything else, I learned from the past four days. text Arcueid isn't someone to stop half-way once she's decided to do something, no matter how much it hurts. text "Damn----" text Arcueid won't stop. text If I leave her alone---she probably won't even be able to talk like this anymore. text It makes me mad, but she's not even afraid of her own death. text ".... Is that so?" text .... Why does she smile like that? text If she doesn't smile like that---If she acted more like a real vampire, I wouldn't have to feel like this. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "What's wrong, Shiki? text Your body is shaking, do you need to go to the bathroom?" text "--You, why are you--" text Why are you so relaxed? bgload BG_27B.png text ".... Damn........ it." text .... I don't want to lose her. text I don't know what this feeling is. text But these past four days are not something I can just forget about. text So---to part here, with the possibility she may die tomorrow, the regret would be completely, utterly, unbearably---difficult. text ".... Give me a break. text My eyes are already broken, but my heart's going to break as well." text ~ text Arcueid is a vampire, and I don't want to be involved in something like that again. text I remember the fight with Nrvnqsr. text Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine. text The fear of being one step away from death still remains. text This is the same. text Definitely, the opponent this time isn't normal. text There's really no need for me to be involved. text Since Arcueid is saying she'll handle it, I can rely on her. text But even knowing all of that. text ~ text .... I can't, I just can't leave her alone. text "---Damn, what the hell is wrong with me!?" text I kick the ground. text I'm angry at myself for not accepting any reasoning or excuses. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Wh, what? text What's wrong, Shiki? text Getting so angry like that all of a sudden." text "Yeah, I'm just angry at my stupidity. text Why I want to say this after all that which happened to me!" text I feel more mad now that I actually say it. text Being this stupid---I know if I could see myself in a mirror I'd break it to pieces. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Hey, really what's wrong, Shiki---? text You're not acting normal." text "Yeah, I'm not! text If I was acting normal, I really wouldn't say this....!" text I spit. text ~ text I really don't want to admit it, but it's already a done deal. text Because my mouth has already confirmed it for me. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Oh I just can't understand it Shiki! text What is it!? text You keep saying you're going to say something, but what is it!?" text "Stupid, isn't it obvious!? text Until your body heals I'll help you. text That's what the stupid fool Tohno Shiki wants to say!" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text ~ text "-----Eh?" text Arcueid looks at me in total surprise. text As for me, finally saying it kind of calms me down. text "Shiki. text Is that, for real?" text "........" text I groan. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "I didn't hear it. text Please, can you say it again?" text "............" text I groan more. text No matter how much I regret it, it's done. text The instant I formed my feelings into words---I can't lie to myself any longer. bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hurry. text I want to hear those words again." text Arcueid asks softly. text Looking off in the distance, I try to sound reluctant. text ".... I guess it can't be helped. text It's my fault that you are weakened now and I can't leave the monster roaming the streets alone either. text I can't rely on you taking care of it by yourself, so if you let me, I want to help you.. that's what I said." text "Shiki----!" text Arcueid's eyes are suddenly alight. text She grabs my hand and happily shakes it up and down. text ".... Well, I may not be that helpful, but it has to be better than nothing." bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Yeah....! text If you are helping me, there's nothing to be afraid of!" text She keeps shaking my hand up and down. bgload BG_27B.png text ~ text .... How do I say this? text She really does seem happy. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text "But, what do we do now? text Do you want to search for more of The Dead like before?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah, I think that's all we can do for now. text The one before was the twelfth, so I don't think there's much more. text The parent vampire will have to come out once they all are destroyed, so we have to hunt the remaining ones for now. text Is that still okay?", she asks. text "Anything is fine, I'm just with you. text If you lead, then I'll follow. text --well, shall we start again?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, no, that's good for tonight. text They usually follow a fixed route, and the other Dead will probably not be out tonight. text Since they are fewer in number, I don't think he'll let them all come out at once." text "---Oh really? text But, doesn't that mean this 'enemy' will try to hide The Dead from you, Arcueid?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Basically. text But since this 'enemy' is a vampire, he needs to steal the blood and energy of others. text So, even though he knows I'm searching for them, he has to send The Dead out to get the minimal blood he needs." text ~ text ---*sigh* text Then, the minimal Dead he sent out was that man from before, huh. text ~ text "So, searching further tonight will be useless, I think." text ".... Well, I don't mind. text But it is tedious though." text "Yeah, hunting vampires is tedious work. text We have to find the coffin of this 'enemy' somewhere in this city, so it won't be easy." bgload BG_27B.png text Arcueid lets go of my hand and jumps back softly. text "Arcueid....?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Let's say goodbye for tonight. text We'll meet tomorrow. text With her dance-like steps, she watches me as she gets farther away. bgload BG_27B.png text "Tomorrow---wait, where should we meet....!?" text "Here's fine. text The time---yeah, around ten o'clock should be fine." text With a smile, she makes that promise. text "Good night, Shiki. text I'll see you here tomorrow!" text ~ text And, text waving her hand, Arcueid disappears. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_32C.png text ---I get back to the mansion. text As it is very late, the mansion is completely dark. text ~ text "...... This can't be good." text I put my hand on the mansion gate. text Ka-chang. text A sturdy chain holds it closed. text "---Dang. text I shouldn't cut this." text I think a bit. text Then, I decide to climb over the gate. bgload BG_33D.png text .... I'm exhausted. text After sneaking over the wall like a thief, I quietly make my way to the doorway. text The gate was locked, but the door isn't. text ".... It must have been Hisui." text I give a sigh of thanks. text So as not to wake Akiha, Kohaku-san or Hisui, I sneak my way through the mansion. bgload BG_40D.png text "------Whew." text Letting out a breath, I lay down on my bed. text ~ text "............" text My promise to Arcueid. text Maybe it's fate, but you've gotten yourself tangled up in trouble again, Tohno Shiki. text ~ text "----Could I help it? text I just can't leave her alone." text Or maybe I didn't want to leave her alone? text "Well.... I do think she is pretty." text I don't understand my feelings right now. text Right now, I'm not too sure what is right and what is wrong. text ~ text At any rate, it looks like I'll be helping Arcueid once again starting tomorrow. text So for now, I shouldn't think of anything else but getting a good night's sleep---- bgload IMA_10.png jump s143.scr if flg7 >= 1 jump s144.scr fi if flg8 >= 1 jump s145.scr fi bgload CMO_05.png text Back then, the whole mansion was like a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. text Every day was fun. text No one thought about ever growing up, text and we believed that days and nights would always be the same. text ~ text It was just a childhood spent playing like puppies. text We got along wonderfully, and were the best of playmates. text Whenever I turned back, Akiha would be there, waving her hands and hiding shyly. text Yes, always the same. text At that time, the mansion was a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. bgload IMA_11.png text I slowly awaken and open my eyes. text The morning light wraps around me and my sleepiness starts to lift. text ~ text As the last vestiges clear, text I sense that I had a very nostalgic dream. bgload BG_40E.png text "-------" text As soon as I open my eyes, I start to see those terrible things jump into my vision. text My head stabs with pain. text "Gg----" text I scramble for the glasses by my pillow and put them on. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text I take in some air. text After taking a few deep breaths, I manage to calm down. text "Why did I----so early.." text See those lines so clearly this early in the morning? text It's difficult to see the lines of death in buildings. text It's usually hard to see them, and seeing them so clearly like I just did now is rare. text "........" text What's more, I even saw those "points". text I think my headache is getting worse too. text Sensei said these eyes would attract things that weren't good. text I think Arcueid and these vampires are certainly not good. text So, maybe it's all affecting my eyes and making them stronger. text ~ text "----Can't be." text I'm probably just tired. text "Huh----?" text Come to think of it, Hisui isn't here. text It's already past seven. text Normally she would have already come in and woke me up. text ~ text ".... Maybe Hisui slept in." text But I see my freshly prepared uniform on my desk. text "What's this? text Maybe she had some other duties." text I'm a little curious, but I guess it doesn't concern me. text I don't have time this morning, so I should just hurry up, change and go to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png music ~ text "------Ah." text As I go from the lobby towards the sitting room, I realize I forgot something terribly important. text I open the door and stand there, without taking a single step forward. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text Akiha is in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is nearby and the two of them are drinking tea silently. bgload BG_34A.png text ~ text Normally she would say, text "Good morning, Nii-san," text no matter how angry she might be, but she doesn't even look at me this morning. text "Ah...... uh." text It goes without saying. text Arcueid's coming here last night has some very lasting repercussions. text Akiha's irritation is permeating the air. text You could practically cut the tension with a knife. text ~ music 02.mp3 bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-san." text .... Well, it seems like she's remained unaffected, at least. text "Ah.. yeah, good morning Kohaku-san." text Raising a hand to Kohaku-san, I enter the sitting room. bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text Akiha glares at me as I shuffle into the sitting room. text ~ text ---Ugh, I'm not going to succumb to this silent pressure! text ~ bgload BG_34A.png choice I should smooth things over with a cheerful greeting.|I won't do something stupid, so just greet her normally.|No, no if selected == 1 jump s146.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s147.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s148.scr fi bgload CMO_05.png text Back then, the whole mansion was like a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. text Every day was fun. text No one thought about ever growing up, text and we believed that days and nights would always be the same. text ~ text It was just a childhood spent playing like puppies. text We got along wonderfully, and were the best of playmates. text Whenever I turned back, Akiha would be there, waving her hands and hiding shyly. text Yes, always the same. text At that time, the mansion was a giant playground. text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. bgload IMA_11.png text I slowly awaken and open my eyes. text The morning light wraps around me and my sleepiness starts to lift. text ~ text As the last vestiges clear, text I sense that I had a very nostalgic dream. bgload BG_40E.png text "-------" text As soon as I open my eyes, I start to see those terrible things jump into my vision. text My head stabs with pain. text "Gg----" text I scramble for the glasses by my pillow and put them on. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text I take in some air. text After taking a few deep breaths, I manage to calm down. text "Why did I---so early.." text See those lines so clearly this early in the morning? text It's difficult to see the lines of death in buildings. text It's usually hard to see them, and seeing them so clearly like I just did now is rare. text "........" text What's more, I even saw those "points". text I think my headache is getting worse too. text Sensei said these eyes would attract things that weren't good. text I think Arcueid and these vampires are certainly not good. text So, maybe it's all affecting my eyes and making them stronger. text "----Can't be." text I'm probably just tired. sound SE_03.wav 1 text "Please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text Hisui enters and greets me with a bow. text "Ah, morning Hisui." text "Yes, good morning Shiki-sama." text .... Hisui brings my uniform as usual. text But, I can tell she is a bit angry. text .... The reason doesn't need to be said. text She must be angry over yesterday because I didn't get back until very late, worked my way into my room and slept. text "Hisui, last night, um...." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, there is no need to give me any excuses." text Answering quickly, she starts walking towards the door. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Then please excuse me. text Nee-san has prepared your breakfast, so please hurry to the sitting room." text "Yeah, I planned on doing so...." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text "And Shiki-sama, text Akiha-sama would like to talk to you about your late return last night. text So please hurry to the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text She shuts the door emotionlessly. text "U-----" text .... Well, come to think of it, this is a perfectly natural result. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha is the only one in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is in the kitchen, humming away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "............" text Akiha doesn't say anything when she sees me and sips her tea quietly. text "Hey. text Good morning, Akiha." text I try to greet her as naturally as I can. text Akiha's eyebrow twitches as she places her teacup down and slowly looks at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Good morning Nii-san. text It was quite late when you came home last night, wasn't it?" text ".... No, not really. text It was at most a little past one o'clock, quite normal for a healthy young man in high school to be up, right?" text "I see. text My bedtime is also past midnight so I was up at that time. text But I would come home much earlier than that." text "Ah.... well, there were some pressing circumstances and I couldn't get back. text But I did return, so---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Yes, very late at night and you went back to your room. text Without saying anything or without making a noise. text .... Goodness, you acted like you were out doing something you felt guilty over." text "Uh......" text Her stare is pure ice. text .... This is the second time, and I'm sure even though Akiha looks calm, she is quite angry. text "--Nii-san. text I don't know what went on at the Arima house, but here the curfew is eight o'clock. text It is a rule that must not be broken. text The gate will be locked after that, so please don't climb in like a robber." text "Oh---You knew?" text ".... The surveillance camera showed me quite clearly. text It is a good thing Kohaku realized it was you and turned off the alarm system because otherwise you would probably be detained right now." text ".... Oh. text I should thank Kohaku-san then. text And, um, Akiha, I'm sorry. text I shouldn't have kept quiet about it." text ".... If you understand, then it is fine. text Please make sure you observe your curfew from now on. text I will overlook it this time." text ".... About that, Akiha." text "What is it?" text ".... This is a little hard to say. text I.. have something to do tonight too. text I don't know when I will be back, but I'm not going to do anything bad---" text "---------" text Akiha's gaze tightens. text "Kohaku!" text She suddenly stands up. bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san comes in from the kitchen. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text "Yes, what is it Akiha-sama?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T11A.png 104 0 text "I will be going to school, get the preparations ready." text "Huh? text But I have not yet made Shiki-san's breakfast." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T06.png 104 0 text "You can leave this person alone. text It seems he can do everything by himself." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text Akiha strides towards the lobby. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 text Kohaku-san sighs. text ".... Shiki-san, you should not make Akiha-sama so upset. text You are her big brother, so please treat her better okay?" text Saying that, she walks after Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png text ~ text The teacup sits, still steaming. text "---Well, in short.." text I'm left by myself to calmly consider my situation. text "Guess I'm skipping breakfast today." text Yeah, no doubt. text .... I should stop by a convenience store on the way and buy some bread. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s149.scr bgload CMO_05.png text Back then, the whole mansion was like a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. text Every day was fun. text No one thought about ever growing up, text and we believed that days and nights would always be the same. text ~ text It was just a childhood spent playing like puppies. text We got along wonderfully, and were the best of playmates. text Whenever I turned back, Akiha would be there, waving her hands and hiding shyly. text Yes, always the same. text At that time, the mansion was a giant playground. text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. bgload IMA_11.png text I slowly awaken and open my eyes. text The morning light wraps around me and my sleepiness starts to lift. text ~ text As the last vestiges clear, text I sense that I had a very nostalgic dream. bgload BG_40E.png text "-------" text As soon as I open my eyes, I start to see those terrible things jump into my vision. text My head stabs with pain. text "Gg----" text I scramble for the glasses by my pillow and put them on. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text I take in some air. text After taking a few deep breaths, I manage to calm down. text "Why did I---so early.." text See those lines so clearly this early in the morning? text It's difficult to see the lines of death in buildings. text It's usually hard to see them, and seeing them so clearly like I just did now is rare. text "........" text What's more, I even saw those "points". text I think my headache is getting worse too. text Sensei said these eyes would attract things that weren't good. text I think Arcueid and these vampires are certainly not good. text So, maybe it's all affecting my eyes and making them stronger. text "----Can't be." text I'm probably just tired. sound SE_03.wav 1 text "Please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text Hisui enters, greeting me with a bow. text "Ah, morning Hisui." text "Yes, good morning Shiki-sama." text .... Hisui brings my uniform as usual. text ~ text But what is it? text I think she is a bit angry. text "Hisui, did something happen this morning? text You seem, to be in a bad mood." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "............" text Hisui looks at me as though she wants to say something, and then walks silently to the door. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Then please excuse me. text I will tell Nee-san to prepare your breakfast, so please hurry to the sitting room." text "Yeah, I planned on doing so...." text I am a bit curious why Hisui is mad. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text " I forgot to say one thing. text Akiha-sama would like to talk to you about your sneaking out last night. text So please hurry to the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text She shuts the door emotionlessly. text "Cr-----" text Crap. text They know about me sneaking out last night. text ".... Go to the sitting room means Akiha is waiting there....?" text Man.... Why can't bad things be just kept a secret? bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha is the only one in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is in the kitchen, humming away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "............" text Akiha doesn't say anything when she sees me and sips her tea quietly. text "Hey. text Good morning, Akiha." text I try to greet her as naturally as I can. text Akiha's eyebrow twitches as she places her teacup down and slowly looks at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Good morning Nii-san. text It was quite late when you came home last night, wasn't it?" text ".... No, not really. text It was at most a little past one o'clock, quite normal for a healthy young man in high school to be up, right?" text "I see. text My bedtime is also past midnight so I was up at that time. text But I would come home much earlier than that." text "Yeah, even I was home earlier, wasn't I? text .... I just had something to do, so I was out for a little bit---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Without permission? text You acted like you were out doing something you felt guilty over." text "Uh...." text Her stare is pure ice. text .... This is the second time, and I'm sure even though Akiha looks calm, she is quite angry. text "--Nii-san. text I don't know what went on at the Arima house, but here the curfew is eight o'clock. text It is a rule that must not be broken. text The gate will be locked after that, so please don't climb in like a robber." text "Oh---You knew?" text ".... The surveillance camera showed me quite clearly. text It is a good thing Kohaku-san realized it was you and turned off the alarm system because otherwise you would probably be detained right now, Tohno Shiki." text ".... Oh. text I should thank Kohaku-san then. text And, um, Akiha, I'm sorry. text I shouldn't have kept quiet about it." text ".... If you understand, then it is fine. text Please make sure you observe your curfew from now on. text I will overlook it this time." text ".... About that, Akiha." text "What is it?" text ".... This is a little hard to say. text I.. have something to do tonight too. text I don't know when I will be back, but I'm not going to do anything bad---" text "---------" text Akiha's gaze tightens. text "Kohaku!" text She suddenly stands up. bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san comes in from the kitchen. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text "Yes, what is it Akiha-sama?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T11A.png 104 0 text "I will be going to school, get the preparations ready." text "Huh? text But I have not yet made Shiki-san's breakfast." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T06.png 104 0 text "You can leave this person alone. text It seems he can do everything by himself." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text Akiha strides towards the lobby. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 text Kohaku-san sighs. text ".... Shiki-san, you should not make Akiha-sama so upset. text You are her big brother, so please treat her better okay?" text Saying that, she walks after Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png text ~ text The teacup sits, still steaming. text "---Well, in short.." text I'm left by myself to calmly consider my situation. text "I guess I'm skipping breakfast today." text Yeah, no doubt. text .... I should stop by a convenience store on the way and buy some bread. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s149.scr bgload BG_34A.png text First of all, I have to change the mood. text It seems like I'll lose to her silent pressure if I act normally, so I'll have to switch my approach. text "Good morning," I say to her in English. text What a great morning, isn't it Akiha?" text Hahaha. text I greet her frankly. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "............" text I think she's staring at me harder. text ~ text .... Ouch. text If I keep receiving her silent pressure, without a doubt she'll bore a hole right through me. text ".... Um, I'm going to get some breakfast so I'm off to the dining room." text Yup. text I should retreat to the dining room. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "----Nii-san." text Her voice stops me dead in my tracks. text .... Well, of course she wouldn't let me go like that. text "What? text Did you need anything from me?" text I try and play dumb. text She doesn't even bat an eyelash. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "I have something to discuss with you before breakfast. text Please, sit there on the sofa." text ".... Got it. text Please keep it as short as possible." text I plop down on the sofa across from her. text Kohaku-san brings me a teacup. text Her smile seems to say "Hang in there, okay?" and I'm able to gather up at least a little courage. text I drink a mouthful of tea and meet her gaze. text "So, what'd you want to talk about, Akiha?" text "That woman last night, just what is she to you?" text ~ text ---Guh! text ~ text That was close. text Akiha's normally so roundabout, but this time she asks straight on. text I'm taken so much by surprise I almost sprayed tea everywhere. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, did you hear me?" text "Yeah, I hear you. text Loud and clear." text "Then please answer. text That woman from last night, just what is she to you, Nii-san?" text "...... Um, that is a troubling question, um, she's a friend, a person I agreed to help---" text "A friend so important you had to leave in the middle of the night? text Yes, I don't intend to have to approve of all the relationships you have, but you are in school now, correct? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T16A.png 40 0 text The eldest son of the Tohno-family, going to places with some strange woman in the middle of the night.. please stop doing such shameless things." bgload BG_34A.png text As she speaks, her cheeks flush and she looks away. text ~ text ---I see, Akiha thinks my relationship with Arcueid is like that. text "Wait, Akiha. text There's really nothing between us. text I'm just helping her find something. text After that, we won't even see each other again." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Oh really? text You certainly seem very close. text That must be my imagination, right Nii-san?" text Her gaze is cold. text .... If I lie with something like "That's not it," things will be much easier, but---more than the fact that I don't want to lie to Akiha, I really don't want to say that we aren't close. text "----That, may not.... be your imagination, maybe." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Right. text You were panicking like I've never seen you before. text You were never serious about anything and now you show all this emotion, just what's gotten into you?" text "That's not it. text I was just totally caught off guard that she'd actually come here." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "That woman calmly waited for you the whole time, Nii-san." text She casts a sideways glare at me. text She really seems convinced that Arcueid and I are dating. text "Look, Akiha. text You're getting it completely wrong. text In the first place, we first met---" text ~ text by me killing her, but I swallow the rest of those words. text .... It'll be too stupid to tell the truth. text But I can't even think of a good excuse, and I can only stammer. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "If you cannot answer then let's change the question. text You've been calling that woman "her" this whole time, what is her name?" text ".... Um, Arcueid." text "I see. text So you did not meet at school. text There are no foreign exchange students at your high school." text ".... Uh." text Like Akiha says, there's no one from overseas at my school. text It's right, but why does she know that much? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "So Nii-san, just where in the world did you meet a person like that?" text "In the city. text Just, a coincidence." text "Oh, a coincidence? text Then Arcueid must have talked to you?" text "Ah---No, I was the one, who talked to her...." text Well, not quite talked, but I was the one that initiated our contact. text "Why did you talk to her? text I thought Arcueid-san was nothing to you. text Or did you only intend it like that from the beginning?" text ~ text Her questions are right on the mark. text Step by step, she draws closer to my secret. text Like a snake staring at a frog, she ignores all my excuses and is trying to drive me into a corner. text ~ text I can now only use force to end this conversation. text "That's enough. text I said she's nothing to me! text Besides, whatever I do doesn't concern you. text You don't have any right to complain about who I date, anyway." text I point at her directly. bgload BG_34A.png text After giving an angered face----she stands up without a sound. text "----?" text .... That's odd. text I thought she would yell back at me, but instead she appears very uncomfortable and looks away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... Even I, didn't want to say this. text But it's just, I get a bad feeling from her. text If it was anyone else, I would just be resigned to it. text But, for you to be ensnared by her, doesn't that make me just a big fool?" text .... I don't know why. text But she regretfully bites her lip as she says these words. text "That's why I'm saying she's nothing special. text What's wrong Akiha, you seem a little strange." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T14.png 40 0 text "That's enough. text If you want to do as you please, then feel free, Nii-san....!" bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha storms noisily out the lobby. text "......?" text I don't understand anything at all. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, Shiki-san, that was horrible of you." text Kohaku-san gives a disappointed sigh and starts walking after her. text "Poor Akiha-sama. text If you are going to bring your lover, please bring someone more normal. text If you did that, Akiha-sama would have understood." bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san disappears towards the lobby after Akiha. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s149.scr bgload BG_34A.png text .... I say that, but her pressure is now on a completely different level than before. text If I say anything wrong in the face of this frozen heat, she will give a devastating counter. text I'll show a calm, reflective manner. text ~ text "---Good morning, Akiha. text You're up early as usual." text I say this quietly and as gently as possible. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Yes. text Thanks to what happened last night, I was unable to sleep at all." text She says something so outrageous while still smiling sweetly. text ~ text .... This, really isn't good. text She can't be sane, being so angry yet smiling like that. text ".... Oh. text Well, I hope you feel a little better, or something." text I should stay away from danger. text I have to say something and then escape from here. text "Um, then I'll be off to have some breakfast in the dining room." text Yup. text I should retreat to the dining room. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "----Nii-san." text Her voice stops me dead in my tracks. text .... Well, of course she wouldn't let me go like that. text ".... Yes. text What is it, Akiha-san?" text By the way, adding "san" to her name means waving my white flag. text She doesn't even bat an eyelash. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "I have something to discuss with you before breakfast. text Please, sit there on the sofa." text ".... Got it. text Please keep it as short as possible." text I plop down on the sofa across from her. text Kohaku-san brings me a teacup. text Her smile seems to say "Hang in there, okay?" and I'm able to gather up at least a little courage. text I drink a mouthful of tea and meet her gaze. text "So, what'd you want to talk about, Akiha?" text "That woman last night, just what is she to you?" text ~ text ---Guh! text ~ text That was close. text Akiha's normally so roundabout, but this time she asks straight on. text I'm taken so much by surprise I almost sprayed tea everywhere. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, did you hear me?" text "Yeah, I hear you. text Loud and clear." text "Then please answer. text That woman from last night, just what is she to you, Nii-san?" text "...... Um, that is a troubling question, um, she's a friend, a person I agreed to help---" text "A friend so important you had to leave in the middle of the night? text Yes, I don't intend to have to approve of all the relationships you have, but you are in school now, correct? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T16A.png 40 0 text The eldest son of the Tohno-family, going to places with some strange woman in the middle of the night.. please stop doing such shameless things." bgload BG_34A.png text As she speaks, her cheeks flush and she looks away. text ~ text ---I see, Akiha thinks my relationship with Arcueid is like that. text "Wait Akiha. text There's really nothing between us. text I'm just helping her find something. text After that, we won't even see each other again." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Oh really? text You certainly seem very close. text That must be my imagination, right Nii-san?" text Her gaze is cold. text .... If I lie with something like "That's not it," things will be much easier, but---more than the fact that I don't want to lie to Akiha, I really don't want to say that we aren't close. text "----That, may not.... be your imagination, maybe." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Right. text You were panicking like I've never seen you before. text You were never serious about anything and now you show all this emotion, just what's gotten into you?" text "That's not it. text I was just totally caught off guard that she'd actually come here." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "That woman calmly waited for you the whole time, Nii-san." text She casts a sideways glare at me. text She really seems convinced that Arcueid and I are dating. text "Look, Akiha. text You're getting it completely wrong. text In the first place, we first met---" text ~ text by me killing her, but I swallow the rest of those words. text .... It'll be too stupid to tell the truth. text But I can't even think of a good excuse, and I can only stammer. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "If you cannot answer then let's change the question. text You've been calling that woman "her" this whole time, what is her name?" text ".... Um, Arcueid." text "I see. text So you did not meet at school. text There are no foreign exchange students at your high school." text ".... Uh." text Like Akiha says, there's no one from overseas at my school. text It's right, but why does she know that much? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "So Nii-san, just where in the world did you meet a person like that?" text "In the city. text Just, a coincidence." text "Oh, a coincidence? text Then Arcueid must have talked to you?" text "Ah---No, I was the one, who talked to her...." text Well, not quite talked, but I was the one that initiated our contact. text "Why did you talk to her? text I thought Arcueid-san was nothing to you. text Or did you only intend it like that from the beginning?" text ~ text Her questions are right on the mark. text Step by step, she draws closer to my secret. text Like a snake staring at a frog, she ignores all my excuses and is trying to drive me into a corner. text ~ text I can now only use force to end this conversation. text "That's enough. text I said she's nothing to me! text Besides, whatever I do doesn't concern you. text You don't have any right to complain about who I date, anyway." text I point at her directly. bgload BG_34A.png text After giving an angered face---she stands up without a sound. text "----?" text .... That's odd. text I thought she would yell back at me, but instead she appears very uncomfortable and looks away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... Even I, didn't want to say this. text But it's just, I get a bad feeling from her. text If it was anyone else, I would just be resigned to it. text But, for you to be ensnared by her, doesn't that make me just a big fool?" text .... I don't know why. text But she regretfully bites her lip as she says these words. text "That's why I'm saying she's nothing special. text What's wrong Akiha, you seem a little strange." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T14.png 40 0 text "That's enough. text If you want to do as you please, then feel free, Nii-san....!" bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha storms noisily out the lobby. text "......?" text I don't understand anything at all. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, Shiki-san, that was horrible of you." text Kohaku-san gives a disappointed sigh and starts walking after her. text "Poor Akiha-sama. text If you are going to bring your lover, please bring someone more normal. text If you did that, Akiha-sama would have understood." bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san disappears towards the lobby after Akiha. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s149.scr bgload BG_34A.png text No matter what, I can't talk myself out of what happened last night. text The only method I have left is to apologize before Akiha can do anything. text "Akiha, about last night, that---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, can I warn you about something?" text ~ text ---And then, text before I can apologize, Akiha speaks those words in a frightening voice. text "You are the eldest son of the Tohno family, so it is better if you do not apologize for wayward actions. text Apologizing is admitting you did something wrong. text In that situation, the eldest son has to receive a proper punishment, yes?" text "-----Um, Akiha, well.." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T04A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, I don't want to have to do that to you. text So Nii-san, I'm waiting for a wonderful excuse." text "------" text ~ text .... A devil. text I see a devil. text "Akiha, before that, I'd like to eat some breakfast in the dining room. text Is that okay?" text I retreat to the dining room. text ~ bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "----Nii-san." text Her voice stops me dead in my tracks. text Uh-oh.... whatever happens, it seems like she won't let me get away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "I have something to discuss with you before breakfast. text Please, sit there on the sofa." text ".... Got it. text Please keep it as short as possible." text I plop down on the sofa across from her. text Kohaku-san brings me a teacup. text Her smile seems to say "Hang in there, okay?" and I'm able to gather up at least a little courage. text I drink a mouthful of tea and meet her gaze. text "So, what'd you want to talk about, Akiha?" text "That woman last night, just what is she to you?" text ~ text ---Guh!! text ~ text That was close. text Akiha's normally so roundabout, but this time she asks straight on. text I'm taken so much by surprise I almost sprayed tea everywhere. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, did you hear me?" text "Yeah, I hear you. text Loud and clear." text "Then please answer. text That woman from last night, just what is she to you, Nii-san?" text "...... Um, that is a troubling question, um, she's a friend, a person I agreed to help---" text "A friend so important you had to leave in the middle of the night? text Yes, I don't intend to have to approve of all the relationships you have, but you are in school now, correct? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T16A.png 40 0 text The eldest son of the Tohno-family, going to places with some strange woman in the middle of the night.. please stop doing such shameless things." bgload BG_34A.png text As she speaks, her cheeks flush and she looks away. text ~ text ---I see, Akiha thinks my relationship with Arcueid is like that. text "Wait Akiha. text There's really nothing between us. text I'm just helping her find something. text After that, we won't even see each other again." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Oh really? text You certainly seem very close. text That must be my imagination, right Nii-san?" text Her gaze is cold. text .... If I lie with something like "That's not it," things will be much easier, but---more than the fact that I don't want to lie to Akiha, I really don't want to say that we aren't close. text "----That, may not.... be your imagination, maybe." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Right. text You were panicking like I've never seen you before. text You were never serious about anything and now you show all this emotion, just what's gotten into you?" text "That's not it. text I was just totally caught off guard that she'd actually come here." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "That woman calmly waited for you the whole time, Nii-san." text She casts a sideways glare at me. text She really seems convinced that Arcueid and I are dating. text "Look, Akiha. text You're getting it completely wrong. text In the first place, we first met---" text ~ text by me killing her, but I swallow the rest of those words. text .... It'll be too stupid to tell the truth. text But I can't even think of a good excuse, and I can only stammer. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "If you cannot answer then let's change the question. text You've been calling that woman "her" this whole time, what is her name?" text ".... Um, Arcueid." text "I see. text So you did not meet at school. text There are no foreign exchange students at your high school." text ".... Uh." text Like Akiha says, there's no one from overseas at my school. text It's right, but why does she know that much? bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "So Nii-san, just where in the world did you meet a person like that?" text "In the city. text Just, a coincidence." text "Oh, a coincidence? text Then Arcueid must have talked to you?" text "Ah---No, I was the one, who talked to her...." text Well, not quite talked, but I was the one that initiated our contact. text "Why did you talk to her? text I thought Arcueid-san was nothing to you. text Or did you only intend it like that from the beginning?" text ~ text Her questions are right on the mark. text Step by step, she draws closer to my secret. text Like a snake staring at a frog, she ignores all my excuses and is trying to drive me into a corner. text ~ text I can now only use force to end this conversation. text "That's enough. text I said she's nothing to me! text Besides, whatever I do doesn't concern you. text You don't have any right to complain about who I date, anyway." text I point at her directly. bgload BG_34A.png text After giving an angered face----she stands up without a sound. text "----?" text .... That's odd. text I thought she would yell back at me, but instead she appears very uncomfortable and looks away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... Even I, didn't want to say this. text But it's just, I get a bad feeling from her. text If it was anyone else, I would just be resigned to it. text But, for you to be ensnared by her, doesn't that make me just a big fool?" text .... I don't know why. text But she regretfully bites her lip as she says these words. text "That's why I'm saying she's nothing special. text What's wrong Akiha, you seem a little strange." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T14.png 40 0 text "That's enough. text If you want to do as you please, then feel free, Nii-san....!" bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha storms noisily out the lobby. text "......?" text I don't understand anything at all. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, Shiki-san, that was horrible of you." text Kohaku-san gives a disappointed sigh and starts walking after her. text "Poor Akiha-sama. text If you are going to bring your lover, please bring someone more normal. text If you did that, Akiha-sama would have understood." bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san disappears towards the lobby after Akiha. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s149.scr bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text Fourth period class is about modern society. text The mood in the classroom is somewhat lighter than usual before lunch. text ~ text Today is Wednesday, so there's one less hour of classes than usual. text After lunch, there's homeroom and an hour of deciding what to do for the Culture Festival. text What's more, tomorrow is a school holiday, so after this fourth period is over, it's practically vacation already. text It's only natural for everyone to be waiting for the end-of-class bell to ring. text "----Sleepy." text I give a big yawn. text The class is completely unchanged, the whole day progresses with nothing out of the ordinary. text ~ text Come to think of it, I've been through so many strange experiences, I almost feel odd just sitting in class. text And after classes are over and night falls, I'll have to go out once more with Arcueid. text Thinking of that, I really don't have the time to be fooling around here. text I look at my reflection in the window glass. text Tohno Shiki's face seems to be happy for some reason. text "----Grr." text I tighten my expression. text It's not like roaming the streets with Arcueid is fun, so why am I acting like this? bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_E09.png bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text ".... Arcueid...." text There's really, something wrong. text Looking out the window and into the rear courtyard, I can see an illusion of her waving her hand at me and saying "Hey". text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Hey, wait a minute....! bgload event/ARK_E09.png text "Wha, wha, wha----" text I push myself onto the window and look down. text I can only see the very edge of the rear courtyard, text but without a doubt, text Arcueid, in her usual manner, is at my school. text "!!!!!" text I look around the classroom. text ~ text ----Fortunately, there's no one who noticed the strange foreigner waving to me. text "What is she thinking....!?" text I moan to myself as I clutch my head. text But, complaining does me no good. text .... There's about twenty minutes till lunch. text What are you going to do Shiki? text If you leave her alone, who knows what she'll do....!? text ~ choice Go to the courtyard now.|Pray she doesn't do anything until classes are over.|I don't care if selected == 1 jump s150.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s151.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s152.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text ---That's right. text Preventable disasters should be stopped before they happen. text Before she can start any "interesting" trouble, I have to take her off the school grounds. bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text "Sensei, I feel my anemia coming, so I need to leave!" text ~ text I raise my hand, and after getting permission from the teacher, fly out of the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_04.png bgload BG_04.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, you're here. text That was a pretty fast sprint! text You're looking pretty lively this morning, Shiki." text "-----" text .... My jaw hangs wide open. text As I sprint into the courtyard, Arcueid greets me with her usual radiance. text "It's smaller than I expected. text I thought a 'school' would be much bigger than this----kyaa!" text I grab Arcueid's arm. text "----You, come with me." text Dragging Arcueid behind me, I dash to a place where people won't see us. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Hey! text What are you doing, taking me here all of a sudden? text This place is no fun at all." text Arcueid seems to be disappointed in this place, but it's not like school is a really interesting place to begin with. text ~ text "---'What are you doing?' That's my line, Arcueid." text I let go of her arm and thrust my index finger towards her face. bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Eh? text What do you mean?" text "I'm asking why you're walking around during daytime, and why you came to my school. text You haven't even healed yet, so why can't you just settle down and rest....!" bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "But, since you said you would help me, I thought I would look for clues during the day. text I didn't want to.. make you do any extra work---" text "Don't worry about that! text Since I said I'd help, any extra work we'll do together, so just forget about it. text .... Geez. text You're weakest during the middle of the day yet you still leave. text Do you just enjoy making me worry?" text "Ah---I'm, sorry." text "No, as long as you understand, it's okay---uh, Arcueid?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "I'm sorry, for making you worry." text "No.... actually, thanks." text ~ text I think my heart beats loudly. text Arcueid apologizing like this--is a bit out of ordinary, or--I think, terribly cute. bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "But you're at fault too, Shiki. text I was watching for the longest time from the courtyard, but you never noticed me. text I didn't know how to get inside, so I was thinking about dashing up to where you were." text "Dash up? text You mean to my classroom on the third floor?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, footing wouldn't be difficult on the veranda, and it's really easy to jump up there." text "------" bgload BG_05A.png text I take it all back. text As usual, she completely lacks any common sense. text ".... Good. text That wouldn't have been pretty if you did that." text I breathe a sigh of relief. text I don't think many people noticed her. text In the first place, there's only a few desks that can look out into the courtyard. text "---And? text So why the heck did you come to my school? text You said you were looking for clues." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I just felt something from around here. text Then I picked up your scent and realized it was your school." text ".... So you weren't thinking and you just came for no reason?" text I give a frown. text Is she a dog or something? bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Well excuse me! text I came here for a reason. text There's hardly any traces of The Dead here, so I wanted to see it for myself." text "Really? text But if there's no traces of The Dead here, then shouldn't this place be unimportant? text There's no one at school at night, so if The Dead wanted some prey, they would go downtown, not to a school." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... Well, that does make sense." text "There's nothing strange here. text I can't really sense The Dead, but since my eyes see death, I can tell without taking off my glasses." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "I see. text If you say so, Shiki, then there's nothing strange about this place, perhaps." text "Not 'perhaps', definitely." text Arcueid looks like she doesn't believe me. sound SE_02.wav 1 text ----And then, text the chime rings announcing the end of fourth period. text ~ text "---Oh no, is it lunch already?" text Even though most people don't stay by this grove, since it's lunchtime, there'll be lots of people walking by. text "Anyway, if we stay here any longer, people will see us. text I'll keep my promise for sure, so just go home and rest. text We may see the 'enemy' tonight." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh? text You sound like you want me out of here, Shiki?" text She starts to look angry again. text "Ah, that's just your imagination, so hurry on back. text Otherwise things might get a little hairy." text Go, go. text I push her from behind. text "............" bgload BG_05A.png text Though her eyes indicate she wants to say something, she just leaves silently. bgload BG_04.png text After watching Arcueid leave, I return to the courtyard. text "----Hm?" text ~ text What is it? text Someone is looking this way. text ~ bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T06A.png 52 0 text "Sen.... pai?" text No mistake, it's Ciel-senpai. text But---why is she making that expression? text She has a fearsome expression that almost makes me doubt it's actually her. bgload BG_04.png text "---Senpai!" text I call out to her as I run. text Senpai simply stands there, watching me. text "What are you doing here?" bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "The same for you, Tohno-kun. text What were you doing there? text Lunch has just began, so for you to be back here you must have skipped fourth period class." text "Of course not. text I just flew out of the classroom, that's all." text "Oh," Senpai answers without any enthusiasm. text It's her normal smile, but it seems like she's glaring at me. text "More than that, did you eat lunch yet? text If not, would you like to eat with me?" text I try and play it all off casually. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "I'm sorry, I already have someone else. text Please ask me some other time." bgload BG_04.png text For an instant, she looks incredibly down as she says that. text ".... Senpai? text What's wrong? text You don't look too well." bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "No, that isn't it. text It's just that.. it's true that fun things end rather quickly, Tohno-kun." bgload BG_04.png text She gives a brilliant smile in contrast to before. text With that, she walks inside by herself. bgload IMA_10.png setvar ark_regard + 1 jump s153.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ---But I can't just leave in the middle of class. text ~ text "...... Please." text I bring my hands together and pray silently that she won't start any "interesting" trouble for twenty minutes. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text Class ends. text I dash out of the classroom engulfed in the lunchtime commotion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11A.png text I bolt down through the hallway. text .... Arcueid is out back. text Because it's lunchtime, there may be one or two students going there. text Before that, I have to send her away from school....! bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_04.png text I pant with exertion. text I exit the hallway and out into the courtyard. text Fortunately, no one else has gone outside. text All that's left is to grab Arcueid, but.. bgload BG_05A.png text ~ text ".... The worst." text Entering the back of the school, I unthinkingly voice my thoughts. text In the back, bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 text I can see a very hostile Arcueid and.. bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07A.png 116 0 text through the worst twist of fate, Ciel-senpai is also present. text ~ text As if facing an invader, Senpai is staring at Arcueid. text "Arcueid....!" text Both of them turn around. bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T06.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07A.png 116 0 text "Shiki." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T06.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06A.png 116 0 text "-------" bgload BG_05A.png text .... Thank goodness. text Arcueid's hostility seems to fade. text After looking back at Arcueid, Senpai leaves in another direction. text "Ah.... Senpai." text She must've been offended by being glared at by Arcueid. text For Senpai to just disappear like that without saying anything must mean something. text "Arcueid, you....!" text I run over to her. bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Shiki you slowpoke!" text She yells at me as I get to her. text "Hey.... slow? text Hey now." text "But weren't you? text I know you saw me, but you never came down. text If you came earlier, I wouldn't have been seen by that person!" text .... "That person" must mean Senpai. text "It couldn't be helped, I have my circumstances. text I'm different from you, I'm just a normal student. text In the first place, why the heck did you come here?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I just felt something from around here. text Then I picked up your scent and realized it was your school." text ".... So you weren't thinking and you just came for no reason?" text I give a frown. text Is she a dog or something? bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Well excuse me! text I came here for a reason. text There's hardly any traces of The Dead here, so I wanted to see it for myself." text "Really? text But if there's no traces of The Dead here, then shouldn't this place be unimportant? text There's no one at school at night, so if The Dead wanted some prey, they would go downtown, not to a school." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... Well, that does make sense." text "There's nothing strange here. text I can't really sense The Dead, but since my eyes see death, I can tell without taking off my glasses." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "I see. text If you say so, Shiki, then there's nothing strange about this place, perhaps." text "Not 'perhaps', definitely." text Arcueid looks like she doesn't believe me. text "Anyway, if we stay here any longer, people will see us. text I'll keep my promise for sure, so just go home and rest. text We may see the 'enemy' tonight." bgload BG_05A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh? text You sound like you want me out of here, Shiki?" text She starts to look angry again. text "Ah, that's just your imagination, so hurry on back. text Otherwise things might get a little hairy." text Go, go. text I push her from behind. text "............" bgload BG_05A.png text Though her eyes indicate she wants to say something, she just leaves silently. text ".... Man. text If I see Senpai, I have to apologize to her about Arcueid." text Thinking aloud, I go back. bgload IMA_10.png jump s153.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ----I'll ignore her. text ~ text If I just run down to her and people see me, it'll be a problem. text No matter what she does, if I act like a stranger, it won't hurt me. text .... Well, tonight she'll probably say "Why did you ignore me?" But, it can't be helped. text All I want is for the school to remain peaceful and not do anything. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text It's lunchtime. text I'm not in the mood for bread for lunch, so I'll go to the cafeteria. text ".... Huh?" text I feel like I forgot something, but, whatever. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text The cafeteria is in chaos as usual. text Most of the tables are filled, so if I don't hurry, I won't have a seat. text "Ah, Senpai." text I see Ciel-senpai sitting in a group. text Are those her friends from class? text While talking with a group of girls, she's seriously eating curry udon. text ~ text .... Come to think of it, she's always eating a "curry-something". text "She, really likes curry, I guess." text I'll have to ask her about it. text "......" text But, something pulls at me. text I feel like I've forgot something important. text Something, dangerous if left alone. text ~ text ".... Well, if I don't remember, it can't be that important." text Even though it seems really important, I just turn all my attention to my lunch for now. bgload IMA_10.png jump s153.scr music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text .... As expected, the debate over what to do for the Culture Festival is a stormy one. text Since everyone's opinions are different, the decision gets postponed till next week. text By the time it's over, it's late in the afternoon. text Everyone gets up tiredly from their chairs and leaves the classroom. text ~ text "----Well then." text There's nothing to do in the classroom. text I should get ready for tonight and go back to the mansion--- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32B.png music 01.mp3 text I don't swing by anywhere else and head right back to the mansion. text The sun hasn't quite set so Akiha probably isn't back yet. text "That Akiha. text I wonder if she's still mad like this morning...." text ~ text .... Well, that can't be helped either. text I can't tell her the truth, so I'll probably just continue to be hated as a terrible older brother. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33B.png bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." text Hisui bows as I enter the mansion. text ".... Yeah, I'm back. text Thanks for greeting me, Hisui." text ---It's been a week since I've come back, but I'm not used to this yet. text "Um, Akiha isn't back yet?" text "No. text She told me to tell you she would be back especially late tonight so please eat dinner on your own, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_33B.png text .... I knew she'd still be angry from this morning. text "----Sigh." text I slump my shoulders as I start to walk to my room. text ---And then, text ~ bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama." text Hisui looks around the lobby before she speaks again. text "Forgive me for asking an awkward question, but will you be leaving tonight again, Shiki-sama?" text "Eh----?" text She fixates her emotionless eyes on me. text I think she simply wants to know what time I'll be back because she's so dedicated of a servant, but letting her know means Akiha would know. text I should--- text ~ bgload BG_33B.png choice Still, I'll tell Hisui the truth.|No, I can't let anyone know. if selected == 1 jump s154.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s155.scr fi bgload BG_33B.png text --That's right. text No matter how hard I try, I can't hide it from Hisui and Kohaku-san who are in charge of maintaining the mansion. text So, the least I can do is let them know when I'll be gone every night in the following days. text ".... Yeah, to tell the truth, I'll probably leave for a number of nights starting now. text I swear I'm not just playing around or doing anything bad. text Akiha will probably end up hating me, but I can't stop now." text ~ text Yeah. text The vampire is still somewhere in town preying on victims. text As a person who lives here, I just can't pretend like I didn't see it. text "---I know it's a burden to you, Hisui, but please overlook it. text I don't know what time I'll be back, so please just leave the gate unlocked." text "Shiki-sama, are you saying you will not tell us why?" text ".... Yeah, sorry Hisui. text You can think I'm totally irresponsible, but please don't ask. text I, don't want to have to lie." text ".... No. text You are my master. text A servant does not despise her master like that." text She speaks plainly and without any expression. text The conversation ends and I go up to return to my room. bgload BG_46B.png text "Please wait." bgload BG_46B.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text ".... Forgive, my impertinence, but.." text After cutting off, she tightens both of her hands as she looks over at me. bgload BG_46B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "If you would like me to, Shiki-sama, I can keep your leaving a secret from Akiha-sama." text "Eh? text You mean, you're not---going to tell?" text "---Yes. text After dinner, it is extremely rare for Akiha-sama to leave her room. text Nee-san and I are responsible for conducting a patrol right before she sleeps, so if I do not tell the truth, she will not know." text "Yeah, that helps. text It helps, but.... is that okay? text Isn't she your employer?" bgload BG_46B.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "I told you you are my master, Shiki-sama." text ~ text ---uh.... I'm, kind of happy. text I always have to tell her to stop adding "sama", but at times like this, I think I'm incredibly lucky. text How can I help but be happy? text "Yeah----that helps, so if you can, please do so." bgload BG_46B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Then please use the rear entrance tonight. text The front entrance will be locked, but if you have the key and use the servant's entrance, you can come and leave undetected." text "Oh? text There's a servant's entrance? text No wonder I never saw you leave through the gate." text "No, the only one who uses that is Nee-san. text She has the key, so I will get it to you later." bgload BG_46B.png text "Well then", she says, after which she bows and disappears. text "-----Alright!" text Help just came from an unexpected source. text With this, it seems I can keep my promise with Arcueid without worrying Akiha. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png music ~ text After dinner, I go back to my room. text It's almost ten o'clock. text While I was eating, Hisui placed the key on my desk. text ~ text "Now then---shall I go?" text Placing my knife in my pocket, I leave my room as quietly as I can. bgload IMA_10.png jump s156.scr bgload BG_33B.png text ---I feel bad doing this to Hisui, but I can't let her know. text I have to keep Arcueid a secret, and it's not like I can let Hisui or Kohaku-san, or Akiha know that I'm looking for the serial killer. text "No, I don't have any reason to go out. text Akiha scolded me today, so I'll stay put for a while." bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Then I will close the gate at the normal time." text She speaks plainly, without any expression. text The conversation ends and I go up to return to my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png music ~ text After dinner, I go back to my room. text It's almost ten o'clock. text So as not to be discovered, I should go outside as discreetly as possible. text ~ text "Now then---shall I go?" text Placing my knife in my pocket, I leave my room as quietly as I can. bgload IMA_10.png setvar flg9 + 1 jump s156.scr bgload BG_29B.png music 09.mp3 text It's probably because of all the recent murders, but it's only ten o'clock and there's no one in the park. text The empty night hangs overhead. text There, a white figure stands. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Shiki!" text As soon as she sees me, Arcueid angrily yells at me. text "Hey, what time do you think it is? text You're twenty minutes late!" text "........" text It seems she came here right on time. text "Yeah, sorry. text I left before ten o'clock, but it took some time trying to leave the mansion without Akiha noticing. text I'll definitely be on time the next time, so please forgive me." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "---Geez. text You don't seem to realize we are going to go killing." text Arcueid practically pouts. text Don't tell me, she was waiting long before the promised time? text "Arcueid. text Since what time were you waiting for me?" text "Me? text I came here as soon as I woke up, so----" text "Hmm," Arcueid thinks this over. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "----Probably since seven o'clock." text "Seven? text You were waiting for more than three hours?" text What in the world was she thinking, coming three hours early? text "It seems I'm strange." text As if truly amazed, Arcueid mumbles to herself. text "---Well, I'm partly to blame because I was late, but don't you have some issues too? text If you come before the agreed time, then of course you'll have to wait." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Hey---that's something entirely different. text The fact you were late doesn't change." text ".... Well, that is true. text But, why did you wait three hours? text If you had that much time, couldn't you have just gone back to your room?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "I.. don't know why either. text It somehow was fun and while I was thinking it was nice waiting for you, it was already ten o'clock." text "? text Fun? text Why?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Who knows. text Didn't I say I didn't understand it myself? text .... Maybe because you killed me. text At that time, something broke that couldn't be healed. text I think it's strange myself, but I can't understand what's broken inside me." text "........ Uh." text Having her say that is very troubling. text Having sliced her into seventeen pieces, if she says there's something wrong, all I can do is to apologize. text "---It's okay. text We don't have much time, so we can't waste time talking about pointless things, Shiki." text Yeah, saying that really helps me out. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "But, if you're ever late again, I'll just have to go to your house and pick you up. text You're the one who couldn't keep the promise, so you have no complaints, right?" text "Stu---no way! text I'll keep it, but random unfortunate circumstances like today could happen at any time. text If I'm late, that'd be the last thing you should do! text Look, don't come to my house even if it's a mistake. text --What's more, Akiha doesn't know about all this, so please don't make things more complicated than it is!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hmm? text .... Akiha? text Your sister that doesn't look at all like you?" text "You've said a little too much, but yes." text "I see. text You're that scared of your little sister?" text "---Shut up. text I just don't want to worry her. text .... At the very best, I'm a bother to her, so I don't want to tire her out even further." text "Hmm. text You really are sweet to your sister, Shiki." text "I'm basically nice to everyone. text Well, recently there's been an exception to that." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ahaha, that's me!" text ".... You're always dense. text That was an insult, not a compliment." text "Not at all. text To you, I'm an exception, right? text How could I not like that?" text She smiles again. text A child's smile, bright and carefree. text ~ text "......" text If I keep seeing that, I'll lose all my venom. text "---I'm tired all of a sudden. text Let's start looking for the vampire, Arcueid." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, it's about time. text Then we'll start walking around town---" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Shiki. text I want you to take off your glasses, but is that alright?" text "Take off my glasses? text .... Why?" text "It's hard to notice them with just me. text I can sense the presence of humans and non-humans, but that won't help me find the vampire. text All I can sense is the presence, but with your eyes, you can quickly tell between living and dead things. text So it's a waste if we don't use what we have, right?" text ~ text "-----" text .... Certainly I can understand what she's saying. text But, taking off my glasses means--- text "I know. text Even I could feel your eyes getting stronger these past few days. text And if you keep doing this, it may not be good for your health. text I'm still saying despite that. text But, the choice lies up to you, so I'm not going to force you. text If you think it's alright to do so, take your glasses off and follow me." bgload BG_29B.png text .... Take off my glasses and walk around town? text I haven't done that since I received these glasses eight years ago. text In the first place, the things I see without my glasses give me such a headache, it'd be easy to imagine what would happen if I walked around town. text ~ text But still. text Just like Arcueid who keeps going even though her wound hasn't healed, Tohno Shiki should do the same and pay back his debt---- text "Arcueid, I---" text ~ text ---I'm fine, isn't it just a headache? text Compared to the pain her body must be feeling, this is nothing. text ~ text "It's fine, I can take off my glasses. text It's a small price to pay to make our search easier." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "---I see. text Then let's go, Shiki." bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid turns around and starts walking. text I take off my glasses as I follow her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text .... I follow Arcueid. text I haven't walked in scenery so riddled with lines since my hospitalization back then. text ~ text "----" text ~ text Strangely enough, I don't get a headache. text It seems just seeing them won't cause it. text It's not the thin lines in the buildings, but seeing the "lines" on the people walking by makes me sick. text Before, I thought they were just lines that were easy to cut along. text But now I know they are the "death" of things. text That's why I feel disgust first. text It's not that those figures of people scribbled over with lines are disgusting. text Just seeing---that humans are an existence so close to death makes me feel like throwing up. bgload IMA_10.png text .... We walk the nighttime streets. text Arcueid doesn't say anything, she just continues to stride forth resolutely. text ~ text We walk for hours in the midst of town. text In the end, we don't see one aberration, not one person wrapped in "death". music ~ bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Shiki, you can put your glasses back on. text It seems like no matter how much we search tonight, it'll be useless." text Arcueid concludes with a sigh. bgload BG_29B.png music 01.mp3 text I put my glasses back on. text My vision returns back to normal and I relax. text "Useless? text Is it okay to just decide that all of a sudden? text We've only looked everywhere once, right?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "No, just once is enough. text The presence of The Dead tends to linger around a place. text I haven't sensed any of them around at all, so there aren't any that are active." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text ".... The enemy is alert now that most of his Dead are defeated. text Seriously, he really is a coward. text I was so prepared to finish it all tonight, but it appears he still wants to play hide and seek." text Arcueid bites her lip, dissatisfied. text "You look like you're in a bad mood, Arcueid." text "Of course I am. text You went through such trouble to help me, but it's all meaningless now." text "--Well, I don't really mind. text If you're that dissatisfied, I don't mind going out to look again. text Maybe if I concentrate more we can find something." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "That's no good. text I can't strain you any more." text "Strain? text I'm not really straining." text "You are. text You might not realize it, but if you abuse your brain anymore, you might end up disabled." text "....? text Disabled? text Who?" text "You. text ---That's right, you don't exactly know how your eyes work." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Okay? text You said yourself it was easier to see the death of living things than non-living things, right? text Basically, it's a problem of the circuitry of your brain. text The death of things. text Being able to see that cause and effect, it's closer to reading than seeing." text ".... Everything has a main reason, the one source. text Um, it's the same thing that a German scientist called the Akashic Record. text In other words, in the core of all phenomenon, there is something that "records all things". text It's less of a record than an "existence", so it isn't information. text It just exists. text It doesn't have any purpose in and of itself, or any direction. text It's like a root swirl from which flows out all reasons." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Things in this world flowed from that, derived from that, and preserve their current form. text You and I, vampires and humans, we all originated from that. text .... Things became more complex and separate, and cannot return to that original source, the beginning. text But you understand that there exists "The One", right? text But, no matter how different a form something takes from the great source, it is still a derivative. text So even if it is only a slender line, there is a thread connecting to the source." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "The source of all things, the record that records the beginning and the end of all things. text Being connected to that means knowing the end of all things. text Originally the brain has the ability to control reception and transmission, but most humans close off all of these circuits except for themselves. text But, there are those people who have their circuits open latently. text Without a single use of Magic Circuits, there are humans who, despite not being a transcendental race, have the potential to create transcendent phenomenon. text "Magi classify them as being psychics. text While still human, they are mutants who are born with Magic Circuits. text ---Such as, without any learning of the occult, someone who can see the 'death of things'." bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text "------" text .... Um, I'm sorry, Arcueid. text It appears I can't understand this kind of conversation at all. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "It's okay if you can't understand. text But what I want to tell you is you shouldn't try to see things that are hard to see. text Probably, if you want to, you can see the "death" of non-living things. text But in order to do that, your brain has to open its circuits from the classification of living things to the classification of non-living things in order to understand. text ---That is normally an impossible process. text As a result, it overloads your brain, and you'll end up being useless." bgload BG_29B.png text "Useless---you mean, these eyes won't be able to perceive death anymore?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "---Of course not. text Hey Shiki, what happens to an engine that blows up from overload?" text "It goes to the junk yard. text Once an engine breaks, you can't use it agai----" text ~ text Oh, that's it. text In other words, the headache I get from seeing death is like the screaming of an engine that is working too fast. text "------" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "You understand? text If you can just see it, it won't be a problem. text But stop trying to see things you can't perceive. text The blood vessels in your brain will burst, and it'll all be over." text ~ text .... I'm speechless. text I've been living like this without realizing the seriousness of it all. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "You really have to thank the magus who gave you those glasses. text Most psychics use their abilities without realizing how dangerous they are and end up disabling themselves. text .... Well, those kinds of people are often incompatible with society, so maybe that's just for the best." bgload BG_29B.png text "-----" text ~ text ---It seems like that's the reason I'm here. text I'll let you go back to living the life you had before. text ~ text Sensei said that, and gave me these glasses. text .... I have so much to thank her for, my chest tightens. text That person, in so many ways, really did save me--- music ~ bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_29B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "H, uh---?" text I feel a, sharp sensation. text Not pain, but something strange, like an itch. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Shiki?" text "What---what is this?" text It was really only just for an instant, but it was like something was in my chest. bgload BG_29B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Hm---?" text Not understanding, I place my hand inside my shirt. text ~ text ---Wetness. text ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_29B.png text Something. text Something is sticking to my chest, like ink. text "What is this.... something's, wet?" text I pull out my hand from my shirt. text On my open palms, bgload IMA_13B.png bgload BG_29B.png text is bright red blood. bgload IMA_13B.png bgload BG_29B.png text "Eh------" text Sting. text Another strange sensation. text It takes me a horribly long time to understand that it's coming from the old scar on my chest. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Shiki, that----" text "Yeah.... that's weird. text It doesn't hurt and it's not even an open wound----but there's blood all over my chest." text ~ text It's so, red. text A beautiful, unmuddied, red that steals my eyesight. text ~ text "Well, it doesn't hurt so it's gotta be okay. text It seems to have stopped bleeding, so there's no need to----" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text Arcueid stares dumbfounded at my hand. text No, more accurately, text she stares at the red blood coating my hand. text "----Arcueid?" text "--------" bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid doesn't respond. text She just, starts to breathe heavier. text Pant, pant. text As if she is trying to withstand pain. text "Hey, Arcueid....! text What's wrong? text Does your wound hurt....!?" text I grab her shoulders. text ----And then, text she jumps back as if she was trying to escape. sound ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T20.png 36 0 bgload BG_29B.png text "----" text She stares at me like I am an enemy. text ".... Ar.... cueid?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "Shi------ki?" text ~ text Short, clipped. text Her voice even contains enmity. text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "I----never thought, about it." text ....? text She averts her gaze awkwardly. text "What's wrong? text You're acting strange. text You still haven't recovered yet?" text ".... Perhaps. text It seems I pushed myself too hard. text So, I'll go back now." text "----Ah, yeah. text I guess we'll call it a night." text ".... Yeah. text I'll be waiting here tomorrow." bgload BG_29B.png text Not looking me in the eye, Arcueid leaves quickly. bgload IMA_10.png if flg9 >= 1 jump s158.scr fi jump s157.scr bgload BG_47.png text .... I go up the residential hill and arrive at the outskirts of the mansion. text It's around two in the morning. text As expected, I'm totally assailed by sleepiness. text ~ text ".... I wonder if she's going to be okay." text I'm concerned about how she seemed when we parted. text It seemed like it wasn't pain from her wound, but--- text "Hm?" text ~ text What is that? text It feels like there's someone lurking in the shadows not illuminated by the streetlights. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thu,mp. text ~ text My heart stops my breath. text My blood rushes through my body, this sensation---- text ~ text Certainly, there's someone standing there. text The figure gets closer and closer. text ~ text Footsteps. text The sound of dry footsteps reaches my ears. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ----Thu, mp. text ~ text I have a bad feeling about this. text Chills race up my spine. text "----" text The figure draws near. text Suddenly----the streetlights shatter loudly. bgload IMA_10.png text The moon is hidden by the clouds. text The whole world instantly turns to darkness. text ~ text "!" text Thu, mp......! text ~ text My heartbeat skips, as if warning me of death. text I jump back for no apparent reason. bgload IMA_14.png text A blade runs through the darkness. text Not being able to get away fully, my glasses are grazed by it. text They fall to the ground with a clatter. text "Who---" text The instant I start to say "are you?", text The clouds part for a brief moment and illuminates the dark figure. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg ROA_T07A.png 14 0 text "Wha----" text A man wrapped entirely in bandages is gripping a knife. bgload IMA_10.png text The bandaged man goes to attack me again. text I quickly ready my knife and stop it. bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text Two slivers of light shoot towards each other. text "----!" text I can't, think calmly. text The fact that I'm being attacked causes my mind to panic. text Clang! text Clang! text Sparks fly from our clashing knives and scatter into the darkness. text "Kk---" text I still can't calm down. text It's not because I'm being attacked. text ~ text Clang---. text I swing my knife to cancel out the one attacking me from every angle. text "Why----" text What's surprising is that, text my body is completely stopping all the attacks in this darkness without a pause. text "My body is moving by itself---?" text No, that's not it. text All my arms are doing, text is seeking out the lines and points that I can see in the darkness with my glasses off. text ~ text That's all I can see, so I swing my knife through the dark air after those lines. text As a result, the bandaged man's knife is simply stopping mine. text In other words, text It's not that I'm defending myself, but he's defending himself from me. text ~ text ----I can win....! text ~ text I don't know who he is, but there's no doubt. text I'm overwhelming him. text My blood rages forth from my advantage. text I'll win. text I'm, stronger than him. text Because I'm stronger. text Because he's trying to kill me, aren't I just returning the favor----!? sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang. text Clang. text The sound of ringing metal echoes in the air and I force him back towards the mansion wall. sound SE_01.wav -1 text "----!" text There. text My eyes fixate on the "line" on his chest and I thrust my knife forward. bgload CMO_06.png text ~ text ----Momentarily. text For some reason I see a boy painted in blood and Akiha's crying face---- bgload IMA_10.png text "Gh!" text I pull my knife back before completion. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---What, am I--I'm, trying to kill someone, why--- bgload IMA_11B.png bgload IMA_10.png text My head. text My head hurts. text My legs wobble and I stagger backwards. text As I do so, text I empty the contents of my stomach. text ~ text My chest starts to itch. text ~ text My head hurts, the old wound on my chest burns. text My eyes, feel like they're going to burst out of my sockets---- text "Haa----ah, agh---!" text I can't stop throwing up. text The vomit splatters all over the asphalt. text And there, text the bandaged man comes after me with his knife. bgload IMA_14.png text ~ text "-----!" text ~ sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text Another collision. text My knife shoots towards his. text This time, I really defend myself. text I know where he's aiming. text Since I know, I block him once again with another clang. sound SE_11.wav 1 text ~ text Clang! text Clang! text Clang! text ~ sound SE_11.wav 1 text Despite not being able to see his knife due to its speed, I somehow manage to block it over and over. text The reason I can defend myself is simple. sound SE_01.wav -1 text Because, where he's aiming are the "lines" on my body. text ~ text So I know where he is aiming at and I understand more than anyone that having them cut would mean instant death, so I have to defend it. text No, wait. text ~ text .... Aiming---for my lines? text "------Ah." text It's the exact opposite of before. text That means, text don't tell me, he. text ~ text ----Ku. text ~ text The bandaged man smiles in the darkness. text ---Th, um, p. text ~ text My heart rate goes out of control. text Feeling some unnameable fear, I stumble backwards. text He doesn't pursue me. text He just smiles. text His blood-shot eyes seems to be saying "So you've finally realized it?" as he sneers at me. text ~ text "You can----see them?" text Yes. text He also, can see the "lines"---- text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Then, text He can, also kill with one blow--- text ~ text ----Ku. text ~ text The man laughs. text He draws near while laughing. text I---even down to my fingers gripping my knife, tremble uncontrollably. text ~ bgload IMA_11B.png text Slice. text Slice. text Slice. text The sound of flesh being pierced by a blade resounds three times. text And then, a thud, a sound of a body hitting the wall. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ text "Eh---?" text ~ text ---I can't grasp the situation. text ~ text The bandaged man was suddenly pierced by three spear-like pipes. text Not just pierced, but stuck onto the wall. text Like an insect pinned in a bug collection. text ~ text "---YOU'RE IN MY WAY." text ~ text His voice grates awfully. text At the same time---the three spears alight like candles and engulf him in flames. text ~ text "AAAAAaAAAaaaaAaAAAh!" text ~ text An anguished voice in the whirlpool of flames. text In the darkness, that scene seems less cruel, and almost beautiful. text ~ text "AAAAAAAAAAH!" text ~ text The bandaged man---no, the bandages are burned already, his skin is showing. text Wrapped in the flames, the man stares at me. text His blood-shot eyes filled only with murder. text His black eyes like a weapon bent on cursing Tohno Shiki. text "-----Wha.." text Stunned, I can only watch. text He runs off into the distance, still engulfed in flames. bgload IMA_18.png text ---The moon re-emerges. text After those flames, and that cursing voice, everything returns to silence like it was before. text "----" text I fall to my knees and lean against the wall. text I look up at the sky. text In the direction where those spears flew from, someone is standing high and far off. bgload event/CEL_E04.png text "-----" text Far away. text Standing composed on top of the streetlight, I see a familiar figure. text ".... Eh?" text Robes like a priest from another country. text Clenched in her hand, large, nail-like swords. text Emotionless, pale eyes. text Blue, sky-blue eyes. text ".... Sen.... pai?" text Under the moonlight, I can only make out the silhouette. text But, she seems to resemble Senpai. text "------" text Our eyes meet. text The standing figure on top of the streetlight suddenly disappears like a ghost. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text "Ah-----" text I sit down roughly. text Is it relief from my headache fading or just the lifting of all this tension? text ~ text Leaning my back against the wall, I start to drift off to sleep-----. bgload IMA_10.png jump s159.scr bgload BG_32D.png music 06.mp3 text .... I go up the residential hill and arrive at the outskirts of the mansion. text It's around two in the morning. text As expected, I'm totally assailed by sleepiness. text ".... I wonder if she's going to be okay." text I'm concerned about how she seemed when we parted. text It seemed like it wasn't pain from her wound, but--- text "Hm.... crap, the front gate is locked." text It's only natural, but it's still locked. text ~ text .... If I climb over the wall like yesterday, alarms will probably go off. text ".... Dang.... does this mansion have a rear entrance or something?" bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text .... I walk around the mansion perimeter. text Anyway, there is something like a rear entrance, but it's locked so I can't get in. text It's probably not possible to force my way through to the garden. text ".... Dang. text If this keeps up I'll have to spend the night out here...." text I want to avoid that if possible. text People don't really go by the mansion, so after the sun sets it's just a deep darkness around here. text Walking around during these hours sends chills down my spine. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text "Hm?" text ~ text What is that? text It feels like there's someone lurking in the shadows not illuminated by the streetlights. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_47.png text ~ text ---Thu,mp. text ~ text My heart stops my breath. text My blood rushes through my body, this sensation--- text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Certainly, there's someone standing there. text The figure gets closer and closer. text ~ text Footsteps. text ~ text The sound of dry footsteps reaches my ears. text ~ text ----Thu, mp. text ~ text I have a bad feeling about this. text Chills race up my spine. text "----" text The figure draws near. text Suddenly----the streetlights shatter loudly. bgload IMA_10.png text The moon is hidden by the clouds. text The whole world instantly turns to darkness. text ~ text "!" text ~ text ----Thump......! text My heartbeat skips, as if warning me of death. text Perhaps I was tired after having walked the perimeter of the mansion for so long. text My body gave an all-too-sluggish reaction as I tried to leap backwards. bgload IMA_11B.png sound SE_05.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png text A knife running through the dark. text The sound of the flesh over my heart being sliced. text ~ bgload IMA_13.png text "Ah---eh?" text ~ text ---I don't, understand. text ~ text Just.. that.. there's a knife, sticking through my chest. bgload BG_47.png bgload BG_47.png setimg ROA_T07B.png 14 0 bgload BG_47.png text The clouds part for a brief moment and illuminates the dark figure. text ~ text "Ah----" text An eerie figure wrapped entirely in bandages. text That's.. the last thing I see. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s515.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png text ---White. text The color white summons an old memory. text Something forgotten. text Something I was supposed to forget. text ~ text Something my father commanded me to forget. bgload CMO_05.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text A hot, summer day. text ~ text A blue sky and large, large columns of summer clouds. text The wafting breeze, text and the droning voice of the cicadas. text ~ text The voice of cicadas. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text ~ text ----So loud I want to die. text ~ text ~ text ~ text Cicada shells are lying in the clearing. text As if the sun is right by my side, text the clearing is roasting. text ~ text A hot midsummer's day. text As if the entire world became a frying pan. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. text ~ text Akiha is crying. text Akiha, who would always obediently stay close behind me, is brimming forth with tears. bgload CMO_06.png text ~ text A child lies collapsed at her feet. text His white shirt is painted red with blood and he doesn't move at all. text ~ text I'm, looking down at that. text My hands are red, just like that child on the ground. text No, that's not it. text These hands are red with the blood of that child. text ~ text "Akiha-----!" text ~ text The adults are coming. text After seeing this sight, their expressions change rapidly. text ~ text "What in the-----" text ~ text The adults take Akiha away. text The child lies there, dead. text In the distant sky, the white, white clouds. text ~ text ~ text I'm left alone, staring at the sky aimlessly. text ~ text "Did you kill him----" text ~ text The adults are yelling at me. text They shout my name, the one who killed the child. text Those two syllables, shouting as if they went crazy. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Just those two syllables. text Those adults call me SHIKI, as my hands are stained in red. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40E.png music 02.mp3 text I feel like, I just saw an old, familiar dream. text I open my eyes. text ~ text ".........." text I'm in my room. text After that---After losing consciousness by the mansion wall, it seems like I somehow made it back here. text My thoughts still aren't coming together. text I remember the whirling events of last night. text That man wrapped entirely in bandages. text And how he could see "lines" just like me. text After he was impaled by those swords, his body burst aflame, and with a voice that sounded like his dying curse, he ran off. text "----" text After that, I can only remember things vaguely. text The figure on top of the streetlight. text That figure that saved me, that seemed to resemble Ciel-senpai--- bgload BG_40A.png text ".... Yeah right. text That, can't be true." text I finally wake up. text Putting on my glasses, I get up in bed. text The clock says it's past eight. text Normally I would've long since eaten breakfast by now, but today's a school holiday. text "Hisui.... isn't here?" text The figure of Hisui standing before the door like a shadow is nowhere to be seen. text I'm sure she came here many times to wake me up, but I never did, so she probably went off to do other duties. text ........ *sigh* text I let out a deep breath. text ~ text ---After I parted with Arcueid last night, the events afterwards were beyond my comprehension. text ~ text That bandaged man, and that figure that helped me.. they're just not things I can understand no matter how much I try. text "Whatever the case, I have to meet Arcueid tonight. text She has to be able to give me some answers." text I'll talk to her about all these strange things, but for now, I have to just return to my normal life or I'll go crazy. text "--Alright. text First thing's first. text Time for breakfast." text People can't do anything on an empty stomach, after all. text Shaking the sleep from my body, I go to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_46A.png text "Hm....?" text On the second floor east wing hallway, I see a dark uniform. text "It's probably.... Hisui." text It seems like Hisui was leaving Akiha's room. text I guess we'll run into each other anyway, so it won't hurt to give a greeting. text "Hey, Hisui!" text I call out to her. text Hisui realizes I am here and quietly walks over to me. bgload BG_46A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text "Yeah, morning. text Sorry for just waking up whenever I felt like it." text "I apologize as well. text I should have been there when you awoke. text Please forgive me." text Hisui silently bows her head. text .... Being apologized to like this after I left in the middle of the night and managing to get back to my room, I suddenly feel like the worst person in the world. text "There's no need to apologize. text I didn't wake up at the usual time, so it's my fault. text It's okay if you want to voice your complaints." text ".... Voice, my complaints....?" text "Yeah. text My friend always says I'm always a lazy bum, and he always tells me an occasional whack to my back is good to set me straight." text "............" text Hisui stands there thinking silently as she stares at me. text It's like that for about a minute. text She doesn't even blink, but just stares at me. text .... I knew forcing Hisui to do such an ordinary thing would be impossible. text "Don't worry about... just forget it. text More importantly, I'm kinda hungry. text Is breakfast ready?" text ".... Nee-san went outside. text Your breakfast is ready in the dining room." text "Oh. text In that case, I'll go have some food. text Sorry to bother you while you were working." text After saying a quick goodbye, I head downstairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text After breakfast, I return to the sitting room and come face-to-face with Hisui. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Ah, that was good. text Thanks for making such a great breakfast every morning." text I bring my hands together in thanks. text "Preparing meals is Nee-san's duty. text If you wish to compliment the meal, please tell Nee-san instead." text "That's true, but---your duties are really completely separate? text Such as like today when only I slept in, I thought you might make it." bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, are you saying the breakfast was not to your taste?" text "----Eh?" text Her words are so off topic it's.. troubling. text Does she think I was saying I wanted her to make breakfast because the breakfast tasted so bad? text ~ text "That's not it. text Even cold, Kohaku-san's cooking is delicious. text .... But, I like it when it's warm. text And, it'd make me really happy if I got to taste your cooking, Hisui." bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "---I cannot do that. text Shiki-sama, I refuse to cook for you." text Hey eyes suddenly take on a challenging look. text "Oh, I, see. text Yeah, I don't want to force you to do anything you don't want to do. text You already do so much for me already." bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "........" text Still silent, she faces me as if she wants to say something. text .... What could it be? text Is it something that's difficult for her to say? text "What's wrong Hisui? text Did I do something bad without realizing it again?" text Hisui shakes her head "no". text She just stands there silently. text ".... Then, I'll go back to my room. text If you need me, please call for me." bgload BG_34A.png text "Later," I say as I start to walk out of the room. text But---before that, Hisui walks towards the lobby. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "---Shiki-sama." text "Hm?" text "This may be impolite, but I wanted to fulfill your request to the best of my ability." text ".... Huh?" text She looks directly at me. text "This morning, I came to realize how powerless I am." text "Eh---Uh?" text "Seven times. text I called out seven times, but there was no response. text Is this acceptable?" text "Seven times? text What, do you mean?" text I'm totally lost as to what she wants to say. text She turns around. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text "To say it candidly, I think you are very dense, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_34A.png text Hisui disappears into the lobby with her footsteps trailing in the air. text "........ Huh?" text Left by myself, I blurt out stupidly. text After thinking to myself for a while, I finally realize she was complaining to me. text ~ text ---It's okay if you want to voice your complaints. text ~ text I said that earlier. text "---That was.. my request?" text Yeah, there's no mistake. text Hisui was thinking about it the whole time, and was waiting for me in the sitting room just to tell me. text ~ text ".......... Well, that is a complaint, but.." text She said it, but saying "dense" is a little too blunt, right? text .... I don't really want to think it, text but does Hisui really hate me? bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40A.png text I go back to my room, but I don't really have anything to do there. text Thinking about what I should do next, I decide to walk around the mansion I haven't explored in eight years. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33A.png text I arrive at the lobby. text Come to think of it, I was always getting yelled at for playing in the mansion as a kid. text I'm no kid anymore to play in the mansion, and my old man is also gone. text I used to get so excited just walking the hallways when I was a kid, but now I don't feel anything at all. text ~ text For some reason, I aimlessly wander around the mansion to confirm my childhood memories. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_46A.png text The hallway stretches quite a long distance. text When I was a child, I believed this hallway would go on forever. text ~ text The mansion seemed as large as a castle and every day, I would walk a bit around the mansion and carve my name on the wall, the pillars, or the floor. text It was sort of a game I would play with Akiha to see who could take over the mansion. text Saying that wherever I put my name became my territory, it really was just the two of us walking around the mansion and carving our names here and there. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_46A.png text "Oh, here. text Still here." text On the handrail by the stairs is carved the name SHIKI. text It was probably because of these games that my old man forbade us from playing inside the mansion. text Anyway, if I look closely, I can see both my name and Akiha's all over the place. text The spacious mansion. text While I used to think it was like a giant castle, now it almost seems like an abandoned, haunted house. text Because, I've grown up since then. text Akiha and I, we're not the Tohno Akiha and Tohno Shiki that we were then. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_48A.png text I go outside. text ~ text ---Come to think of it, most of the time we spent playing was in the garden. text ~ text Since Akiha was obedient to that old man, unlike me, she could only play outside for about thirty minutes a day. text And still, she usually just stayed behind us, watching and listening. text But she would energetically run out with us and compete with us in whatever games we would play. text ~ text ".... Perhaps her personality stems from those times?" text She might have suppressed herself in front of that old man. text But still, Akiha's changed too much since then. text Maybe these eight years were a longer time than I thought. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_42A.png text ---I go to the courtyard. text Outside, the walls are also inscribed with names. text ~ text SHIKI, Shiki, Akiha, SHIKI, Akiha, SHIKI, Akiha, Shiki, Shiki, SHIKI, Shiki. text ~ text The ratios are like that, and the name SHIKI appeared far more times. text I suppose Akiha was just a girl so she couldn't keep up with a boy. text "Geez. text It would've been better if I held back a bit." text Cursing myself from that time doesn't change the number of my scribbles. text If this was the case, I probably made Akiha pretty angry, considering how much she hates losing. text "I see. text Maybe she's taking it out on me now." text .... I'm sure she's not the kind to do that, but if she did, that's a little cute. text "I'm an older brother stupid for his little sister." text Yeah, I really am. text "----Well then." text With a nostalgic, peaceful feeling, I stroll through the courtyard. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_54A.png text "Hisui....?" text As I come to the rear courtyard, I see Hisui's figure from behind. text Hisui doesn't realize I'm here. text What is she doing, going into the woods like that? text "?" text A bit curious, I follow her from a slight distance. text ~ text ----And. text ~ text Where Hisui headed to, there seems to be a small clearing. text ~ text "...... Huh? text There's a clearing in that place?" text Tilting my head to the side, I try to remember, but for some reason, my memory is a bit vague. text In the forest of the mansion, I can see a clearing as if the trees were cut there. text ---No, "can see" is not quite right. text If you walk by normally, you probably would never notice it. text If Hisui didn't walk there, hidden enough by the surrounding trees as it is, I would never have noticed even if I lived here all my life. text ~ text ".... ? text Was that always there? text If it was, we probably played there as kids." text To say the least, I don't remember ever playing with Akiha in the clearing. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----I feel like I've never, been there, before. text "........" text After thinking for a bit, I decide to go into the clearing. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_53.png text .... The clearing doesn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary. text I don't see any sign of Hisui. text ~ text "What's this---it's just an empty place." text I walk to the middle. text It really is just an empty space. text The perfectly level open ground. text The deep woods enclosing the area. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The voice of the cicadas. text And the strong, summer sunshine that feels like it could dissolve------ sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text "Eh........?" text Summer, sunshine---? sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text "Ou----ouch......" text The wound on my chest starts to hurt. text It's like / stabbing text This pain / that feels like / a kitchen knife stabbing my chest. bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp----. text ~ text What is this? text ~ text ----From somewhere, I can hear the voice of cicadas. text ~ text But it's autumn now. text ~ text ----The summer sunshine bathes everything in white. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Columns of summer clouds in the far sky. text I can practically see the voices. text At my feet, discarded shells of cicadas. text Discarded shell. text Someone's--discarded shell. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "----........" text ~ text My wound opens. text My chest becomes painted a dark crimson; black vermillion soaks both my hands. bgload IMA_13.png bgload CMO_06.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text .... Someone's crouched silhouette. text The approaching footsteps of a young girl. text The columns of clouds in the far sky. text The discarded shells of cicadas. text Then, text ~ text In front of me, the crying face of Akiha, who is drenched in blood. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Ah. text Voices which try to pierce my eardrums, text voices of the cicadas. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text "Ah----gu." text My chest hurts. text I feel sick. text My wound has healed a long time ago; why does it hurt so much? bgload IMA_13.png text My chest is broken. text The old wound opens, blood flows forth from the opening. text ~ text ---What is this? text My wound, it hasn't healed at all. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text It hurts. text I'm scared. text This is, text The impulse called Death. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text My consciousness sinks. text My wound hurts. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text My body collapses to the earth with a large thud. sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png music 08.mp3 bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... I can hear voices talking. text "Akiha-sama, are you not going to call for a doctor?" text "Don't be stupid, Hisui. text There's no way I could do that, since Nii-san's wound isn't normal..!" text .... Akiha and Hisui are talking. text This is SHIKI's room. text It looks like I am sleeping in the bed. text ~ text I planned to say "Yo!" and get out of bed, but I can't move at all. text My chest doesn't hurt anymore, but my body feels as heavy as lead. text All I can move are my eyes and mouth. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T07B.png 104 0 text "Just what in the world were you trying to do, Hisui? text You know not to let Shiki go near that place....!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T05.png -2 0 setimg AKI_T07B.png 104 0 text "Please.... Forgive me." text "This can't be solved by apologizing. text You were assigned to serve Nii-san to avoid this kind of situation. text So what were you doing..!?" text Completely different from her usual manner, Akiha gives full vent to her anger. text In comparison, Hisui is accepting the scolding, looking down silently. text ~ text .... I'm not sure how this all came about. text But I can at least tell that Hisui is being yelled at because of me. text "Answer me, Hisui. text What were you doing and where were you all day long?" text Hisui doesn't respond. text The air grows tenser between them. text Biting her lip, Akiha takes a step towards Hisui. bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text .... Even I can understand that Akiha intends to hit her. text Hisui seems to know this as well, but she just stands with her head hung in shame, ready to receive it. text "---Hold on, Akiha." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T15B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san--You're awake!?" text "Yeah, you were so loud, I woke up." text "Ah........" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T16B.png 40 0 text Akiha looks away uncomfortably. text Hisui still keeps looking down, not even trying to look at me. text "You know, you shouldn't let it out on Hisui. text I don't know the circumstances, but this has to do with me collapsing, right? text It's not her fault, I just collapsed on my own." text ~ text I strain hard and somehow manage to lift the upper half of my body off the bed. text But that's all I can manage, and I don't think I can even move an inch more. text But since Hisui is depressed, I have to force myself to act as fine as possible. text ".... Honestly, getting into a fight over me. text Even if you look like an adult, you're still a child." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17B.png 40 0 text "But.. you completely fainted, Nii-san. text You were out for more than ten hours, and nothing like this has happened before. text If---you never woke up, what would I have done....!?" text "Idiot, don't say things like that. text Wasn't this just anemia? text .... huh? text It's ten o'clock already!?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Yes, you were unconscious since noon." text She speaks hesitantly. text I wasn't worried about me, but my promise to meet with Arcueid in the park at ten o'clock. text "Oh no, I have to go. text Akiha, I have to go so I'll leave the rest to you. text Don't bully Hisui, okay?" text "D, don't say such stupid things....! text I won't ask where you go every night, Nii-san. text I won't ask, so please at least tonight, take it easy on your body tonight....!" text "Haha, I'm okay. text This is pretty regular. text When I was in middle school, I used to collapse twice a day, you know that, right Akiha?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text "That's why I'm more worried. text ---Nii-san, please listen to what I say, at least just for tonight." text She looks me in the eye with a serious expression. text ~ text I----- text ~ bgload BG_40C.png choice Do as Akiha says.|No, I have to push myself to see Arcueid. if selected == 1 jump s160.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s161.scr fi bgload BG_40C.png text "............" text .... I guess it can't be helped. text I'm afraid I'll make her cry if I keep going against her. text ".... Alright. text I'll go to sleep for today." text Saying that, I lie down. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Really....? text You're not going to sneak out of the room later?" text "No, I get it. text To tell the truth, my body feels incredibly heavy. text I don't think I could sneak outside." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "----Thank goodness." text Akiha breathes out and relaxes visibly. text "Hisui, tell Kohaku that Nii-san is awake. text Nii-san, what about dinner?" text ".... Oh yeah. text No, tell Kohaku-san I'm sorry, but I don't think I can eat right now. text I'm just going to go to sleep." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text ".... I understand. text Then Hisui, tell Kohaku that." text Still looking downcast, Hisui nods and leaves the room. text .... Now then. text Lying in bed, I start to feel sleepy again. text Like this, I bet I could fall asleep in less than a minute. text ~ text ----But, before that, text ~ text "Akiha. text There's a place like that in the garden?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Yes. text When we were children, we used to play there often." text "Oh. text For some reason, I don't remember it well." text .... Yeah. text I really did forget all about it. text "And one more thing. text .... It's a weird question, but when we were kids----wasn't there another kid with us?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Huh?" text She tilts her head, like she doesn't understand what I'm saying. text .... I guess not. text There couldn't have been another kid. text But.. if that's true, how strange? text That scene I saw in my dream, text and the dream I saw in the clearing. text If these two are the same---- text Then it doesn't make sense unless there's another kid that was killed.... text "No, it's nothing. text Just talking about a dream." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Is that so? text Then, good night, Nii-san. text Please rest well." text "Yeah, I'll do that." bgload IMA_10.png text As soon as I answer her, text I fall asleep as fast as if I had passed out again. music ~ jump s162.scr bgload BG_40C.png text .... I'm happy she's so worried about me. text But I can't break my promise with Arcueid. text Yesterday, she waited three hours for me. text That's not the whole reason, but with just my usual anemia, I don't want her to keep on waiting. text ".... Alright. text I'll go to sleep for today." text saying that, I lie down. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17B.png 40 0 text "Really....? text You're not going to sneak out of the room later?" text ".... Hey now. text Do you think I could sneak out in this shape?" text "----Yes, come to think of it, that is true." text Akiha breathes out and visibly relaxes. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Hisui, tell Kohaku that Nii-san is awake. text Nii-san, what about dinner?" text ".... Oh yeah. text No, tell Kohaku-san I'm sorry, but I don't think I can eat right now. text I'm just going to go to sleep." text ".... I understand. text Then Hisui, tell Kohaku that." text Still looking downcast, Hisui nods and leaves the room. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Then I will go back to my room. text If anything happens, please call for me. text No matter what time it is, I'll come right away." bgload BG_40C.png bgload BG_40D.png text Akiha turns off the lights and leaves the room. text ".... Sorry, Akiha." text Saying that, I lift myself up. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40D.png text "Ggh......" text Just lifting myself up causes my consciousness to swim. text .... This isn't like my normal anemia. text I know that, but I can't keep Arcueid waiting forever. text Knowing her, even if I left her there, she'll wait forever. text I wobble to my desk. text I take my knife out of the drawer and put on my jacket. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40D.png text "Heh.... dang, like this, I really, won't be able to, sneak out." text .... I have to gather up my strength just a little more until I can at least run comfortably or Hisui will find me and take me back to my room. text ".... Sorry Arcueid. text It looks like I'll be even later than last night." text I sit down on the floor. text One hour. text If I rest for another hour, I'm sure I can leave---- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_28B.png text I make it to the park before midnight. text In the end, even after waiting an hour my body still hadn't recovered, so it took me an hour to get there. bgload BG_29B.png text I pant heavily. text As my chest heaves rapidly, I look around me. text Night hangs over the park. text Near the place we decided to meet, there's a white figure standing. text ~ text ".... I knew she'd be waiting." text I let out a large breath. text It seems like Arcueid notices I'm here. text She walks straight towards me. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 music 09.mp3 text "Hey Shiki, it's already two hours past the agreed time. text What were----" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text She cuts off as soon as she sees my face. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Hey, what's wrong, Shiki....? text Your face is so pale, and I can't even sense life in you. text This isn't normal." text "Yeah, my anemia acted up again. text It happens like that every now and then, nothing to be surprised about. text .... more importantly, sorry for making you wait for two hours." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Eh----No, I really don't mind, but.... Shiki, for you to come out in your condition is just weird." text Even though she was really angry earlier, now it seems she's really worried. text "----I made a promise, didn't I? text I said I'd help you, so I'm not going to skip out on you." text ".... That makes me happy but.... Shiki, you don't seem to understand your body at all." text "You don't need to tell me that, Arcueid. text I've been carrying this recurring anemia for eight years now, I'm pretty sure I understand my body." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "----No. text You don't understand how unstable your life is. text I sensed it earlier, but now I know clearly. text Shiki, you are always standing close to death. text I don't know if it's a reaction to your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception or not, but you are walking on the thin line in between life and death. text Saying that your anemia this time isn't a big deal because it wasn't a big deal before is a big mistake." text She looks directly into my eyes coldly. text "Look, Shiki. text Your resistance to death by external means is higher than that of most people. text That is probably because you've already faced death once before. text But on the other hand, you almost have no resistance to death from internal causes. text That anemia of yours, it wouldn't be strange if you die from it." text "Wha---What are you saying? text Are you saying I'll get killed by something like a cold?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Shiki, I'm trying to warn you seriously! text I'm glad you came, but you have to think about your health first! text So just go back for now and rest!" bgload BG_29B.png text She draws me closer to her. text She really must be worried about me because she's totally defenseless as we get closer. text "Ah----" text Before I can pull back, her chest touches mine. text ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 text .... Thump. text My head is assailed with another different kind of dizziness than usual. text All the things I didn't realize before, the softness of her breasts, the whiteness of her skin, her beautiful, golden hair, her womanly charm. text "Arcueid----Please, get away." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "What, you're saying you can't trust the word of a vampire like me?" text "Why are you saying that all of a sudden, idiot? text There's no way I won't trust you." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Liar. text Then why can't you look at me?" text "Could you get away from me because of a personal issue? text .... I'm a guy, so if you get this close, it's a little, troubling." bgload BG_29B.png text Giving a small voice of surprise, Arcueid steps back. sound ~ text ~ text ----Whew. text ~ text For the time being, the racking dual dizziness brought about by my anemia and Arcueid subsides. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text I guess she finally realized our situation, and she looks at me embarrassedly. text "-------Uh." text That idiot. text Seeing her do that, makes me think she's incredibly cute. text This is, troubling. text "I--said stop." text I mumble that quietly, so not be heard. text Those words are not directed to her, but to me for being excited by her. text ~ text .... There really is something wrong. text No matter how pretty she is, she's a vampire. text Just what am I thinking, forgetting something like that? text "----Anyways, I'm not that beat to have you start worrying about me. text Besides, if I was attacked like I was last night again, I might really die. text So I can't take my time doing this." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Eh--? text Shiki, what did you just say?" text "I said if I was attacked like I was last night again, I might really die. text He is trying too, so we have to find him as soon as possible----" text ~ text Saying that, I suddenly remember. text ".... I forgot. text Last night, I was attacked by one of those Dead." text "Last night? text After we parted!?" text "Yeah. text He was entirely wrapped in bandages and was waiting for me by the mansion." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text Arcueid's expression suddenly turns serious. text ".... I can't believe it. text How could you forget something so important?" text ".... Uh." text I couldn't help it. text I've been through stranger things today. text ".... Oh well. text More than that, please tell me in detail what happened, Shiki." text With serious eyes, Arcueid interrogates me on what happened. text "Um, let's see--" text ~ text I calm down and I describe as clearly as I can what happened last night. text ~ text .... But, I don't tell her that the bandaged man was seeing the "lines of death". text I can't prove it, so maybe it might have been just my mistake. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_29B.png text ".... Yeah, that's how it was------" text Finishing my explanation, I read Arcueid's expression. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text From when I started until now, her eyes remained sharp without any gentleness. text "So what is it Arcueid? text That bandaged man, and that person wearing those robes like some priest, are they enemies of yours?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 music 01.mp3 text ".... Yes. text Both of them are 'enemies'. text I don't know just who or what that bandaged man is, but that woman wearing those Catholic robes, I have an idea about." text She narrows her eyes as if she was in a bad mood. text No, she looks less like she was in a bad mood and more like she's irritated. text "I may know the person who helped you, Shiki. text .... Man. text If it's really her, she'll probably be able to find the enemy before me." text She bites her lip vexedly. text "Wait a minute. text I didn't say that person was a woman though." text "No, there's no mistake. text That woman is the only agent given authority to hunt heretics alone and who uses Black Keys that combine the Cremation Rite and the Steel Shell Effect." text Her irritability is almost like hostility. text Even when she spoke about Nrvnqsr, her voice was never saturated with emotion to this extent. text ".... Arcueid. text Um, that person who helped me, is she a vampire....?" text "Of course not. text She's a member of those who see vampires as their enemy. text It doesn't exist in this country, but there is an organization that considers vampires or beastmen as heretics and goes around killing them. text The one who helped you was the most troublesome of that kind, Exorcists. text ".... But that's strange. text The Burial Agency wouldn't have sent an agent this soon." text Arcueid speaks softly to herself. text I can't understand what the hell she's talking about. text "Exorcist? text .... Um, like a priest or something?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Eh? text Hm, it's not wrong, but it's not quite right either. text Well, it would take a long time to explain, so just know for now that there are those who go around exterminating vampires." text "............" text Um, she tells me to just understand, but.. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "More importantly, why did you fight? text You said you'd team up with me, but you never said you'd fight by yourself." text She glares at me. text ~ text .... She seems seriously concerned about my safety---- bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "That's not fair Shiki! text Keeping it a secret, having all that fun by yourself!" text ~ text ----or not. text ".... Now how did you jump to that insane conclusion!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Huh? text You weren't trying to hide your monopoly on prey from me?" text She says something so absurd with a straight face. text "Idiot, that's not it at all. text .... Fighting him was just a turn of events. text Just a turn of events. text I don't plan to fight with The Dead or vampires without you." text ".... Oh? text What kind of turn of events?" text "My sense of justice as a normal person.... or something like that. text I kind of regret it now." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Justice?" text She tilts her head as if to say "What's that?" text .... Yeah, I was painfully shown yesterday it is just a justification. bgload BG_29B.png text ----Back then. text ~ text When I realized there was a figure in front of me, there was only fear. text That thing----that guy, I knew right away he wasn't normal, but all I could do was tremble. text And then, I brought out my knife to meet him and began a fight to the death. text .... You can't kill someone using a cheap notion like justice. text People kill to preserve their own life. text That's the most primitive, simple logic of the beasts. text ~ text That logic---at that time, if that person resembling Senpai hadn't come, I probably would have executed that action without hesitating---- text ".... Arcueid. text That person who came to help me, can you tell me a little more about her?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text "There's nothing more to tell, she's an Inquisitor for the Church. text What I said earlier, the group that's like a nemesis to all vampires. text This Burial Agency, not so much exorcists as murderers, no, killing machines, are a specialized group responsible for dealing with heretics----I'm very surprised that their eyes reach even in the Far East." text Arcueid crosses her arms while deep in thought. text She looks devoid of emotion, entirely different from before. text ---She's serious. text She might be thinking more seriously about this than the enemy she's after. text ".... Arcueid. text I don't quite understand, but those exorcists hunt vampires, right? text Then aren't you their target too?" text I ask her that because I'm a little worried. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Eh---? text Of course not. text They are only natural enemies of the Dead Apostles. text We don't fundamentally mess with each other, so there cannot even be a fight. text But----if she is who I think she is, then she has to be armed with the Seventh Holy Scripture. text There is the danger of her getting there first." bgload BG_29B.png text ".... Getting there first....?" text I can't quite grasp what she's saying. text I don't get the details, but it seems like Arcueid doesn't appreciate the emergence of this person who resembles Senpai entering the stage. text ".... Well, I guess it doesn't concern me. text Well then, now that we're calmed down, shall we begin? text I didn't come here for nothing, so maybe we should find at least one of The Dead." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Geez, what are you saying with such a pale face? text We got off topic because you said something weird, but didn't I tell you to pay more attention to your body!?" text Arcueid glares at me. text .... I didn't think she was before, but she does seem honestly concerned about me. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Okay? text Your body is more unstable than most people's, so if you don't rest at a time like this, you're risking your life. text You pass out a lot, not because of anemia, but because your body understands it's in danger. text Your body senses the danger before you do, so it stops working to prevent your body from getting any worse." text "Eh----for real?" text "There's no reason for me to lie, right? text Anyway, I warned you. text Whether you believe me or not is up to you, Shiki." bgload BG_29B.png text ".... Up to me? text Well, I don't think there's any reason for you to lie to me...." text As I speak, I sink deep into thought. text I always thought I passed out because my body was weak from anemia, but now she's saying it's because my body is trying to protect me like a safety switch? text What is this? bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Anyway, we won't go investigating tonight. text I don't think the enemy will reappear until his wound is healed, and if he appeared by your house without using The Dead, that means he doesn't have any left." text She says this all severely. text ~ text .... If she says so, I can't argue. text In the first place, it's impossible for me to go look for vampires by myself. text ".... Alright. text If you say so, Arcueid, I'll rest for tonight." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, please do. text Not only did you get attacked last night, but your body is so weak now. text It'll be troublesome if you don't sleep tonight and return to your normal self by tomorrow." text ".... I see. text It's true that I can't really help you in this condition. text Okay, I'll get myself fixed by tomorrow." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "No, that's not it. text It's boring talking to you when you're like this, so I just want you to be back to normal, that's all." text She almost seems disappointed. text .... I knew it was useless to try and understand her. bgload BG_29B.png text "I'll be heading back to the mansion. text See you tomorrow, Arcueid." text Raising a hand, I start my walk back. text "Hey, Shiki." text Arcueid stops me. text ".... What? text Is there something else?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Should I escort you home?" text She averts her gaze and speaks hesitantly. text ~ text ----In her own way, she really is worried about what happened last night. text Thinking that, I guess it's not that bad.. text "Oh----" text Before I can say "Yeah", I suddenly stop. text Wait. text Wait. text Aren't you forgetting your vow you made just now, Shiki? text No matter how pretty she is, Arcueid is a vampire. text I can't forget that. text If I relate myself to Arcueid more than necessary----I feel I'll cross a line that I should never cross. text "Cut it out. text I don't need to be worried by you. text Don't do things that don't suit you, stupid." text "Ah----yeah." text Just a little----for just an instant, Arcueid looks down, but then raises her head. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Then, see you tomorrow!" text Waving her hand goodbye energetically, the white-clothed vampire walks off into the darkness of the night. bgload BG_29B.png bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s107.scr sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png music 09.mp3 text ~ text Tweet, Tweet, Tweet text ~ text .... Is the window open? text I can hear the soft singing of birds from the garden. text A cool breeze blows across my face. text I feel the sunlight hitting my eyelids. text A quiet, gentle atmosphere. text ~ text A gentle morning. text Morning? text I guess I fell asleep last night as Akiha cared for me, and slept till now. text Lying down, my body feels heavy. text But I feel much better than I did yesterday. text I decide to open my eyes and sit up. text ~ text And---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_E04.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Ah. text The little rascal finally woke up." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... I see Arcueid's face right in front of mine. text "......!?" text My brain goes blank and stops working due to this unexpected event. text My mouth opens and closes, but my voice seems to be missing. text ~ text ---Seriously, what's going on? text Arcueid is in front of me. text This is my room. text It's past nine o'clock in the morning, text She's come inside, still wearing her shoes; that's all I know for now. text "Y-Y-Y-You!" text "Liar. text We promised to meet again yesterday." text She must be in a pretty bad mood as her red eyes have lost their usual beauty. text ~ text ---No, not lost at all. text Being this close, her beauty is more vivid than usual. text Arcueid glares at me as I lay in bed. text ~ text ".... W-Wait, Arcueid. text W-Why are you in my room this morning....!?" text I start to shout, but I stop myself. text If I shouted now, Hisui would come here and it would all be over. text ~ text ---Everything is still chaotic, but my brain can grasp that much. text "A-Anyway, move....! text Just going into someone's room, threatening a sleeping person, don't you know how awful that is....!?" text "What's with that attitude? text I came here because you broke your promise. text Sleeping while making someone wait, just what in the world were you planning?" text She stares at me ill-temperedly. text .... I calm down. text ~ text That's right. text I really did break my promise to meet Arcueid last night. text ".... Mmmm." text I finally understand the situation. text I understand why Arcueid's angry. text I understand, but to do this.. to come into someone's room still wearing shoes like that, what does she intend to do? text Seeing that the window is open, she probably came in through there. text ".... I see, since I broke my promise, I'm at fault here. text But sneaking in here is going a little far, you know." text "This isn't your house, Shiki." text She gives a quick retort. text "You know, I really was angry before. text I waited for many hours, and as soon as I realized you weren't coming, I got so incredibly angry. text I was thinking I would never let this happen again and I'd rip your throat out." text She speaks, still looking ill-tempered. text "Do you get it, Shiki? text That feeling, I couldn't resist it. text Even though I know I should calm down, the more I thought about it, the angrier I got." text As if she still felt that way, her red eyes seem to blame me. text ~ text "Yeah.. I guess you can't help yourself." text Giving thanks to God my neck is still attached, I keep the conversation going. text "Isn't it? text And I snuck in here, but since you were sleeping I decided to wait. text At least I wanted to hear your excuse. text And, since I didn't have anything to do, I watched your sleeping face. text .... Yeah, your sleeping face was very quiet, it was almost scary. text Sleeping like you were dead, I started feeling uneasy because I thought that maybe you would never wake up." text I sigh. text "If you were uneasy then you should've woke me. text I'm uneasy when you're next to me." text "But, I thought it would be a waste. text .... I don't know what I look like when I sleep, but I thought it would be real good if I slept like you did. text I wondered why you look so peaceful while I watched you sleep. text While I was doing that, my anger disappeared, and then you woke up." text ".... Then you've been here this whole time? text From last night until now?" text "Yeah. text People from this house came in a few times, but I hid myself so it was okay. text A girl also came to wake you up, but I didn't like her so I sent her away." text Arcueid laughs brightly. text "Wait, you sent her away? text How?" text "I wasn't rough. text Didn't I tell you before that vampires have Mystic Eyes of Enchantment? text I merely used suggestion on her, saying that 'Shiki has already gone to school' and didn't leave any memory of her meeting me." text "No memory? text You...." text Really are a troublesome person. text .... Well, even if she is troublesome, at least she took care not to be detected. text I bring my hands to my head as I sigh. text "Alright. text Sorry for yesterday, Arcueid. text I don't know if this is making up for it, but I won't break any more promises. text Yeah, I promise." text I look her right in the eye as I declare this. text "Are you sure?" text "I'm sure. text Because I now realize your revenge is scary...." text Still lying down, I raise my hands in surrender. text ~ text All of a sudden, her bad mood disappears completely. text Arcueid gives a satisfied nod and says 'alright'. music ~ bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text Arcueid finally gets away from the bed. text ".... Geez, sneaking onto someone's bed like that. text Didn't you think about how hard the sheets would be to clean if you left a mess from your shoes?" text Complaining, I get up from bed. text Arcueid stands in the center of the room watching me as I slowly rouse myself from bed. text ".... Hey, what are you doing?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "What am I doing? text I'm just waiting for you to change. text You're not going to go out in those clothes, right?" text "Well, yeah. text No one walks around in pajamas.. Wait, Arcueid?" text "Yeah, I was thinking we'd spend the day together, Shiki. text You said you'd make it up for breaking your promise, didn't you?" text Arcueid says this casually, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. text "Today, all day.. What are you saying? text I have school.." bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hey, you even said you were sure. text Are you choosing school over me, Shiki?" text "Uh...." text She's got me there. text I.. bgload BG_40A.png text ~ choice It can't be helped|It can be helped if selected == 1 jump s163.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s167.scr fi bgload BG_40A.png text "----" text I glance at the clock. text It's already past nine. text I'd be late even if I went to school now---and to be honest, going with Arcueid is more fun than going to school.... text "Alright. text I'll spend the day with you. text But if we go into the city during the day, I don't think there'll be any Dead around?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "I don't care about that. text I just wanted to walk around, so even if it is daytime, it doesn't matter." text "....? text What, aren't we making up for last night and going to look for vampires?" text "Yes, of course we'll look tonight. text But to have you help me all day and night would be hard, so during the day I thought we could relax." text "I think that'd be more fun too. text But, just the two of us walking around, that's...." text like what they call a date in the real world. text .... Maybe you can't say that with a vampire like Arcueid, but I suppose she's telling me to take her out for some fun. text For me, I----I need to get ready mentally and.. text "....? text What's wrong, Shiki? text Your face, it's turning red." text "------Uh." text I cover my face with my hands and look away. bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text .... Certainly it's been just the two of us many times before. text But, those were emergency situations, and it was more like a pact of cooperation than anything between a man and a woman. text That's why----no matter how pretty I thought she was, I tried not to notice it. text But, if.. text Without any danger, without any purpose, if the two of us just walk around, I might notice something I never noticed before, and it makes me hesitate---- bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Shiki? text Hey, are you going to school after all....?" text ".... No way. text I said I'd do it, so I will. text I don't know what you're thinking, but walking around shouldn't be a problem." bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Then it's decided. text Then let's go." bgload BG_40A.png text She walks toward the window she snuck in earlier. text "Wait a minute. text I'm going to change, so can you just look outside for a while?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "What, did you call me?" text "Oh, yes, no! text Just go outside, I'll be there soon." text "Okay, I'll wait outside. text I've waited this long, so don't make me wait any longer, Shiki.." bgload BG_40A.png text She jumps out the window with the lightness of a cat. text I hear the rustling of the trees outside. text She didn't jump to the ground, but along the tree branches. text ~ text .... With a body like that, it should have been easy getting in here undetected. text ".... This isn't the time to be impressed. text I too have to sneak out without Hisui noticing." text I change into some normal clothes. text Cracking open the door slightly, I look around to make sure no one's in the hallway and tip-toe outside. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_32A.png music 03.mp3 text Luckily, no one saw me as I made my way out. text Arcueid is looking the other way as she mumbles to herself. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "Thanks for waiting. text C'mon, let's go Arcueid. text If we stick around here, Kohaku-san will find us." bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Eh? text Ah, yeah, we should go." text Completely different from before, her words seem very empty. text "What is it? text This isn't like you at all. text Did something happen again just now?" text ".... No, nothing really." text I said the 'again' part strong, but her words are still hollow. text ~ text ----It seems like she's planning something. text I feel kind of scared. text ~ text ".... Are you feeling sick because it's daytime? text There's no need to force yourself to go out. text If it's hard for you, we can stop." bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Mmh, I feel fine right now. text But seeing this wall reminded me of last night." text "....? text About last night, you mean while you waited for me at the park?" bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Yes," Arcueid nods meekly. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I dashed here with all my strength and snuck into your room.... but it seems strange when I think about it now. text Why was I so angry back then? text It was just a little promise." text Saying she doesn't get it, Arcueid crosses her arms in thought. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Ah, that's right. text Maybe you get it, Shiki? text You always tell me I'm so stupid, so maybe you can understand?" text "Hey...." text If she doesn't understand herself, then how does she expect me to? text There's no way I understand, but if I have to respond---- text ~ bgload BG_32A.png choice Well, it's because you're selfish, right?|Well, it's because you hate me, right?|Well, it's because you're a vampire, right? if selected == 1 jump s164.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s165.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s166.scr fi bgload BG_32A.png text "Aren't you just easily angered? text You're a pretty selfish person at heart, after all." text I clearly voice my thoughts on the matter. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Really? text Now that you mention it, you could be right. text It seems like I've become really emotional since you killed me." text Arcueid nods in a satisfied manner. bgload BG_32A.png text .... Well, whether that was the truth or not, the problem is resolved as long as Arcueid is convinced. jump s168.scr bgload BG_32A.png text ".... Let's see, isn't it because you hate me? text I haven't been able to meet you on time, and I've done a lot of horrible things to you." text ~ text .... Leaving my feelings about Arcueid aside, I calmly analyze the situation. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "----Is that so? text This is the first time I've ever felt emotion towards someone, so I don't really understand it myself...." bgload BG_32A.png text After being quiet for a few moments, she raises her head. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text ".... Um, Shiki, do you hate me....?" text ~ text And asks me such a question. text "M, me....? text I, um----" text "............" text Arcueid stares at me silently. text "I----I don't hate you, that's why I'm helping you." text .... For now, that's the honest truth. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text ".... I see. text Then maybe I feel the same way too." text Arcueid gives an ambiguous nod. text I'm not sure if she understands. bgload BG_32A.png setvar ark_regard + 1 jump s168.scr bgload BG_32A.png text "How the heck am I supposed to know? text You're a vampire, so I bet you think a lot differently than we do." bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hey....! text What do you mean!? text My thought processes are basically the same as a human's, so there's only a little difference!" text "But still different, right? text Well, leaving that aside, it's impossible to understand another's feelings. text I'm not too sure about my own emotions, so it's impossible for me to understand a vampire's train of thought. bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Yeah! text I don't understand you either; there's no need to understand! text Yeah, yeah, I'm just an idiot for asking you!" bgload BG_32A.png text Arcueid turns away with a "hmph!" text .... She's gotten a little angry, but at least she seems convinced. setvar ark_regard - 1 jump s168.scr bgload BG_40A.png text "----" text I glance at the clock. text It's already past nine. text I'm late as it is, but it's not too late yet. text "No, I'd better not. text I'll help you, but I can't let that affect my daily life. text I've already decided we'll only work at night." bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text ".... Oh?" text Looking like she wants to complain, she stares at me. text "Well, you have a point. text You're helping me to protect your way of living, so it wouldn't make any sense to go out of your normal life to do so." text She takes in my point rather easily. text .... She's emotional yet logical, I guess that would be like her. bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "You can enjoy your life all you want. text As long as you don't forget your promise, there's no problem." bgload BG_40A.png text Saying that, she walks over to the window. bgload BG_40A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Later. text If it happens again tonight, I'll kill you." bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text Arcueid tells the truth jokingly as she disappears. text Jumping out the window, she bounds from tree branch to tree branch. text "........ She was pretty angry." text But, school is important for me too. text I spend the nights with her, so I think it's alright if I relax during the day. text "Well then, shall I go to school?" text Because I slept all night, my body's completely recovered. text I have to quickly change into my uniform and sneak out so Hisui and Kohaku-san don't see me. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_24A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png text "Hm----" text I'm a little dizzy. text .... It's probably the after-effects of yesterday. text My body feels a bit heavy and I have a slight headache. text ".... Well, I guess this much is okay." text Just a small amount of dizziness. text I can always take it easy once I sit down at my desk in school. text I get myself together and jog towards school. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text ----*sigh* text I manage to make it into class before third period. text Looking around, Arihiko's seat is empty. text He's probably absent, but that means today will be quiet. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text Lunch time. text It looks like Arihiko's not coming. text .... Inui Arihiko and Yumizuka Satsuki are the two people absent today. text Yumizuka Satsuki has caught a cold or something and she will be absent for a while. text ".... Senpai doesn't seem to be coming too, so I guess I'll eat by myself." text I say that, but I'm not hungry. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_06A.png text .... What is it? text I didn't feel so good to begin with, but after coming to school, I feel a lot worse. text It's not just my body feeling heavy. text The scar on my chest is irritating; it's an annoying sensation. text ".... Maybe I shouldn't have come to school." text .... For a brief moment, I see the worrying faces of Hisui and Akiha in my mind. text Being worn out by just sitting, I start to feel a strange uneasiness. bgload IMA_10.png jump s107a.scr bgload BG_32A.png text "Does that clear it up? text Then let's go.... Arcueid, do you have anywhere in mind?" bgload BG_32A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hmm, I don't know so I'll let you decide. text Just take me wherever?" bgload BG_32A.png text .... So she told me we're going somewhere and now it's this? text Oh well--I'm not sure what kind of place she likes, but I'll take her to a good hangout place. text Well then-- text ~ choice Go for the usual, take her to the movie theater.|She'll probably like somewhere such as a back alley, right?|I don't really know, so let's go to the park for now. if selected == 1 jump s169.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s170.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s171.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png music 03.mp3 text For the time being, the movie theater is always a safe bet. text As long as the movie you choose is good, it can't be boring. text ~ bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "This place is always pretty lively, although I don't know what's here." text Arcueid walks right next to me. bgload BG_25A.png text "------" text On the way----actually even now, everyone around us keeps casting glances our way. text .... It doesn't need to be said, but it's probably because Arcueid really stands out. text I'm aware of it a little, but everyone else's reactions make me even more conscious of it, and it's a bit troubling. text ~ text Arcueid acts just like she normally does, but since I can't help but be overwhelmed by her femininity, I can't seem to make any meaningful conversation. bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Hey, do you hear me Shiki? text I'm asking you where we're going." text "Ah----um, well most couples here usually go to the movie theater." text I point to the movie theater in front of us. bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Movie theater.... hmm, so watching a movie then." text .... The princess does not seem to be pleased. text But, after coming this far, I don't have a choice. text It's not like I have any clue what would please a vampire girl in the first place. text Because I've gone this far, I just have to prepare myself for her to say "Boring." text "Just go in. text If you're dissatisfied, we can always split up here." text "I'm not really.. dissatisfied." text Giving a sigh, Arcueid follows me. bgload BG_25A.png text She slumps her shoulders as if to say "you good-for nothing guy!". text "I'm going to go buy tickets, but what do you want to see? text Let's see, there's a romance, and a romance, and a romance.... this theater kind of stinks." text To be honest, I want to go back too. bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Any one of them is fine. text They really all look the same." text "Yeah. text Then let's just buy one." bgload BG_25A.png text I get in the shortest line and buy two tickets. text "Here you go. text Just show this ticket when we go in. text They'll take half of the ticket, but that's how it's supposed to be so don't get angry." bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "I know that much. text You really think I don't know anything, Shiki." text "Ah.... no, that's not it. text I just thought maybe you didn't know much about human society." bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "I have some knowledge of it stored away. text I know at least about a movie theater." bgload BG_25A.png text Giving a small "hmph", she turns her face away and walks towards the theater. text .... It was a mistake. text I knew taking a vampire to a movie theater would be too dull. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png text ----We exit the theater. text ~ text We watched a romance.. it wasn't exactly boring, but not terribly interesting either. text It was a typical French movie. text It focused less on breathtaking scenes and concentrated more on creating a calm atmosphere. text As we leave the theater, Arcueid walks with me wordlessly. text "........" text .... An uncomfortable silence. text Maybe she would've been happier if it was an action flick or a horror movie. text ~ text "Hey, Arcueid." bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Yeah, it was really fun, Shiki!" text ~ text Wh, wh, wha, what....!? text "Uh, fun, Arcueid?" text "Man, hearing about it and seeing it were two entirely different things. text Even though I knew some background information about what a movie theater was, my imagination fell short of reality." text .... Arcueid gives a happy, heart-felt smile. text "The darkness was really nice, and even though the sounds were loud, they weren't noisy. text And having you next to me was also fun. text But more than that, the subject matter was really good! text I was surprised they would go so far to make up a story. text It's so detailed, my imagination was nothing like that. text I was really moved." text ".... Ah, is.. is that so?" bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Huh? text You look like you don't agree. text Was it was boring?" text "No, not really boring, just ordinary. text There's way more interesting things than that." bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "No way. text That was really good, you know!?" text "Well, I guess movie experts like that kind of movie, but there's a ton of better ones. text They are not out right now, but there are epics out there many times better than that. text To be blunt, what we just saw was pretty low quality." text ".... I'm surprised." text ".... It's so easy to read your expressions Arcueid." bgload BG_25A.png text Not just surprised, but amazed. text That Arcueid, she looked so not into it, so I thought she was going to complain.. but now she's like an excited kid. text ~ text ".... Too bad. text If it was earlier, we could've seen a better movie. text If I knew you would have liked it, I would have taken you." text ~ text It's not so she thanks me, but I genuinely do want to make her happy. bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "Oh, I see. text I guess we don't have much luck." text Arcueid slumps her shoulders in disappointment. text "Yeah, we just keep missing the opportunities." text I slump my shoulders in disappointment too. text .... Yeah, really. text It really would have been nice to see her happy, smiling face a little longer. bgload BG_25A.png bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar ark_regard + 2 jump s172.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png music 03.mp3 text For the time being, we go into town. text All that's left is to branch off the main street and go to the empty alley---- bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Huh? text What is it, Shiki?" text "Nothing. text It's different that normal, so I was just a little confused." text "?" bgload BG_25A.png text Arcueid perplexedly cocks her head to the side. text .... It seems like she doesn't notice at all. text I can feel the weight of stares all around me. text Just walking down the street causes people all around to cast glances at us. text .... It doesn't need to be said, but it's probably because Arcueid really stands out. text I'm a little aware of it, but everyone else's reactions make me even more conscious of it, and it's a bit troubling. text Arcueid acts just like she normally does, but since I can't help but be overwhelmed by her femininity, I can't seem to make any meaningful conversation. bgload BG_25A.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Hey, do you hear me Shiki? text I'm asking you where we're going." text "We're almost there so hold on. text We're going somewhere you can relax." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_31A.png text ~ text ----And we arrive at the alley. text "Here we are. text People don't normally come by here, so you can relax here----" bgload BG_31A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "................" text Huh----? text Her gaze suddenly turns heartless, almost deadly. text "Arcueid....? text Don't tell me, you're not happy with this place....?" text "................" text .... She seems so angry she can't even speak. text "That's odd.... You're a vampire, so I thought you would like a place like this better than somewhere crowded----" bgload BG_31A.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "----------!" text The light in her eyes sharpens. text .... This isn't good. text This might be the first time I've seen her this angry. bgload BG_31A.png text Giving a deep sigh, Arcueid looks up again. bgload BG_31A.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Hey, Shiki. text What kind of a joke is this?" text "Ah----uh." text Frightening. text Her smiling face is really frightening. text "No, um.... I'm really sorry. text I really messed up." text I bring my hands together and implore forgiveness. text She keeps smiling. bgload BG_31A.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "That's right, there's really nothing to do here. text The only thing we could do here is to replay the time we first met." text ~ text When we first met!? text That means---- text ~ text "Yeah, the results may turn out a little different from back then, but that might be fun too, right Shiki?" text ~ text ~ text ----This is a threat. text She counterattacks with a smile. text ".... I said I'm sorry. text I'll make it up to you, so please stop smiling like that. text I'll take you somewhere better." bgload BG_31A.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Really? text I was getting in the mood for it too." text She looks disappointed. text .... I really must contemplate my actions. text Even though Arcueid is a vampire, I must have been really stupid to take her to an alley for a date.... bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png text For four hours.. text Appropriate for the ball of curiosity that is Arcueid, we end up going to the department store in front of the station. text It seems like Arcueid made me take her there just to trouble me, but somewhere along the way, I guess it started to be pretty fun for her and she became happy again. text It was a little tiring, but I think it was a good time. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar ark_regard - 1 jump s172.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27A.png music 03.mp3 text The weather's great so I decide to go to the park. text We can relax there and then go somewhere else more appropriate later. bgload BG_28A.png text We enter the park. text It's still midmorning but there's a bunch of people my age here. bgload BG_28A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hm, there's a lot of people here during the day. text I've met you here a lot, but it seems like a totally different place." text Arcueid seems to be in a good mood. text I just planned to walk around the park, but she doesn't seem discontent at all. text "Oh, there's a store in a place like this. text Shiki, what does that sell?" text Arcueid points excitedly at a vendor's stand. text The path from the fountain leads to a wheeled ice cream stand. text "That's an ice cream seller out of season. text Cold things aren't good for the body, so we should just pass it up for now." I stop Arcueid's question before she asks. bgload BG_28A.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text No matter how unhappy a face she makes, I don't think eating ice cream in the fall would be good at all. text ----But, what is this strange feeling? text I feel weird just walking, I feel everyone's watching us.... bgload BG_28A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hey Shiki, do you know all these people?" text "No, there's only one person I know who'd skip school to hang around like that. text Why?" text "Hm, a lot of people seem to be looking at us, so I thought maybe you knew them." text ".... I see. text So that's what felt strange." text I get it now. text I was just walking around to find a good spot on the grass to sit down on, but everyone is stealing glances at us. text It doesn't need to be said, but they're looking at Arcueid, not me. text I've been doing my best not to be conscious of it, but Arcueid is just unbelievably beautiful. text And walking in the park is just asking for stares. text ~ text The guys killing time in the park all start to look at her. text .... For some reason, I feel angry. text "Arcueid, let's go somewhere else." text Grabbing her hand, I pull her as I walk towards the back of the park. bgload BG_29A.png text The place we usually meet has much less people than right in front of the fountain. text .... This should be little better than before, at least. text "We'll kill time here a little bit. text I'm going to get something to drink, you have any requests?" text I let go of her hand and turn towards her. bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "U.... um, is water okay?" text "Sure. text Go ahead and sit on that bench.... if some guy starts to talk to you, just don't listen to him." text Saying that, I run to a nearby vending machine. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29A.png text Even though it's now past noon, we don't leave the park. text .... I'm not sure why, but Arcueid's been quiet since we came here. text She hasn't even drank the water I got for her, and she just looks around the park doing nothing. text We watch the flocks of pigeons around the park and the happily running figures of children accompanied by their mothers. bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Hey, Shiki." text "Hm? text Are you bored just spacing out? text We can go somewhere and get something to eat if you want." text "No, that isn't it.... I was just wondering about what happened before." text "....?" text Before? text .... What is she talking about? text "I don't get it. text What do you mean?" text "I'm talking about when you grabbed my hand earlier. text We've come into contact before, but there was always a reason. text But just now, there wasn't a reason, so I was wondering just what it was." text "What it was?----There really wasn't a reason or anything." text Saying that, I also get confused. text .... Come to think of it, I pulled her along naturally for no reason. text That being said, I don't even understand why. text "It doesn't really matter. text It's not that big of a deal. text Something sudden like that, is just human." bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I see. text Having lots of things done for no reason.. you've done a lot of useless things." text Arcueid replies, amazed. bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Hey Shiki. text It's kind of off topic, but did you ever have a time like that?" text She really is asking about random things. text She's looking at the playing children, so she's probably asking about that. text ".... Hmm, Maybe. text I played around a lot as a kid, but that was only inside the mansion. text I rarely ever played in a park like this." text ~ text .... That's right. text My only playmates were Akiha and the others. text I never played with people I didn't know like these kids. text ~ text I might have been more like.. text A kid who led an insulated life. text "What about you, Arcueid? text .... Um, you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." text .... Um, if vampires didn't have a childhood, asking her would be rude. bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah. text Like you're thinking, I never had a childhood. text While I was weak as an individual, I slept through it, and I was active only when my existence was at its peak. text That's why I thought it was strange. text Infancy and old age are such useless times, why do people manage to live through it?" text She seems to be almost asking herself, not me. text ".... Arcueid?" text "It's nothing. text This is the first time I ever spent time doing nothing, so my thoughts seem to be malfunctioning." bgload BG_29A.png text Saying that, Arcueid stands up from the bench. text I stand up with her. text .... Well, we've already been in the sun for about two hours, so we should probably head into the city. text "----Oh, if it was dull you should've told me so." bgload BG_29A.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hm, maybe it is dull, but it wasn't boring. text I was even thinking I'd like to spend more time if it's this kind of dull, but you didn't like it?" text "Eh....?" text .... That's right, even if it was uneventful, it wasn't boring. text Come to think of it, spending time sunbathing with Arcueid is something pretty rare. text "----That's right, it wasn't bad at all. text But, let's get something to eat. text I haven't had anything since this morning, so I'm pretty hungry." text Saying that, we start to walk from the park. text "Hm------" text For a brief moment, I think about holding her hand but I stop right away. text There wasn't any reason for it before, so it felt natural to do so. text But now that I have a reason to do so, to hold her hand seems very senseless. text .... To be senseless means that taking notice is the result of less-than-pure thoughts. text ~ text "I'm full of theories today." text ~ text Geez. text Just like Arcueid says, I guess I do a lot of useless things. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s172.scr bgload BG_56.png music 03.mp3 text It's now past two, so to ease my hunger I take us to a fast food restaurant. text ~ text .... I don't even know if she eats this kind of food, but after Arcueid stares long and hard at the menu, she ends up ordering the same thing I did. text "........" text I sit down across from her. text After Arcueid looks around quickly, she pops a french fry in her mouth like she's done it before many times. text ".... Wow, you seem pretty used to it. text I thought maybe it was your first time." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah, this is the first time I've done it. text I've known about places like these, but it was only from information sources." text "Just information.... I see, you watch the news so I guess you read magazines too." text "Hm, not quite like that, I need knowledge to fit in with the times, right? text So when I wake up, I study the information of that time and then go into action. text Well, it's usually over in a few days so it usually ends up being useless." text "....?" text She says things that are hard to understand like this from time to time. text "Hmm.... why does it end up useless?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Because I go to sleep right away. text I don't know how many years later I wake up the next time, so I can't use much of what I remember. text After it is over, all I do is sleep. text .... Hm, but maybe I've been missing out. text I only knew the world through those sources. text I knew about how people would gather like this, but I never experienced it." text "I see.... But isn't knowing just enough? text Just now, you ordered some food like it was perfectly natural." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Of course. text I studied, so I can act that way. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text But, that's all. text Experience is far greater than theory. text Even if I know about zillions of things, it's useless if I've never done them." text Arcueid sighs. text "Is that so.... I think some people say theory makes up for a lack of experience." text "That's something those who only know theories say. text .... I used to think that way until just recently." text Arcueid's expression starts to cloud. text For some unknown reason, I don't like seeing her face like that. text "Is that so? text I think there's just those for whom theory can make up for lack of experience and those for whom experience trumps theory. text There's a lot of people out there in the world, so not everyone is the same." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Wow, you got really deep and serious, Shiki." text "Hey now, Arcueid-san. text You're the one who started being all serious, I was just going along. text Don't kill the conversation like that." text ~ text Um, since you're telling me all that stuff about yourself. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Yeah, I know. text You always listen to me when I want to talk. text You always yell at me, but you listen to me when it's serious." text "Ahaha," Arcueid laughs brightly. text .... Hmph. text That's what she thinks, anyway. text But, I think such a genuine smile suits her best. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I was thinking about what you said earlier. text I really am narrow-minded. text I can't really see anything else after I make up my mind. text Not needing anyone but myself. text I'm the only one who is right. text I can only think in those terms. text ----That's right. text There are a lot of hearts out there, so there's a lot of people that can do easily what I can't." text She somehow seems very gentle as she contemplates. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, but, even if I contemplate it, my personality won't change. text I like this me the best, and I believe it is the correct way." bgload BG_56.png text She smiles as she says those courageous words. text Then she looks around like before and takes a bite of her hamburger. text ~ text Chomp. text Chomp. text ~ text As if to erase any image of her being a vampire, Arcueid chows down on her junk food. text "........" text How come? text It seems impossible to look elegant while eating a hamburger, but Arcueid makes it look beautiful. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "What....? text Staring at me like that. text Ah, is this not how you eat it....!?" text Arcueid hurriedly puts her hamburger back on her tray. text She then wipes her mouth with a paper napkin. text But even that simple action seems so elegant. text ".... No, it's right. text It's right, but it's strange. text In your case, it doesn't suit you, so don't do it." text I don't even know why I say that as I chomp on my hamburger like a hamburger should be eaten. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "What do you mean it doesn't suit me?" text "It's an image problem. text That small mouth of yours isn't fit to eat fast food. text Fries aren't a problem, so you can have my share." text I put my french fries on her tray. text ~ text .... I really don't know what I'm doing at all. text "I don't want them. text I don't feel like eating just those." text After saying that, she brings the hamburger to her mouth once more. bgload BG_56.png text .... She might be worried about my stare, as she eats it more normally. text Well, I can live with that. text .... But a hamburger-eating vampire? text All living things need nutrition to live, so they eat. text Before, Arcueid declared she doesn't drink blood. text So, in order to gain that nutrition, does she eat food just like us normal humans....? text ".... Hey, Arcueid." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "What, you meanie?" text "No, I wasn't going to criticize you. text I just had a question, if that's okay." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Sure----what is it?" text "Um, you're a vampire, right? text Then I was wondering maybe if food for you.. was only blood." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text Her eyes widen. text .... I knew it. text It was a rude question. text See, even Arcueid's facial expression is getting angry.... or not. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hey Shiki, normally, I don't eat food. text Certainly eating like this allows me to move on my own, but it's more of a mental thing. text For me to eat, in other words,taking in nutrition, is a different process than the one you have. text I do have an appetite, but maybe it's more akin to lust. text If I don't eat, I get irritated, but since I don't put much priority on it, inversion impulses rarely happen." bgload BG_56.png text She easily denies the blood as food theory. text Yeah, that's what it is. text She really seems to be okay with not drinking blood. text "I see----" text That's good. text Arcueid isn't someone that kills humans to feed. text It really is a good thing. text .... Geez. text If Arcueid just said from the beginning "I'm a vampire that doesn't suck human blood", then I would have agreed to help her from the.... start.... text ~ text ".... Hey, wait a minute! text You don't call that a vampire!" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "You do. text Even you can't resist eating for one day, right? text For those vampires who are True Ancestors--like me, the highest class of food, the thing that can satisfy our desires the most is blood. text So in order to "live" and "fulfill our desires", we can substitute blood with other things." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "But when it comes to the Dead Apostles--vampires that were originally human, it is a different matter. text In order to maintain their existence, they need the blood of others." text "....? text Um, in other words the best way to satisfy your hunger is blood? text .... But you said you hated drinking blood. text So just like people who don't like certain food, you hate the taste of blood?" text I take a guess at a satisfactory simplification for the long explanation she gave. text ~ text However. text It seems like I was a little off. music ~ bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text ".... I don't know. text I don't know what blood tastes like." text "----Huh?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "I told you I'm not a full vampire. text Not knowing the taste of blood. text I still don't know that. text All I know----is to drink human blood is to refuse to recognize them as people." text She looks away, not even trying to look at me. music 09.mp3 text "Hey Shiki. text What if? text What if birds or fish had the same amount of intelligence and life span as you did? text Could you eat them? text Could you justify it to yourself by saying no matter how much intelligence they have, they are still food? text And then eat them?" text "------No, that's.." text Could I----eat them? text I don't know. text I don't know, but first off, I'd try and eat other food, things that didn't have intelligence. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "See? text Just like that. text That's why I hate the thought of drinking blood. text .... Well, maybe there are likes and dislikes as you said too. text If I could, I like to avoid the sight of blood. text But----Yes, but if.. if humans didn't have the same worth, intelligence, or values than I did, then maybe I would drink blood. text Isn't providence of nature taking the lives of other things to protect your own?" text Right? text Arcueid asks me for agreement. text But that--even if Arcueid says it, I can only deny it. text .... I don't want to agree to that. text "Certainly that may be true, but in the first place, humans are like you. text .... So let's just cut short this kind of conversation. text I don't like talking about 'what ifs'." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Really? text I like 'What ifs'. text Not knowing how things will turn out, yet still having hope at least for that moment." bgload BG_56.png text ~ text If.... what if. text Then, what if----she drank blood like other vampires, would we be talking like this? bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "What's wrong, Shiki? text Your face got dark all of a sudden. text Ah, do you have to go to the bathroom?" text ".... Hey. text You come up with that when someone is thinking seriously?" text I sigh. text Even though I'm seriously thinking about it, Arcueid doesn't seem to think much about drinking blood. text "Yeah----it doesn't concern me." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Geez, just mumbling to yourself like that. text Trying to hide something isn't manly, Shiki!" text Arcueid looks like an angry cat again. text "I'm not really hiding anything. text Besides, you're the one with all the secrets. text You're just having fun saying things I can't understand." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Having fun--I'm not trying to do that." text I don't know where her bad mood went, but she suddenly calms down. text She looks like she's uneasy with me nailing it on the head. text ".... Really? text You really were having fun seeing me stumped like earlier? text Do you like teasing, or is it secrecy? text Well, we are two different kinds of life forms, so I don't care." text "Th, that's not it....! text I was just trying to answer you. text It probably looks like I'm hiding a lot of things because you never ask...." text "Hmm----so whatever I ask, you'll tell me?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Yes. text We are a team after all." bgload BG_56.png text Alright. text Then as she wishes, I shall ask questions to clear things up. text ~ music ~ choice Alright, I'll tell her about last night.|Then, let's hear the details about Arcueid's "enemy".|Well, I have to question her about her hobbies, history, and her three sizes! if selected == 1 jump s173.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s174.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s175.scr fi bgload BG_56.png text I forgot because she started telling me to take her out to play, but there was something I had to ask her about. text "Then I'll ask. text Arcueid, I was attacked two nights ago by a strange person." text "Eh? text A strange person? text What kind?" text "Well, that is----" text I calm down and I describe as clearly as I can what happened two nights ago. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_56.png music 09.mp3 text ".... Yeah, that's how it was------" text Finishing my explanation, I read Arcueid's expression. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text From when I started until now, her eyes remained sharp without any gentleness. text "So what is it Arcueid? text That bandaged man, and that person wearing those robes like some priest, are they enemies of yours?" text ".... Yes. text Both of them are 'enemies'. text I don't know just who or what that bandaged man is, but that woman wearing those Catholic robes, I have an idea about." text She narrows her eyes as if she was in a bad mood. text No, she looks less like she was in a bad mood and more like she's irritated. text "I may know the person who helped you, Shiki. text .... Man. text If it's really her, she'll probably be able to find the enemy before me." text She bites her lip vexedly. text "Wait a minute. text I didn't say that person was a woman though." text "No, there's no mistake. text That woman is the only agent given authority to hunt heretics alone and who uses Black Keys that combine the Cremation Rite and the Steel Shell Effect." text Her irritability is almost like hostility. text Even when she spoke about Nrvnqsr, her voice was never saturated with emotion to this extent. text ".... Arcueid. text Um, that person who helped me, is she a vampire....?" text "No, that's not it----that's right, I have yet to tell you about something else that's very important." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I think I explained it before, but vampires like the one making his lair in this town turn humans into their minions and expand their territory. text At the same time, they try their utmost to conceal their existence. text Even though victims appear, they use various magical techniques to make things appear not out of the ordinary. text You know why?" text ".... Well, it's because humans aren't stupid. text If they find out monsters like that exist where they live, they'd attack them. text Even though humans are weak, they do have things like police, so they might be able to do something." text "---Well, I guess that's true, but police are only a law-enforcement group against humans. text We don't consider them at all. text But, it's correct to say that vampires hide their presence for the sake of self-preservation." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki, there is a natural enemy of the vampires. text A group of something like professional killers that now have the power balance in their favor. text .... It's true for other transcendent species, but especially for vampires, it is fatal for them to reveal themselves. text Even if a vampire made a secret kingdom in a village somewhere in the mountains away from all civilization, this natural enemy would definitely notice if victims keep increasing. text Vampires exploit the humans in secret, for no reason other than self-preservation. text The vampires hide their dead victim's bodies, not out of fear of human society finding out, but in fear of these natural enemies discovering them." text ".... Huh? text The natural enemy of vampires? text Yet another group of monsters I don't know about." text ~ text For a normal guy like me, I just want all these unnatural things to stop appearing. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "What are you saying? text Their natural enemy is without a doubt you humans." text "-----? text Natural enemies, us?" text "Yeah. text Starting from a long time ago, humans used many kinds of magic, the occult, magical ceremonies to create an organization and started to eliminate primates other than humans. text The greatest of these is Christianity---the pride of the Vatican, the Exorcists. text The Catholic Church always viewed "nonhumans" as impurities, but vampires are considered the most dangerous." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "There are many religious groups in the world, but the Catholic Church looks at vampires with more hostility than the rest. text You know, it's almost an obsession. text They are so insane, I don't even want to mess with them." text Arcueid lets out a sigh. text "The one who helped you was a member of an elite organization that hunts heretics. text "This group, the Burial Agency, is part of the Church. text They use their own strength rather than law to deal with contradictions to Christianity. text These hidden exorcists are more like professional killers." text "........" text Priests that go around exterminating vampires, huh? text It's so fitting, I'm not really sure what to say. text "Then aren't they like us? text If this Burial Agency is a group whose purpose is to hunt vampires too, can't we search together?" text "----That won't work. text For them, it's enough that someone is a vampire. text To them, non-human primates are just "Evil". text It doesn't matter if they suck blood or not. text This exorcist may have even come here just to seal me rather than fight the vampire who lives in this city." text "............" text Things have gotten quite complicated. text Arcueid's enemy is sought after by both a vampire, and a group that hunts vampires. text ".... What is this? text Then you're all by yourself?" text "Yes, that is the life of a vampire. text Didn't Nrvnqsr say so himself? text Even though vampires belong in the same species, their natures are so different that in the end, they are all alone." bgload BG_56.png text Arcueid takes another bite of her hamburger. text She speaks of being all alone so casually. text "........" text Not feeling satisfied, I continue to listen with a sour expression. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar flgA + 1 jump s176.scr bgload BG_56.png music 01.mp3 text .... That's right. text I've been helping Arcueid look for this "enemy", but I don't even know what kind of guy he is yet. text ~ text "Then I'll ask. text Arcueid, your 'enemy', what kind of vampire is he? text You've been chasing him this long, so you know what he looks like, right?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "Well----I----" text Arcueid looks away. text "What is it? text Didn't you just say you wouldn't hide anything from me?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Yes, but please listen without getting angry. text I only knew just recently that the vampire in this city was here. text I came here as soon as I knew the 'enemy' was in this city in this country, but I have never met him. text So to be honest, I don't know anything about the 'enemy' this time." text "You don't know?----Didn't you recognize Nrvnqsr on sight?" text "Nrvnqsr was famous, and he never changed his appearance. text While the "enemy" I'm pursuing isn't as strong of a vampire, his traits fall within a broad range and I have no idea of his specialties or features this time. text I'm really sorry Shiki---but I really can only tell you this much." text ~ text .... I know she's not lying. text I know, but still, I feel like she's hiding something. text Like---- text "That's okay. text You can't help it if you don't know. text But----at least you know the name of this 'enemy', right?" bgload BG_56.png text "N----name?" text "Yeah, his name." text She gets downcast, descending into silence. text She cannot tell me his name for some reason, and she is troubled. text ~ text Well, that's what I thought, anyway. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text "----His name." text Coldness. text Rapidly, I feel a chill so great it seems like it could freeze the entire room. text ~ text "Shiki, his name is...." text Arcueid isn't having any trouble saying it. text ~ text ".... His name is Michael. text Michael Roa Valdamjong. text Called Uroboros, a Dead Apostle who used to be human." text She speaks while still looking down. text Pure enmity, as if she was spitting forth blood. bgload BG_56.png text "Arcueid, you----" text "------" text Her shoulders are shaking. text It looks like she's trying to hold herself back from going on a rampage. text ".... Sorry. text I shouldn't have asked. text It's okay, just forget about it." text Arcueid shakes her head slightly. text As if trying to say she could never forget. text ~ text A period of silence ensues between us. text "------I'm sorry." text Arcueid says this, still looking down. text "----Mm." text I give a noncommittal response. text Both of us rise automatically from our seats and leave the restaurant. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s176.scr bgload BG_56.png music 03.mp3 text ----Hmm. text ~ text I probably won't ever get a chance to talk with Arcueid in a fast food restaurant in the middle of the day like this again, so I'll ask not about vampires, but something more ordinary. text "Then I'll ask you. text Arcueid, could you tell me a little about your interests, your past, and your three sizes?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "You want to know about that? text You sure ask strange things, Shiki." text "It's not strange. text I don't know anything about you, so it's natural to want to know about you." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Ah, I feel the same way, perhaps----in that case, I don't mind." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "But, interests and a past.. I don't have any of those. text I've also never measured myself so I can't tell you my three sizes. text I never recorded my age or my height like you guys do." text "What do you mean? text You've never even wondered about yourself?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "No, it's not like that, but it wasn't anything I ever had as a priority. text All I need is the ability to hunt Dead Apostles.... vampires." text "But still, there were things that happened before you came to this city, right? text I want to hear about those kinds of things." bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Before I came here.... hmm, that would probably be about eight years ago then. text At that time, I wasn't in this country, but in some other country hunting a vampire. text A vampire made its lair in a small, French countryside village that became a ghost town. text After two days, I found the 'enemy' and dealt with the female Dead Apostle controlling the town----" bgload BG_56.png text As if remembering something horrible, Arcueid closes her eyes and cuts off. text "Eight years ago? text Then up until now, what were you doing, Arcueid?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "What was I doing? text I just went back to my castle and slept. text My duty is to hunt Dead Apostles. text I have no other meaning for existence, so until another Dead Apostle stands out, there's nothing to do but continue sleeping, right?" text "Wha------" text Continue sleeping? text Does she mean literally? text No, in the first place---- text ".... Wait a minute. text A castle, you mean that castle? text I'd have trouble believing it, but don't tell me your place is like that Cinderella's castle..!?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Cinderella's castle?" text Arcueid tilts her head like she doesn't get it. text "Uh----no, that's not a really appropriate expression. text Um, I mean, you're a, um.... princess?" bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Yes, it seems that way. text A long time ago I was told not to cut my hair and scolded to act more like royalty." text "--------" text .... I'm speechless. text Come to think of it, that Nrvnqsr guy always called her "princess." text But still---- text "A royal princess?" text I steal a glance at Arcueid. text She's beautiful enough to take your breath away, but such a rambunctious person a princess? text She's not quite what comes to mind when I think of a princess. text ".... Well, at least you are as selfish as a princess." text I give a deep sigh. bgload BG_56.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hey now! text I only said it because you asked, so don't respond like that!" text Her Royal Highness glares at me. bgload BG_56.png text .... Arcueid doesn't seem to think of herself as a princess either, so I think it's just best to forget about this. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_56.png text Still angry, Arcueid resumes eating her hamburger. text After she's finished and calmed down, we decide to go somewhere else. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s176.scr bgload BG_24B.png text After eating, we do some window shopping on the main street and end up heading towards my school for some reason. text The sun starts to set. text Actually, it's because Arcueid suddenly exclaims 'Let's go to the school you're attending', and I couldn't tell her no. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01B.png music 03.mp3 text "I've told you before, but we can't go inside. text I've skipped school today after all, and you're an outsider." bgload BG_01B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I know. text I won't cause you any trouble, so just relax." text Arcueid peers at the school from the gate. bgload BG_01B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Huh......?" text Arcueid tilts her head. bgload BG_01B.png text "What's wrong? text Did something happen?" text I look at the school grounds from behind her. text "H.... uh?" text This time I'm the one tilting my head. text There's no sign of anyone on the school grounds. text It's not even quite six o'clock yet. text At this time, there should be a lot of athletic clubs still practicing---- bgload BG_01B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Shiki, it seems there's no one here." text Hmm, I'm not sure why, but there really is no one here. text I don't see anyone in the building either. bgload BG_01B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Shiki, there's no one inside you know." text Arcueid stares upward at me. text ~ text .... Somehow, I'm pretty sure I know what she's trying to say. text "No way." text I refuse her bluntly. text But, she doesn't listen to me. bgload BG_01B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "If there's no one there, then I can't get in trouble for going in. text We came at a great time, didn't we?" text "I told you, I don't want to." bgload BG_01B.png text "Wow, it's bigger than I thought inside. text The school building is also really huge, it seems well-suited for its task." text ~ text .... That's strange. text Arcueid's voice isn't coming from right near me, but from inside the school grounds. text "Shiki, this door won't open, so is it okay if I break it down?" text What blurring speed! text Arcueid is already right next to a glass door with her arm cocked to break it. text ~ text "Y.... you, why won't you listen to what people are saying--!?" text With all my strength, I dash towards the glass to prevent it from being broken by a big idiot. bgload BG_03B.png bgload BG_03B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, you came over." text She gives a smile as if she was enjoying this. text ".... Is going to my high school this much fun? text There's a lot of other better places I can take you, so let's just get out of here." bgload BG_03B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I don't think so. text The place you always come to, it seems pretty fun." text Arcueid gives a mischievous laugh and smiles devilishly. text "Shiki, I want to go inside here. text Can you kill the lock on this?" text "K, kill it? text You----" text "Wouldn't it be less messy than if I did it? text The way you slice something apart doesn't leave any cross-sections that look like the action of a blade. text If someone finds it later on, it'll just look like it fell apart on its own. text C'mon, c'mon." text She points to the glass window by the hallway. bgload BG_03B.png text ".... Sheesh, you're acting like a kid." text I half-lower my glasses. bgload BG_03B.png text .... Now then, a window with a "line" at the crescent lock would be.. text ~ text ".... Crap, there conveniently is one." text Taking my knife out of my pocket, I cut down the lock. text .... No, not cut down. text More like 'killing' it. bgload BG_03B.png text "All set. text Let's go in here." text Lifting open the glass window, we enter the school building. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06F.png text ................ *sigh* text ~ text I knew it. text Arcueid declares she wants me to guide her to my classroom first. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hey, Shiki. text What do you study here?" text "What?----Normal school stuff. text History, and a lot of deep studies into the culture of my country. text And to know about how things work, we study physics and math. text And we might go overseas one day, so we study English too." text "Oh really? text Taking you into account, I thought you were studying things like the best way to slice up people or how to use various blades." text She says something pretty funny. text "Arcueid, you're saying that even though you already know what kind of place this is, right?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ahaha, Good Job!" text She starts to clap. bgload BG_06F.png music ~ text .... It's always hard to understand what she's thinking, but today takes the cake. text Dragging me here, just what the heck is she planning? bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 music 07.mp3 text "Shiki." text "What is it? text Suddenly looking serious like that. text You really did have a reason for bringing me here, didn't you?" text "No, there wasn't any reason. text I just wanted to hear about this kind of place." text ".... This kind of place? text About school?" text "Yeah, you spend about half your day here, right? text Is there a use for all the knowledge and experiences you gain here? text Are you just wasting your time learning things unnecessary for you?" text "Huh----?" text Her question is the least understandable so far. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "For example, there's some skills you learn here that will never be used. text Isn't that a waste?" text ".... Well, maybe it is a waste. text I learn math, but we only use the simplest of math in our daily lives. text I learn about this country's history and English, but I don't know if I'll ever use it." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Oh, so you realize it then. text But.... then, why do you do such pointless things? text Your time is so short, you don't have time to waste." text "No time to waste? text Well, we don't have a specific goal, so we live pointlessly like this until we do." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "I can't believe it. text Even though you know it's pointless, you make it something you live for. text .... Yeah, I really can't believe it." text Her voice is terribly hushed. text I don't know why, of course. text ".... Something to live for, huh? text That may be true. text But are useless things that bad?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "----Eh?" text "Isn't it alright to do extra things? text Even if I use what I learn only here, it still becomes a reminder of my days here. text Some years later, there'll be a time when I'll just think. text And I'll remember back and say 'yeah, that's how it was back then' and give a bitter smile. text So there's meaning in it." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... I don't get it. text Those memories themselves are pointless, but you're saying there's fun in remembering them, Shiki?" text "Yeah, that's okay. text People are designed not to remember painful things. text But in the first place, the lives of humans are full of pointless things. text To think of it, isn't life itself pointless? text So I don't think about it too deeply. text I think it's best to just fool yourself and live like you don't realize there's no meaning to life." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "You know it's pointless yet you do it. text .... I really don't get it. text I can't do anything pointless. text Even now, I haven't done anything that I didn't need to do." text "What are you saying? text Wasn't this whole day full of pointlessness? text Isn't your purpose hunting vampires? text Then there's really no need for you to go walking around with me." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... That's true. text I don't understand that either. text I wanted to ask you because you don't seem to do anything but pointless things, but now I'm totally confused." text ~ text ----Hey. text ~ text "Yes, yes. text I'm sorry, I'm only a completely pointless person." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "........ Ah----yeah." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "I'm sorry. text I understand what you're trying to say, Shiki. text Humans are a collective, so their worth isn't determined by the individual but by the whole group. text Even if an individual is mistaken, if the group is correct then it is forgiven. text But as for us, we are solitary creatures so we can't allow ourselves to be mistaken. text We can't allow our wills to be influenced by anyone else. text So----that's why I was always taught never to do extra things." text ~ text .... Quietly. text She talks as if she was in a confessional. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "----But now, I don't know anymore. text For just a brief time.. really, only seven days. text .... I started to wonder if I really was right? text Because it was so fun. text Doing this, living like this, I never thought until now how happy it could make me." text "Ar.... cueid?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "Maybe I.. broke down. text I've never been awake for this long until now----Maybe I'm already fast asleep dreaming about all this." text .... With empty eyes, Arcueid whispers these words. text "Wha----" text I can't speak. text Her image flutters like a projected hologram. text ".... Broken? text What do you mean? text You look pretty normal to me." text "Maybe on the outside, but I'm different on the inside. text .... Happiness and pain, all of these extra feelings are becoming greater. text I can't ignore things that I used to be able to in the past. text So I'm broken, right? bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text And also, I'm not normal. text I'm different from you, Shiki. text I'm a vampire." bgload BG_06F.png text Saying that, she seems to laugh. text Really faintly, as if hiding in the red of the setting sun. text ~ text "--------Tha-" text That's.. strange. text It's just.. weird. text ~ text The dusk classroom. text Bathed in the red sun, a vulnerable looking girl. text This scene, it's.. text "That's--not like you at all." text ~ text Yeah, it's not like her at all. text You're a vampire----so don't look so vulnerable, like you were some ordinary girl. text "Things you can't ignore, having to do pointless things, if it's not causing trouble to anyone----isn't it alright just to let it all go? text I said not to think about yourself too seriously. text I don't know what you're thinking about, but I don't see a problem. text You're not----causing trouble to anyone." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Really? text But you always yell at me, is that different?" text "----I'm an exception. text I have the sin of killing you, so dealing with you is just karma. text It's okay, I'm doing it because I want to. text So please don't think about the trouble you're causing me." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "........" text Arcueid's expression clouds over. text .... If she makes that kind of a face, it's a little troubling. text She looks so weak, I want to embrace her. text ".... Please Arcueid, get it straight now. text It's true that you're selfish, you don't listen to other people, and you're full of problems. text But, other than that, you're pretty normal. text You're not broken, you're just like a normal girl. text ----So smile. text If you keep making that expression, it'll make me feel bad." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text ".... That's pretty mean. text Am I really that selfish?" text Arcueid looks at me suddenly as if studying my expression. bgload BG_06F.png text ~ text I'm taken aback a little. text It seems this princess didn't realize she was selfish. text "----Hahahahaha! text What are you saying? text If you take every bit of selfishness out of you, there'd be nothing left but bones! text Just bones!" text What I'm saying doesn't quite make sense, but it seemed very funny. text ~ text --Because even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined I would see Arcueid embarrassed over herself. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "................!!" text ~ text Oh, she got mad. text "Shiki you jerk! text I was seriously discussing matters and you act so heartlessly!!" text "Like I said, didn't I say I was nice to everyone but you? text So being mean to you now isn't anything new." text Stifling my laughter, I look back at her. text The cloud hanging over her head has dispersed and she has a genuine expression on her face, which is much more like her. text "But you know, I guess it's better for you to be lively. text I'm a little relieved." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Eh....? text Wh, why are you relieved? text Aren't you supposed to be heartless towards me?" text "Ah----yeah, that's right." text I tilt my head questioningly. bgload BG_06F.png text .... That's strange, I don't even know why myself. text .... Before, I just didn't want to see her looking depressed, and I wanted to protect her---- text ~ text "........" text ~ text That's ridiculous. text Without a doubt, she is pretty, and I know she's a good person. text Also, it isn't boring to be with her. text .... But no way can such a ridiculous thing be happening. text Get a hold of yourself, Shiki. text She's a vampire. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "That's pretty vague. text Are you saying you don't understand yourself?" text ".... Be quiet, it's alright if I don't understand myself. text I've always been aware of how strange I am from the beginning. text That's why my memories are always vague." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh, I see. text That's why you're always spaced out, Shiki." text Arcueid nods to herself as if deeply understanding the matter. bgload BG_06F.png text "........" text Having her take my excuse so seriously makes me wonder if maybe it really is true. text "----Well then." text We can't stay in this classroom forever. text We should hurry up and leave before we're found by teachers left in school. text "Come on, let's head out. text There's nothing else to do here, right?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Yeah, nothing else, but.... Shiki?" text I throw her a questioning glance. text She seems to be pondering her words, and then asks me a strange question. text "Shiki, do you enjoy things?" text ".... Are you sick today or something?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Don't make fun of me. text I know a little bit about your body. text Even you know it, right? text That it isn't strange for you to die at any moment." text "Wha-------" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Thump. text The scar on my chest almost feels like it's squirming. text "You----well, humans die eventually." bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "But in your case, death will come quicker than for other people." text .... Her eyes are serious. text But, everyone has lines of death on them, so there are many places where they can die easily. text ~ text It's not like----I'm the only one who's very close to death. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Answer me. text Do you ever have moments where you enjoy yourself even though you have such an unstable hold on life?" text "------You really are stupid. text There's no way I can know that." bgload BG_06F.png bgload IMA_08.png text .... But, there's one thing clear to me. text I almost died eight years ago, and for a short while, text probably when I was getting surgery at the hospital, I felt like I was in a dark place. text ~ text Maybe it was a dream. text Just, at that time, I truly felt like I died, like that place was truly "death". text I was extremely happy after my miraculous recovery. text Then, I met Sensei and was able to return to a normal life. text I never realized it until I died once. text But the world is so peaceful and such a fun place to be. text They say fun things cannot be found, but I think for humans, just living is fun. text ~ text That's why----I can continue living like this even knowing that it's all pointless. text .... That's why. text If someone asks me if I'm enjoying life, unless it's something really unforgivable, I can't help but answer that I am. text No matter how much despair it is, I'm satisfied with just existing. text That's something more certain than the nothingness of death. text No one had to teach me that, but I still know that. text Just being allowed to be here really is a wonderful thing---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_06F.png text "----It's just.. isn't living enjoyable enough? text Everything up until now was fun, so I can feel like living. text .... Well, I guess this is how I can answer your question." text ~ text I can't really say anything too profound. text I've only been alive for seventeen years. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I see, so that is how your heart is. text .... Just doing that is fun enough? text That's true, even though you know it's something extra, you can't give it up because you enjoy it. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text .... I was scared of that and asked, but perhaps that might be a good answer." text "----What, are you still thinking about that thing from before?" bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, but for now the hard feelings have faded. text I can't stray off course until this vampire is defeated. text Until then, we will fight together." bgload BG_06F.png music ~ text "Right?" She says, smiling. text ~ text "----" text Until this vampire is defeated, huh? text ".... That's right. text That was the relationship between us." text Because today was just so normal, text I completely forgot about that most important fundamental fact. text "----Hey, Arcueid." text ~ text Just, without thinking.. text ~ text "When this is all over----when we're done defeating this vampire.. Before we part, can't we do something like this just once more?" text Those words really come out of my mouth naturally. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Eh----? text What do you mean?" text "I'm saying after your task is finished, let's do these pointless things one more time. text In the end, we're here together because we agreed to help each other. text So----I really was wondering, what would happen if we were to meet again without any responsibilities.. if we just met for no particular reason." bgload BG_06F.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----That's not true. text Just as friends, and not thinking about her being a vampire at all. text I just thought it would make Arcueid happy if we created some normal memories like that. text "----If you're too busy, then it's okay. text I only thought of it just now, anyway." text But that's really the opposite of how I feel. text ~ text After her eyes widen in surprise, she nods. bgload BG_06F.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Okay----! text When everything's over, let's come here again, Shiki! text It won't have any meaning, but I'm sure it will be really, really fun!" text In the classroom bathed by the sunset, text Arcueid smiles and makes a promise with me. bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24C.png text .... In the end, when we go outside, the sun has already set. text It's just past seven-thirty. text A little early, but since we don't have anything else to do, we should start searching for the vampire. text ~ text "Well then, shall we begin, Arcueid?" text I turn around to face Arcueid who was walking behind me. bgload BG_24C.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "What, already? text Didn't the sun just set?" text "Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to start earlier. text We've played around long enough today, so we should be serious at night, right? text Arcueid, let's stick to our decisions." bgload BG_24C.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Shiki, you're strangely serious. text If you're this serious, then why did you break our promise yesterday?" text "Hey, I couldn't help that; I couldn't even move. text I really did intend to go before." text Yeah, if Akiha didn't stop me, I probably would've gone ahead to the park in my condition. text "Hmmm, I see. text Then, let's do that." text With a slightly empty expression, Arcueid says something I don't understand. text "Do what?" text "You intended to go to the park, right Shiki? text We still have time, so if you couldn't get it done yesterday, then isn't it okay if we do it now?" bgload BG_24C.png text She starts to run lightly. text She really seems to be serious about going to the park. text "--Hey, wait. text Hey....!" text I run with all my strength so I don't lose sight of her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 music 01.mp3 text "See, even though you were complaining, you still kept up, Shiki. text Ahaha~" text Arcueid laughs. text ".... Idiot.. if I.. left you alone.. you'd.. bother.. someone else.." text I desperately try to catch my breath after running the whole way. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I knew there would be a lot of people here now. text It's a bit unsettling since I can feel their presence everywhere." text ".... Like I said, why.. won't you.. ever.. listen.. to what I.. have to say..?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hm? text I hear your voice all the time." text ".... Oh. text Then.. you hear me.. but you just ignore me, that's.. worse.." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "I don't ignore you. text If I answer whenever you scold me, you'd just call me an idiot so I stay quiet." text ".... Oh. text Then maybe.. I have a problem.. too?" text I still try to catch my breath. bgload BG_28B.png text From my school to this park is roughly six kilometers. text Even if it was a little jog, going that far is too much for a heart like mine. text .... It's not that she was running all that quickly. text Actually, she seemed to be running slowly. text But probably because of the effects of my anemia, I don't feel too well. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Are you okay Shiki? text You don't have to force yourself. text Shouldn't you rest on that bench?" text ".... I'll do that. text Once I'm rested up, we'll go to the city again, Arcueid." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Sheesh. text I'm happy you're motivated, but it's still too early. text Nrvnqsr was like that too, but vampires don't move around unless it's their time. text Since they won't move around until they sense deep night, it's okay to kill a little time here." text ~ text "----" text If that's how it was, then she could've told me earlier. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text ----Sitting on the bench, I stare at the clock aimlessly. text ~ text It's just past nine o'clock. text The people all around have gone away and the night deepens quickly. text For some reason Arcueid doesn't sit down, but paces back and forth as if she was bored. if flgA == 0 jump s177.scr fi jump s178.scr bgload BG_28B.png text Time is the only thing which passes by. text A quiet night. text It's completely different from two nights ago and there isn't a single cloud in the sky. text The bright, pure moonlight illuminates the park and Arcueid. text ".... Moonlight...." text If it was as bright as this back then, maybe I could have seen the bandaged man's face.... wait a minute.. text ~ text "Ah----------!" text ~ text I jump up from the bench. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Shiki!? text What's wrong, did you see The Dead?" text Arcueid rushes towards me. text "No, that's not it---I forgot something really important." text It really was careless of me. text I was attacked yet I completely forgot about it until now. text "Arcueid. text I was attacked two nights ago by a strange person." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Eh? text A strange person? text What kind?" text "Well, that is----" bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text I calm down and I describe as clearly as I can what happened last night. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text ".... Yeah, that's how it was------" text Finishing my explanation, I read Arcueid's expression. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text From when I started until now, her eyes remained sharp without any gentleness. text "So what is it Arcueid? text That bandaged man, and that person wearing those robes like some priest, are they enemies of yours?" text ".... Yes. text Both of them are 'enemies'. text I don't know just who or what that bandaged man is, but that woman wearing those Catholic robes, I have an idea about." text She narrows her eyes as if she was in a bad mood. text No, she looks less like she was in a bad mood and more like she's irritated. music 09.mp3 text "I may know the person who helped you, Shiki. text .... Man. text If it's really her, she'll probably be able to find the enemy before me." text She bites her lip vexedly. text "Wait a minute. text I didn't say that person was a woman though." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "No, there's no mistake. text That woman is the only agent given authority to hunt heretics alone and who uses Black Keys that combine the Cremation Rite and the Steel Shell Effect." text Her irritability is almost like hostility. text Even when she spoke about Nrvnqsr, her voice was never saturated with emotion to this extent. text ".... Arcueid. text Um, that person who helped me, is she a vampire....?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "No, that's not it----that's right, I have yet to tell you about something else that's very important." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "I think I explained it before, but vampires like the one making his lair in this town turn humans into their minions and expand their territory. text At the same time, they try their utmost to conceal their existence. text Even though victims appear, they use various magical techniques to make things appear not out of the ordinary. text You know why?" text ".... Well, it's because humans aren't stupid. text If they find out monsters like that exist where they live, they'd attack them. text Even though humans are weak, they do have things like police, so they might be able to do something." text "---Well, I guess that's true, but police are only a law-enforcement group against humans. text We don't consider them at all. text But, it's correct to say that vampires hide their presence for the sake of self-preservation." text "Shiki, there is a natural enemy of the vampires. text A group of something like professional killers that now have the power balance in their favor. text .... It's true for other transcendent species, but especially for vampires, it is fatal for them to reveal themselves. text Even if a vampire made a secret kingdom in a village somewhere in the mountains away from all civilization, this natural enemy would definitely notice if victims keep increasing. text Vampires exploit the humans in secret, for no reason other than self-preservation. text The vampires hide their dead victim's bodies, not out of fear of human society finding out, but in fear of these natural enemies discovering them." text ".... Huh? text The natural enemy of vampires? text Yet another group of monsters I don't know about." text ~ text For a normal guy like me, I just want all these unnatural things to stop appearing. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "What are you saying? text Their natural enemy is without a doubt you humans." text "-----? text Natural enemies, us?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Yeah. text Starting from a long time ago, humans used many kinds of magic, the occult, magical ceremonies to create an organization and started to eliminate primates other than humans. text The greatest of these is Christianity---the pride of the Vatican, the Exorcists. text The Catholic Church always viewed "nonhumans" as impurities, but vampires are considered the most dangerous." text "There are many religious groups in the world, but the Catholic Church looks at vampires with more hostility than the rest. text You know, it's almost an obsession. text They are so insane, I don't even want to mess with them." text Arcueid lets out a sigh. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "The one who helped you was a member of an elite organization that hunts heretics. text This group, the Burial Agency, is part of the Church. text They use their own strength rather than law to deal with contradictions to Christianity. text These hidden exorcists are more like professional killers." text "........" text Priests that go around exterminating vampires, huh? text It's so fitting, I'm not really sure what to say. text "Then aren't they like us? text If this Burial Agency is a group whose purpose is to hunt vampires too, can't we search together?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "----That won't work. text For them, it's enough that someone is a vampire. text To them, non-human primates are just "Evil". text It doesn't matter if they suck blood or not. text This exorcist may have even just came here to seal me rather than fight the vampire who lives in this city." bgload BG_28B.png music ~ text Sounding irritated, Arcueid starts to pace back and forth again. text "............" text Things have gotten quite complicated. text Arcueid's enemy is sought after by both a vampire, and a group that hunts vampires. text ".... What is this? text Then doesn't that mean she's all by herself?" text Thinking aloud, I watch Arcueid as she paces back and forth. text ~ text Under the white moonlight, text Arcueid appears to be dancing a solitary waltz. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s178.scr bgload BG_28B.png music 01.mp3 text The hand of the clock ticks by. text It's been two hours since we came here. text ~ text "----Phew." text I've started to settle down and there's nobody around now. text The night starts to deepen. text "Arcueid, is it alright now?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Yeah, it's alright." text She agrees with me, but she doesn't really seem enthused yet. text "You've been acting strange since before, Arcueid. text Is there something wrong?" text "----Not really. text I was just concerned about that bandaged man you told me about." text Arcueid sighs as she ponders to herself. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Oh, that's right. text Shiki, last night someone hit on me here." text "----Huh?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "I'm saying, some guy started to talk to me here." text ".... No, I heard you. text I thought you said you were thinking about that bandaged man though." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I was, that's why I remembered. text Just like when you were attacked, someone started to talk to me." text ".... I see. text Well, that's good. text Just looking from the outside, you are a beautiful person so if you were waiting around by yourself, it is entirely natural for a guy to talk to you." text I give a serious response. text Sometimes, I'm a little too honest. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "You think so? text I thought it was an enemy at first, but I remembered you saying something before about how I always stand out. text So after studying him briefly, I saw he was just a human." text ".... Wait a minute. text Don't tell me you did something to the guy trying to hit on you?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "No, I didn't do anything. text I just talked with him a little bit and made him forget about it. text .... But if I didn't remember what you said, I might have." text "I see. text Good job, Arcueid. text I guess even you can make distinctions." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Of course. text It would have to take someone like you to make me angry." text She seems to say this with some amusement. text .... Well, it's natural for someone to get mad if they were killed. bgload BG_28B.png text I sigh as I glance around the park. text .... A month ago. text If those serial murders never started occurring, there would still be young couples around and the figures of students hanging out. text But now, the only ones talking here are me and Arcueid. text ~ text I calmly think about my current situation. text Since when did Tohno Shiki step off onto the path of such a world----? music ~ bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah. text Hey, see." text Arcueid suddenly calls out to me. text "What, did something happen?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Yeah. text See? text Look at the clock. text It's time." text She points to the park's clock while giving a full smile. text Looking----it's ten o'clock now. bgload BG_28B.png music 08.mp3 text The promised time. text The promise backed only by words, to meet here at ten o'clock at night. text ~ text .... Last night. text The promised time I couldn't keep. text "--------" text My words get stuck in my throat. text Why does such a trivial thing suddenly cause my chest to tighten? text ~ text Why.. does such a trivial thing make her so happy? text .... I really don't understand. text I spent all day with her today. text But it never felt like she was really a vampire. text ".... Let me ask you something." text ~ text ----Stop it, Shiki. text ~ bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Yeah, what is it?" text ".... Are you.." text ~ text ----Don't ask her that. text ~ bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Um, am I what?" text ".... Really a vampire?" text ~ text ----What kind of answer are you hoping for? bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "A vampire?--what's with that all of a sudden, Shiki?" text "It's not all of a sudden. text I was just thinking." text I look away. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Huh? text I can't tell if you're really stubborn or not. text I don't really mind, but that's pretty insulting. text Tell me why you're asking that." bgload BG_28B.png text There's no reason. text But----at the same time, there's no real proof she's a vampire either. text So---- text ".... Well, you said you don't even like to see blood. text What kind of vampire is that? text You even said you weren't a full vampire, but a vampire that hasn't sucked blood isn't a vampire, is it?" text ~ text ----That's not it. text Isn't it just that Tohno Shiki, deep inside, wishes she wasn't a vampire? bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki. text Stand up." text Arcueid approaches the park bench. text I stand up. text ~ text "----" text Our eyes meet. text We're about two meters apart. text ~ text Arcueid gives a huge sigh, and suddenly grins. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "I guess you're right. text I even thought about it myself. text I wondered, is Arcueid Brunestud really a vampire? text Ahaha," she laughs. text ~ text .... That's a relief. text I thought this question would insult her----but thankfully, she seems to have taken it as a joke. text ~ text "----Yeah. text You really don't look like a vampire at all." text "Ahaha," Arcueid laughs again. text "Then, shall we try?" text ~ text She says this, still smiling. text "Try----eh?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Shall we see if I can really drink blood? text If I could, can you give me a prize, Shiki?" text "Wha----" text With that smile still on her face, she takes a step closer. bgload BG_28B.png music ~ bgload IMA_02.png text Tap, tap. text Her footsteps echo in the air. text ~ text I know she's joking. text Still----I can't move, at all. text "Wa----" text --it. text But I can't even finish. text It's not her power----but me who stops. text ~ text Closer. text One step. text Another step. text Looking down, bit by bit. text I----not even able to lift a single finger, am transfixed by her lips---- bgload IMA_10.png text "Shiki, you said I wasn't a full vampire, but...." text ~ text A sweet voice that seems to echo in the back of my head. text Another step, and the footsteps stop. text ~ text ---You know, drinking blood is very easy. text ~ text I hear that voice right by my ear. bgload event/ARK_E05A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her body weight presses up against me. text ~ text "------" text ~ text My throat freezes and I can't even speak. text I can only feel her breath on my neck. text ~ text ----It's hot like a burning fire. text "Ar-----" text I stop calling her name. text With my own will, I stop. text Because I know if I call out her name, she'll pull away. text "------" text Her breath is so close. text Her white fingers on my shoulders are trembling. text ~ text ----She's, scared. text ~ text My mind is blank and I'm not scared at all. text But, Arcueid is the only one shaking. text I can't see her face. text Just the swirling of her breath around my neck, and the feel of her trembling body against mine. text ~ text It changes from a weak breeze to heavy breathing. text "Ar---cueid?" text "It was------supposed to be a joke." text Her voice shakes. text The fingers on my shoulder cease their trembling. text ~ text Instead----they dig into my shoulders like a bird's talons. text "Gah-----!" text A pained gasp escapes me. text But her claws do not let up. text They sink in as if not allowing me to escape. text "Arc----I'm sorry, I guess I joked around too much. text I'm sorry----so can you, let go?" text "Shi----ki." text Her fingers don't move. text ~ text ----This isn't good. text My mind screams in warning and I gather up all my strength. text My arms move to push her away. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Before that, text Pain shoots through my shoulders. text "............!!!" text My arms can't move at all. text Her vice-like grip on my shoulders cause my arms to go numb. text "----,----,--------" text .... I can feel her breath grow even wilder against my neck. text Maddening. text Her teeth almost touch my neck. bgload IMA_11.png text "N----No....!" text ~ text After the grip increases one more time from her white fingers, text Arcueid flies back, practically screaming. sound ~ bgload BG_28B.png music 09.mp3 text Panting fills the air. text ~ text Hard breathing echoes through the park. text My ragged breathing-----Arcueid's trembling breaths. text "Shi------ki." text Her entire body shaking, she gasps as if to suck in the entire atmosphere as she stares in disbelief at her two hands. text ~ text Her white fingertips are now dripping with my blood. text The redness flows from her fingers to her palms, and then along her arms. text "Ah----" text She looks at it, and seems to be on the verge of collapse. text ".... Arcueid, just now, was----" text I call out to her. text Looking up from the blood on her hands, she meets my gaze. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "Shi----ki?" text ".... Yeah, I'm here. text Just now, was----a joke, but it seems like it went a little far." text I say that, wanting to let this end just as a joke. text But I guess it didn't work out. text "Shiki----I, just----" text Her eyes lose sanity. text "Got----very thirsty----" text Her convulsions become deeper, and even now----she seems like she'll crumble to the ground. text "Please----go home, Shiki." bgload BG_28B.png text "Hey, Arcueid....!?" text With that, she starts to run. text She disappears fast. text Not like she ran before, where she was taking me into account. text With a speed I couldn't even match if I sprinted with all my strength, she vanishes into the night towards the city. text "----Wha.." text She thinks I can just go back after seeing her like that? text "That idiot----where is she going when she's in that much pain....!?" text I can't just go back home. text ~ text Even though I don't know where to find her, I start to run after her into town. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_25B.png text ----I don't see her anywhere. text The city is too big, and it's nearly impossible for a single person to track her down when she leaves no trace behind. text I'd be much more likely to find her if I predict where she's going to go rather than blindly searching. text ~ text Then---- text ~ choice Go to Arcueid's apartment.|Look in the commercial district.|The school, perhaps? if selected == 1 jump s179.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s180.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s500.scr fi bgload BG_25B.png text ----I'll go to Arcueid's apartment. text ~ text I don't know what's behind it all, but she was breathing so painfully. text Rather than trying to hunt The Dead, she might have just gone back to her room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_12B.png bgload BG_13B.png text .... I press the doorbell. text It doesn't seem like anyone's coming out. text "----Shit, she hasn't come back?" text No matter how many times I push the button, her door doesn't open. text "......" text Did she not come back, or is she just not coming out? text ~ text ----After hesitating, I decide to go inside. text ~ text It'd be a simple thing to cut the "lines" on the door. text But, I should just check the knob first. text ".... Huh?" text It's not locked. text The door opens simply with a turn. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_15B.png text ".... Arcueid, are you here?" text .... No response. text Did she not lock it in the first place? text There's no one around. text "Where does she think she's going in that condition....!?" text I slam my fist against the wall. text ".... Grr." text .... what am I doing? text If I have time to let it out on the wall, I have to go out and look for her---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text .... I can't find her. text Come to think of it, if she really intends not to be found, there's no chance of me finding her at all. text ".... She said we'd meet again tomorrow." text All I can do in this situation is to trust her and wait for tomorrow night. text "............" text With a great uneasiness in my chest, I return to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png jump s510.scr bgload BG_25B.png text ----I'll search the shopping district. text ~ text Even though she was in so much pain, she's not the kind of person to rest because of it. text She told me to go back. text In other words, she was saying she won't be going back. text I think she plans on finding the vampire by herself. text Then----I'll go to the shopping district and find the vampire or The Dead before she does. text Arcueid can't find them, but I can spot The Dead if I take off my glasses. text ~ text "------Alright." text Taking off my glasses and grimacing from the slight headache, I run to the shopping district. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text "Ugh----" text The pain races through my forehead. text .... I'm not particularly concentrating on looking for "lines", but it seems running through town without my glasses on is a huge burden on my brain. text ~ text "Damn it----still, I'm not finding anything." text .... All the people walking through the shopping district have normal "lines" on them. text I don't see anyone painted with the disjointed scribbles I saw before. text ".... Ow" text I rub my temples with my fingers. text As long as I have my glasses off, this headache will only get worse. text But still--I can't give up this easily. text Taking a deep breath, I start to run through the shopping district once more. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text I start to pant from exertion. text The exhaustion from running coupled with the pain in my head makes me nauseous. text No matter how many times I run around, I can't find any Dead or anything out of the ordinary. text Lifting up my hand to my forehead, I feel a feverish heat. text It really does feel like I have a high fever. text ".... Damn it, I'm not done yet----" text I tell myself this as I start to run once more. text ~ text ----And then. text ~ sound SE_11.wav 1 bgload BG #0000FF,%TYPE_NOWAITDISP.png bgload BG_26A.png text ".......... Ah." text Not here, but somewhere farther away. text In a narrow alley between two buildings, I can see something like sparks flying in the air. text No, more accurately, text it feels like the "points" of death are shooting forth and disappearing. text "----That's.." text .... There's no mistake. text It's exactly the same as when Arcueid defeated The Dead before. text She----in that condition, is fighting by herself....! text ~ text "----Found her....!" text Forgetting my pain and weariness, I dash towards the alley. bgload IMA_10.png music 06.mp3 text The entrance to the alley. text I run to the narrow path between the buildings. text ~ text "Death" is flying through the air and fading away. text .... How many is she fighting? text There's an enormous amount of it. text "------Gh." text I can hardly bear it. text As I run to the alley, my spine groans in protest. text ~ text "Ha------agh." text As if a saw was slowly but surely slicing through my spine, text a pain works it way from inside me. text My instincts scream at me. text They say where I'm going is too dangerous, and I have to go back. text "Shut----up." text But, that goes without saying. text The amount of death there isn't normal. text Inside. text I know something terrible is happening inside this alley. text But I can't turn back now. text I can't leave Arcueid alone. text If----I run away here, she might go off and die. text I can't shake off that feeling, and I enter the alley filled with death. bgload BG_31B.png text "Wha------" text My mind freezes. text ~ text What I see is surreal. text ~ text Scattered all across the ground are the figures of numerous people. text Faceless, limbless, their stomachs sliced open, the corpses bathed entirely in crimson. text ~ text On the wall, the ground, even on the moon overhead. text Everything here is just.. red. text A dull, sickening sound. text The last one, the last human shape full of lines expires from her hands. text ~ text With a single hand. text She smashes the head of The Dead into the wall, squishing it like a tomato. text As if not satisfied, she tears the headless body vertically in half and smashes it onto the ground. bgload BG_31B.png text "Ar----cueid." text The world is only filled with red and the moonlight. text In the center of it all stands Arcueid. text She doesn't notice I am here. text She only looks up at the moon----in a trance and breathing heavily. text "------" text I can't speak. text The pain inside me reaches a feverish pitch. text It seems like the saw has cut all the way through. text ~ text ----Creak Creak. text ~ text My entire mind is screaming. text I shouldn't be here. text I don't want to die, it shouts. text ~ text Then, text Arcueid's eyes suddenly shift. music ~ bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T20B.png 36 0 sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her eyes aren't her usual crimson, but a golden flare. text It's not that our eyes have met. text It's just that I looked at those "eyes". text Th, ump. text My blood races through my entire body and my mind is jolted. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----At first, a sense of overwhelming crisis. text I shouldn't be here. text I shouldn't be in front of that thing. text ~ text IT WILL KILL YOU. text YOU CAN'T STAND UP TO IT. text ~ text That "creature" is on an entirely different level. text Not a matter of higher or lower, but something beyond evaluation. text Before that thing----just being there means death. text THU, MP. text My entire body throbs. text ~ text At first, it was fear. text Then, a desire to kill. text ~ text Because, that thing shouldn't exist. text So kill it. text Hurry up and kill it. text Kill it here. text Kill it now. text In the name of this blood, text take that thing here, text and destroy it---- text ~ text My heart pounds furiously. text ~ text I know there's no way I can face it, but my entire body screams for me to kill it. text What a contradiction----Is it telling me to kill it even though I know it's going to kill me? text Is it telling me I don't want to be killed, so kill instead? text "Gah----, ah." text .... No. text I'm not.. here. text Those eyes----I must not look at those golden eyes. text I know this, but I can't escape her eyes. text Thump. text Thump. text My blood boils.. text The stimulating throb of my blood. text But, there's something else that tries to burst through my consciousness. bgload BG_31B.png sound ~ bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T20B.png 36 0 music 04.mp3 text ~ text ~ text "Gh----ah, ghaa----" text ~ text ~ text Why do I want to kill? text Are you going to kill before being killed because you don't want to die? text No, that's not a reason. text There's no need for a reason to kill. text Be honest, Tohno Shiki. text Already, from a long time ago----you wanted to take this woman and.. text ~ text ~ text "Shut----up." text ~ text No, your reason and conscience should shut up. text That's how it should be. text I just, want her. text I want Arcueid. text Remember. text Remember the feeling from that time. text You knew from the first time you saw her. text Since that time you killed that creature with your hands and lost your virginity as a killer------! bgload IMA_13B.png text ~ text ~ text "Ah------Ah." text ~ text ~ text Yes. text I want all of it. text Her heart, her body, text Her tears, her saliva, text Her blood, her flesh, sin and punishment, desire and impatience------ text ~ text ~ text "HA----agh....!" text ~ text ~ text ~ text My breathing is out of control. text I can't get a grip on my mind. text Her eyes are consuming me. text Those swaying, golden eyes. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That is, text something that cannot be killed no matter how much I kill.. music ~ bgload BG_31B.png bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "----Shiki!?" text Arcueid realizes I'm here. text As soon as she sees I am fixated to her eyes, she changes them to their crimson color. text ~ text But, by now, text it's far too late. bgload IMA_10.png text I bring out my knife and push Arcueid down. text Her powerless body is easy to push. text I straddle her. text One arm at her neck, the other arm holding my knife overhead. text ~ text All that's left, text is to strike between her breasts. text "Calm down----! text This isn't what you want, Shiki....!" text ~ text I can hear her voice. text The core of my brain starts to overheat. text ~ text "Shut up------!" text My arm tightens around her neck. text She painfully lifts her chin. text .... I can't believe it. text With all of her strength, she can't even free this one arm right now. text "Shi----ki." text Breathing painfully, Arcueid coughs out my name. text Thump. text My heart beats hard in my chest. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I pant. text And pant. text My breathing is out of control. text My vision is blurry and indistinct. text This fire inside of me----I have to release it right away. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Panting. text I slowly start to move. text I move my hips down her stomach. text Spreading her legs, I press myself between them. sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Wha.." text She looks at me uncertainly. text That look makes my head pound. text ~ text Panting. text And panting. text Swelling. text My shaft swells so fast it's almost painful. text I have to violate her right now or I'll go crazy. text Her vermillion-shaded cheeks. text Her soft neck. text And below me, her unparalleled body. text My panting fills the air. text I can feel her heartbeat. text ~ text Panting, panting, panting. text Her golden eyes seem to suck away my soul. text I release her neck. text And instead touch her breasts. text Her arms. text Her legs. text My fingers trace the white skin under her clothes, soaking up the coolness of her body. text "No----this, this isn't like you, Shiki....!" text ~ text Her burning voice. text Her inviting red eyes. text Seeing these things, my mind completely shatters. bgload event/ARK_H03.png text "N......!" text She stifles her cries as if embarrassed. text Frantically, she tries to push me back with both hands. text Pushing them away, I press her onto the ground. text Would it be better if I had some nails? text With both arms pushed back and her figure spread open like a cross, Arcueid looks at me with naked hate in her eyes. text "------Kk." text Stretched out like this, she looks even more beautiful. text Like this, I can't use my arms either. text If I let go, she'll rip my throat open for sure. text ~ text This tension. text This balance that makes us seem like we're killing each other rather than me violating her increases the beast-like lust in me. text "--Stop, it----stop, or you'll regret it----" text I won't let her finish. text Since my mouth is free, I use that to undress her. text ~ text Breathing wildly, I violently tear the clothes from her body. text ".... Nn, Shiki, get ahold of your----!" text She squirms, still trying to resist as she trembles in my grasp. text ~ text ----Pan.. ting. text ~ text My breath blows across her stomach. text "Ah-----n....!" text Is she that sensitive? text Her whole body reacts. text .... I feel excited. text As I strip off her clothes, my tongue dances teasingly along her white skin. text "Shiki, No----!" text She struggles harder, but I'm stronger than her right now. text I won't let her resist. text I continue removing her clothes. text In the middle of it, her bra gets stuck on her chest, but I simply tear it off. text Her breasts move as I do so. text Her well-shaped globes are bared for me to see. text I bite down on one of them. text ~ text "Naha----!" text ~ text She lets out a gasp. text Her entire body arches like a bow. text I don't care. text I run my tongue along the flesh between my teeth, relishing the taste. text "Shi.... ki......, stop....!" text Her voice becomes a bit hotter. text Her pink nipples harden. text Just like the hardening of a man, her nipples seem to stiffen regardless of what she's thinking. text "N--------!" text She must be embarrassed about it, as she stifles her voice. text "Shiki----if you do this, afterwards----" text Ignoring her voice, I continue to lick her gorgeous breasts. text "N.... ah----!" text Her face starts to contort. text Her breast is firm. text The more I push my face into it, the more it pushes back against me. text Her white breasts turn a light shade of red. text I keep sucking. text ".... Ah.... oh.... ah, n----" text Her heated voice. text Her body glistening with sweat. text Her shaking head, her pained gasps. text My tongue plays along her soft breasts. text There's no reason for it. text All that's left inside of me is a desire to lick, moisten, and play with her. text ~ text I bury my face in her chest. text Her white mounds glisten with my saliva. text ".... Ha.... sto, p.... I.... won't ever.... forgive.. you....!" text It sounds like she's gritting her teeth. text I'm annoyed that her voice is still so reasonable. text I bite down on her nipples. text "N, gah-----!!" text Her entire body arches harder than before. text As if pushing her breasts up, she arches back. text It's not my intent to give her diligent, caring foreplay. text I just move my face. text "S, stop.... Shiki, pl.. ease---" text I move my tongue to the space in between her breasts. text "If you, touch me there, I'll start.. to----" text As if to leave a mark that won't go away, I suck on her skin. text ~ text "Hwaa----!" text ~ text Her arms start to flail. text Holding them down, my tongue continues to crawl along her body. text From her chest to her collarbone. text From there to her neck. text "No.... Shiki.. you.. don't.. even.. like.. me....!" text I don't acknowledge her. text I can't even hear her. text Her glistening body destroys any reason I have left. text Her beautiful body looks even better covered with sweat. text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text My blood is surging painfully. text I want to take her right now. text My panting echoes through the alley. text There's no need to hold back. text If I want to do it, I'll just do it. text I move my mouth away from her neck and bring it down towards her lower half. text "........!!!" text Arcueid struggles harder than ever. text Like this, she could free herself from my arms. text But before that, text I move lower, traveling quickly past her navel. text Into the midst of her golden curls, text my tongue crawls down to her pink, fleshy creases. text ~ text I suck lightly on the protruding nub in between those slick walls. text "Ah----N, no-----!" text Arcueid arches her back. text I bite down on the most sensitive spot of the female anatomy. text This sensation of pleasure is far different from when I was licking her whole body. text Looking at her, text I see sticky fluid building up inside of her. text The smell of warm juices. text I don't care if it's enough lubrication for her. text I'm not thinking at all about her pleasure. text ~ text I just----have to have her body. text "------Shi.. ki." text Her voice is weak, as if realizing what's coming next. text Has she given up? text She looks at me with dampened eyes. text ~ text "------" text Her moist.. eyes. text Does that mean.. text she's crying? bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H03.png text "Ghaa........!" text My head is splitting with pain. text My instincts tell me to go on. text That if I stop now I'll die. text My heart beats wildly----Telling me that if I don't do it now, she'll kill me later. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H03.png text "------" text She's crying. text Why----is she crying? text If it was me, I would never let her cry. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload event/ARK_H03.png text My headache continues. text Screaming at me to go on. text ----It's strange to be distracted. text There's only one thing that needs to be done. text I---- text ~ choice I can't do something she doesn't want.|I just want her, that's all. if selected == 1 jump s181.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s182.scr fi bgload event/ARK_H03.png text ----I can't do it. text I can't do anything she doesn't want again. text Once, I gave in to this headache and I killed her. text ~ text That's why, never again. text I can't lose to myself and make Arcueid cry. text Even if this headache tears me apart, I won't do it---- bgload IMA_11.png sound ~ bgload BG_31B.png music 09.mp3 text "Ha----ah!" text I pull back from her body. text The headache disappears and my heart returned to normal. text The urges rampaging in my heart have also disappeared and I finally start to comprehend what I just did. text "----What----have I.." text I can't believe it. text But the memory is all too clear. text How I pushed her down. text How I choked her and held my knife over her. text .... and the disgraceful things I did afterwards. text "------" text I don't know what to say. text Arcueid adjusts her clothes and stands up. text I----don't know how to apologize. text Just saying sorry.. how can that make it up? text "----Arcueid, I----" bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "Don't worry about it.... I'm the one who should apologize." text She looks away uncomfortably. text "Wha--what are you saying? text I was the one who did something wrong. text If only----I had been stronger, that never would have happened." bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "No. text I don't think it was something you could have resisted because you saw my 'Mystic Eyes'." text "Eh----? text Mystic Eyes? text Like, Nrvnqsr's eyes....?" bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... Exactly. text I wasn't sane earlier. text I was so thirsty, I couldn't control myself. text That's why----I found some of The Dead, and tried to replace that urge with the urge to destroy to stave it off. text Back then, I was unable to hold myself back----so that's why you saw my Mystic Eyes when you came." text ".... Certainly I felt odd from the time I saw your golden eyes----but that's just that. text I, with my own will--" text "No, that's wrong. text Shiki, my Mystic Eyes of Enchantment completely captivate whoever looks upon them. text .... I think that's why you started to feel all those sexual desires." text "--That----can't be right." text Because even if she wasn't controlling me. text I, I might, still like her. text "Anyway, this was all because of my carelessness. text .... I'm sorry, Shiki. text I manipulated your body without any regards to your feelings." bgload BG_31B.png text Her gaze shift away as she says this. text .... Being apologized to like this hurts my heart. text Because I didn't feel like I was manipulated at all. text Rather----it seems like I used it to obey my own lust. text "Arcueid, I----" bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "Don't apologize. text .... Shiki, this was all an accident. text I'll forget about it, so please forget about it too. text I think it's better for the both of us that way." bgload BG_31B.png text Saying that, she starts to walk quietly. text ".... Arcueid....?" bgload BG_31B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "----I think this is enough for tonight. text I killed all these Dead tonight, so it's probably useless to search any further." text ".... That's fine, but what do we do with that mountain of dead bodies? text If someone finds it, there'll be trouble." text "There's no need to worry. text Once something becomes a vampire and dies, it won't leave a trace. text Those who refused to return to the Earth become ash to be scattered in the wind once they die. text They will return and disperse on their own in a while." bgload BG_31B.png text Without turning around, she disappears from the alley with weak steps. text "............" text I can't stop her now. text I still feel the sensation of Arcueid on both my hands. text "----Idiot. text What a stupid idiot I am." text I groan to myself. text In the alley which became a stage of tragedy, I look up at the moon in remorse. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s183.scr bgload BG_31B.png text ----I just want her. text There's no mistaking that. text "Shi.... ki....?" text She still sounds like she has some reason left. text ~ text ----I don't like that. text I've long since gone insane thanks to Arcueid. text But for her to stay sane like that, I can't let it go. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text I release her. text Her arms fall to the ground. text "Shiki----are you sane again....?" text She sounds relieved. text Without answering----I grab her skirt and tear it from her body. bgload event/ARK_H03.png text "----! text No, stop it Shiki!" text Her hips rise up. text Her hands move to push me away. text I don't care. text I push my groin against her waist. text "I said stop....! text Snap out of it. text Snap out of it Shiki----!" text She tries to move back, but it's too late now. text Freeing my imprisoned member from my pants, I forcefully enter her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_H04.png text "H----!" text There are no wet sounds. text Her dry, unprepared inner walls resist my entrance. text They resist, but they can't stop me. text Ignoring the tightness around me, I slide deeper. text "Sto----ow, it hurts----Shiki......!" text She pushes up against my body in an attempt to stop me. text But there's no power in her arms. text Is it because of the pain? text Is it that she doesn't have any power left? text Either way, I don't intend to stop. text My throbbing tool burns inside of her. text Since it's dry, it's even painful for me. text This pain, and the intense pressure around me, assails my senses. text Pain and pleasure are so close they're nearly indistinguishable. text My shaft seems perfectly eager to seek either one. text As I continue to slide inwards, text the pain and the feeling of her walls encircling me burn into my brain. text "Nh----!" text Twitch. text Her hips rise upwards. text Slide. text After a feeling of breaking through an unseen barrier, my shaft is coated with something wet. text "Hwa, ah----ah, n---!!!" text A pained gasp. text Arcueid's body twists and tries to escape. text .... From deep inside of her comes a mixture of clear liquid and red blood. text No wonder she was tight. text If it's her first time----pain should be overwhelming pleasure. text "Ha----haha, ha." text Then I just have to go farther. text Fortunately, she's moist with blood inside. text I pull back, and plunge in once more. text "Nhaa....!" text Sticky, sexual sounds rise between us. text As I enter, her body shakes. text Over and over. text Almost smashing myself against her, text faster than my mind can process, the sensations inside her body assail me, text I pound her again and again, like a boxer slamming a punching bag. text More panting fills the air. text Her breathing is totally wild. text So she cannot think, I pound into her as hard as I can. text Appropriately, she grows even hotter inside. text "Haa, ah, hwa, ah, oh----!" text "Ggah......!" text I let out a groan. text She's so hot----It feels like I'll melt. text Just pushing myself into her causes intense waves of pleasure to swell up inside of me. text Not just around my shaft, but my whole body feels like it's being sucked up. text As if----I was trying to push my entire being inside of her. text "Ga-----" text I try to keep myself from exploding. text I can't stop. text The only sound filling the air is the lustful noises of flesh and fluids. text ----I don't understand. text Maybe I just didn't realize it, but I feel like I've exploded numerous times already. text "N----, ngah, n, ah, n....!" text Her fingers match my rhythm as she scratches my arms. text Red claw marks. text The sight of my blood only seems to encourage her. text "Tsah---!" text A primitive copulation where I only move my hips. text In the midst of the pleasure, I'm losing my strength. text At first, it was only me. text But it's different now. text We move like beasts, demanding more. text "Shi.... ki....!" text A jolt runs through me as I hear my name being called. text I've forgotten until this moment. text That I was a human called by that name. text "Gah----!" text With all my strength, I plunge deeper, as if trying to reach her very core. text The feeling of release. text The burning inside of me bursts forth. text Thump. text Thump. text I can't stop the convulsions. text Even after I climax, she still continues to stimulate me. text "Kka-----!" text I try and pull back, but she wraps herself around me, draws me in, and does not let me escape. text "Ah----gh........!" text I can't get away. text I've already gone past my limit, yet she continues to drain me. text Thum.. p. text Thump. text Thump. text Thumpthumpthumpthump....!! text "Ah----ha, ah------" text My tongue hangs from my mouth. text Saliva drizzles forth in my ecstasy, and my mind clears. text I'm going to die. text A destructive wave of pleasure building to a climax powerful enough to bring death. text It courses through my entire body. bgload IMA_11.png sound ~ bgload BG_31B.png music 09.mp3 text I breathe harder. text The strength drains from my body. text I collapse onto Arcueid as I try in vain to catch my breath. text Her white skin is now tinged red. text Her normally cool body burns with heat. text Pricking my ears, text I can hear her breathing, still faintly accented with lingering pleasure. text Panting, and gasping for air. text Completely weak, and numbed by what I've just done, I can't think. text We remain like this for some time. text Residual waves of pleasure still crash upon my brain, and all I can do is look at Arcueid as she lies there----. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_30B.png text .... I don't know how long it's been. text It felt like many hours, but maybe it was only a matter of minutes. text "------" text I pull back from her body and scratch my chest. text My headache is gone and my heart has returned to normal. text The urges rampaging in my heart have also disappeared and I finally start to comprehend what I just did. text "----What----have I.." text I can't believe it. text But the memory is all too clear. text How I pushed her down. text How I choked her and held my knife over her. text .... and the disgraceful things I did afterwards. text "------" text I don't know what to say. text Arcueid adjusts her clothes and stands up. text I----don't know how to apologize. text Just saying sorry.. how can that make it up? text "----Arcueid, I----" bgload BG_30B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "Don't worry about it.... I'm the one who should apologize." text She looks away uncomfortably. text "Wha--what are you saying? text I was the one who did something wrong. text If only----I had been stronger, that never would have happened." bgload BG_30B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "No. text I don't think it was something you could have resisted because you saw my 'Mystic Eyes'." text "Eh----? text Mystic Eyes? text Like, Nrvnqsr's eyes....?" bgload BG_30B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... Exactly. text I wasn't sane earlier. text I was so thirsty, I couldn't control myself. text That's why----I found some of The Dead, and tried to replace that urge with the urge to destroy to stave it off. text Back then, I was unable to hold myself back----so that's why you saw my Mystic Eyes when you came." text ".... Certainly I felt odd from the time I saw your golden eyes----but that's just that. text I, with my own will--" text "No, that's wrong. text Shiki, my Mystic Eyes of Enchantment completely captivate whoever looks upon them. text .... I think that's why you started to feel all those sexual desires." text "--That----can't be right." text Because even if she wasn't controlling me. text I, I might, still like her. text "Anyway, this was all because of my carelessness. text .... I'm sorry, Shiki. text I manipulated your body without any regards to your feelings." bgload BG_30B.png text Her gaze shift away as she says this. text .... Being apologized to like this hurts my heart. text Because I didn't feel like I was manipulated at all. text Rather----it seems like I used it to obey my own lust. text "Arcueid, I----" bgload BG_30B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "Don't apologize. text .... Shiki, this was all an accident. text I'll forget about it, so please forget about it too. text I think it's better for the both of us that way." bgload BG_30B.png text Saying that, she starts to walk quietly. text ".... Arcueid....?" bgload BG_30B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "----I think this is enough for tonight. text I killed all these Dead tonight, so it's probably useless to search any further." text ".... That's fine, but what do we do with that mountain of dead bodies? text If someone finds it, there'll be trouble." text "There's no need to worry. text Once something becomes a vampire and dies, it won't leave a trace. text Those who refused to return to the Earth become ash to be scattered in the wind once they die. text They will return and disperse on their own in a while." bgload BG_30B.png text Without turning around, she disappears from the alley with weak steps. text "............" text I can't stop her now. text I still feel the sensation of Arcueid on both my hands. text "----Idiot. text What a stupid idiot I am." text I groan to myself. text In the alley which became a stage of tragedy, I look up at the moon in remorse. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar flgB + 1 jump s183.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 09.mp3 text @Chapter X text ~ text ~ text ----It's morning. text I open my eyes and put on the glasses near my bed. text Looking out the window, I see a cloudless blue sky. text ~ text "............" text Even though a flawless morning greets me, I can't help but feel down. text There's no need to wonder why. text What happened with Arcueid last night sticks in the back of my mind, and the accompanying guilt troubles me. text ".... She said we should just forget it----but I can't forget such a thing." text I look at both my hands. text Those fingers still remember how Arcueid felt. text Even now I remember the texture of her skin and her cool, gliding body temperature. text I wasn't thinking at all back then, but I understand it all now. text After doing such a thing. text Arcueid said to forget and pretend like it never happened. text But while I regret it totally, I can't even forget one little bit of it. text What I regret is not being able to control myself back then. text ~ text If I didn't touch her like some animal, if I touched her more like a human, how would things have---- text ~ text ----I knew it. text ~ text I didn't lose myself by looking into her golden eyes. text I didn't realize it, but I was caught up in her a long time ago. text ~ text To realize such a simple thing just now---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text The morning in the Tohno mansion is the same as always. text Hisui comes to wake me. text Akiha and Kohaku-san are in the sitting room, and we greet each other briefly before we go to school. text ~ text The same as always. text Yet I feel so empty, I can't even respond properly when people talk to me, and I leave the mansion vacantly. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text The students streaming through the gate are all bright and cheerful. text ~ text "Oh yeah. text Today is Saturday." text My sense of time has totally disappeared since Arcueid came into my life. text The first time I met her was on a Friday. text A week ago in the morning, she was waiting for me at the intersection in front of school. text ".... She was smiling, I think." text Come to think of it, she was smiling. text Even though she was waiting for the one who killed her, she was waiting for the killer Tohno Shiki with excitement in her eyes. text ~ text ".... I wonder why? text If she comes tonight, maybe I'll ask her." text After thinking aloud, my spirits sink further. text She probably won't come to the park. text The feeling that last night was our final meeting turns over in my mind. text My heart is heavy and everything else simply feels empty. text I may not ever see her again. text The regret hangs around me like a leaden chain---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text I sit at my desk. text It's about five minutes until homeroom starts. text I stare outside blankly, not wanting to do anything. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Yo, delinquent. text You skipped class yesterday. text What the heck were you doing, Tohno-kun?" text "........" text I let out a heavy sigh. text Usually I would, but today I don't feel like talking with Arihiko at all. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text ".... What's with you? text You don't look happy at all. text You didn't come to school yesterday and now you come back an empty shell. text If you're like that, school's no fun." text Arihiko slumps his shoulders exaggeratedly. text ~ text "-----Arihiko. text Sorry, but can you leave me alone today? text If I'm not here, you can always talk with Senpai. text Actually, isn't that better for you?" text "Huh----? text Senpai? text I don't know any third year students." text ".... What are you saying? text Ciel-senpai's in third year, not second. text .... Well, sometimes you think she's younger, but Senpai is a senpai after all." text "Shiel-Senpai? text .... Who's that? text Are there any foreign students at our school?" text He seriously tilts his head in thought. text "What are you saying, Senpai is Japanese...." text ~ text No, wait. text No one ever said she was Japanese. text ~ text ".... Well, no one said she was, but everyone called her Ciel-senpai." text "That's what I'm saying, who is this senpai? text What's wrong Tohno, are you sick or something?" text I can't hear his banter. bgload BG_06A.png text "Wha............" text That's right. text Why didn't I realize such an obvious inconsistency. text Ciel isn't a Japanese name at all. text Even though I know her, I don't even know her full name. text I don't even know what class she's in. text ~ text To begin with, text when I first met her, why did I feel like I knew her for a long time....? text "------!" text My chair clatters as I quickly stand up. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "? text What's wrong, Tohno? text You've been acting too funny." text "I'm going to the office. text Sorry, but please say that I'm here during attendance." bgload BG_06A.png text Turning away from Arihiko whose head is tilted in confusion, I dash out of the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png text I investigate the third year roster for the name Ciel, but as expected, it isn't anywhere to be seen. text To be sure, I ask the teachers in the office, but none of them remember Ciel-senpai. bgload BG_06A.png text The end of classes. text Being a Saturday, right after homeroom all my classmates scatter and run out the room. text ~ text "----" text Saturday is finally here, but I don't feel like doing anything. text Feeling like The Dead, I walk home by myself. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33B.png bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." text Hisui greets me as I return. text Even though she's waited all this time, I can't even return a greeting and I go to my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text ----After dinner, I return to my room. text It's close to the promised time with Arcueid. text ".... Shall I be going?" text I don't even know if she's coming. text But still, I swore never to break a promise again, so I have to go. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png music ~ text I arrive at the park shortly before ten. text There's absolutely no one here. text Sitting on the bench, I stare at the clock and wait for Arcueid to come. text ~ choice Return to the mansion.|Still wait. if selected == 1 jump s186.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s184.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text It's now eleven o'clock. text .... The park is completely still, as if entirely frozen. text There's no fresh flow of air, nor the presence of anyone approaching. text There's no sign of Arcueid coming. text Time passes by meaninglessly. text I-- text ~ choice Still wait.|Return to the mansion. if selected == 1 jump s185.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s186.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text --Both hands on the clock approach the top of the dial. text It's been two hours since I came here, yet there's no sign of Arcueid. text ~ text I-- text ~ choice Still wait.|Return to the mansion. if selected == 1 jump s187.scr fi if selected == 2 jump 186.scr fi bgload BG_29B.png text .... Arcueid doesn't come. text It's only natural. text After doing that----after trampling over everything she trusted me with, I forcibly violated her body. text She probably won't come. text This is what she meant when she said for both of us to forget about it. text ~ text "Damn it....!" text My heart wrapped in regret, I leave the park. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text .... I return to the mansion. text Opening the rear door, I walk inside. bgload BG_33D.png bgload BG_46C.png bgload BG_40D.png text I yawn. text I sink onto my bed without thinking. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text The sound of the clock echoes through the room. text "........" text .... Just sleep for now. text When I wake up tomorrow things will be different. text About Arcueid, about the vampire roaming this city, when morning comes all of it will be---- bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text THROB THROB THROB text THUMP THUMP THUMP text Throb Throb Throb text Thump Thump Thump text .... The pain synchronizes with my pulse. text Every time I feel the throb of pain, my memories fade away. text Every time my heart thumps, memories are plastered on. text ~ text The fading away memories are probably extras. text Memories, the past, experiences I don't need. text All of it fades away. text In other words, oblivion. text "Ah------" text As regret washes over me, as my memories thin, as my past fades away, I reach out with my hand. text But I can't grasp anything. text Because, text I've already forgot what kind of memories I've lost. text THROB, throb. text The repeating headaches make me feel sick, and even in my dream, I feel like throwing up. sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png text "Shiki-sama, are you awake?" text ~ text ----I hear a voice. text ~ text "Please hold on. text I will bring you something to drink." text ~ text ----After that, the sound of running footsteps. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text I slowly open my eyes. text I'm lying in bed with the radiant sunlight streaming through the window. text ~ text "----Morning?" text Slowing lifting myself up, I feel my own sweat drenching me. text "What....? text I must've had a nightmare or something." text I try to remember what I dreamt about. text ................................... I can't remember. text It is the nature of dreams to fade upon awakening. text But, there's still something. text I feel like there's a vague image of something I've forgotten. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Have you woken yet?" text "I'm up. text Morning, Hisui." text "Yes, good morning, Shiki-sama." text Hisui approaches the bed, expressionless as always. text "I have brought you something to drink. text If you are not feeling well, please drink." text Hisui carries a silver tray with a drink prepared on it. text "No, I don't feel bad or anything. text I slept deeply, so my head is clear too." text "---However," text Hisui offers a rare reply. text "It appeared your condition was bad last night." text ~ text .... It seems I did have a nightmare last night. text "Nah, there's nothing wrong with me. text But I'm really grateful you're concerned, Hisui." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text ".... Yes, I am glad you are well, Shiki-sama." text Hisui looks at me with her delicate, glass eyes. text .... Um, I feel uneasy. text "I'll go change and head to the dining room. text Please tell Kohaku-san I'll be having breakfast." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "I understand." bgload BG_40A.png text .... Well then. text It's seven o'clock. text I can take my time this morning. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha and Hisui are in the sitting room. text From the kitchen, I can hear Kohaku-san's lilting humming. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san." text "Morning. text You don't seem very cheerful today, Akiha. text Was there something you didn't like in your breakfast?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T13A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san, how did you arrive at that conclusion?" text "Just came to my mind. text I just remembered there were many kinds of food you either liked or disliked." text "That's rude.. I was that way as a child, but now I have no dislikes." text ".... I see. text That's odd, cause if that's the case, you should have more physical development for your age...." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san. text Did you just say something?" text Akiha glares at me. text .... Crap. text I should watch my mouth. text ".... No, I didn't say anything. text I was just thinking aloud, so don't worry about it." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text ".... Geez. text It seems there was no need to worry, Hisui. text I don't think Nii-san will die even if you kill him." text "Yes, I feel the same way." text Akiha sighs and Hisui expressionlessly agrees. text I can guess from their conversation they were both worried about me. bgload BG_34A.png text "---Why?" text I wonder why. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png -24 0 text "Why? text Normally, you would worry! text After you came home last night, you went straight to bed and had nightmares all night. text Even though we tried to wake you, you never woke up. text Doesn't that sound like you were sick?" text "Oh? text Really---But I didn't really catch a cold or anything." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "I do not think you had a cold. text Shiki-sama, you were sleeping as always, and your temperature and breathing were normal. text But you were secreting lots of sweat." text ".... Secreting? text I don't like that word choice." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "It was worse on me because I was tending you, so please be a little thankful. text And thank Kohaku as well. text I couldn't have done it by myself." text "Yourself.... Akiha, you were caring for me?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T16A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "O-of course I was. text We are siblings. text I was only watching your condition; it was Kohaku who cleaned your sweat." text She looks away and mumbles like she was talking to herself. text This isn't like her as she normally looks at you directly and says things directly. text "Really. text Thanks Akiha. text Sorry to worry you." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T05A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "You don't have to thank me. text I was just doing my duty. text If you want to thank someone, thank Kohaku." text She looks away and doesn't even try to look at me anymore. text "Shiki-san, breakfast is ready," Kohaku-san's voice rings out from the kitchen. text "Nii-san, please hurry up and eat your breakfast." text "Gotcha." text I head to the dining room. bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Please be careful on your way, Shiki-sama." text "I'm off. text I'll be back around four o'clock today." text Raising a hand to the bowing Hisui, I leave the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_23A.png music 03.mp3 text I walk the morning path to school. text Monday morning. text For some reason, my feet feel really light today. text Maybe it's because these past few days were so out of the ordinary, my body welcomes such a normal day. text "........ Huh?" text That's strange. text I said 'out of the ordinary', but what kind of life was that? text ~ text "............" text I feel like something very important happened. text But, I can't remember what it was. bgload BG_01A.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Yo, Tohno!" text Arihiko whacks me on the back in greeting. text "Mornin'. text You're pretty early today." text "Ah, just a whim of mine. text Well, it doesn't hurt to act like a good student every now and then." text Arihiko laughs brightly. text Seeing that smile assures me that this is my world. text "............" bgload BG_01A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Mmm, what is it, Tohno? text Making such a difficult expression... text Did you forget something at your house?" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text DID YOU FORGET SOMETHING? text ~ text .... Those words reverberate through my head like a curse. text But, in the end, text I can't remember what it was I forgot. music ~ text ".... Nah, I didn't forget anything. text Let's hurry on to the classroom. text After waking up this early, it'd be a waste if you were late, right?" text "Haha, you got a point." bgload BG_01A.png text ~ text I pass the school gate with my friend. text With that, something ends completely. text "------" text I feel someone staring at me and I turn around. text But there's no one there. text Just the scattering leaves in the courtyard. text ~ text Tohno Shiki heads to class. text As if returning to a peaceful, happy, and normal everyday life. bgload IMA_11.png bgload END.png text ~ text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s518.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload BG_29B.png text ...... The clock's hands point to twelve. text It's two hours past the promised time. text "---Whew." text I slouch on the bench and sigh. text ".... She might not come after all." text I don't know. text I don't know, but I don't feel like going back. text "---Yeah, I'll wait until the morning. text Damn it." text I lie on the bench in frustration. text ~ text ----And then. text "...... Huh?" text Wait a minute. text I think I saw a flash of white behind the rest area. text .... Besides, it moves back as soon as I saw it. text "------" text I stand up from the bench and stride towards the rest area. text .... As if it knew it couldn't hide anymore, the white figure shows its face. text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 music 03.mp3 text "Ahaha, you found me~" text Arcueid appears more cheerfully than ever. text "Arcueid, you---" text "Hm? text What?" text "---You really came?" text I blurt that out because I still can't believe it. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Of course, we promised. text I came about ten minutes before you did." text She looks the other way. text ".... Ten minutes before, but, I---" text I came before ten o'clock, and she came earlier? text "Why....? text If you were here before me, why didn't you tell me you were waiting there?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "I wanted to watch you while I was hiding." text "-----" text .... I see. text Even though she doesn't act any different, she must be bothered by what happened last night. text That's why----she couldn't face me directly and was hiding. text ".... Sorry. text That's right, it's not that simple---" text "Yeah. text You never even knew I was here. text I was waiting for you to notice. text I was planning on meeting in a different way this time, but you ruined it by just spacing out." text "----Eh?" text ~ text Ruined what? text "Arcueid---you weren't hiding because you felt awkward....?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Why? text I was a little bored so I wanted to play around." text She says it lightly, not even knowing an inkling of the frustration I felt. text ".... Play around with me, you---" bgload BG_29B.png text The joy I felt from meeting her fades away instantly. text It's not a mood where I have to think about what I should do after seeing her. text .... As usual, she's acting at her own pace without even understanding how I feel. text "-----Ha." text I fill my lungs with a deep breath of night air. text I'm less angry than surprised. text Maybe I'm just relieved she is acting normally. text Well, normal for her. text As proof, it feels like my heart laden with impurities has just been cleaned anew. text ".... Man. text You win." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Really? text I thought you were just zoned out." text "No, not about the hide-and-go-seek." text .... Oh well, it's useless putting it into words. text "I'm glad you came. text To be honest, I thought I'd never see you again." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "---Eh? text You thought so after only waiting two hours?" text ".... That's not it. text It's because of last night. text I thought we would never meet again." music ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "----" music 05.mp3 text ".... That won't do, Shiki. text I said to just forget about it." text Arcueid says this weakly. bgload BG_29B.png text "Ah-----" text .... Idiot. text I am such an idiot. text I selfishly thought she was acting completely normal. text But, I was wrong. text She was acting that way so I wouldn't feel bad. text ".... Sorry. text I was an idiot. text I don't have any right to yell at you anymore." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "I said it's okay. text If anyone is to blame, it's me. text So just forget about it. text Isn't that better for the both of us?" text She tries to fool us both by speaking cheerfully. text Fool us about last night, fool us about how bothered she is. text But. text Telling me to forget with that expression, how can I forget? text "---No. text I wasn't apologizing for last night. text I'm an idiot because I can't forget about something I should forget." text "Eh---Shiki?" text "Since this morning, all I thought about was you. text All I could think about was how I should apologize to you and what to say after I saw you. text So, I can't---just forget about it now." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "----" text Arcueid looks away. text I---can't look at her either. text After sensing I said something I shouldn't have, I can't look into her eyes now. text She doesn't respond. text I can't either, and a long silence begins. text ~ text ---I don't know how long the two of us stood there. text ~ text Arcueid nods slightly. text ".... Yeah, to tell the truth. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text I couldn't forget about it either, Shiki." text Arcueid blushes as she says this with some difficulty. text "Arcueid----" text She looks so cute doing that. bgload BG_29B.png text As soon as I think that---Arcueid looks around her. text ~ text I don't know when this happened, but we're surrounded by human shapes. music ~ text "Wha......!?" text I can't think since it was so sudden. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 music 06.mp3 text "We're surrounded. text Get ready Shiki. text If you don't fight, you'll just die." text "Fight? text Then they---" text "If you take off your glasses, you'll get it, won't you? text They are 'The Dead' without even a finger's worth of normal blood." text "........!" text I quickly take out my knife and take off my glasses. bgload BG_29C.png text Like she says, text The five people surrounding us are just scribbled lines making a human shape. text "Why---!? text You said you killed them all yesterday, Arcueid!" bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text "---Yes. text These are the ones I destroyed yesterday." text She narrows her eyes and glares at them. text They advance sluggishly. text "Then were they only pretending to be dead....!?" text "Of course not. text I'm not weakened enough to be fooled by such tricks. text .... But, the fact that I made a mistake can't be excused. text I didn't make sure they dissolved into ashes at the end." bgload BG_29C.png text ~ text Shuffle. text They close the circle around us. text My fingers grasping my knife tremble a bit. text To be blunt, there's no pressure coming from these Dead. text Compared to a monster like Nrvnqsr, they're practically nothing. text ~ text ---But, five of them. text Can I fight this many Dead---this many things who were once human? text "--Shiki, if you hesitate you'll die. text They are no longer alive. text Once they have their blood sucked by a vampire and become The Dead, they can no longer return--they are just dolls used by the vampire. text There's no sin in killing them." text I hear her voice from behind me. text It seems she moved to protect my vulnerable back. text "Wait. text What do you mean?" text ".... I mean there are many ways to magically control a dead body. text It's easier to infuse a human corpse with mana than animals or intangible objects, so it's very convenient---unfortunately, I don't have time to go over the details. text They're coming." text I sense her moving away. text At the same time, they attack. bgload IMA_10.png text The shapes of death attack. text They simply fly forward, arms outstretched. text "----K!" text I take a huge leap to the side and evade their attack. text Then, I sense something terrible behind me. text "Why---you....!" text I whirl around with all my strength. text There, one of The Dead is trying to punch me. bgload IMA_10.png setimg MAN_T03.png 47 0 text ~ text ----The Dead's body is almost devoid of places without "lines". text Which lets me slice anywhere on it's body. text What's more, it's movements are incredibly sluggish. text Far easier than anything that came out of Nrvnqsr. text "------" text The Dead charge me. text I can kill them with ease. text ~ text Evading the swinging arm, I aim for the first one's unprotected lower left abdomen. text ~ text In the "line" of blood vessels there. text I stare at the heart called its "point"---- text ~ text "Damn---it....!!!!" text Thrash. text The knife doesn't reach it's target, only slicing through its upraised arm. text The one-armed Dead doesn't even pause its attack. text The other Dead also comes in showing no fear. text ~ text The one-armed Dead attacks. text Right when I evade that Dead, the other Dead jumps on me from behind. bgload IMA_13.png sound SE_09.wav 1 text "Ah----" text Grind. text From behind, like a piggy-back stance. text The Dead bites on my neck. text Not to suck my blood or anything like that. text Just like a beast trying to kill its prey by biting its neck off. text "Gah----!" text Is a neck able to be bitten off by human mouth? text The Dead's mouth is shallow. text It bites with its front teeth rather than its back. text As a result, The Dead's teeth actually break off. text Even still---it tries to bite through my neck with its flat mouth. text ~ text It doesn't really hurt. text It's just disgusting. text "Ah.... ah, ah---" text The one-armed dead walks toward me. text I have to kill The Dead behind me or I'll die. text The method is simple. text As it tries to continue biting my neck, I can just slice my knife through its face. text "------" text But---that means I am going to kill. text I understand. text They aren't human, they aren't even living---but I still feel it's wrong. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---How naive. text Even if they are corpses. text They have the shapes of humans, and they move like them. text It still seems mistaken to kill them as another human being---- text "Shiki---!?" text I hear Arcueid's voice as she deals with the other three Dead. text Without thinking, despite the one in front of me, I look over at her. text ~ text ---And. text I see something terribly unbelievable. bgload BG_29C.png bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T15.png 36 0 text "-----" text Arcueid is wounded. text Even though they move so sluggishly and would only take her a second to kill, Arcueid is being pushed by those Dead. text She breathes heavily. text Her footwork is also unsteady---and she's having difficulty evading those attacks even I can evade. bgload BG_29C.png text The Dead rips into her arm. text She counters. text She tears the body in two from the head to its waist. text Both halves crumble to the ground. text ~ text At the same time---the other waiting shades of death pounce on her. bgload BG_29C.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "A---" text With a crash she lands on her knees. text I can tell she's breathing wildly from this distance. bgload BG_29C.png text There---the two Dead attack. text They kick her kneeling figure in the face and makes her collapse on the ground. text ~ text "St---" text ~ text After that, text they carry a dull, expressionless smile as they get on top of her. text "Stop---" text ~ text .... She lies there arms outspread like a cross. text Like when I did those disgraceful things to her last night. text ~ text "Stop it, you fucking bastards---!" bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_14.png text Stab. text I cut through the face of the one behind me still trying to bite me. text I pierce the lower right abdomen of the one in front of me which had strangely paused. text That's where its "death" is. text Not even looking at it as it crumbles away, I turn around and kill the faceless Dead behind me. text I run. text The ones around her realize I'm coming and get up and attack. text "-----" text No problem. text I slice through their "points" of death as they attack me. music ~ bgload BG_29B.png text "Ha-----agh." text After it's all over. text I start to catch my breath. text ~ text "Gha---ah." text The four figures crumble away into ash. text The one Arcueid killed earlier makes five. text "Ha--aah." text Killed. text Without hesitating, I stopped them completely. text ~ text "Agh, ah." text I can't think clearly. text Probably because regret and self-admonition are screaming at me. text My panting fills the air. text But, it's still good. text It's better than her getting hurt. text For the first time, text With my own free will, with the mind of Tohno Shiki---I used this power for someone else's sake. text ~ text I keep panting. text I can't seem to fully catch my breath. text I can hear slight wheezing mixed in with the wild breathing. text ".... Arcueid." text Turning around, I see her full of pain and on her knees. text ~ text "Are you okay, Arcueid....!?" text I dash towards her. text She's curled up as she breathes like something who can do nothing else. text "What's wrong, you're covered in sweat. text Did your wound open up....?" text I kneel and try to look at her face. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T20.png 36 0 text "Shi----ki." text However, she has a hand covering it. text I can't see her face. text All I can see---is the blood-shot red eyes through her fingers. text "---" text Her suffering isn't normal. text The way she's breathing intermittently isn't natural. text A hungry breath. text Bloodshot eyes. text Her waving hair. text "Ar---c" text ~ text ----Chill. text ~ text Sensing danger, I step back. text Yet far faster than my movement is her teeth closing in to suck my blood. bgload IMA_11.png if flgB >= 1 jump s188.scr fi jump s189.scr bgload event/ARK_E05B.png music 04.mp3 text ---I hear a creaking noise. text ~ text Her cool hand on my shoulder and her low body temperature are so cold that I hear a creaking, freezing noise. text The sound didn't come from anywhere around me. text It's just that my body is freezing as the cold penetrates deep inside from where she touches me. text In other words, the sound is coming from inside me. text My heart, my guts, my brain, they are creaking. text "--------Ah." text Just like a cancerous cell. text Rapidly, limitlessly, unordered, and lacking intelligence. text Violating me from inside out. bgload IMA_13.png text "------Ar," text .... I can't feel her breath. text Like a ravenous beast, she just bites into my neck. text At the same time---- text I descend into a limitless hell of pain, as if my nerves were being torn apart one by one. text "----cueid----" text My frying mind manages to utter this last word. text It, hurts. text i, t, h, u, r, t, s, s, o, m, u, c, h text i, t, c, a, u, s, e, s text m, e, text t, o, f, a, d, e, a, w, a, y. music ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s519.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload event/ARK_E05B.png text Arcueid's arms stretch out. text Like that, she holds my body. text "Ar---" text My breath stops in my throat as I call her name. text Her bloodshot eyes. text Her sharp teeth like a beast's. text The overwhelming pressure that drains me of any will to resist. text The thing with its teeth nearing my neck isn't the woman I know. text I can't do anything. text I can't even lift a finger. text ~ text I'm going to be eaten. text This is what it means to be preyed upon. text ~ text Her teeth push against my neck. text The only thing filling my mind is fear. text "Hiii----!" text A shriek comes out. text I almost think for an instant how pitiful it is for me to make such a sound. text ~ text Maybe it was just my imagination, but.. text ~ text It feels like she freezes in place. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_09.wav 1 text But before I can even confirm this, text Wham! text A violent explosion erupts before me and Arcueid's body is smashed sideways. bgload BG_29B.png text "Wha----" text As if she was hit by a car, she was blown back several meters. text But she gets up like it was nothing. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "I.... I" text Arcueid stands there, stunned. text I---can't even think what to do, either. text And there, text "You were going to suck his blood." text A cold, scolding voice. text "That is your true nature, Arcueid Brunestud." text The merciless voice towers from above. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E04.png text I look up at the moon. text There---stands the robed figure from that one night. text ~ text "Sen, pai----" text There's no mistake. text No matter how I look at it, it's Ciel-senpai. text She doesn't even look at me, but she glares at Arcueid crouching far away. text "Even if you destroy your kin, you cannot change the fact you are a vampire yourself. text .... I don't know why you drew him close to you, but didn't you think it would end this way?" text ~ text Her voice is completely different from normal. text Neither strict nor kind. text Her emotionless voice---is horribly devoid of any humanity. bgload BG_29B.png text Without making a noise, Senpai descends from the streetlight to the ground. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png -12 0 text "Usually, it's nothing I mess with, but I will not overlook you trying to kill an ordinary person. text It isn't part of the plan to fight you---but if there is a need, we can settle our score." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png -12 0 setimg ARK_T15.png 100 0 text "--Don't be ridiculous. text I don't want anything to do with you. text And---" text She looks at Senpai hatefully. text "I never intended to kill him." text "---That does not sound convincing at all. text It's not like you don't realize what you did earlier, and what kind of yell he gave out when he saw you." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png -12 0 setimg ARK_T05C.png 100 0 text "-----" text "I don't care if you hate me. text But you took your insanity and directed it at him. text Shall we ask him how he felt?" text With a turn of her head, text Senpai casts a glance at me for the first time. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png -12 0 setimg ARK_T10.png 100 0 text "-------" text Arcueid averts her gaze painfully. text Silence fills the park. bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text A footstep. text The robed Senpai takes only one step towards me. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Get back, vampire. text You had no right to stay by his side from the beginning." text "Wha----" text ~ text That's not true. text I don't know who Senpai is or what happened to Arcueid earlier, but I can at least declare this. text Because----I myself want to be by her side--- text "You're wrong....! text What's with you, coming out of nowhere, wearing weird clothes, and speaking like you understand everything....!? text Arcueid is definitely a vampire, but she hasn't drunk blood even once! text That was probably just a joke, and you don't have any right to----" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "Please be quiet Tohno-kun. text She hasn't drank blood even once? text Yes, certainly these past eight hundred years, there's no record of her having any victims. text However----" text "Just shut up! text I don't care to listen to whatever strange story you have to say....! text Look, if you try to get in her way, I'll not forgive even you. text After all I---I'm helping her because I want to. text It's none of your business to interfere--!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "---Tohno-kun, you---" text An inkling of emotion enters her voice. text "---I understand. text If you say so, then I won't do anything else. text However---" bgload BG_29B.png text Senpai changes her gaze to Arcueid. text Arcueid looks away---not at me or Senpai. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 100 0 text "............" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png -12 0 setimg ARK_T10.png 100 0 text "As he said, Arcueid Brunestud. text Do you still intend to be by his side after this?" text ~ text Arcueid doesn't answer. text She raises her head to look at me once, and then---runs off into the night. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png -12 0 text "Wh---why are you leaving, Arcueid....!?" text I start to run after her. text ~ text But. text ~ text "----!?" text My feet don't leave the ground. text Senpai walks slowly over to me. bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "I won't let you follow her. text I can't let you be killed, Tohno-kun." text ~ text In her hands are thin, rod-like blades. text One of them stands by my feet---pinning my shadow to the ground. text "You cannot move until that is removed. text No matter how hard you struggle, your shadow will struggle just as hard not to separate from you." text "----Stop fooling around, I'll lose her!" text I grip the blade below me. text But no matter what, I can't pull it out. text "I forgot to mention this, but I'm the only one who can remove it, so please give up." text Saying that, she stops in front of me. text "----" text I glare at her. text She takes in my gaze---then sighs. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T10B.png 52 0 text "Geez, really---why do you go overboard so much, Tohno-kun." text "---Eh? text .... Um, Senpai?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "I know. text I don't hate her myself, but this is for both of your sakes. text I will let you go soon, so please listen to what I have to say for a while." text She looks up hesitantly. text This is the leisurely Senpai I know from school. text ~ text ---Is that why? text Even though I still can't grasp the situation, I start to calm down. music 01.mp3 bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... This is abrupt so I am prepared for you to hate me. text But I have something I have to tell you. text I'm very sorry for restraining you like this." text Senpai bows her head. text .... She's dressed strange, but Senpai is still Senpai. text "---It's okay. text I'm not angry so please don't apologize. text You've already helped me once Senpai, and I want to ask you some things as well." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "---That does help. text .... But, what would you like to ask me, Tohno-kun?" text ".... Um, isn't it obvious? text Just who are you, Senpai? text Dressed like that and smashing away Arcueid, and I'm the only one who remembers you at school." text Senpai gives a sigh in response. text "Then let me ask. text Tohno-kun, what do you think about me?" text ".... Hm. text I've only heard some things from Arcueid, about the Church and stuff." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "That's right. text As you know, I am an exorcist of the Church. text My specialty is hunting vampires. text I can't answer anything else, but I think that is enough for you." text "Enough? text --Um, why would someone like you even come to my school? text If you wanted to exterminate vampires, wouldn't you be searching the city like Arcueid?" text "No, there was a reason for me coming to your school, Tohno-kun. text Um.... right, since this overlaps with the talk I want to give, I will ask the questions from now on." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, you seem to have teamed up with her, but do you know anything about what she's after?" text "Yeah. text .... Well, I heard he's the old type of vampire who drinks the blood of humans to expand his territory." text "It seems you know about the two main classifications of vampires. text Then I think you know about how he is imperfectly immortal---" text "Yeah. text About how he needs to drink blood to maintain his body. text But on the other hand, as long as he can drink blood he'll never age, right?" text "Yes. text But you can't say he's 'immortal' in the end, can you? text Besides, there are ones for whom drinking blood does not maintain their body fully, and there are some that are exterminated by us. text You can't call something that can die like that immortal." text "----Well, certainly---he's not immune to death." text I don't know what Senpai's trying to get at here. text "Is this related to why you came to my school?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Of course. text Geez, please wait until I'm finished." text ".... Okay, but---if you could give me the short version, I'd appreciate it." text ".... Oh really? text If that's the case, then I'll explain as directly as I can." text Senpai seems a little disappointed. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Then, a simple explanation. text Hmm, anyway, the immortality of the vampires known as Dead Apostles is very unstable. text For them, it is merely a prolongation of their lifespans many times that of normal people." text ".... A question. text Not only are their life spans long, but they also have unnatural powers. text Is there any relation?" text "Not really. text Their individual powers are things they had when they were human, strengthened over hundreds of years. text Continuing their studies from their human lives gives them these extraordinary powers." text "The Dead Apostles each have different goals. text What they each decide to study is different. text Because of that, there was one who seriously studied immortality." text "....? text He became immortal yet he still researched it?" text "Yes. text The instant the Dead Apostles become vampires, they assume they have reached the limit of immortality as humans. text However, he felt that it was just a degeneration. text He did not want something so imperfect, and he wanted to come up with a more perfect immortality." text ".........." text Senpai seems to be more engaged. text "But, as long as something has shape, it cannot but perish. text There isn't anything that can withstand the passage of time. text Vampires merely have a resistance higher than that of humans. text Anything living internalizes death the moment they are born. text Even if in possession of a body which does not age, as long as it exists, it cannot escape death. text To escape death is to die. text This contradiction is a problem that cannot be solved." text "---Yeah. text Everyone has death within them. text If there is someone who doesn't, then that's---" text Probably something that never existed in the first place. text Even Arcueid can die during the day. text There can't be anything that cannot die in this world. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "That's the reason, but he concluded that if he could preserve his existence after death, then he would be immortal. text .... It isn't in our doctrine, but it's what you call reincarnation. text Even if you die, if you could preserve your sense of self and start over again as a new human, that would be eluding death. text .... Well, when he isn't completely annihilated, he isn't dead, so it's actually not quite eluding death." text "Reincarnation---you mean if he dies he will start over as a baby?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Yes. text While he is alive, he chooses his next host and when it is born, he transmits all the information of his 'self'. text His information stays deep within the baby until it matures, or until it gains its intelligence as its own. text As soon as that baby has the intelligence to succeed 'his self', the baby becomes a new vampire that is him." text "---Wait a minute. text What's that? text Don't tell me that he does surgery on it while it's in the mother or something like that." text "No, it's not anything medical. text Because the instant his body is destroyed, he reincarnates into the body he chose as his next body. text "I said all of 'his information' earlier, but to use simpler terms, think of it as his 'soul'. text It wouldn't be quite correct to say his soul propagates through the air and takes over someone's body, but it's similar to an electromagnetic wave. text In this case, the human brain is what does the transmitting and the receiving. text His exceptional point is that he took this soul, which is incalculable and something that disperses as soon as it leaves the envelope of the body, and processed it as something that could be transmitted." text ".... Sorry, Senpai. text I can't see how this relates to you coming to my school." text "It is related. text Because this reincarnating vampire is in your school, Tohno-kun." text "------Huh!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "The vampire I am pursuing and the vampire Arcueid is pursuing are the same. text .... Although she's probably only referred to him as the 'enemy'." bgload BG_29B.png text "........" text I nod silently. text Certainly she's only used the word "enemy", but she never told me anything about him. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Her duty was to kill vampires, but since he appeared, she only pursued him. text He has reincarnated seventeen times already. text She has destroyed him every time." text "Every time.... But, even if he dies he will just be reborn, right? text Isn't that pointless?" text "----Yes. text He is killed by her, reincarnates each time, and is killed again by her. text That cycle has been repeated over and over. text If she.... if Arcueid had the power to kill not the 'body' but the 'meaning', then this probably would not be happening." bgload BG_29B.png text Senpai looks down a little, and it seems like she is gritting her teeth. text .... I don't know why. text However, it appears that Senpai also has some grudge against the "enemy" like Arcueid does. text ".... Senpai. text What kind of vampire is he?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "He was originally a man, but that can change depending on his body he reincarnates into. text The troublesome part of this Dead Apostle is that his incarnations are hard to find. text Because he is properly born as a human baby and has parents. text He transforms into a vampire only when he reaches the age where he can do everything at a satisfactory level. text "Until then, that human shows no hint of being a vampire. text But once he awakens, he uses the relationships he gained until that time to blend perfectly into society. text I heard that the Church detects his presence usually after a whole town is turned to The Dead." text "Wait a minute. text Um, well, then this new host, he wouldn't ever realize he is a vampire until he awakens?" text ".... Yes, but it isn't like two people sharing one body. text The baby born as a human is still him. text Depending on its environment, it's a good or bad person. text .... But even that, the instant he awakens, goes away. text "Um, to sum it up, once he dies, he is reborn into the next body, and once that body gains intelligence, it gains the previous life's 'self' and becomes a vampire." text ~ text "--------" text What is it? text Just hearing this---it's terribly.. scary. text ".... That's strange. text I don't really understand it, but it's strange. text Because what you call vampires.. they don't just suddenly become vampires, right? text So, even if their old self awakens, wouldn't the body still remain human....?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "No, reincarnation isn't the transmitting of personality, it is the transmission of the soul. text Once bitten by a True Ancestor, not just the body, but the soul is forever soiled. text He transmits all of his information called his soul to his next self, so when he awakens, the body becomes one of a vampire but---" text "But what?" text "As you said, just that is too weak. text So he selects his next host while he is alive. text The family he is born into must meet two conditions, the first being one of wealth. text Being born into a family of high social standing, property, and money makes it easier to make the whole town into vampires later on. text "And there is another requirement. text This is the important one, but amongst normal people like us, there are also people that carry special powers. text Not like magic, which is a mystic power that can be learned, but rather special abilities from birth. text ---Such people are normally called Demonic Children or psychics. text "These special abilities are genetic, so they are inherited---passed on by blood. text He chooses those families that have "something not human" in their lineages. text A family with wealth and influence, and inhuman power. text Those are the requirements for his host, Tohno Shiki-kun." bgload BG_29B.png music ~ text "-------" text There's still something weird. text I think that story is weird. text ~ text What's weird---is that Senpai is telling me this story---- text ".... His name." bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Yes? text Did you say something?" text "His name....! text You keep saying 'enemy' and 'him', but how can I understand that!? text Can't you tell me his name....!?" text I yell at her, not even knowing why I'm angry. text ~ text She doesn't look fluttered at all. text She only---looks at me sympathetically. text "No problem. text Among the Dead Apostles, he is known as the Serpent of Akasha. text This is due to the serpent being the symbol of infinity and cycles. text Shedding its skin and gaining a new body, it was perfect for his name. text On the other hand, he is recorded in the Church as the 'Infinite Reincarnator'. text His human name is Michael Roa Valdamjong. text He is also simply referred to as 'Roa'." text "Ro, a---" text Never heard of it. text .... Of course. text It's not like I've ever met him. text ".... In short, you came to my school because you knew this Roa was there?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Yes. text It truly was a sketchy feeling, but I knew this incarnation of Roa was there. text I can sense Roa far better than Arcueid. text That's why I came here much earlier than Arcueid and already found out who his new host is." bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ------. text ~ text The voice stops for some reason. text Senpai looks at me sympathetically like before. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 music 09.mp3 text ".... I explained this before, but Roa chooses fine lineages and excellent bodies for his next host. text So once you find out Roa is in this place, the answer comes naturally when you investigate the families which meet his criteria." text "------" text "In this area, there is only one old family that meets his criteria. text I don't have to say any more, do I, Tohno---Shiki-kun." bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----That's why. text That's why I'm saying this conversation is weird. text "Ha." text ~ text "Ha." text ~ text "Hahaha, ha." text ~ text I'm the one laughing dryly. text ".... What are you saying, Senpai? text That can't be." text ~ text Senpai doesn't answer. text Almost as if, text she is saying that I am this Roa's host. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... But, there can be no doubt. text The Tohno family has 'something different' in its blood. text It has power and the latent superhuman ability that Roa needs. text The power you used to defeat The Dead earlier wasn't human. text So----this time's Roa's host is unmistakably Tohno Shiki." text ~ text ---I don't understand. text I don't understand a single thing she says. text ".... Why? text Why can you be so certain, Senpai?" text "What? text Because I'm the one who decided all this." text She says something I can't understand once more. text "Wh, what!?" text ".... But, it's different. text You were the one killed, yet you are the one who survived. text The one killed survived and the one who killed is dead. text I think all the mistakes began there." text ~ text She says so as if she's on the verge mentally. text Senpai pulls the "sword" from the ground by my feet. music ~ text "Ah---" text "That is all I had to tell you. text I'll leave the rest for you to decide, Tohno-kun." text "Leave it to me? text But according to your story, I---" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text ".... To be honest, I don't know either. text You are an incredibly ordinary person, like a student you could find anywhere. text My intuition has to be wrong. text Because---you are someone who shouldn't be in a world like mine." bgload BG_29B.png text With a sad smile, Senpai leaps an incredible distance from me. text As if trying to tell me she's someone else now, an unreachable, far distance. text "-----" text I---still can't leave Arcueid alone. text Unless I chase after her now, I feel like I'll never see her again. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "You're going after her, Tohno-kun?" text Senpai's voice returns to the way it was when she drove off Arcueid. text An inflectionless voice devoid of emotion. text "---Yeah. text Because you're a person of the Church, I know she's an enemy of yours. text But a lot of things have happened and I agreed to help her, so I have to look for her. text I don't know what she'll do if I leave her by herself." text Laughing as if it was a joke, I tell her "Later" and turn around. text "---Please wait. text If you go after her you will only get killed. text You must not see Arcueid Brunestud again." text "Only get killed?---Well, you may not believe me, but she really doesn't suck blood. text She's quite a good person, actually." text ".... I know. text Certainly she hasn't drunk human blood. text However, that's at an end. text A True Ancestor who gives in to the vampiric impulse once can only fall downward from there." text ~ text My feet freeze in place. text ".... Senpai? text True Ancestor--vampiric impulse, what do you mean?" text ".... I mean the desire to drink blood. text Tohno-kun. text The vampires called Dead Apostles mostly became vampires after a vampire sucked their blood. text To preserve their bodies they need the blood of humans. text In other words, they can't escape drinking blood if they want to live." text "But the ones that were vampires from the beginning are different. text .... The Dead Apostles were originally humans like us. text So maybe you can still call them human. text However, if someone was born a vampire, can you call it human?" text "Wha---what are you saying, Senpai? text I'm asking about about Arcueid." text "This is about her. text I won't let you say you never thought about it. text If Dead Apostles become vampires from vampires, text there has to be an origin, 'an existence that is a vampire from the beginning'. text These vampires that are a completely different species from us, we call the True Ancestors. text Those who don't need human blood and have special powers equivalent to, no, surpassing the Dead Apostles. text She is a member of the royal family of the True Ancestors. text .... although they don't really have any rank structure, so saying 'royal' isn't quite accurate." text "---So what, Senpai? text This conversation---this doesn't have anything to do with me....!" text "It does. text These vampires known as the True Ancestors have a deeper impulse to drink blood than the Dead Apostles." text Her eyes are completely emotionless. text Like mirrors, they show my agitated face. text "Do you see, Tohno-kun? text The True Ancestors can live without human blood. text However, maybe a mistake happened in their evolution, or maybe there's no such thing as a perfect existence, but anyway, there is a period when they desire the blood of humans. text ".... The instant a human has his blood drunk by them, he no longer remains human. text True Ancestors are on a scale different from humans as creatures. text When the powerful life of a True Ancestor touches the blood of a human, the sheer difference means a human cannot remain human after such contact. text Like a small wave absorbed into a larger wave, that person becomes a part of the True Ancestor--to simplify, it becomes a doll." text "The problem is, there's no reason for their vampiric impulses. text There's no reason, so there's no way to stop it. text The fatal flaw in an otherwise perfect existence. text You can call it a terminal illness. text Anyway, they live by resisting their urge to drink blood. text It isn't a matter of using the mind to put up with it. text They use all their powers to resist this urge and seal it within themselves by force. text ".... By using their enormous power on themselves, they are suppressing the vampiric impulse. text But if--something external causes them to lose their power, what do you think happens to their ability to suppress it?" bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text .... If something external causes them to lose power....? text Such as, receiving a wound which requires power to heal, or using power to regenerate after being killed completely--- text .... So let's say she has ten units of power. text And say she uses seven of them to resist the urge to drink blood inside her. text But if---for some reason she loses five out of the ten units, then even if she uses all her remaining power, she can only use five units of power to resist. text ~ text That's not enough. text Then, what will it take away from her---? text ".... And? text What happens to those True Ancestors who couldn't resist, Senpai?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "They drink human blood, of course. text After that, nothing. text Once they give in, they can only keep on falling. text Once a True Ancestor knows the taste of blood, I hear the urge becomes many times more painful than before. text As a result, they aren't able to resist the urge anymore. text "And when that happens, they become the dreaded Demon Lords. text True Ancestors are certainly a superior race, but since they they bind themselves to resist the vampiric impulse, they can never utilize their full powers. text But once they fall, there's no longer the need to restrain themselves. text Then, they just become demons which suck human blood for their own pleasure." bgload BG_29B.png music 08.mp3 text .... I remember how Arcueid appeared earlier. text Her blood-shot eyes. text Her wild breathing. text Her breath assailing my neck. text ".... Lies." text That's a lie. text Because, text She certainly said she's scared of drinking blood---- text ~ text "Ah." text .... Yeah, she's scared. text Because once she does it, she knows she won't be able to stop. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... If there is any salvation, it is that the urge is instantaneous. text The True Ancestors keep just one subordinate for the time the urge gets too great to suppress. text That's the beginning of those called Dead Apostles. text They are something that is already dead. text A vampire kept alive for the sake of easing the pain of the True Ancestors. text That is the form of the vampire in this city." text "But, she doesn't have such a thing. text .... No, until now, she never needed one. text Special among all the True Ancestors, she was able to resist the vampiric impulse using her will alone." text "---Then there's no problem. text Once her wound heals, once her body returns to normal, she can resist it, right....?" text ".... Technically, but there is a limit, Tohno-kun. text The vampiric impulse has no end, and it will not go away. text The resisted urges which build again and again will eventually overflow their vessel. text The longer they live, the larger the vampiric impulse in them gets. text And when they can no longer restrain themselves with their own power--when the impulse overwhelms their power, their lives are ended by others. text That is the life span for those without life spans." text "--But Arcueid is okay. text She's just weak because of me, so after a few days, she'll---" text ".... Perhaps. text But she's reached her limit already. text Even though she was only actually active for a few years, the amount of time of her existence does not change. text The urge which has grown inside her will soon consume her. text There's no denying that now is not the time. text She---Arcueid's life cannot be saved." bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text For the first time. text Not because of my anemia, but someone else's words. text Everything starts to fade away in a haze of dizziness. text "-----" text What does it mean? text Even though she knows she's past her limit, she's still hunting vampires here? text ~ text ---That's odd. text No matter---how I think of it, it's odd. text ".... It's all lies. text Because if she knew she's at her limit, then why would she hunt vampires for our sake?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "She deals with them not for our sakes, but because it is her purpose." text "Purpose---who decided that?" text "Probably the other True Ancestors. text She was born in the 12th century when there were many fallen True Ancestors. text The True Ancestors could not ignore their fallen kin nor the Dead Apostles increasing in number. text That's why they created something solely for killing. text Without a need for anything else, the most pure True Ancestor created for punishment. text That is the True Ancestor called Arcueid. text She's like a nuclear missile without a mind of its own, once she leaves the castle, her target is definitely destroyed." bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ---Thump. text This dizziness again. text ~ text .... She should stop saying that. text She's a person. text Talking about her like she's just some sort of weapon makes me mad. text "No, she is a weapon. text In the first place, she existed only for that purpose. text .... So it seems there is now something wrong with her. text It is the first time I've seen her talk like that. text She never spoke any words before." bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ~ text -----Huh? text Hold on. text Never spoke---that's odd. text "Because she never does anything extra. text From long ago---for the past hundreds of years, she has lived that way. text Ever since she was born in the old castle amongst the mountains, never changing." bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ---Thump. text My heartbeat, and this dark dizziness. text .... What is this? text This unknown scenery, these memories I've never had, they start to fill my vision. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_E06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The wide, castle courtyard. text The unadorned grassy field inside the solitary castle. text The white girl stares blankly up at the sky. text "She did not have any extra knowledge, or freedom beyond what was needed for her purpose. text She only goes outside when her target is determined. text She gets taught only the information needed to definitely destroy the enemy." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text No one is there. text No one to talk to. text Not even another face to see. text "After killing her target and when she returns to the castle, her taught knowledge is washed out and she is taken to sleep. text Without knowing anything, nothing other than killing vampires." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text There's nothing. text Such as the fun of speaking with someone else. text The precious moments of seeing someone else and greeting them. text She was excluded from all of it. text "Her power was strong enough to defeat the fallen True Ancestors. text .... But, it's ironic. text She was so powerful that she was shunned by the rest of the True Ancestors. text Even while praising her as the princess, no one approached her. text Even while giving her a castle, her world was only the dark basement. text So there was nothing to give her any feelings." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's, text almost enough to make me pity her for living. text A parody of life. text "She apparently had no words or even time of her own. text --The True Ancestors treated her only as a weapon. text A weapon has no need for extra functions, such as baking bread or doing laundry. text If you're going to put on extra functions, you would put on something more fit for a weapon, right?" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text --I was always taught never to do extra things. text ~ text ~ text ~ text Yes, she has said that before. text The reason for deciding everything for herself, for having those empty eyes. text ~ text That's why she never needed anyone else. text No, maybe she never knew about it. text "All they wanted of her was to be a superior killing machine. text That's why she doesn't know anything. text I don't mean something big like the meaning of life, but not even the small joy of just living normally." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text She was always so cheerful. text Even trivial things made her so happy. text ~ text So I thought she was always like that. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... But I was horribly wrong. text She really was---just enjoying those simple things. text She must have enjoyed those things so much. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Because it's so fun. text I never thought about how life could be fun just by living. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Like it was an uneasiness she couldn't understand, text The classroom filled with the red setting sun where she asked me those questions with a reserved voice. text "Even though Arcueid has existed for so long, she knows less about living than we do. text If you convert it to the time she was allowed to move freely, it is amazingly short. text Her lifetime was spent almost entirely in sleep. text Most likely a deep, dark sleep." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Really? text I have enough fun just talking, you know. text "After dealing with all the fallen True Ancestors, she did not leave the castle. text Having fulfilled her purpose, the True Ancestors sought to educate her properly. text However, she could not be free. text Because of a slight mistake, she ended up killing all the True Ancestors remaining in the castle." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Maybe the one that was taught how to kill vampires really did finish her job until the very end. text In the end, she was left alone. text "After killing all the True Ancestors, she sealed herself up in the castle. text In the empty castle of the True Ancestors, bound with a thousand chains. text Whenever Roa is reborn, she awakens from her sleep and moves around for a short time." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text In the middle of that fixed world, text She never said a single word. text "That's why she is a killer down to her very core. text Even though the True Ancestors which bound her are now gone, she still wanders around with the sole purpose of killing vampires. text She probably does not have any other fun." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's.. a lie. text That's not what made her happy. bgload IMA_11.png text "----" text ~ text I wasn't.. watching anything. text ~ text "----it." text ~ text Like her words, or her happy face. text If only I looked closer----I would have known. text "-----of it." text ~ text I never realized how alone she was until now. text ~ text All the things we feel and take for granted. text Such as talking with a friend about meaningless things or the fun that lets you forget time. text ~ text At the end of a day, lying down on a bed and the peacefulness of just staring at the ceiling. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text To her, those unimportant things were priceless moments of happiness. text "-----all of it." text ~ text What is misery? text It's her not even knowing how miserable she is. text ~ text Such a terrible--almost comical solitude should not exist. text "------Lies, all of it." text ~ text .... Enough with all these difficult things. text I never knew she felt such happiness from trivial things. text If I could let her know that such things were things she could always enjoy, that would have been such a great---- bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun----?" text Her voice returns my vision to normal. text "What's wrong? text You suddenly went quiet and spaced out. text Were you listening?" text "No---sorry, I don't remember. text I heard you speaking, but it felt like someone else was talking." text Senpai nods doubtfully. text "Um, in other words, she----" text "It's okay. text I don't care what she did or what she's like. text I can't leave her alone any longer, so I'll be going." bgload BG_29B.png text Turning away from Senpai, I start to walk towards the city. text "---Tohno-kun. text Once a True Ancestor fails to suppress the vampiric impulse, there is no hope for recovery. text If she appears in front of you, it means she came to drink your blood." text ~ text I think what she says is the truth for her. text But it's a different truth than mine. text "That's not true. text Because she hasn't drunk blood yet." text "No. text If I had not have stopped her, she would have drunk your blood." text ".... You're wrong, because she stopped. text Arcueid was fine. text That's why even if you didn't stop her, the result would have been the same." text ~ text ~ text Yes, certainly. text She stopped right then. text ".... So you're going to be on her side no matter what, Tohno-kun?" text "Yeah. text Sorry, Senpai." text Senpai doesn't answer. text I think I hear her sigh. text "---We may end up fighting, you know." text "Maybe. text But, I won't apologize, Senpai." text ".........." text There's no response from Senpai. text Just her presence getting farther away. text Disappearing footsteps. text Without turning around, I head towards town, shrouded by night. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_25B.png text ---There's no one on the main street. text Not Arcueid, not even just regular people. text "Damn------" text This is the same as last night. text I don't have any way of finding her. text Right now, even though I want to see her so badly, I don't have any means. text ~ text ---She, text Even though she's in so much pain, I can't help her, at all---- text "----Damn it!" text I'm so irritated, it drives me nuts. text Somehow---I have to find her somehow, or else I can't move forward--- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_52.png bgload BG_24C.png bgload BG_12B.png bgload BG_25B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text I gasp painfully. text Even though I ran all through the city, I don't see her. text My body is exhausted, and I can't get enough air. text I breathe harder. text The scar on my chest throbs with my heartbeat. text Until now---I've never hated this fragile body this much. text I hungrily breathe in air. text .... I can't find her. text I won't find her just running around aimlessly like this. text I struggle for breath. text If, if I have any chance of finding her, it would be--- text ~ choice Rush to the same alley as last night.|Wait here in the park.|Go to Arcueid's room. if selected == 1 jump s190.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s191.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s192.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png text ----I'll check in the alley she was in last night. text If she's running away from people, that's the only place I can think of. bgload BG_30B.png text I still have no control over my breathing. text I run with all my strength from the park. text My heart screams from overexertion. text Ignoring it, I continue to run to find her as soon as possible. bgload BG_31B.png text "----Arcueid!" text As soon as I get to the alley, I call out her name. text "You're here, aren't you? text Come out, Arcueid....!" text Under the moonlight, my solitary voice echoes in the alley. text ".... Arcueid....! text Please, come out....!" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... There's no response. text There's only an empty loneliness here. text "Damn........!" text Arcueid isn't here. text Then where else is there? text ~ text I can't find her running around aimlessly. text At this rate I'll never----never see her again. text "------" text No, I'm not done yet. text I still haven't fulfilled my promise with Arcueid. text ~ text The promise to help her defeat the vampire, and the promise to meet tonight so we can fight together. text ".... Pro.... mise...." text .... That's right. text There's still our promise. text Even if it's just one-sided, I----even if it's just me, I'll fulfill our promise. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text I return to the park. text Our promise still remains here. text Our unfulfilled promise for tonight remains here. text ~ text ----So, text If I can't break this promise, and if she thinks it's important too, text ~ text Arcueid will come back here. text I can only continue to believe in her and wait here. bgload IMA_10.png jump s193.scr bgload BG_29B.png text .... I'll stay here. text We promised. text We promised to meet here. text We still haven't fulfilled our promise for tonight. text To meet here, and to fight together. text ----So, text If I can't break this promise, and if she thinks it's important too, text ~ text Arcueid will come back here. text I can only continue to believe in her and wait here. bgload IMA_10.png setvar ark_regard + 2 jump s193.scr bgload IMA_10.png text ----I'll go to Arcueid's room. text ~ text If Arcueid is as weak as Senpai says, she had to have returned to her room to rest. bgload BG_12B.png text I gasp for air. text My legs, which ran as hard as they could, finally stop. text Trying to catch my breath, I enter the apartment. bgload BG_13B.png text .... I grab the doorknob. text It isn't locked. text Without hesitating, I turn it and open the door. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_15B.png text .... Even though it wasn't locked, there's no one here. text ~ text "Arcueid.... are you here?" text ~ text There's no response. text Does she never lock her door? text There's no sign of her having even returned here. text "Damn.... Then she's still in town....!?" text I hit the wall. text But letting it out on the wall is not going to get Arcueid to come out. text ".... Where did you go.... where did you go, Arcueid....!?" text ~ text ------If there really is a God, I want to ask him for help. text Arcueid isn't here. text But I can't find her just running around aimlessly. text At this rate I'll never----never see her again. text ~ text "------" text No, I'm not done yet. text I still haven't fulfilled my promise with Arcueid. text The promise to help her defeat the vampire, and the promise to meet tonight so we can fight together. text ".... Pro.... mise...." text .... That's right. text There's still our promise. text Even if it's just one-sided, I----even if it's just me, I'll fulfill our promise. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text I return to the park. text Our promise still remains here. text Our unfulfilled promise for tonight remains here. text ~ text ----So, text If I can't break this promise, and if she thinks it's important too, text ~ text Arcueid will come back here. text I can only continue to believe in her and wait here. bgload IMA_10.png jump s193.scr bgload BG_29B.png text Time passes by. text The clock ticks mechanically, recording the passing of each second. text "--------" text I feel like I'm drowning. text My body doesn't want to wait a minute longer. text Just sitting here waiting seems like the utmost in idiocy and I want to run off and search for her again. text "--------" text But, my heart is calm. text Even though my body urges me to hurry, my heart remains calm. text I continue waiting, staring up at the moon. text ~ text ----It's horribly quiet. text No sounds, as if the night froze everything. text ~ text A quiet stillness as if Arcueid and I were the only ones in the entire world. text If I can stay in such a place, then it isn't painful at all to wait for any amount of time. text ~ text So, right now, text I'm drowning in bliss. text Only time passes by. text Just two hours until dawn. text If the day breaks, Arcueid and I will probably never see each other again. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text And time just passes by. text And then like a white rabbit in the snow, text she unexpectedly arrives in the park. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_E10.png music 07.mp3 text "............" text Arcueid doesn't say anything. text With downcast eyes, she doesn't make a move to come closer. text "----Arcueid." text I call out to her. text She doesn't respond or even look in my direction. text "................" text I can't speak. text I don't know what I can say to make her smile again. text Right now, I feel like any words coming out of my mouth will only make her sadder. text ...... text ............ text .................. text Time seems to stretch to eternity. text In reality, the ticking of the clock can't have happened even close to a thousand times. text Arcueid lifts her head, looking like she's watching a dream. text "You wouldn't go home at all, Shiki. text So I came here because I couldn't leave you alone. text .... Even though I really was thinking of going back to my room." text She hesitates as she speaks, but she says this in her usual cheerful manner. text ".... Of course I wouldn't go back. text Didn't I say I'd keep my promise? text I still haven't been any help tonight." text "----That's enough. text You don't have to do that anymore." text "Enough?--Just what's enough, Arcueid....!?" text "Doesn't it go without saying? text It's just that I'm a vampire and you're a human, Shiki. text I didn't have any right to receive help from you. text I didn't understand that earlier, and I would have ruined you if I went a bit farther. text That's why----" text it's enough, she whispers. text ----What are you saying, all of a sudden? text ~ text I was ready for that from the time I agreed to help you. text I understood far better than you that you were a vampire. text Knowing that, I still said I'd help you. text This----is nothing I can agree with....! text ".... Arcueid, you don't need to worry about what happened earlier. text You were just tired and weak. text I'm an idiot, so I couldn't realize your lie. text You weren't in pain because of your wounds, but because of your vampiric impulses, right? text .... Senpai told me all about it." text ".... That woman. text Since when did agents from the Burial Agency become so talkative?" text Less with hate and more with exhaustion, Arcueid gives a deep sigh. text ".... I heard it all from Senpai. text So I'll be direct. text I don't see any problem, Arcueid. text You're in pain now, but you'll return to normal in a few days, right? text So you don't need to worry. text And about before----even though you were in so much pain, you held yourself back, didn't you? text So it's alright. text Let's just continue like we were until now." text "............" text With some difficulty, Arcueid smiles weakly. text ".... Shiki, you don't understand at all. text It's useless to do this. text Even now, I want to drink your blood." text "----But you only think that. text Then try hard and resist it. text .... Haven't you tried so hard like that until now?" text ".... That's true, until now I've held myself back, no I was able to. text But I guess it's useless now. text Even though the only meaning for my existence is to hunt other vampires, I did a lot of extra things. text If I didn't know anything, I never would have thought of wanting anything. text If I didn't rely on you and pursued the enemy by myself, it would have been alright." text "------" text It would've been okay if she was by herself....? text Is she serious? text Does she seriously believe that? text With such a sad face? text With such a sad voice? text With such a solitary appearance and on the verge of collapse? text "----That just pisses me off! text Snap out of it, you idiot....!" bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Wha......" text "Don't be ridiculous....! text What do you mean if you pursued the enemy by yourself, it would have been alright!? text Because it was impossible by yourself----because you finally realized there are things you can't do by yourself, you asked me for help, right!? text Then rely on me until the very end....! text I'll help you. text No matter what happens, I'll help you, so----" text ~ text Don't look like that. text ~ text "----Don't say those.. things." text .... Finally. text If you've finally realized that life is fun, text please don't simply give up on such happiness. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Shiki----are you, crying....?" text "Like hell I am....! text Why would I cry over you....!?" text ~ text It's just.. she's saying such stupid things. text It makes me so angry, that my emotions are going crazy. text "Anyway, we'll continue searching for this vampire, okay!? text If we can defeat this Roa guy, then you can get some rest. text Then, everything's solved. text There aren't any problems at all....!" bgload BG_29B.png text With terribly peaceful eyes, she gives a quiet nod. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "But----It's too late for me, Shiki. text You said I held myself back before, but I really didn't. text Back then, I only stopped because you became afraid of me. text Many people have been afraid of me, like a monster. text So I didn't feel anything when hated or feared. text ".... But it really is strange, you know? text I really didn't want you to look at me like I was a monster. text But I am a monster no matter how you look at me." text Ahaha. text She forces out a dry laugh. bgload BG_29B.png text ".... No----it just happened so fast, I was just surprised----" text .... That's a lie. text That's a lie I can't even fool myself with. text ~ text Arcueid painfully looks away. text .... Sensei told me before. text That you'll only hurt the other person when you tell lies that you can't even deceive yourself with. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text ".... That's why I stopped for an instant. text I was scared of you looking at me like that. text I would break apart if you look at me like that in the future too. text So----I won't see you anymore." text "Wha------" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "Let's say goodbye here, Shiki. text We probably associated too much with each other." text She turns around swiftly. text She says this while trying not to look at me. text .... associated too much, huh? text Maybe that's true. text For both me and Arcueid. text If we never knew much about each other, this would have never happened. text I would have just returned to my normal life, and she'd have probably kept going by herself. text ".... You're right. text Maybe we have associated too much already. text But, I think we're fine like that. text Because, isn't always being by yourself lonely?" text "----" text Arcueid doesn't answer. text She looks so vulnerable. text I want to embrace her and support her. text "And to be honest, I really enjoyed these past few days. text I almost died, but it wasn't all bad. text .... So let me help you until the very end. text How could I sleep if I knew I left you alone?" text ".... No, you don't have to worry about me. text I will kill Roa no matter what. text I will destroy him even if it kills me. text .... You've done enough already, Shiki. text This city will soon return to normal, so you don't have to worry anymore." text Her voice as she faces away from me has no trace of her usual brightness. text .... I can't bear this anymore. text I'm going to stop acting like this. text ".... Idiot. text That's not what I'm worried about." text Saying that, I draw closer to her. bgload BG_29B.png text "Ah----" text Arcueid tries to escape. text I grab her arm from behind and make her turn around. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "Shi----ki." text "Since you don't understand me unless I'm direct, I'll be direct. text .... Look, I didn't agree to help you to stop the vampire in this city. text I really don't have any fine ideals such as protecting this city I live in." text Right, I was only fooling myself. text The reason isn't anywhere near to being that noble. text I just.. text "I just like you. text I wanted to help you, so I agreed to help you. text So now----I just can't leave you." text ~ text I reveal it all. text And I embrace Arcueid straight on. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_01.png music 08.mp3 text "Oh----" text Her gasp isn't one of resistance. text She simply stands there in astonishment, accepting my embrace. text ~ text Thump. text "There's nothing wrong with you wanting to drink my blood." text ~ text Thump. text ".... Shiki, it hurts----my arms, hurt----" text ~ text Thump. text "That'll make it even. text Because I----" text ~ text Thump. text "I have always wanted you too. text Even now----I'm consumed with passion just hearing your heartbeat." text ~ text Thump. text From her arms I hold, from her body up against mine, text I can feel the beating of her heart. text ".... No, Shiki. text That's just.... for right now, it's only a whim of yours.." text ~ text Thump, Thump. text Just hearing this sound----makes me want to hug her to death. text "----Even so, if I love you right now Arcueid, that is my truth. text I don't care about what happens later." text ~ text Thu, mp. text "Or do you----hate me?" text ~ text Thu, mp. text The heartbeat skips. text ".... No. text I can't answer that." text ~ text The heartbeat stops. text In it's place, text Her arms wrap around my back like falling rain. text ~ text At first, just gently. text Then, hard as if answering me. text Her arms squeeze my body into hers. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text Our embrace lasted only an instant. text I don't even know which one of us separated first. text But as if we planned it, we both let go. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T17.png 36 0 text "............" text She blushes, looking away. text "------" text There is only about an hour until dawn. text As the night ends, so does Arcueid's time. text But----I can't bear parting with her anymore. text If it can be forgiven, right now, I want to---- text "----My room." text "Eh?" text ".... Um, can we go, to my room....? text If you say you're going to protect me----I don't want you, to go back." text A hesitant voice. text ~ text .... Even I can understand what she means. text Nodding wordlessly, I walk with Arcueid to her room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_15B.png text I enter before her. text .... Behind me, I can sense Arcueid. text If I turn around, I know my feelings will rise out of control. text But still, my mind is almost surprisingly calm. text ~ text I don't quite understand it myself, text but perhaps it is the contradicting impulse of being insane yet sane that loving someone brings. text "----Arcueid." text I try to turn around. text Before I finish----I feel her hand lightly rest on my back. text ~ text "Don't turn around. text .... Wait just like this for a while." text .... Her voice is exceedingly calm. text The hand on my back doesn't move, as if making sure of something. text ".... Hey Shiki. text Do you remember when I first waited for you?" text "Yeah, I remember. text The one I killed was waiting with a smiling face. text How could I forget?" text "Yeah----back then, I really hated you." text Despite her words, her voice is very gentle. text ".... Arcueid?" text "--I knew I wouldn't be able to suppress my vampiric impulses by myself any longer, and I knew this probably would be my chance, and I pursued Roa. text I thought I finally found him, and then someone I didn't even know killed me and ruined everything. text Back then, all I could feel was hatred." text "And I found the one who killed me and waited at that road for such a long time. text I was thinking for you to hurry up. text Hurry up and come here. text Once I saw you, I'd make you suffer the same fate. text .... I really did hate you. text I hated you so much I thought my chest would burst with hatred as I waited." text ~ text The pressure on my back increases. text ".... Ar.... cueid....?" text "But, no one has ever killed me like that before. text I was a bit curious about what kind of person you were too. text And----I never thought so strongly about someone before." text "In the beginning, it was just hatred. text But it started to slip when I wondered what kind of human you were. text Soon, I wanted to meet you to find out about you. text The one who killed me like that, and for the first time I almost lost track of myself----and I kept wondering." text "----Shiki, what you said before. text About how being by yourself is lonely. text I thought that wasn't true. text But----when I waited for you, the one who I madly thought about, I felt happy. text "I wanted to meet you right away, but it turned out great that I held on and waited for you. text It was really fun. text I was so excited, I kept imagining what kind of person you were." text ~ text .... She pulls her hand from my back. text I---- text "----Thinking back, I started to feel the need for someone else from that time, and I felt unsatisfied with just being by myself. text You said you liked me, text .... but I think I fell in love with you before we even met----" text ~ text Her voice is.. just so.. lovely. text .... There's no need for hesitation. text Turning around, I embrace her. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_H05.png music 05.mp3 text "N...." text Our lips come together naturally. text I don't know who started it, maybe we both did. text ~ text We just did it gently. text We kissed to feel each other's presence just a bit closer. text ~ text ----Hha.... ah. text ~ text Holding my breath, I take in everything about the way she feels. text Her soft lips. text The skin that would never touch anything.. is touching me right now. text Just thinking about it makes my head spin, yet touching her is so warm and relaxing. text Her body is trembling lightly. text But she doesn't seem to be scared at all. text Her closed eyes, the shade of red on her cheeks is so adorable. text .... I really can't believe it. text This Arcueid is the one I love so much. text I couldn't even imagine that just doing this would make me feel more love toward her---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_15B.png text We pull back. text Still holding each other, we look at each other in embarrassment. text ".... That was a.. kiss.. wasn't it?" text She says this with a deep blush. text Her red eyes looking up at me imploringly. text Her golden hair waving before my eyes. text ~ text "Arcueid.... you don't like this kind of thing?" text "----That's not it. text My heart's beating fast right now." text Thump. text Certainly, her heart is beating loudly. text Or----is it my heartbeat? text She looks straight into my eyes. text "But, this is troubling. text .... I'm wondering, if this is really okay?" text "Is what okay?" text "Because, there aren't any vampires that kiss." text Blushing, text She smiles embarrassedly. text ~ text "--------" text That gesture was checkmate. text Taking off my glasses, I embrace her once more. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_H06.png text ----One more time. text Not the mutual kiss of before. text I do a hungry, searching, stealing kiss. text "Mmph----" text Arcueid sucks in a breath. text I don't care. text I just can't hold anything back. text And kiss her deeply. text "N, mm......!" text Arcueid tries to breathe in. text I steal even that. text I lift her chin and hold her head. text Covering her lips with mine and intertwining our tongues. text ~ text I want to become one. text "Ha---ah, n----" text ~ text Pushing against Arcueid's mouth as she tries to escape, I slip my tongue past her lips. text My tongue easily dips into her mouth. text The sounds we make, the sensations of our touching tongues easily lets me imagine what we look like. text As her tongue tries to pull away, I wrap mine around it. text ~ text Wrapping, intertwining, sucking. text ~ text The sensation on the tip of my tongue is almost ticklish. text But the sucking on the base of my tongue feels like absolute zero. text "N.... ah, n...." text Unable to breathe, our throats still try to swallow. text Her white throat moves painfully, crying for oxygen. text At the same time----her mouth sucks my tongue in, and our tongues mix together even more deeply. text ~ text Moving my tongue, I draw her lip in further. text Our breathing, text our exploring, text ~ text .... all within our mouths. text The sounds of our joining fill the air. text There's no end. text The pleasure from this is enough to make me pass out. text Is it because our mouths and tongues are so close to our brains? text Meeting like this causes my mind to go blank more than anything I've felt before. text Pleasure trips a fuse in my brain, threatening to overwhelm me. text "Ah.... n, mm......!" text Our interrupted breathing. text At some point, her mouth--which was seeking oxygen--started to tangle her tongue with mine. text As our tongues intertwine, they come into my mouth. text "Ha.... ah." text I realize that was my own voice. text I can't believe it. text Someone else's tongue----someone else's tongue is entering my mouth. text ~ text This feeling. text This slight sense of discomfort of something foreign in my mouth. text And above that, this overwhelming pleasure which feels like it could kill me------ text "Ha.... mm, mm, mha....!" text We try to breathe as our tongues indulge one another. text "hwa.... ah, mm------" text I had no idea a tongue could generate such a sensation simply by touching another tongue. text ~ text Just being in contact puts us out of breath. text Inhaling, nibbling. text Just that makes me go crazy--makes me unable to think of anything but her. text "Mm----" text Closing her eyes as if resisting something, Arcueid answers back. text It's completely different from our gentle kiss from before. text There's only a male and a female here now. text Our mouths are already wet. text Saliva begins to spill from our lips. text From mine to hers, from hers to mine. text But----it isn't dirty, and like the world's most powerful aphrodisiac, it causes all thought to crumble away. text And like that.. text Not just my tongue, but wanting everything to come together, I pull back from Arcueid's mouth. bgload BG_15B.png text I gasp for air. text My chest hurts. text I don't know how long we were like that. text I can't even breathe properly. text But, even more than that, I want to touch her body and feel her against me. text ".... Shiki?" text Concerned, Arcueid looks into my face. text Her blushing, hesitant expression. text "Ar.... cueid...." text I can't stop. text I hold her tight. text "I----want to sleep with you.. I want you----" text "........" text At first, she gives no answer. text Then, keeping her head down, text her entire face goes red as she nods. text As naturally as if she was taking off her hat, Arcueid removes her clothing. text It is less a removal and more an emergence, though, a sight beautiful enough to take my breath away. text Her white clothes disappear without a sound. text The bra covering her lovely breasts, and the underwear concealing her femininity, disappear like flowing water. text .... Looking at Arcueid's nude figure causes my rampaging mind to come to a complete stop. text It's not that I became calm, text but she's just so beautiful----I forget to think, or go wild. text "----" text I can't speak. text She shyly sits down on the bed. text "Shiki....?" text Her gaze asks me what's wrong. text "Uh----nothing----" text .... Her white skin is tinged with a faint hue of red. text That charming tint causes all rational thought to fade away. text "Um.... Shiki, am I not----" text "That's not it. text You're so beautiful, I was just.. fascinated." text "Y.... yeah." text She shyly averts her eyes, and reveals her naked body. text Using both hands to cover her lower body causes her breasts to be accentuated. text "----You really are beautiful. text Your breasts are just so perfect." text Saying that, I reach out and brush them with my fingers. bgload event/ARK_H07.png text "----Ah." text Arcueid trembles. text "Shiki, wait----" text "What? text Why? text I've already decided to make love to you.. this is only the beginning." text "Y, yeah----I know that, but.." text Maybe she's still embarrassed. text She looks at me uneasily. text ".... There's nothing to be embarrassed about. text Your breasts are perfect, and you have a fantastic body." text "Ah----!?" text Arcueid's body shakes. text Most likely because of me tightening my fingers. text Leaning down, I nibble at the tip of her right breast. text I knead the luscious mounds, the flesh feeling like ripe fruit in my hands. text "Ah----" text She blushes even more. text She must not be used to the feeling, as she looks at the fingers caressing her breasts in amazement. text ".... They really are big. text I could never tell from your clothes, but for you to have such a dirty body like this.." text "----Mmph." text Arcueid doesn't answer. text She just gives a few short gasps as I slowly continue to massage her breasts. text Mm, ah, ahn---- text ~ text Her breathing almost sounds rhythmic. text "Mm.... Shiki, wait----" text I don't pay any attention. text At first, just very lightly. text And then, bit by bit. text Almost enough for her not to realize it, I gradually strengthen my grip. text Not touching her nipples, because she'll probably try and escape if I do it too quickly. text So for now, just slowly. text So that when she realizes it, it'll be too late for her. text I continue caressing her perfectly shaped breasts. text "Ah.... mm, mm----" text Her breathing gets heavier. text Pretending I don't notice, I rub her even more. text .... I intended to stay calm, but just doing this turns me on. text "Mm----, Shiki, I feel----" text Her voice gets warmer. text It trembles with impatience. text "Ah.... ah, I----feel.. hot.. all over." text Arcueid's words are interrupted with soft, sexy gasps. text "You MUST be hot, since you're sweating like that. text Getting hot all over after just a little massage? text You must really want this, Arcueid." text "But Shiki, it's.. because.. you.. keep.. doing.. that---!" text I squeeze even harder. text Her face stiffens as if in fear. text "Ha----ha, I'm not one to talk. text Just doing this----it's making me go crazy, Arcueid." text Taking a deep breath, I massage her harder. text "Ah.... ahn." text Her sweet voice. text It's only natural for her to get hot being touched. text But.. what is this? text I'm only touching her breasts, text but the feeling of her breast overflowing from in-between my fingers is eating away at my mind. text ----There's something strange about her body. text ~ text Just touching it like this.. text It seems to send pleasure rebounding towards me in ever-increasing magnitude. text My breathing gets heavier. text Before I realize it, text I start to breathe wildly, intoxicated by her body. text Arcueid is warmed up enough. text Her pink nipples are proud and stiff. text She gasps quickly. text I bring my mouth to one. text "Ah----" text Arcueid looks away in embarrassment. text Ignoring this, I stick out my tongue. text I give the hardened peak a tentative lick. text "Mm, kk...." text I can hear Arcueid's voice. text Her nipple's so hard I barely move it with my tongue. text "Ha----gh." text For some reason, my head hurts. text The intense sensations are causing it. text But ignoring all that, I tongue her nipple.. and slowly take it into my mouth. text "----Mm, ah----!" text Her breasts swell upwards. text After sucking them diligently for some time, I let my mouth slide lower. text "A----Shi--" text A thin trail of saliva runs the length of her white body. text "--ki...." text The sounds coming from her throat no longer resemble words. text My tongue plays along her body as my fingers continue their massaging. text Her body shudders in time with her breathing. text "Wa........ it----" text I become aware of a different smell.. something other than her sweat or skin. text It's a warm, light scent. text The area covered by her hands is already moist. text Her slender fingers are covered in sticky juices. text ".... What's this? text .... you feel this much already with just your breasts.... you're more.... sensitive.. than I thought, Ar.... cueid." text .... But again, I'm not one to talk. text I can't even speak properly. text "Shi.. ki----I.. have a.. request." text "----? text What? text A request?" text "I don't.... want you to be rough.... like that time." text ~ text .... That time. text That time I pushed her down in the alley. text Why does she have to bring that up now? text Even if she didn't say it, I wouldn't be like that anyway. text ".... How come? text You don't like it rough?" text "Well.... um.... this is my first time, so.." text She blushes and tries to contain her harsh breathing. text She sounds so incredibly cute. text "------Eh?" text ".... Really, I'm still really scared.... that's why, Shiki.... just for now.... please be gentle----" text ~ text --------That does it. text ~ text That's the last straw. text "Why are you----" text I squeeze her breasts. text All thinking, all reason, all knowledge disappears. text Even my breathing stops. text "Shiki--? text What is it? text You're acting strange.... you're making a scary face----it's.... strange...." text Yeah, of course I'm acting strange. text Because I can't think straight. text But she made me this way. text "Ow......!" text I push her down onto the bed. text "Shiki, ow----! text I'm not----" text "Shut up!" text I climb on top of her. bgload IMA_10.png text I cover her lips with my own. text ~ text .... My heart pounds furiously. text My fully erect shaft lands right on top of her slit. text Like a crude sword, it pierces into her. text "Ah......!" text The maddening mixture of shyness and anticipation on her face disappears. text "----No....! text I'm not----" text You're not ready for it yet, right? text Even I know that. text But.. I can't help it. text Tohno Shiki has been driven mad by her words. text Panting fills the air. text My breathing goes out of control. text Really! text Why do you---- text "----Always.. say things that make me go crazy, Arcueid----!" text ~ text There's nothing else left now. text I brutally thrust into her. bgload event/ARK_H08.png text "Ah......!" text Her body stiffens. text She begins to quiver. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text Without paying any attention, I continue pushing inside of her. text ~ text ~ text She's already wet enough to accept me smoothly. text However, that was only at the beginning. text She's really tight. text Even if we are both wet, text Only my tip goes in smoothly, and the rest of it won't go in unless I force it. text "It hurts-----Shiki, it really hurts----!" text Her voice is almost a scream. text "----You have to put up with it. text If you talk, you might bite your tongue." text Pushing down on her squirming body, I continue to thrust myself in. text "N----ah, aaahaaaa..........!" text Her voice is full of pain. text "Haa----ah." text My voice on the other hand, is different. text I only have my tip inside of her. text But still, the tightness is out of this world. text Maybe it's because I didn't give her much foreplay, but she's not very wet inside. text I can only feel hot walls of flesh surrounding me. text "Gghh....!" text It's, a little, strange. text Are my nerves damaged, or is being inside her just that good? text Just having her wrapped around me, I feel like I'm being sucked dry. text I've only had it in for a matter of seconds, and just the very tip, but the pleasure is intense enough for me to come over and over again. text "Gh-----ah............!" text I frantically hold back by biting my tongue. text My arms move on their own to caress her breasts, the sides of her body, her neck. text Her ivory figure. text She feels warm when I touch her, yet she she's so soft it feels like she would melt if I press too hard. text Just touching. text Just touching causes my mind to go blank. text "Ar----cueid........!!" text In contrast to her pain, my mind has gone completely empty. text If I go any deeper, text if I touch her any more, I feel like I'll enter a world of pleasure so intense I would never return. text "Gha-----!" text This is bad. text I have enough reason, at least, to know this is bad. text So I use my hips and try to pull out. text "Mm-----!" text Yet the simple motion of pulling back is too much. text Just doing that gives me pleasure out of this world, text and Arcueid almost screams in pain. text "Shi.... ki----!" text Arcueid calls my name. text Looking down----her hands grip the sheets tightly as if trying to resist the pain. text ".... Arcueid, you----" text .... she's bearing it. text Trying to bear me as I indulge my selfishness, and bearing the pain of her first time. text Bearing it all, she tries to allow me my wish. text "------" text Why am I hesitating now? text I like her----I love her, so I want her. text Then----no matter what happens, don't I just want to become one with her----? text ".... Arcueid. text I know it hurts, but can you bear it....?" text "------" text She gives a slight nod. text "Then here I go. text If it hurts, just say so.... it should ease things a bit for you." text I lower my body again. text All that's left is for me to bury myself in her depths. bgload event/ARK_H10.png text "----Mgh!" text The bed creaks. text Her body bends like a bow. text My swollen, hardened shaft thrusts forth. text There is a feeling of something tearing like paper. text Arcueid's face colors with shame, and tears gather in her eyes from the pain. text "Ha----A......!!!!!!" text What pain. text The deeper I go, my awareness breaks apart. text This pleasure. text Surpassing the pain are waves of pleasure, crashing into my brain. text Fire races through my spinal cord and assails me. text "Ha----, gh." text There's no forgiveness inside her. text Her flesh wraps around me. text Embracing, massaging, pressuring, caressing, constricting. text The nerves in my shaft are squeezed as if held by a fist. text "Kh---ah, ah--" text But I keep going further. text These waves of pleasure threaten to make me pass out. text Though I fear them, I also want more. text "Mmph----ah, nn....!" text Arcueid throws her head back, exposing her white neck. text Her body arches in pain. text Doing that only serves to make her tighten around me more, making me go insane. text "Ow----Shiki, it hurts.. there......!" text "----It's okay----we're almost there....!" text I push with my hips once more. text Sliding. text The sounds of flesh against flesh. text Sloshing. text The sounds of our fluids mixing together. text As I move back and forth, a translucent liquid seeps out of her. text "Ah, ah, nn....!" text There's still pain in her voice. text But, on the other hand.. text her body, which was trying to escape before, is starting to reply. text That means, text she's starting to feel pleasure. text "----!" text I use my hips a bit more. text ~ text "Shi.... ki--!" text Her body jumps up. text Her breasts quiver. text Her well-shaped eyebrows contort in anguish. text Her passage gets tighter. text There is no end to Arcueid's inside, text and the pleasure keeps attacking me. bgload event/ARK_H09.png text "Ah--ha, nn, nha......!" text Arcueid moans. text I just keep thrusting. text Her pain, my pain, our hips, everything moves together as if one. text "It--that deep, it.. hur.. ts!" text I can't even answer. text Right now, the pain is still greater than pleasure for her. text If I can't hold off until it reverses, it would be meaningless. text "Ah, mm----Shiki--har.. der--!" text She begs me even as her tears start to flow. text There's still pain, but she can't think about it. text She's no longer holding me off. text "------Here I.. go----" text Gathering up my strength, I start to thrust. text Over and over. text As long as I can concentrate, until she loses all rational thought, I'll keep going. text "Nn, hwaa, ah, ah------!" text Her breathing matches the quivering of her body. text Her hot skin. text Her face tinged with pleasure and pain. text Just touching them steals away my rationale. text "Shi, ki----Shiki, Shiki........!" text She calls my name as if remembering nothing else. text In response, I thrust deeper. text "Mm....! text I'm okay, so please----go deeper....!" text "----Ggh......!" text I feel like I'm melting inside of her. text It isn't a matter of me simply releasing semen in her anymore. text It's like my entire body, my entire mind, is trying to release itself in pleasure. text Holding back this long might be what's called a miracle. text But, I'm almost at my limit. text The pleasure escalates without end. text As the pain in Arcueid dwindles, the pleasure increases. text "Ha---gh----!" text I clench my stomach. text A burning fire starts to well up inside me. text That was it. text Using all my strength, I plunge into her one last time. text "Oh....!" text Arcueid arches in response. text "---Nn, Aahaaaa----!!" text ~ text Spurt. text ~ text I start to release it all. text Splurt, splurt. text ~ text "N---, ah, haa, ahn----" text Arcueid breathes heavily. text After waiting this long, only one or two spurts won't finish it. text Splurt, splurt. text My essence fluids her insides. text After what seems like eternity, text Arcueid collapses on the bed, completely exhausted. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_15B.png text Only the sounds of our breathing echo through the moonlit room. text Arcueid's glistening body lies next to mine, a thin line of blood on her thigh. text We lie there, panting. text The results of her first time. text She really must be worn out. text I try and catch my breath. text But, for me, text even after coming that much, and pushing myself past the limit like that, it still isn't enough. text The ecstasy was more than enough. text But my mind is wanting to hold her even more. text Even though I would be limp already, normally, my shaft is fully erect as if telling me things are just getting started. text "Ha------ah." text Arcueid has to be at her limit. text Going non-stop like that for her first time. text I bet she can't even move after all that pain and movement. text Her unguarded back. text Completely flawless. text The gentle curve of her hips. text Her delicate breasts, text and her slit, still swelling with my fluids. text .......... text The hair on my neck stands up. text This isn't good----this isn't enough at all. text "...... Shiki?" text Arcueid asks questioningly. text "Arcueid----" text I call her name and wrap my hands around her hips from behind. text "Hyaa----!?" text She gives an unbelievably cute yelp. text "H-hey, Shiki----!?" text She turns and faces me in surprise. text "Ah----" text She blushes after looking down at me. text Of course she thought I already had enough. text But after seeing my fully erect shaft, her eyes flicker in surprise. text "Shiki...... you're.. very lively." text ".... I'm surprised myself. text Usually, I would be done by now----but my body still seems to want you." text So I don't want it to end now. text Saying that with my eyes, I bring my face in between her legs. text "Shi.. Shiki....!" text ".... If we stopped now, wouldn't it be a waste? text You finally started getting used to it all, so this time it's your turn to feel nothing but pleasure." text "Eh---eeh!?" text I ignore her troubled voice. text With a flick of my tongue, text I start to lick her red, inflamed lips. text "Stop, what are you doing Shiki....!" text "What am I doing? text Just getting ready for next time. text We have to clean you up." text "Ah-----y, yes.... but, isn't it.. dirty?" text She blushes even more as she speaks. text Her face is filled with embarrassment and pleasure. text ~ text ----That is.. unbelievably cute. text ".... I quit. text I can't take it this slow." text Pulling my mouth back, I place my hands on her well-shaped ass. text "Eh? text Shiki, what....!?" text "------" text I don't bother answering. text Putting my hands on her hips, I push against her from behind. text "W, wait Shiki. text I'm.. already----" text "At your limit? text But I've been----teased inside of you for so long." text I take my fully erect shaft and slip it inside of her from behind. text "Mm----!" text She looks upward in shock. text She collapses on her elbows as if resisting my rear assault. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_H11.png text "Ah---m, mm....!" text There isn't a shadow of pain in her voice anymore. text I slide inside of her. text It feels completely different than the first time. text Our fluids from before make for a smooth entry. text But there is no difference in the pleasure I feel. text No, it's even better this time. text Inexorably, her walls tighten around me, not allowing even a millimeter of free room. text Even though she's as hot as an oven, there isn't any pain. text "No---stop, not from behind--" text Before she can finish, I thrust even deeper. text "NaAaa----!!" text Her reactions are very innocent. text Just by pushing in, she returns twice as much sensation as my movement. text ".... You haven't even come yet, right? text It isn't fair if it's only me, so just accept it." text "Accept it----if you say so, I don't mind, but...." text "But what?" text ".... Then, um, I want it...." text .... like we did before, she trails off weakly. text .... Her gesture is just too cute. text Over and over, text she seems to be able to make me go insane over her. text "------" text I thrust deeper into her. text "Mmm........!" text Her back twists and bends like a snake. text It seems she doesn't feel much pain when I'm putting it in from behind. text Is it just her healing ability, or does she have some supernatural adaptation ability as well? text The only thing she's feeling right now is embarrassment from being taken from behind, and the pleasure from the act itself. text "----Here I come....!" text I thrust deep inside her. text "Ah----mm, mm......!" text She raises her voice as I move. text Her once calm breathing and body temperature shoot rapidly upwards again. text "Ah----mm, mm, mm......!!" text She breathes faster, as if urging me to hurry. text She reacts much more than before and her passage is overflowing with her juices. text "Ah.... Shi.... ki...... so.. warm...." text Her words are punctuated by gasps. text Her voice asking for me. text The voice I want. text "Ar.... cueid....!" text I call out for her the same way. text At the same time----she tightens up around me. text "Y----you......!" text I strike into her as hard as I can. text "Ah........!!!!" text Her body twists in response. text "Haa.... yes, Shiki, there, more....!!" text "Haa----haa, ah....!" text I oblige her, pumping her tunnel almost ruthlessly. text .... So hot. text I want to feel her hot skin so much it drives me crazy. text ----I can't stop. text ~ text "Nn---ah, hwaa, ah....!" text Her voice rises higher in passion. text ~ text ----As if invited by it, text ~ text "Nn---haa, ah, nn...." text I grow even wilder. text ~ text This, text ~ text "Nn, nn, aha, aah, ah....!" text might be the most destructive thing I've ever done. text "Ah, nn----nn, ah......!! text Shiki, I, want, you---more, Shi.. ki....!!!!" text Spurred on by her voice, I continue to claim her. text I bury myself in her depths. text I wrap my hands around her, text and taste the sweat streaking her back. text "Ah----!" text I love her. text Even while in the midst of this beast-like passion----I love her so much. text ~ text I don't understand. text I can't understand it, so I just keep on loving her. bgload IMA_10.png text My restraint is pretty gone by now. text I can't hold back this time. text As I thrust into her, hot passion courses through my shaft. bgload event/ARK_H12.png text "Gh....!" text Still, I'll keep going until I can't move. text I want to satisfy her completely, so over and over I thrust, changing the position I'm in. text "Mm----Shiki----you're moving inside of me----" text As she breathes wildly, she moves her fingers down to her slit. text As if to help me enter easier, she spreads her lips apart. text "Ah----ha, nn----!" text Maybe the pain or pleasure is too much. text She starts to rub herself as tears roll down her cheeks. text "Hwa.... ah, aaa, mm, aah....!" text Her fingers are getting wet. text With my semen and her juices, her fingers glisten and overflow. text "Arcueid----not there.. touch here." text I guide her as I keep thrusting. text "Mm.... right here....? text Her fingers hesitantly move to the most sensitive part of her body. text "Eh------ah!?" text Her back arches upwards. text Touching her engorged clit causes her to gasp in shock. text She breathes even more wildly after touching that sensitive place. text "Ah-----I can't, believe it------!" text She lifts her head as she keeps rubbing herself. text As I continue thrusting inside her, text she continues caressing herself on the outside. text Her skin tinges pink from all the pleasure she's feeling. text "Mm, ah----Shiki.. it's.. so good----!" text Her body jumps up and down. text "----, Take, that....!" text As she jumps, my head goes blank. text As if I were completely connected to Arcueid, text her pleasure seems to channel into me. text "Mm, naa, ha.... ah, mm....!" text She gets hotter as her body gets wilder. text Her body glistens with sweat. text "Ah, ha----Shiki----more...." text This heat inside her is like a tropical forest. text "Inside.... come inside me--!" text "Gah----!" text I'm totally enchanted. text At this rate I'll die. text It feels so good inside of her that it seems like it would be the greatest thing in the world to die from the pleasure. text The rhythm of my breathing is like a freight train. text I thrust again. text If there's no end to her climax, I'll just have to finish it myself. text "Ar.... cueid....!" text ----I thrust into her. text My mind has gone numb a long time ago. text "Shi...... ki----!" text All she's able to say is those two syllables. text Like I'm at the limit of my consciousness, text she seems to be on the verge of ecstasy too. text Slide. text Sliiiide. text Sliiiiiiiide....!!! text "Ha----mm, AaAAaaa----!" text I keep thrusting harder, no matter how much she screams. text So hard I might break her. text "HA, ha, ha, haa......" text I continue to push into her. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H13.png text "Ah----Hwaa, ah----Shi.. ki----!" text Her trembling body, text Her tightening arms around me. text "I.. I'm going to----" text She cries out imploringly, her eyes moist with unshed tears. text I keep going. text ~ text She tightens up. text Her body stretches in an arch. text Like her, text I'm nearing the end too. text I truly feel the very last of my passion welling inside me. text "----!" text "Shi----ki------!" text With one last push, I thrust deep inside of her. text My come surges through my iron-hard rod. bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/ARK_H13.png text "Nm, kk........!" text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text "Ah----a..........!" text ~ text Arcueid stops breathing. text The sensation of heat flowing out of me. text ~ text "Ah----Shi.. ki------" text ~ text Taking it all in, she wraps her arms tightly around me---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_15B.png text "Ha----ah------" text Her body collapses. text She takes in my semen as she lies there, convulsing and weak. text Entranced by ecstasy, she sags to the bed. text .... Her eyes are closed. text With tears still trickling down her fully satisfied face, she falls asleep. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_15B.png text "...... I'm.... spent...." text I look down at her as I breathe heavily. text She's breathing peacefully as she sleeps. text "...... Nn." text I start to feel a little embarrassed thinking back on it. text I feel no regrets over having sex with her. text Well, maybe just a little. text I wanted to be a bit calmer, so that I could've enjoyed more of the sensation of her skin and the look of her embarrassed expressions. text ".... I guess I still can't. text I'm doing my best only keeping up with her." text .... Actually, I'm not sure a day will come where I can be calm about Arcueid's body. text Even today, I don't remember much about what I did. text All I can remember is how good it all felt. text If tiredness is any indication of how good it was, I'm so exhausted I can't even walk now. text "----Hwah." text Stifling a yawn, I look down at her sleeping face. text .... I really do love her. text She answered my selfish love. text It might be a different form than the love I'm feeling, but Arcueid needs me too. text Just that. text Just that makes me extremely happy. text Not the fact that I'm needed. text But for her----who until now was always alone, for her to need someone else makes me happy. text "----And you know, with this, you're not alone anymore, Arcueid." text ~ text Everything starts to sway a little. text .... It seems I'm getting sleepy too. text Laying down on my back next to her, I take a deep breath. text Like that, I sink into a deep sleep. bgload IMA_10.png text In the midst of a deep sleep, text I have a dream where Arcueid wakes up before me, and is doing something terrible. text Arcueid is rustling about by herself. text What are you doing? text I ask. text ~ text "Oh. text You're awake, Shiki?" text ~ text Not really, I'm more asleep than awake. text Thanks to you, my body isn't quite doing what I tell it to. text "----I see. text I'm flattered, but it's a bit embarrassing." text ~ text .... Arcueid smiles like a little girl. text I think it's strange for me to know how she looks like when I have my eyes closed, but since she looked so happy, I decide to ignore such a trivial thing. text "Hey, Shiki?" text ~ text What is it? text You must be tired too, so you should sleep until nighttime. text ~ text "What if.. What if I became a true vampire? text What would you do, Shiki?" text ~ text .... such a strange question. text But, that wouldn't ever happen. text Because you're afraid of drinking blood, right? text "----That's why it's a 'what if' question. text It is only natural to steal other lives to preserve your own in nature, right? text So----it's just a story of 'what if I became like that'." text ~ text .... Cut it out. text That won't ever happen----and I don't like talking about "what ifs". text Didn't I say that before? text "Really? text I like 'what ifs'. text Not knowing how things will turn out, yet still having hope at least for that moment." text ~ text .... That's right, you said something like that before too, Arcueid. text "Yeah. text So.... I was wondering what I would have done if you were a horrible person." text .... Ar.... cueid....? text ~ text "----I love you, Shiki. text You let me feel this way, and enabled me to tell you like this. text You really were kind to me." text ~ text .... Why? text Why is Arcueid crying? text ~ text "Well Shiki, I'll be leaving before you wake up. text .... I won't be able to say goodbye directly, so forgive me for doing it this way." text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... The sound of a door shutting. text Still sleeping, text I hear it close. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_15A.png text "--------Mm." text I wake up. text Bright sunlight streams in through the curtains. text Looking at the clock, it just turned noon. text "Crap, school....!" text I quickly get up. text .... But, come to think of it, it's Sunday today. text There's no need to go to school. text If there's anything I should worry about, it's the fact that I stayed over at Arcueid's place without calling home. text "------" text Come to think of it, I think I saw a weird dream. text A dream where I was talking to Arcueid and she kissed me at the end. text ~ text .... *sigh* text "I'm really out of it." text For me to see such a happy dream when Arcueid is sleeping next to me might be proof I'm really happy right now though. text ~ text "Don't you think so, Arc----" text I turn to the bed. text And my voice cuts off there. text "----Ar.... cueid?" text I look at the bed in shock. text There's no one there. text Arcueid isn't around anywhere. text ~ text ----I'll be going now. text ~ text In my dream, text Arcueid said that. text "Hey, wait." text I look around the room. text But of course she isn't anywhere. text The only thing I find, text is a single piece of paper on the table. text "----Wha.." text .... I don't know if it's some kind of a joke or it's in another language, text but the paper only has the word "Bye" written on it. text "----Why?" text I don't want to believe it. text But more than that----I can understand what Arcueid did. text ~ text "----Why?" text ~ text .... You've got to be kidding me. text "Bye" is just too simple. text We even promised. text We promised to be together. text I told her I'd help her until the very end. text Why-----Why did she go off by herself again---- text "Why, Arcueid----!!?" text ~ text I scream as loud as I can and crumble the piece of paper. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ----After that, text I fly out of the room and look all over like I've gone mad. bgload BG_29B.png text .... I can't find Arcueid. text I know. text I already know that she won't ever appear before me again. text ~ text ----But I still can't give up. text I'll go crazy like this. text I'll go crazy unless I find her and yell at her for how much of an idiot she's been, but I still can't find her. text ~ text I'll never.. see her again. text "--------" text ~ text Something, desperately ends. text ~ text She will settle things with Roa and disappear by herself. text .... No, I think she's already finished and left the city already. text "------" text I stop thinking before I go crazy. text .... I hear the voices of cicadas in the back of my ear. text The discarded shells of cicadas. text My body becomes light with nothing inside it, and I cannot think anymore. text So this is what it means to be truly empty. text Not even tears come forth. text Still an empty shell, my legs move. text I guess it's just like an animal's instinctual sense to go home. text Even though I have nothing left in me, I am walking towards my house---- bgload IMA_10.png jump s194.scr bgload BG_40A.png text @Day 11 text ~ text ~ text I wake up to the sound of Hisui's voice. text Since then----after returning to the mansion, I must have made my way to my room somehow and slept. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, are you not feeling well?" text "----No, I'm fine." text Answering, I sit up in bed. text ~ text .... I'm almost amazed at myself. text I don't even feel like talking, but my body tries to start my day as always. text "Breakfast? text I'll be down soon." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "...... Yes. text I will be waiting." text Looking as if she still wants to say something, Hisui leaves the room. text I change my clothes and head to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha and Kohaku are there. text "Morning." text Giving my usual greeting, I go to the dining room. text I eat breakfast and return to the sitting room. text I sit on the sofa and stare at the clock. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T17A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san? text Um, you know you have school today, right?" text "Hm----? text Yeah, that's right. text I guess I should go to school." text I forgot. text I didn't feel like doing anything, and I thought I would keep living like this empty shell. text ".... I do have my life as Tohno Shiki. text If I don't have anything to do, it won't hurt to go to school." text "Nii-san....?" text Akiha looks at me uneasily. bgload BG_34A.png text .... Speaking is just a pain. text ~ text Without saying anything, I go to school. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text Time passes by uneventfully. text I emptily attend my lessons. text The sound of the chalk. text I mindlessly write down what's written on the board into my notes. text ~ text I look out the window into the rear courtyard. text Of course there's no one there. text "------" text ----What am I doing? text Just calmly attending my lessons like this. text Not searching for her and just returning to my normal life. text "------" text But, there's no way for me to search for Arcueid. text Since she left on her own, there's probably no possibility of me finding her. text ~ text That's why.. text I've really lost Arcueid---. text ~ text *snap* text ~ text "........" text A sound comes from above my desk. text .... Ah, it's nothing. text I was just gripping my mechanical pencil so hard that I snapped another one. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text Classes end. text In the commotion of the classroom, I still remain seated. text ~ text "Tohno, can you come here for a moment?" text My math teacher speaks up from the podium. text "----Yes, what is it?" text I respond and walk towards him. text "Tohno, hasn't your recent behavior been a little wild? text I have received information that you have been going out late at night. text Does it ring a bell?" text ".... Yes. text These past few days, I had things to do in town at night." text "----I see." text My math teacher----well, my homeroom teacher as well----looks a bit concerned, then looks a little sorry. text "I know you're not the kind of student to goof off at night, but there have been concerns voiced by the faculty. text It appears the head of the student council would like to speak to you. text Because of that, please go to the student council room after school. text Just consider yourself unlucky and bear with it." text Saying goodbye, he leaves the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_08A.png text After school. text I stop by the student council room, but the teacher isn't there. text .... Now that I remember, that teacher is also an adviser to the gymnastics team. text He probably won't come until practice is over. text "------" text I sit in my chair and wait faithfully. text "........ Kk." text I bite my lip. text I know this isn't the time to be doing this. text I know, but there's nothing I can do. text Outside the window, the sunset paints the sky vermillion. text I can hear the voices of club members practicing outside and the students talking while going home. text Within that, this classroom is the only quiet place. text .... This makes me angry. text Why am I here? text I can't do anything. text I'm angry at my powerlessness. text However, I have no way to solve this myself, so in the end, all I can do is accept everything I'm told emptily. text ".... What am I doing?" text There's no answer. text I just sit in the empty classroom listening to the sounds outside. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_08B.png text Tick. text The second hand of the clock sweeps by, telling me it's now seven at night. text No one comes by. text The school closes at six and all the teachers leave at six-thirty, so no one else remains on the school grounds. text ".... I guess I'm forgotten." text I get up from my chair. text After pondering matters so long, my head starts to clear a little. text I was thinking all this time. text About what I should do, what I should prioritize. text From here, I should---- text ~ choice 1. Even if it's useless, I'll look for Arcueid.|Accept it and go back to the mansion.|If this is how things are, I'll search for Roa myself. if selected == 1 jump s195.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s196.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s197.scr fi bgload BG_08B.png text ----I should look for Arcueid. text ~ text No matter how impossible it might look, no matter how hopeless it seems, it's all I can think of. text I'll keep searching until I find her. text I can't leave her by herself, and I can't let her----settle things with Roa by herself. text "----Alright." text My mind is set. text So I can't waste any more time here. text I have to go in town this very minute, and even if it means looking for a needle in a haystack, I have to find Arcueid---- bgload IMA_10.png setvar ark_regard + 1 jump s198.scr bgload BG_08B.png text --I'll go back to the mansion. text ~ text It's not like I've given up on Arcueid, but without any leads, I don't think I could find her. text Then instead of running around blindly, I should go back to the mansion and think calmly about what I can do. text ".... Is that all I can do?" text I am pained by my lack of ability to do anything. text But right now, it is all I can think of. bgload IMA_10.png jump s198.scr bgload BG_08B.png text ----I should find this vampire Roa. text ~ text Arcueid isn't going to come see me, and it's almost impossible for me to find her. text So I'll take the opposite route. text Arcueid said she would defeat Roa no matter what. text If her purpose is Roa, then I'll look for him too. text Arcueid will come to Roa, so if I could find him before then, that'll be good. text ~ text And with that option, text I can help Arcueid at the last moment. text "----Alright." text My mind is set. text So I can't waste any more time here. text I have to go into town this very minute, and even if it means looking for a needle in a haystack, I have to find this vampire---- bgload IMA_10.png jump s198.scr bgload BG_11C.png text Naturally, the hallway is empty. text The lights are shut off and the hallway is illuminated solely by the blue moonlight streaming in from the windows. text ~ text "------" text I realize as I look up in the sky from the hallway, text tonight is a full moon. text ".........." text I lose myself for a moment gazing at it. text The silver moon. text Delicate beauty like glass, it feels like it will crumble if I were to reach out my hand and touch it. text That moon. text When I was a child. text I feel like. text I saw it. text In a stupor. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11C.png music 06.mp3 text ~ text ----Throb. text ~ text "Gah........!?" text Suddenly, the scar on my chest begins to ache. text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text My heart skips a beat. text My blood starts to circulate wildly and I can't control my breathing. text ~ text ----Thro, b. text ~ text I place my hand on my chest. text My uniform is soaked in blood. text My scar has opened and is bleeding. text ~ text ----Thu, mp. text ~ text Panting. text My breathing is out of control. text A chill runs through my back, and my spine painfully feels like it's going to burst open. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ----Thro, b. sound SE_00.wav 1 text --Thump. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ----Th, ro sound SE_00.wav 1 text --Thum text ~ sound SE_07.wav 1 text ------Tap. text ~ text In between my heartbeats, I hear a sound. text "Ah------" text Someone is coming. text From the far end of the hallway, walking towards me. text Tap. text The sounds of footsteps. text ----There's something.. not right. text ~ text This isn't the wild beating of my heart which comes from my body sensing danger like before. text A headache runs through my head. text This pain, this sense of danger is directed against me. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I feel that shadowy figure is something I----Tohno Shiki must not meet------. text I breathe harder. text Not even able to breathe properly, I take off my glasses. text My knife---is in my pocket. bgload BG_11D.png text The figure draws closer. text The moonlight seems to suggest it's a male. text The "point" indicating death pulsates in the center of his body like a heart. text All around his body are numerous "lines" of death covered like wires for a machine. text "------------------" text ~ text My breathing stops. text .... There's, something wrong with my head. text I don't know this figure. text Even though I don't know----I can't help but feel like it resembles someone. sound SE_07.wav 1 text Tap, tap. text He approaches. text I'll be able to see his face soon. text ~ text "--------------------" text ~ text Who does he resemble? text Who does he resemble? text Who does he resemble? text Who does he resemble? text ~ text Who am I forgetting------? bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T07C.png 14 0 text ----Bloodshot eyes. text The death all over his body. text An alien stillness as if the very air around us was frozen. text There's no mistaking it.. he isn't human. bgload BG_11D.png text ~ text He draws even closer. text He heads straight in my direction looking solely at me, smiling wordlessly. text "------------------!" text I ready my knife. text The blade pops forth. text He continues walking. text There's no time to think or hesitate. text Under the white moon. text As if in slow motion, I ready my knife. text He doesn't stop. text ~ text Slowly, text as if time stopped only for me, text ~ text he easily reaches out and takes my knife, holding it upside down. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T07B.png 14 0 text "Wha----" text ~ text My body----doesn't move---- text ~ text ".... Shiki. text Being able to see death isn't just your privilege." text ~ text Saying that, he moves his arm. text ~ text ----Th, rob. text ~ text A chill runs through me again. text My brain freezes. text My body remembers the same pain from before. text "------------Ah." text The sound of slashed flesh. text My knife he stole--is now plunged deeply--in my chest------ music ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11C.png text My body collapses. text All my strength drains as I crumble to the floor. text ~ text Fluttering, text a white sheet falls. text ----It's because I leaned on him when I fell. text As I fell, my hand took the bandages wrapping his body. text "I see. text You wish to see my face, Shiki?" text Saying that, text he unfurls the bandages. bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 sound SE_00.wav 1 text "------" text Everything turns dark. text His face. text This face before me, I know it. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_06.png text ----It does resemble that. text Because his face---- text It resembles the face of the bloody child before me on that hot summer day---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text I fall onto the ground, text the knife still embedded in my chest. text Strangely, there is no blood or even pain. text My body just gets colder.My consciousness drifts away. text My control over my body.. everything starts to fade away. bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "I did pay you back for killing me." text He says this as he looks down at me. text The face I see as I look up. text I recognize him. text ~ text ----Of course I recognize him. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_06.png bgload BG_11C.png text Yeah----why have I forgotten until now? text ~ text When I was a kid. text The other child me and Akiha played with at the mansion. text Always----always, we were together. text When Akiha came to play, me and him were always there to welcome her----so why---have I forgotten his name until now....? text "SHI----KI" bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "That's right Shiki. text It's really been a long time." text He----SHIKI smiles with satisfaction. text ~ text SHIKI. text Shiki. text Akiha. text SHIKI. text SHIKI. text Akiha. text Shiki. text ~ text Those meaningless scribbles. text "That's----ridiculous." text "Sorry Shiki. text You'll have to listen to my grudges just a little longer, so I just avoided the "point" of death slightly. text It's not fatal, so you'll probably stay conscious for a bit. text Don't fade away that easy." text ~ text The unpleasant laugh and the terrible uneasiness I felt when I faced Nrvnqsr. text In the midst of my fading consciousness, I realize something. text He is----Arcueid's "enemy". bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "Well then----shall I take that knife? text Someone like you who's about to disappear won't need it." text ~ text He reaches for the knife stuck in my chest. text He grips the handle. text The moment he takes it out will be my death. text ~ text But I can't do anything. text I can't move even to close my eyes. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_11.wav 1 bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Gah----!?" text He flies. text Suddenly, SHIKI flies back as if he was struck by a car. text ~ text At the same time, a black-robed figure appears. text ~ text Even though this is the third floor, she crashes through the glass window and makes a flashy appearance. text "Kk------!" text After flying back many meters, text SHIKI stands up slowly and stares at me lying on the floor----and Ciel-senpai protecting me. bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "Bitch----interfering once and now twice?" bgload BG_11C.png bgload BG_11C.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "............" text Senpai only stares back wordlessly at SHIKI. bgload BG_11C.png text He lowers himself as if to attack Senpai. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----And then. text ~ text As if realizing something, SHIKI suddenly begins to laugh. bgload BG_11C.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "Huhu, hahaha, ahahahahahaha!" text "I see, that's how it is, woman! text I can't believe it, but that's how it is! text Interesting, this is the first time such a thing has happened in 800 years....! text If that is the case, then new things truly do await me....!" text SHIKI continues to laugh from the bottom of his heart. text .... Senpai merely stares at the vampire in front of her. text "What is it? text You have come to kill me, right? text Or is it something else? text Or is it that a cast-off shell cannot do anything on it's own?" text "------" text Senpai doesn't respond. text She looks away from the vampire and lifts me up. text "Oh? text That impostor is more important than cutting off the cause behind you? text But, that's useless. text He is beyond help. text It's only payback for him living as Tohno Shiki until now. text No matter what, there is no healing someone who's lines of death are cut. text Even that princess had to exchange her 800 years of time in order to regenerate. text ----A human like him can't escape death." text His voice is full of mocking laughter. text Senpai doesn't say anything in response. text In the end, without a single word, text as she holds me, she goes through the glass window and jumps outside. bgload IMA_10.png text She seems to treat the height as if it were nothing. text With a light step, she lands on the ground and runs from the school without even looking back. text ~ text ----Through it all, text I look only at the school building with empty eyes. bgload IMA_02.png text The third floor hallway I was in until just now. text I blankly look at the vampire with long, black hair as he victoriously watches us leave------. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ jump s199.scr bgload BG_32C.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text @Day 11 text ~ text ~ text Still holding me, Senpai heads straight for my mansion. text .... I don't know what she's planning, but this can't be good. text With a knife still embedded in my chest, there's no mistake that my death is near. text If Akiha sees me like this, it won't just be a matter of her worrying------ text "------" text .... Damn it, I can't speak. text I want to tell her to cut it out, but I can only gasp for air. text "Please be quiet Tohno-kun. text .... It is okay, I am sure your sister can help." text "------" text .... Help? text That's impossible, Senpai. text I'm stabbed in the chest and I can't even move. text .... There isn't anyone who can help a person about to die like this. text "No, it's possible. text Otherwise it would not make any sense....! text Look, if your sister couldn't help you, you would have died eight years ago. text That's why----I know we can still make it....!" text ~ text .... Her words, they have so many "you's" in them, I can hardly understand. text "------" text ~ text .... Senpai, what do you---- text ~ text "Geez, just please be quiet already! text If you speak anymore, we may not even be able to help you!" text She gives an unbelievably serious, angry face. text .... I feel terrible, so I close my eyes. text ~ text ........ Well, anyways. text ................ It's beginning. text to get hard. text staying up. text So sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png music 09.mp3 bgload CMO_05.png text ~ text ----I was always an outsider to my family. text ~ text From an early age, I always thought that. text From the time I was adopted from the Tohno family by the Arima family. text No, actually, long before that, I was an outsider to my family. text I never even wondered why. text Before I realized it, I was alone. text There were people around me acting like my parents so I tried hard to act like their child. text I think the house with the old tatami room was my first house. text From there, after some incident, I was taken to a large western-style mansion. text .... There was a brother and a sister around my same age, and we became good friends, I think. text But there was always a wall between their father and me. text ~ text .... But still, we tried hard to be like a real family. text Even if we weren't related by blood, we tried to believe we were a family. text But, that ended abruptly. text After a large accident, I was taken to a hospital. text No one came to see me and my eyes became abnormal. text Until then I was alone, and in the end I was alone. text I thought maybe I should just disappear like that. text ~ text Until I met that sorceress who was as beautiful as the clear blue sky overhead. bgload IMA_11.png music ~ bgload BG_40C.png music 08.mp3 text .............................. text .............................. A nostalgic, text dream. text "I'm----alive?" text I speak aimlessly. text I don't seem to be able to lift a finger, but at least I can speak clearly. text My mind is clear enough to grasp that this is my own room. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17B.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san? text Are you awake?" text "Akiha---you're there?" text Akiha is standing by the bedside, apparently having taken care of me. text "Akiha, you---" text I look at Akiha not knowing what happened. text She looks away uneasily. bgload BG_40C.png text ".... My.... this wound, is.." text I can't say he---SHIKI did it. text In the first place, how did she react when I arrived with this wound? text I would think usually, you'd send someone with a knife in their chest to the hospital.... text "Akiha, um----" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... It's okay. text I heard most of the circumstances from that person." text ".... That person.... you mean Senpai?" text Still looking down, Akiha nods. text ".........." text .... I'm more confused. text What exactly did Senpai tell Akiha by "most of the circumstances"....? text ".......... Hmph." text This isn't good. text Not knowing what Senpai told her, I can't ask her something wrong. text "Um.... Akiha, where's Senpai?" text "If you mean that person, she is resting in the sitting room. text .... Normally I would not let such a person stay in the house, but she has helped you. text So I can't treat her poorly." text ~ text ---As she speaks, text her expression turns more severe. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san. text The wound in your chest was caused by SHIKI, right?" text Directly, text Akiha cuts to the heart of the matter. text "A, Akiha, you---" text "Didn't I say so earlier? text I heard most of the circumstances from that person. text .... Although, I would have understood the situation if I looked at you." text "----" text My words.. stick in my throat. text Akiha---sounds as if she knew about SHIKI from the beginning. text "Akiha, you.... about SHIKI---" text ".... Yes, I know. text From the very beginning, I was aware of everything and called you back to the mansion." text I suddenly get assailed by dizziness like I just got hit in the head with a hammer. text ".... W, wait a minute. text What do you mean you were aware of everything? text I don't.... honestly know what's going on. text Certainly, there was another kid with me and you back then, but when I asked you----" text ~ text You said there wasn't a third child. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... I'm sorry. text All I have ever done is lie to you. text .... Even about this.... I knew it would turn out like this, but I lied to you all this time and deceived you." text "Deceived? text .... Then, there was the third kid? text But, why did he disappear suddenly?" bgload BG_40C.png text .... Yeah, I really can't remember. text The third kid.... I remember always playing with another boy my age. text Akiha sometimes would sneak away when her father wasn't looking and come play with us. text But, how come I don't remember? text Things like why he disappeared. text Or like how his name SHIKI was the same as mine. text ~ text Yeah, everything---I have clearly forgotten. text ".... I don't know. text The only thing I remember is that----" text ~ text The scene I saw in the courtyard. text Since I came back, it's only that hot summer day which floats in the back of my mind like a daydream. text Akiha's there, I'm there. text And before me is the bloody corpse of another boy. text "------Ah." text ~ text Yes, SHIKI did say so. text "I paid you back for killing me," he said. text So, that means---- text "That dream----I, really--" text ~ text killed him? text Is that why he suddenly disappeared and I conveniently forgot all those bad memories? text "Akiha, I----" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "No, you're mistaken. text You did not kill anyone. text Tohno Makihisa.... our father commanded you to think that way." text "My.... old man did?" text .... I don't understand even more. text Why would my old man command me to do something like that? text ".... Akiha. text You said you were aware of everything when you called me back. text What do you mean? text You----you know about eight years ago, about SHIKI, about everything?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... Yes. text I didn't want you to remember about SHIKI, Nii-san. text If possible, I wanted you to forget about it forever. text .... But it's all over. text From the beginning----it was impossible to hide it." text Saying that, she gives a self-derisive smile. text She looks at me in the eye and starts speaking again. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san. text That person told you about the Tohno blood being special, right? text You may not believe it, but there is non-human blood in the Tohno ancestry. text .... At least that is what Father has told me since I was young. text Of course, I did not believe it at first. text But, something happened to make me believe it. text .... That incident was when you were killed by SHIKI eight years ago." bgload BG_40C.png text ".... Killed? text .... me, by SHIKI....?" text Akiha nods wordlessly. text .... But, that's strange. text That's the exact opposite. text SHIKI was the one lying bloody on the ground.... and didn't he say "I paid you back for killing me"....!? bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... As the people in the Tohno family grow older, the "inhuman blood" in us increases. text This blood isn't anything good. text I think the type of blood mixed with the Tohno family greatly increases one's instincts and makes me think it's just the blood of a beast. text If you call the human part reason, the instincts of the non-human blood overpower reason." text ".......... Akiha, that's...." text ".... I know. text I know you can't believe it because it's so sudden, so please be quiet for now." text ~ text ----No, text I know someone exactly like that. text Even now, if I could move freely and avoid SHIKI, I'd fly out of here and look for her. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "However, the end comes for members of the Tohno family as they grow older. text .... There has not been an instance of 'inversion' as a child like SHIKI did. text The blood in the Tohno family varies from individual to individual. text There are those whose appearance will not change and those whose appearance will. text ----SHIKI was a typical case of the latter." text "The latter.... his appearance changed....?" text ".... Yes. text I do not understand why he went crazy at such a young age. text But he inverted without any warning. text When that happened, he attacked you, Nii-san." text "SHIKI.... attacked me....?" text ~ text Throb. text The old wound on my chest aches. text "It happened in that courtyard. text You were stabbed in the chest and were on the verge of death when Father came and stopped SHIKI. text .... To stop SHIKI who has lost his mind, you can only kill him. text It is the duty of the head of the Tohno household to deal with members of the family who have inverted. text So----the bloody SHIKI you saw was probably the result of Father dealing with him." text "--------" text I can't remember. text There was something else. text I feel like there was something more important that I can't remember. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... Afterwards, you miraculously recovered. text And as you remember, you were taken to the hospital and told you were in a big accident." text "----" text ".... For that reason, I was then raised to be successor of the Tohno family even though I was the second child. text Once "inverted", SHIKI could no longer be the successor, so the only other remaining blood relative had to be chosen." text .... I see. text That's why Akiha had to take such a heavy burden of becoming the successor.... huh? text "Akiha. text That's.. weird. text You said it was SHIKI that inverted, right? text Then I'm----not normal?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T13B.png 40 0 text ".... I'm surprised. text Nii-san, you believe all of this....?" text "----Hey now. text It's not like you'd lie like this.... Well, I'm used to this kind of talk. text M, more importantly! text I'm asking you if this is a bit strange, Akiha." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "I suppose you are right. text .... But Nii-san, there's nothing wrong with the story, so can we not discuss it any further....?" text "----No, Akiha. text Sorry, but finding out about SHIKI is important to me. text He is both mine and her mutual enemies, I can't just ignore him. text So----I have to know the truth. text I can't have any traces of doubt left. text Why he is alive if the old man killed him, why----I forgot something so important. text Please. text Tell me, Akiha." text ".... It is simple. text You had a reason you could not succeed the Tohno family. text You really even forgot that, didn't you Nii-san? text .... I wish that illusion continued forever." text ".... Akiha....?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "........ Nii-san, you are not part of the Tohno family. text Because of a whim of Father's, he adopted you just because you had the same name of his son, SHIKI." text ~ text ~ text ------------, eh? text ".... You and I, and SHIKI. text We were raised as true siblings. text You were really good friends with SHIKI, almost enough to make my childish heart feel jealous. text But, after what happened to SHIKI, everything went wrong. text SHIKI was taken care of secretly, but the eldest son of the Tohno household could not be killed. text The Tohno family has important standing in society, doesn't it? text So.... they could not tell society that the heir to the family suddenly just disappeared." text "Then Father had an idea. text To treat Nii-san, who was almost killed by SHIKI, as Tohno Shiki and to let SHIKI be the adopted son who died in an accident. text ----In other words, you traded places with SHIKI. text The one killed remained alive, and the one who killed, died. text That is your relationship with SHIKI." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Ha------------ha. text ".... Then what is this? text I'm not your brother, I'm not even a member of the Tohno family----" text Of course, not a member of the Arima family either. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Then, where----am I from? bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text ".... I'm sorry.... No one can answer that now. text Nii-san----the child named Shiki is gone. text The child named Shiki died eight years ago. text Not in terms of living, but in terms of existence. text Name, a past, family, even memories; none of these remain anywhere. text You traded places with Tohno SHIKI eight years ago.... Father disposed of everything." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----------ha. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "That is why.... you were adopted by the Arima family. text To maintain appearances, the eldest son of the Tohno family must still be alive. text However, since you are not related by blood you cannot be the heir. text Reasoning that your body was weakened by the accident, you were given to the care of the Arima family. text .... He commanded me not to let you near the mansion again." text .... Akiha's voice is trembling. bgload BG_40C.png text She looks down, acting like she's resisting something. text .... I know she must feel terribly guilty. text ~ text ----But I don't intend to blame her. text ~ text It might make me feel better that she feels that way, but----there's something I still have to ask right now. text ".... No. text There are still two things I need to clear up. text Please keep talking, Akiha. text There's some things I still don't get all the way." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17B.png 40 0 text "----Nii, san?" text "First. text I understand I'm not a member of the Tohno family. text But that raises another question. text .... You said the members of the Tohno family are special. text But the truth is, I also have a something strange. text Senpai said it was because I was a member of the Tohno family so I was convinced. text But, I'm not a member of the Tohno family, right? text Then, what does it all mean?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... I do not know. text Certainly Father did not seem the type to just adopt someone on whim----there may be some reason to why he adopted you, Nii-san." text "I see.... well, it doesn't really matter to me what family I'm from. text So there's no need to worry about it, Akiha. text And, um. text I always thought I was just lucky to be alive. text It was a really fatal wound, wasn't it? text Then I'm blessed enough just being alive." text ~ text Yeah. text And more than that, the problem is---- text "And second. text Why is SHIKI alive?" text Glare. text I unconsciously let hostility slip into my stare as I look at her. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san.... that's...." text "It's strange that he's still alive. text SHIKI lost to his Tohno blood and did this inversion thing, didn't he? text And he killed me and was struck down by the old man. text Then----he shouldn't be alive." text "------That----um." text "There's really only one possibility. text Just like I recovered, he must've recovered. text .... Well, maybe my old man didn't kill him. text After all, no matter how insane he was, it was still his son. text So maybe he didn't kill him and hid him from the eyes of everyone else. text Just like how I was sent to the hospital." text ~ text Akiha doesn't answer. text .... It seems I wasn't off the mark. text ".... I see. text The old man probably intended to call him back to the mansion when SHIKI regained his sanity." text "That.... that isn't----" text True? text But she can't say it. text She only silently looks downwards. bgload BG_40C.png text ".... It's okay. text It isn't your fault, or the old man's. text Of course, not SHIKI's either. text It really all just sort of happened. text It was just bad luck that some insane guy from overseas entered SHIKI. text You said everything went crazy, but that's all that happened." text ~ text Akiha doesn't respond. text ~ text ----I'm a little tired. text ~ text To be honest, I didn't want to know anything about myself. text More than that, I have to find Arcueid right now. text ".... Akiha. text I'm a little tired. text I'm gonna sleep, so could you please leave?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".......... Yes, if you say so, Nii-san." text Akiha heads towards the door. bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text "----Akiha." text There's still one thing left to ask, so I call after her. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "What is it, Nii-san?" text "Yeah. text .... Why did you call me back here? text I'm not even your real brother." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text ".... Please don't say such foolish things. text You are my only Nii-san. text Now and back then, even if you forgot, from when we were little----To Tohno Akiha, you are my only Nii-san, Shiki." bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text The door clicks shut as Akiha exits my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text ".........." text After she's gone, I finally realize my situation. text ~ text It's just past ten. text It's been three hours since SHIKI----no, Roa attacked me at school. text I still can't move at all. text I feel like my body is a remote control robot. text My mind's working and I don't even feel any pain, but I can't move my arms or legs. text *sigh* text I take a deep breath to calm down. text I can't move because I'm trying to move large things like my arms or legs. text First I'll start small. text Like the little finger on my right hand. text I concentrate on trying to move it. text "--------Ggah." text I focus all the power in my body to my little finger. text My whole body starts to break out in a sweat. text After few minutes, I finally move my little finger. text It's just my little finger, but it gets the momentum going. text As if forcing my nerves to remember the sense of movement, I go from my ring finger, to my palm, to my elbow, to my arm, and to my shoulder until I increase the parts of my body able to move. text ~ text I start to pant. text ~ text The more I can move, the more pain fills me. text I see----I didn't feel pain because my whole body was numb. text Restoring my nerves like this means pain returns at the same time. text "G.... ah....!" text Sweat trickles from my forehead. text Pain shoots through my body like countless blades. text But if I can't move on my own, I won't be able to leave my room. text ~ text Leave my room, go into town, go to school. text I won't be able to find Arcueid. text "Gah----argh....!" text Resisting the urge to puke, I lift my upper body. text .... It would take all my effort just to walk in this condition, but I don't care. text In the first place it's a miracle I'm alive after Roa stabbed me in the chest. text If I wished for any more luck, karma would probably punish me. text ~ text I look at the knife wound on my chest. text ----And, text I don't see the point indicating death on my chest anywhere. text "..........?" text I calm down slightly. text Come to think of it----if he hit the point of death, I would have died instantly. text Not even Nrvnqsr's immortal, monstrous body could escape it. text So there's no way someone like me would walk away from it alive. text ~ text "----Maybe what he sees is different?" text As I ponder this, text a light knock sounds at my door and Senpai enters the room. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T10B.png 52 0 text "----To, Tohno-kun!? text You were told to rest, so why are you up....!?" bgload BG_40C.png text She forcefully walks toward my bed. text "................" text For now, I wordlessly watch her. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "....? text What is it, Tohno-kun? text Is there something on my face?" text "No, you just aren't wearing your glasses.." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Yes, it is a pity. text Yours and mine made such a good set together." text .... As she smiles like this even now, I can't help but think Senpai will always be Senpai. text Even though she's wearing those priestly robes and can fight evenly with Roa, she'll always be the Senpai I know. text ".... Thanks. text You saved me once again." text "Yes, that makes it three times. text I won't keep lending you a hand so please be more careful." text ".... I see. text Got it, I'll be prepared. text Next time I'll be sure to get him before he gets me." text After I say this Senpai looks directly at me. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun.... don't tell you have not learned from experience yet?" text ".... Hey now. text I'm the victim here, why did I have to learn? text He was the one who attacked me, so I can't do anything about it." text "That's true.... but Tohno-kun, you're certainly set on finishing this." text "................" text I don't respond. text I don't know if I'm set on finishing this like she says. text It's just----I can't just sit around and do nothing right now. text "----Senpai, I have a question if that's alright." text ".... No. text But even if I said that, you wouldn't stop anyway. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text Alright. text If that makes you calm down, it's a good price to pay. text Then let's talk, shall we?" text Senpai sits in the chair Akiha was in earlier. text .... I thought she'd try to stop me right away, but I don't know what she's thinking. text "Then I'll ask. text That guy before was Roa, wasn't he?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... Yes. text That is his host this time. text The same Tohno SHIKI who plundered your life eight years ago. text .... You heard about that from Akiha-san?" text "Yeah, I heard. text .... Are you friends with her or something, Senpai? text She seems to hate you though." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Yes, I am hated. text She despises my job of hunting heretics, and it seems she does not like me either. text Um, it seems to be a rather remarkable hatred." text .... She amazingly says this all with a smile. text "----Oh. text Well, that's another matter. text Back to Roa, his lair is at our school?" text ".... I can't say exactly, but it seems like the school building is his lair. text I think he has started to move on his own because Arcueid killed all of his Dead." text "............" text In other words, Arcueid hasn't found him yet. text If so----then there's still a chance of me finding her. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun?" text "Uh---nothing. text But why would he set up at my school? text .... No, in the first place, he seems more like SHIKI than Roa. text He didn't seem like a vampire at all. text Just what does it all mean?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "It doesn't mean anything other than the source of his character is SHIKI. text Of course he doesn't act like a vampire." text "....? text Hold on, SHIKI is Roa's host, right? text Then his personality is Roa's, so wouldn't he start acting less like a human....?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... No, not at all. text Okay, Tohno-kun. text The body Roa reincarnated into is raised as a different person with a different character. text Unless he matures as a human until Roa awakens, he will not be able to use his intelligence as Roa. text But after Roa awoke within him, Roa's principles follow that of the host." text "Then that guy is unmistakably SHIKI, and there's none of Roa's personality at all?" text ".... Yes. text In a way, Roa doesn't exactly exist anymore. text What does exist is the conceptualization of Roa's desire for immortality. text What's troublesome is the steady accumulation of wills, of history, of magical knowledge, all parts of this malicious conceptualization. text For Roa, as long as he can continue his thesis on immortality, he doesn't care what else he does. text "Roa increases his Dead, but it's really more like a instinct in a species to 'breed children'. text SHIKI's true desire and what Roa really wants to do are completely different from each other. text ".... What SHIKI.. really wants to do...." text "Yes. text Probably, his desire to kill you is far greater than any conciliation with Arcueid." text "------Wha..?" text I don't get at all what she's trying to say. text "Why would he want to kill me?" text ".... Hmm, it's hard to say, but SHIKI thinks you killed him." text "What do you mean? text I'm the one who was killed, he's got it all backwards." text "But you are alive, Tohno-kun, and SHIKI was killed. text In the end, you became Tohno Shiki, did you not? text After SHIKI received judgment from the Tohno family, he had a miraculous recovery just like yours. text However, he didn't have his house to return to. text Because Tohno Shiki was very much alive, living with his sister Akiha-san." text "In a way----you killed Tohno SHIKI. text You took away his only place to return to. text Being hid away by Tohno Makihisa while you lived in his place.. you can only imagine how SHIKI felt." text ".... To SHIKI, I'm just an impostor who is using the name Tohno SHIKI?" text "Yes, which is why SHIKI hates you more than anything, Tohno-kun." bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text But----I didn't do so because I wanted to. text ~ text But I guess SHIKI doesn't care about that. text To him, I'm the hated impostor who stole everything away. text The man who stole his home. text Without any abatement, he lived and seethed in hatred these past eight years. text .... So of course he wants to kill me. text "--But, I was still the one killed, Senpai." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno.... kun?" text ~ text Yeah, I had things stolen from me too. text Eight years ago I was nine years old. text Back then, the Shiki who lived up until that time disappeared without a trace. text I can't recall my past too well. text I don't have this urge to meet my true parents, but I can't even remember any treasured memories I may have had. text ~ text Whoever Shiki had been, he is nowhere to be found---- text ~ text "Tohno-kun. text You can't fight because of hatred." text .... As if sensing the danger in my words, Senpai warns me. text I tell her not to be ridiculous as I shake my head. text "That's not it. text I have to deal with Roa for a different reason." text "You don't.. hate him....?" text "I'd be lying if I said no, but it doesn't really matter. text I just can't let him run loose by himself, because if I do that, the princess would try too hard. text That's why I have to help her. text I promised her I'd help to the very end." text ~ text ----That's right. text Which is why I can't be resting here by myself. text She's always----going through so much pain yet tries to act so cheerful in front of me. text ".... I just can't understand. text Why do you support her so much? text Arcueid is a vampire, isn't she different from you?" text "----I don't care about that. text All I know is I love her. text That's enough reason for me to help her." text Looking at Senpai's eyes, I speak directly. bgload BG_40C.png text Senpai brings her hand to her mouth as if moved and blushes for some reason. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "----I see. text You're saying you will help her to the very end, Tohno-kun?" text "Yeah. text I don't have time to waste. text If Roa is at my school, I have to leave right away----" text Otherwise Arcueid might try and fight Roa. text If that happens, her safety isn't guaranteed. text ~ text So I have to lend her a hand. text I don't know how much use I can be, but it has to be better than Arcueid by herself. text "----It is hopeless. text Even if you were able to move fully, she isn't able to match Roa in her present state." text "Not able to match him.... how do you know about that, Senpai?" text "A simple calculation. text She is already suppressing the urge to drink blood which she fell victim to before. text This reduces her power so much she couldn't even stand up to a half-powered Roa. text Your power is less than half of Roa's, so you can't match him even if you worked together. text ".... In the first place, she is very close to death. text Her power is weak, and she's using that to suppress the impulse within herself. text It would be like us moving around after having our lungs smashed." text "Wha------" text What do you mean? text Close to death.. why? text Certainly she was in pain, but she didn't look close to death at all....! text "Of course, that is all because she is resisting the urge to drink blood. text It would be easier if she drank it. text But I don't think she would ever do that, so as long as she pursues Roa in her present state, she is racing towards death." text "That.... that's just, ridiculous....!" bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text I stand up from my bed. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png text I fall to the floor instantly. text Without even catching myself, like a piece of trash hitting the carpet. text "Ha----ghh....!" text How----how weak. text Arcueid is in such a desperate situation, but I----I'm so weak I can't even walk. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Please don't force yourself, Tohno-kun. text Even though you are not wounded, your energy is practically all gone. text It's probably Roa's host, SHIKI's ability. text Just being stabbed by a knife shaved some of your 'life' away." text ".... My.... life....?" text "Think of it as your energy which allows you to live. text It is infinite, but exhaustible. text It is produced as long as one lives, but the amount able to be stored varies from individual to individual. text So the amount of life that can be taken away from a body is limited. text Before we use up all the energy we have accumulated, we draw more from this unlimited source. text So if there was a way to steal all the accumulated energy in a single instant, the person wouldn't even have the minimal energy needed to draw in more energy from this unlimited source, and all life activity would cease." bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ~ text .... Life. text Life, which uses life. text ".... Then.... things use it to live....?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "That's true, you can't exactly call it death. text It's more like a car that has no gasoline; it can't run." text Saying that, she helps me stand up and moves as if to tuck me in to bed. text ".... Enough, I'm not going to lie down." text "What are you saying when you can't even stand by yourself? text If you don't want to lie down, then please stay like that." text She pushes me down and I forcefully sit on the bed. text ".... Ha.... ah." text Just sitting up like this leaves me out of breath. text "--Sh----it." text In this state, I can't make it to school. text Even if I was able to see Arcueid, I'll just be a burden on her like this....! bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "You don't have to fight anymore, Tohno-kun. text It will all be settled in a matter of a few days." text "----? text Se.... ttled, what do you...." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Because I have found the reincarnation of Roa, the Vatican.... um, our headquarters, has approved my request. text Within seven days the Burial Agency, under direct control of His Holiness the Pope, will arrive and put an end to Roa. text .... In the end, it will mean just another continuation of the cycle, but this instance of Roa will be dealt with." bgload BG_40C.png text .... Seven days. text Seven days....!? text ~ text ".... No, I can't wait that long. text Even now Arcueid might be trying to settle things with Roa. text Then----it'll all be meaningless....!?" text I force strength back into my legs. text Deceiving myself into ignoring my ragged breathing, I stand up from my bed. text ".... Senpai. text My knife, where is it?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "I have it, but----do you think I will give it to you, Tohno-kun?" text ".... No, but you shouldn't keep other people's things, Senpai. text Isn't it common courtesy to hand back dropped things to their owners?" text After saying I'm right, Senpai rustles through her pockets and brings forth my knife. text "Because this dagger is yours, I will return it. text But you really intend on going back to the school, Tohno-kun?" text "----Yeah. text Before Arcueid finds Roa, I have to----" text ~ text kill him. text If SHIKI's objective is to get me, I can't escape a fight to the death anyway. text So----in order to protect Arcueid, I'll go kill Roa myself. text "In your condition? text .... I just don't understand. text Please tell me why you're so into her. text If you tell me, I won't stop you." text .... Senpai asks me the same thing as before. text Her look is calm and sincere. text She really does want to know. text "----I----" text Why I want to help her. text Because I like her? text Or because being with her was fun? text .... Yeah, those are really important too. text ~ text But, it's deeper than that. text There's something I can't let go. text ".... Because she's by herself. text I can't just leave her alone. text I think that's why." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "----That's a lie. text You can't risk your life because of that. text Please answer seriously, Tohno-kun. text .... I can't understand that kind of reason." text "No, it really is my reason. text .... Until now she's been alone, she never even knew what it was like to have fun. text Always, almost foolishly isolated. text Isn't it too lonely? text I won't allow such a meaningless life. text So----" text So I just.. want her to know. text That there's so many things to do in this world , and although most of it is useless and meaningless, text knowing those is part of the fun of being alive. text Such things even a child knows, ---- text ".... I just, wanted to tell her. text Even though she smiles like she's enjoying herself immensely, I wanted to show her anyone can have that. text I wanted to show her over and over this world has more----even more enjoyable things, enough to make any hardships seem like nothing. text To be able to feel all the normal things as something normal----I wanted to make her happy." text ~ text So she can truly smile all the time. text Because I like Arcueid's smile. text "Isn't that right? text As much as she hasn't been saved until now, I want to make her so many more, many more times happier. text I have to at least balance it out. text In the first place, it's so simple to end her solitude." text ~ text .... Yeah, it's very simple. text Just speak with someone and do what you want to do. text ".... And I know anyone can do it. text Someone else can make her happy. text So----certainly, with my body in this pitiful state, there's no need for me to act this desperately. text Someone else could just make her not solitary." text ~ text .... I know that. text I know, but it's not all logic. text "----But I can't. text I can't let someone else do it, and I can't part with her like this. text .... For me, there's no one else besides her." text ~ text Because, text Arcueid is the only one in this world I want to make happy. text ".... I love Arcueid." text I love her as a man, I love everything about her. text ~ text "But more than that, I want to make her happy with my own hands. text For that, it doesn't matter what happens to my life. text I don't want her to die like this. text ----Right now, that's all there is, Senpai." text ~ text .... Yeah, that's all. text She's more precious to me than my own life right now---- bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... Please don't say such stupid things. text No one else can do that. text It seems you're the only one in this world who can even say that." text Senpai shrugs her arms after a big sigh. text "----Senpai." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text ".... It makes me a little angry. text She is happy enough already." text As if she is giving up something, text Senpai speaks with gentle voice. text ~ text ~ text ----And then, text I hear the rustle of tree branches from outside the window. music ~ text "....!?" text "Oh, you don't need to be surprised, she was just leaving. text I felt something out of place before, so I guess it was that after all." text Senpai casts a glance out the window. text "It isn't like her to put a higher priority on you than Roa. text ----Well, if she gave more priority to Roa after such a speech, she'd deserve some divine punishment." text "........ Eh?" text Then that means.. text Arcueid was outside my window until just now? text "Why----would Arcueid come to my room, Senpai....!?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "She came to check up on you because she was worried after Roa attacked you. text She must have heard what we were talking about and left for Roa." text ~ text ----In other words, text she went to settle things with Roa? text "Wha----she went, why....!?" text "Of course. text After hearing something like that, even I would have done the same thing. text .... Yeah, I'm envious, but I pity her just as much." text "----But, how come----" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "You want to help her, but she doesn't want to get you involved. text So----there's only one answer, right?" text Senpai acts calm as if she knew this would happen. text "So now you can give up, right Tohno-kun? text No matter how hard you try you can't catch up to her. text So leave the rest to me, and rest...." text "----Like hell!" bgload BG_40C.png text I wildly grab onto Senpai's collar. text Just that makes me dizzy, but I don't care. text "You asked me knowing this would happen, Senpai----!?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... No, I didn't know you saw her that way. text .... Certainly this was a mistake on my part." text But her expression doesn't change. text She looks down at me gently as I clutch her collar. text "----------" text .... Doing this accomplishes nothing. text Arcueid is already gone. text What I should be doing isn't blaming Senpai. text "----I'm going after her. text Take me there." text "Do you think I'll follow an order from a person in your condition?" text Yeah, of course I don't think so. text "If you don't listen to me, I'll rape you right here." bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "----" text Her expression collapses. text She casts a look as if staring directly into my heart. text But now, I can't back down. text "----------" bgload BG_40C.png text And then, text Senpai gives yet another sigh. bgload BG_40C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Your proposition is intriguing, but I'll pass. text It was my mistake, and I've gone this far already. text I'll stay with you till the last stop." text She pulls back from my hands and steps over next to me. text "I will take you there, so please be quiet." text "Eh----?" bgload BG_40C.png text I don't have time to be surprised. text Giving a slight heave, she picks me up. text "If Akiha-san sees us she would try to stop us, so shall we use the same method as she did?" text "Eh----eh!?" text A light footstep, text and we fly out the window as Senpai holds me. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01C.png text .... We arrive at school. text Even though she was carrying me, Senpai isn't even out of breath, and she ran as swiftly as if she was sprinting by herself. text "Tohno-kun, can you walk?" text "----Barely. text We're going to kill Roa, so we can't go in like this." text "That's true. text Then please walk on your own from here." text Senpai lowers me to the ground. text "------" text The school is eerily quiet. text Once we go inside, all that's left is a fight to the death. text I take off my glasses after a deep breath. bgload BG_01D.png text ~ text My head starts to pound. text In addition to not being able to move myself fully, I feel really sick. bgload BG_01D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... This isn't good." text Senpai looks up at the night sky with a serious expression. bgload IMA_02.png text A full moon. text The radiant moonlight illuminates the school grounds. bgload BG_01D.png text ".... What isn't good?" bgload BG_01D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... Yes, the True Ancestors are said to be originally from the moon, so they gain much strength from the moon. text This is the same for Roa, as a Dead Apostle under the True Ancestors, so he is practically immortal tonight. text .... With my current equipment, I may not be able to fully kill him." text She grits her teeth. text ----Practically immortal? text But that doesn't mean a thing to me. text If I can get close. text Even if in the next instant I'll be stabbed in the chest once more, if I can get close----I can pierce his "death". text "----It's very bright tonight. text It will be difficult to conceal ourselves in darkness. text .... I'm rather fond of moonlit nights, but it's a little different tonight." text Senpai sighs. text ~ text .... The pale shining moonlight and the frigid night air. text I can even see the lines of death growing. text ~ text "Really? text I don't like moonlit nights." text "Tohno-kun....?" bgload BG_01D.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Creak. text My brain creaks. text ".... Rather than in sunshine, I can unpleasantly see everything clearly in the weak moonlight. text I like the strong sunshine that erases everything, or a real darkness." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Creak. text Not pain, but my brain actually does start creaking. text "Man----It seems like I'll go especially crazy tonight. text Everything seems to die easily, it's like I'm in the deserts of the moon." text ~ text ----But, with this, text there's no way I'll miss Roa's "death" either. bgload BG_01C.png text I put my glasses back on. text Gripping my knife, I walk towards the school building. bgload BG_03C.png text I pass through the front entrance. text Even walking normally is difficult. text The distance to the school building seems incredibly long. bgload BG_03C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, we'll split up here." text Senpai says this suddenly. text "From here on, please go ahead by yourself. text I will be doing something else." text ".... Something else----Senpai, you're going to do something?" text "Now look, even my goal is to deal with Roa. text It seems this Roa is stronger than his previous hosts, so I can't face him directly. bgload BG_03C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text When you and Arcueid are killed by Roa, I will use that opening to dispose of him." text She says this directly with a serious expression. text ".... You really seem serious, Senpai." text "Yes. text That was the last time I'm letting personal circumstance enter my work. text You're fighting for her, aren't you, Tohno-kun? text Like that, I also have my reasons. text So from now on----I cannot help you." text "Oh........ yeah, thanks, Senpai. text Since this might be goodbye, let me say I liked you, Senpai. text It was fun spending time with you and Arihiko talking about stupid things." bgload BG_03C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "----Yes, it was like a dream for me too." bgload BG_03C.png text Senpai disappears towards the building like a black shadow. text "Well------time to go?" text I push my body which hurts every time I move, and I run into the school building. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_10C.png music 06.mp3 sound SE_01.wav -1 text .... The school building is full of cracks. text As if a small typhoon was let loose inside, and they shift higher and higher. text It seems the fight between Arcueid and Roa already began. text ~ text ".... Upstairs....!" text I spit this out as I dash up the stairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11C.png text I gasp for air. text I make it to the fourth floor. text The cracks running through the walls continue down the hallway----and to the passageway which connects the two buildings. text "Damn------it!" text I somehow manage to move my wavering legs and run towards the connecting passageway. bgload IMA_10.png text I pass through the hallway and reach its intersection with that passageway. text ~ text ----That's the last stop. text ~ bgload BG_49.png text In the middle of the passageway, text two figures are glaring at each other from a distance. text ~ text SHIKI stands at the end of the passageway reaching to the nearby building, wide open. text ~ text And in the very center, Arcueid is kneeling on the floor breathing hard---- text "Arcueid----!" text I start to dash towards her, text but before then, bgload BG_49.png setimg ARK_T23.png 36 0 text Arcueid, still kneeling, looks up at me intensely. bgload BG_49.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_49.png text "............!?" text I can't move....!? text The instant her eyes fixate on me, my body----as if it became stone, doesn't move at all....! bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "----How awful, binding your friend with your Mystic Eyes like that. text It would have been okay for you to let him die with you." text Hehehehe. text SHIKI----no, Roa, laughs amusedly. bgload BG_49.png text "Mystic Eyes----why?" text Why is Arcueid using this on me? text Finally. text Even though I finally made it here on time---- text "----Why? text Why, Arcueid....!!" text ~ text Arcueid looks away from me and directs her gaze at Roa. text .... She doesn't say anything. text She doesn't say anything to me. text She only glares at the enemy in front of her as she breathes painfully. text "Why----why----" text I can't even shout out. text Not because of her Mystic Eyes, text but I've finally made it here. text Cursing my ineffectiveness, my body which I forced for so long starts to lose its heat. text ~ text Roa laughs loudly as he watches the two of us. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "----I see. text You are finally prepared, Princess!?" text Roa leisurely walks over to Arcueid. text Arcueid remains kneeled, unmoving. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "My my, you're pretty good, Shiki. text It seems the princess here is going to fight me to save you. text If it were the former princess, you would be terrifying, but you are now just a regular vampire. text You don't even have the power of a True Ancestor anymore. text ----Geez, it would have been better if only you fell to your desires." text "Quiet!" text Arcueid's voice echoes through the hallway. text ----What is this? text If it's not a hallucination----everything around Arcueid starts to waver. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "Wha----" text Roa stops walking forward. text "----Marble Phantasm? text You can still use that? text As to be expected from the royalty of the True Ancestors." text Roa retreats fearfully. text "However, you cannot win against me. text Because I have something you lack." text "------" text Arcueid stops breathing. text As if ceasing all movement in order to gather up all her strength. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "You know, don't you? text Right, it is the experience of death. text I know what death is, but you do not. text That is our difference. text .... Well, as long as something is alive, it cannot experience death. text The only one who knows is probably only an infinite reincarnator like me." text ~ text .... The wavering of everything around Arcueid grows stronger. text "Humans are instinctually afraid of the unknown. text This does not change even for transcendent races like the True Ancestors. text No matter how much of the occult you study, no matter how long-lived you are, you cannot experience death. text You all gain so much power by resisting death, but at the same time it is the source of your weakness. text You run away from death whereas I accept it. text That is the difference in nature between you, Arcueid Brunestud, and I, Michael Roa Valdamjong. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "Even now I live as a human in this age. text An out-of-place ghost like yourself has no right to judge me." text ~ text Crack. text The glass along the passageway starts to break. text "----I know. text About death. text About the darkness. text The nothingness which I have journeyed through so many times----! text To me, death is little more than a common ritual. text Let's say you destroy this body right here. text I'll still remain in this world. text Why don't you understand it's useless to fight me?" text Roa spreads his arms higher. text Arcueid doesn't answer. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "---Alright. text If you still insist on challenging me, I will not stop you. text Your resistance will be rewarded." bgload BG_49.png text Roa lowers his arms and crouches. text Everything around Arcueid seems to burst apart any minute now. text "A------" text I can't speak. text This isn't good. text My brain screams to me. text I shouldn't let this happen. text ~ text I don't know why, I don't even have proof. text Just, I, someone who has seen lots of death, can tell. text Roa and Arcueid. text Which one of them is closer to death. text "St----op." text .... I can't speak. text I, can't. text ~ text ----Crack! text ~ text The sound of the air itself ripping apart. text The warping of Arcueid's surroundings propagates along the entire passageway. music ~ bgload BG_49.png text The entire hallway pulses. text The glass windows, the walls, the hallway, the whole building. text They become roiling waves, as if they were a shredder with tens, hundreds, thousands, no, a countless number of blades. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 text "Gi------!" bgload BG_49.png text In a single instant, Roa's body disappears. text Distorted, sliced, compressed. text All that remains are his ankles. bgload BG_49.png text The sliding of the hallway ceases. text Maybe it only lasted a moment. text The passageway is like it was before. text Only all that's left are Roa's ankles. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But, it didn't end there. sound ~ text "A------" text ~ text The ankles start to move. text They start to run towards Arcueid. text ~ text As they do, text with each step, a leg, his hips, his other leg, his torso, his arms sprout to life. bgload BG_49.png setimg ARK_T18.png 36 0 text "------" text Arcueid is still kneeling, not moving. text Directly in front of her, text Roa's neck and head come back into being. text "Ar------" text I couldn't warn her in time. text The completely regenerated Roa slices through her stomach. text Like cutting cleanly through the "line", with no slicing of flesh, no flowing of blood. bgload BG_49.png bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text "----That was close. text I knew it was correct to choose tonight. text If the moon was waning even the slightest bit, I could not have regenerated from just an ankle." text "--------" text "And princess, you cannot regenerate from that wound. text My claws have the same ability as that man over there." text ~ text Thud. text Arcueid collapses to the floor. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "----This is the power I got from experiencing death. text Ironically, I did not know how to use this myself. text But he taught me. text For someone who has seen death, perceiving its form was not difficult." bgload BG_49.png text Roa boasts as he kicks Arcueid. text Her body tumbles towards me. text "Arcueid....!" text I can move again. text ~ text ----It's because the power behind her Mystic Eyes has vanished. text ~ text .... It means her power is no longer working. text "----Damn!" text Shaking the thought from my mind, I hold her close. bgload IMA_10.png text ----A chill runs through me the instant I hold her. text Her body is terribly cold. text The only heat left within her is like a candle about to go out. text Roa still stands before us. text But, I don't care about that. text Right now----I just want to help Arcueid. bgload event/ARK_E07.png music 07.mp3 text "Arcueid----!" text I call out to her. text Her closed eyes open energetically, as if waking from a dream. text "Aha----that was very lame, wasn't it?" text With patchwork brightness, text Arcueid puts forth a strained smile. text "You.... what kind of stupid things are you saying? text Why----why did----" text .... I can't speak clearly. text I wanted to say something more, something better, but my brain doesn't work. text I can't be calm now. text As I hold her, the lack of lingering warmth in her body tells me it's hopeless. text If I took off my glasses----there's no doubt I would see something even more hopeless. text ~ text ----More than anything else, text I don't want to see that. text "Why----why, why----" text It's all I can manage to say. text Exasperated at myself, text I hold her tightly. text ~ text .... There's no embrace in response. text She doesn't have any strength left in her. text All she does is smile happily. text "No------!" text This can't be happening. text "----Why----why did----why did you do it all by yourself....! text We're partners, we said we'd help each other----to the very end....! text ".... Oh yeah.... that's right, yeah. text I.... kind of forgot." text "How can you forget....! text This--this makes me useless. text I said I would help you. text I said I would definitely help you----but I couldn't even help one bit." text ".... No, that's not it at all Shiki. text You've helped me more than enough. text .... That's why.. it's.. enough.. already." text ~ text Cough. text She coughs up blood and smiles painfully. text ".... So.. I wanted to.. thank you. text In the end, I'm glad.. I was able.. to protect you.. from Roa." text "------" text I gasp. text .... Arcueid's glazed over eyes don't see anything. text Not her wound, or even Roa who still lives. text ~ text .... Her time. text Since attacking a while ago, ended right then. text "Ah----y-yeah. text Thanks. text Than.. ks." text I can't. text I can't even lie properly. text ~ text .... The light in her eyes is fading. text Her body warmth is rapidly approaching zero. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----I'm going to lose. text Am I going to lose her like this? text ".... Ar.. cueid." text "----Y, yes?" text ".... Drink my blood. text If you do that, you'll get your power back....!" text .... Not even thinking, I scream that out. text "........" text She doesn't answer. text But slightly, text ~ text she shakes her head. text "----Why!? text Don't tell me you're still scared? text Look, you said it before, right? text You asked what if birds or fish had the same amount of intelligence, could I eat them? text I would. text If it meant I would live, I would. text Isn't stealing things from others to live a natural law of the world....!?" text That's what she said herself back then. text So why? text Why does she just shake her head with those pitiful eyes? text "I.. don't like.. talking about 'what ifs'." text A denial. text But that was----my line back then. text But she said before.. text She likes playing 'What if'. text Because it feels like there's hope. text "---Really? text I, like what ifs. text Even if it is sugarcoating things. text I feel--there's always.. some hope.." text isn't there? text But I can't finish. text My throat is just so tight. text I can't.. speak properly. text ".... That's true.... But right now, there's.. something else I want more." text With a wavering voice, I ask her what it is. text "Yeah.... I want.. you to kiss me.. Shiki.." text ~ text ----What? text Such a simple thing? text Is that alright? text I press my lips to hers. text It isn't sweet like before, or gentle. text Just, text a kiss where I press my lips against her cold lips without any warmth. text ~ text After that, text she smiles as if extremely happy. text ".... I always.. wanted to do.. something like that." text ".... Oh? text You really like strange things." text ".... Yes, but I'm still happy. text Just that.. felt so good. text I've lived for so long.. but I've never been this happy like I am now." text ~ text ----So text ~ text "I kind of thought to myself.. maybe.. disappearing like this might be good." text After murmuring such a thing, text all warmth disappears from her body. music ~ bgload BG_49.png text "Ar.... cueid....?" text There's no response. text Even though her body is still here.. text Even though her body is still this soft.. text Even though I still remember the sound of her voice in my ears.. text ~ text ----Never again. text None of this will ever happen again. text "A----------" text What have I been doing? text .... I wanted to make her happy. text I wanted to teach her so many things. text I wanted to take her to so many places. text ~ text I wanted to be with her forever. text But, it can never happen. text "----------" text She's done it. text No matter how you look at it, there's nothing more. text Suddenly, before I could say the right thing, she went off and passed away by herself. text For my entire life------I won't be able to forget this. text This death. text This maddening calmness. text I'll never forget it. text ~ text Tap. text ~ text I hear the footsteps of the man who was watching it all. text "Finished, Shiki?" text "Yeah, it's finished." text ~ text ----Answering, text I turn towards my enemy. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_49.png music 09.mp3 text We face each other in the moonlit hallway. text Roa doesn't move from the spot where Arcueid was before. text He was watching everything silently, probably because he knew he was in a dominant position. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "I didn't think you were still alive." text Roa says this casually as if nothing has happened. text ~ text ----I take off my glasses and ready my knife. text "It seems those who can see death are good at escaping death. text It isn't a matter of the strength or weakness of your life. text ----However. text Normally, people call that useless effort." text ".... You're one to talk. text You and I, we've already died once." text "Exactly," Roa says as he smiles. text "Those returning from the dead can understand death. text You and I are special cases of that kind. text I've experienced death seventeen times before I got to this----but you've only done it once. text Honestly, it must be the difference in our latent ability. text I am really curious what kind of ability it would have been if I had reincarnated in your body." text ~ text ----A bothersome, overly-composed voice. text Just hearing it makes my head hurt. text ".... I have two things to ask you, and one thing to tell you." text I manage to say this while my head fills with pain. bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "----Oh? text Alright, go ahead." text Probably because he's so absolutely confident in his dominating position, text Roa responds amusedly. text ".... The first question is the most important. text You----why did you kill Arcueid?" text "Why? text She was trying to kill me, so wasn't it natural to kill her back? bgload BG_49.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text Well----the one I desired wasn't this weak princess who came here. text My current self could have taken apart the princess while she lived. text But there's no point in taking in a True Ancestor no different from a regular vampire. text So I figured there was no value in taking her in, and decided to settle it. text Even I'm disappointed with the way things have turned out." text Kuku. text Twisting his lips, the "enemy" laughs. text ----My head, hurts. text Hurry----I have to kill him as fast as possible. text I can't stand him "existing" a single second longer. text "Well, what do you plan on doing now? text Don't tell me you think you can fight me in your condition? text Resisting is useless, Shiki." text ~ text .... I know that more than anyone else. text Dizziness causes me to collapse to my knees. text But still----even if I don't have any power left to even stand, I gaze at him. bgload BG_49B.png bgload BG_49B.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "Enough, enough. text Even if you see my 'death', if you can't touch me it's meaningless. text You know, Shiki. text I'm rating your ability rather highly. text .... Yes, it seems SHIKI's personality is fading away. text Since he has avenged you, I'm more Roa than SHIKI now. text Well, it doesn't really matter." text ~ text Roa takes another step forward. bgload BG_49B.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "Isn't this power wonderful, Shiki? text You should be happy. text We're probably the only ones who possess the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception in the entire world. text It would be a shame to lose such a rare ability, and more than anything else, we're the same entity. text We can understand each other more than anyone else. text There's no other partner who would assure me as you." text ".... You're trying to tell me to be your partner?" bgload BG_49B.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "No, not asking, I'm letting. text I don't care about what you want. text That would only get in the way. text You can relax----After I drink your blood and plunder even your soul, I'll make you into an existence where you won't hesitate to use your power." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----The gritting of my teeth. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_49B.png text ".... I see. text Then the next question. text What you see, are they lines or points? text No, I'll make it simpler. text You can only see it on living things, right? text You can't possibly see it on anything else." text ".... Hm? text Of course, non-living things don't have any life. text Only living things have this 'place' indicating the source of life." text "----I thought so. text I understand completely, vampire." text ~ text I grip my knife. text The headache completely governs the inside of my brain, and all I can see is one thing. bgload BG_49B.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ".... You're not being clear and those aren't really fitting final words.... but enough talk. text There's also the hiding woman from the Church I have to deal with. text ----You're lucky, Shiki. text Once I make you my subordinate, your first opponent will be that woman you trust." bgload BG_49B.png text ~ text Roa approaches. text My wavering vision isn't fixated on his figure. text "--What you and I see are totally different, SHIKI." text ~ text In the back of my head, text a switch turns on. text "All you're seeing is life. text You don't understand death at all. text That's why you can't kill me, and you're only able to kill a weakened woman." text ~ text My brain reaches a white heat. text ~ text "----Wha.. t?" text "If you could see death, you couldn't maintain your sanity. text All you can perceive is the part which keeps things alive. text If you could see death----you couldn't even manage to stand." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----To give an example, it is the world on the moon. text Everything is like a desolate wasteland. text The seam of death on everything I see. text Events of the world which disappear when I touch them. text "What----are you...." text ".... Being able to see the 'death' of things means you are forced to see the world's uncertainty and fragility. text The ground is like it's not there, and the sky seems about to fall at any moment." text "What are----what are you talking about?" text Roa's voice falters. text .... Of course. text Because he can't even understand the slightest bit of what I'm saying. text ~ text In other words----his eyes and mine may be similar, but they're completely different things. text "----Stop it. text Those eyes----don't look at me with those eyes." text ~ text Fear mixes into Roa's voice. text He even said it himself. text Humans are instinctually afraid of the unknown. text ".... You don't know of the illusion that the whole world could perish in an instant. text ----That is what it means to see death. text These eyes, this power isn't something you can boast about like you did." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Yeah, back then, I was even scared of walking. text Even I would----If I hadn't met that person, I would have long since been insane. text "That's your mistake, vampire. text Life and death may be back to back, but they will never face each other." text "I'm telling you----don't look at me with those eyes....!" text The sound of running footsteps. text But, I'm many times faster. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "----I'll show you. text This is what it means to kill something." text Saying that, text I thrust through the hallway's "point" on the floor. bgload BG_49B.png text Instantaneously----the lines racing through the passageway undulate. text ~ text "Wha------!" text Even the sound of Roa's screaming voice is buried amidst the crashing rubble. bgload IMA_10.png text The passageway is literally killed. text The blocks which lost their meaning break apart and crumble away. text ~ text For Roa, it must have been a total surprise attack. text ~ text Pulled down by the destruction of the hallway and the collapsing rubble, Roa falls to the earth. text "............" text In front of my very eyes, the passageway crumbles away. text Enduring the pain in my head and the burning in my body, I head to the stairs. text ~ text ".........." text I head past Arcueid's corpse and hurry to the courtyard. bgload IMA_02.png music ~ text .... Under the moonlight. text The courtyard under the passageway has become a sea of rubble. text In its center, something moves. text "............" text He really is sly when dealing with death. text I pull my almost collapsing body towards it. bgload IMA_10.png text .... He's really something. text The lower half of Roa's body is almost completely gone. text Yet coming out from underneath the rubble, the upper half of his body still moves, ignoring that fact. text This amount of life may almost be something worthy of respect. text "----What, was that?" text Quivering, Roa wonders aloud. text Walking on top of the rubble, I move directly in front of him. text "----Shiki." text Roa lifts his head to look at me. text His eyes seem to practically ooze with hatred. text "----You, monster." text His voice equally full of indignant hatred. text "Who is?" text Replying, I stand in front of him. text Roa's "death" is just a little right of his heart. text I lightly thrust my knife forward. text A sensation like piercing paper. text That feeling is indeed "death". text ~ text Ah text ~ text Roa gives a small scream. text .... He's someone who has experienced death. text He should know this feeling really well. text ".... You're not scared, are you? text It's a path you're quite familiar with. text If there's a difference, it's only one thing." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "----This time, you can't come back." bgload IMA_02.png text I pull out my knife and turn away from Roa. text Roa isn't dead yet. text Like Arcueid, someone as long-lived as him will linger just a little longer. text ~ text I breathe weakly. text My mind wavers. text If my body is at its limits, then my head is past its limits. text .... Arcueid even said back then, text I shouldn't force myself to look at the death of non-living things. text If I do it too much, the blood vessels in my brain will burn away. text "........" text ----I don't care about that. text It would have been alright. text Even if I turned myself into a vegetable, it would've been worth it to stop Roa sooner. text ~ text That way, you wouldn't.. had to have---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_02B.png music 04.mp3 text "......!?" text I collapse. text I fall on the ground. text My ankles are in pain. text I turn around and see---- text The upper half of Roa's body which crawled this far. text "Y, you, you------" text With bloodshot eyes, he makes his way onto my collapsed body. text "Fading, Disappearing, I.... am, dis, app----" text His bloody arms wrap around my neck. text "Why, why, I----disappear, hoW, DId, yoU, kILl, ME, mEeeE, mee, mEeE mEEEME EEee----" text Opening his saw-like mouth, he moves to bite my neck. text "I WoN't.. disAPpeAr, yOU, aND i, ARe CoNNEcted, You SEe. text Y, ou, tRAn, sFer, mY eXisTEnce, LInks, caN nOt, be.. cUT......!" text ~ text ----His teeth text dig into my neck. bgload IMA_12B.png sound SE_06.wav 1 music ~ text "Ah------" text He vanishes. text Roa's body falls apart in a single instant. bgload BG_02B.png bgload BG_02B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "----Yes, with this, it means I'm the one who killed him." text Senpai says this, sword in hand and breathing happily----. text ".... Eh?" text I don't quite understand. text "I'm saying, I'm the one who killed Roa. text .... No matter who your opponent is, you should not kill humans. text You are not someone who should come to my world. text So I'm the one who killed him." text Senpai says this haughtily as she places her hands on her hips. text ".... Senpai. text That's just sugarcoating it." text "Maybe it is. text But it is a kind lie, so isn't it okay? text Even if it is hypocrisy, doesn't it allow room for hope somehow?" text "------" text ~ text Those words are similar. text When I told her not to talk about "what ifs", she answered with something like that. text ".... Yeah, that's right.... somehow----somewhere, if there's hope, then." text ~ text How happy can that be? bgload BG_02B.png text "But, that isn't really important, is it? text Are you okay Tohno-kun? text Were you bitten!?" text Senpai rushes quickly to care for me. text ~ text "------" text ~ text My consciousness fades away. text I don't want to move anymore and my brain wants to rest. bgload IMA_01.png text ".... kun.... Shiki........ hey..!" text .... farther and farther away. text Eyes still open, text with the glass-like moon overhead, text my consciousness completely ceases. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text As it happens, text I think to myself how it seems just like a television being switched off. bgload IMA_10.png if ark_normalcleared != 0 jump s503.scr fi jump s52.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_51.png bgload BG_51B.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text @Prologue text ~ text ~ text When I came to, I was lying on a hospital bed. text The curtain on the nearby window sways gently. text It is a beautiful day outside, text and the dry wind signals the end of summer. text "Hello, Tohno Shiki-kun. text Congratulations on your recovery." text ~ text The unfamiliar old man extends his hand for a handshake. text His square-rimmed glasses and warm smile are very befitting. text His tidy-looking white clothes suit him perfectly, too. text "Can you understand what I am saying, Shiki-kun?" text ".... No. text Why am I in a hospital?" text "You don't remember, do you? text You were involved in a car accident while you were walking. text Your chest was stabbed by a shard of glass, and it was unlikely that you would survive." text Very unbefitting of what a doctor would say, yet he says it while still smiling cheerfully. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------Terrible. text I feel terrible. text ".... I'm tired. text Can I go to sleep?" text "Yes, you should rest. text You must focus on recuperating, and not push yourself." text The doctor is still smiling. text To be honest, I can't stand that smile anymore.. text "Can I ask you something, doctor?" text "What is it, Shiki-kun?" text "Why are there scribbles all over your body? text And there are cracks, all over the walls.. Why are there cracks in the walls?" text ~ text The smile vanishes for just a brief moment, then returns to his face immediately. text He turns and walks away. text "---It seems there was some brain damage after all. text Get a hold of Dr. Ashiya in neurology. text I also suspect he may have suffered some damage to his eyes. text Spend the afternoon examining his eyes." text ~ text The doctor whispers to the nurse so that I won't hear him. bgload BG_51B.png text "...... Weird. text There are scribbles all over everyone's bodies." text The sloppy, zigzagging black lines, running all over the floors, walls, the ceiling.. text I don't understand what they mean, but looking at them makes me feel sick. text ".... I wonder what it is." text The bed too, is covered in these scribbly lines. text When I touch the line with my finger, my fingertip sinks down into the crack. text "---Oh!" text It seems as if I could reach farther down with something narrower, so I trace the line with a fruit knife that was lying on the bedside table. text I didn't use any strength at all, yet the knife sinks into the bed, all the way up to the hilt. text It was fun, so I drag the knife along the scribbly line. text ~ text THUD! text ~ text With a heavy sound, the bed snaps cleanly in two. text "Kyaaaah!" text ~ text The girl in the bed next to mine screams. text The nurses run over and take the knife away from me. bgload BG_55B.png text "How did you break the bed, Shiki-kun?" text ~ text The doctors don't ask why, but curiously persist on HOW I did it. text "I traced along that line and it broke. text Hey, just why is this hospital full of cracks?" text "You'd better stop with that, Shiki-kun. text There are no such cracks like that anywhere. text Now tell me, just how did you break the bed? text You can tell me, I promise I won't get mad." text "---I'm telling you, all I did was just trace the line with the knife.." text ".... I see. text Okay, we'll continue this conversation tomorrow." text ~ text The doctor leaves. text In the end, not a single person believed my story. sound ~ bgload IMA_06.png text As long as I run the knife along the scribbles, I can cleanly cut anything. text I don't have to put any force into it. text It is as easy as cutting paper with scissors. text The bed, the chair, the desk, the walls, the floor. text ~ text ....I've never tried, but probably.. no, definitely, even people. text But it seems that no one else can see these lines. text The black lines only I can see. text Despite being a kid, I gradually began to understand what the lines were. text They are probably like stitches. text Just like stitches that hold an open wound together after surgery, I think they are weak spots. text After all, there's no way I could cut such a thing with a child's strength alone. text ~ text ----Yeah, I didn't know until now. text ~ text That the world is covered in these lines, these "breaking lines" that bind everything together. text No one else can see them. text That's why they are just fine. text But I can see them. text I'm scared.. so scared, I can't even talk.. text It's as if I am the only one who went crazy. text Maybe.. that's why? text Why even after two weeks, no one believes my story. text Even after two weeks, no one has come to see me. text ~ text Even after two weeks, text I continue to live alone in a world surrounded by black stitches.. bgload IMA_10.png text I need to get out.. I don't want to be in this room anymore. text I don't want to stay in a place covered in stitches. text That's why I decided to escape, and run away, to somewhere where no one else would be. text ~ text But the wound on my chest still hurts, and I didn't get very far. text That was when I noticed. text I'm standing in the grassy field just outside of town... I really didn't get far at all. text ".... *cough*" text ~ text My chest hurts.. and I feel so sad.. I collapse to my knees and cough. text ~ text *cough* *cough* text ~ text There's nobody here. text Drowning in this ocean of green at the end of summer, text I feel like I'm about to disappear. text ~ text But before that. text ~ text "Hey you. text It's dangerous to sit down in a place like that." bgload CMO_01.png music 07.mp3 text ~ text I hear a woman's voice from behind me. text "Eh......?" text "What do you mean, 'eh'? text You're already a runt so I can't see you if you're sitting in the grass. text I was this close to kicking you, so watch out." text She points at me rather grumpily. text .... I get a little angry. text After all, I sit in the fourth row from the front so I don't think I'm that short. text "Kicked? text By who?" text "Isn't it obvious, stupid? text You and I are the only ones here, so who else could it be but me?" text She declares this confidently as she folds her arms. text "Well, I suppose it must be fate that we met here, so you want to talk for a little while? text My name is Aozaki Aoko. text What's yours?" text She extends her hand to me with the kind of cheerfulness one would show an old friend. text I see no reason to refuse, so I tell her my name is Tohno Shiki and grasp her cool hand in return. bgload CMO_02.png text Talking to her was a lot of fun. text She didn't ignore what I said just 'cause I was a kid. text Instead, she listened.. she listened to what I had to say, like a friend. text We talked about many, many things. text ~ text About my family. text About how it was an old and respected family with very strict, traditional rules, and my equally strict father. text About my little sister Akiha.. quiet Akiha who always followed me around. text About our big mansion and the vast gardens, and how Akiha and I would play together with our friends. text ~ text ---I told her about many things almost feverishly. text "Oh, it's this time already. text Sorry, Shiki. text I've got some business to take care of, so let's stop here." text She gets up to leave. text .... My chest tightens, and I feel sad, thinking that I would be alone again. bgload IMA_05.png text ~ text "See you tomorrow. text I'll be waiting for you here, okay? text You should go back to your room and listen to your doctor." text "Oh.." text She speaks with such ease, in such a natural way as she makes her way off. text ".... See you tomorrow." text Tomorrow, we would be able to talk like we did today. text I'm happy. text It was the first time I truly felt something since I awoke from the accident. bgload IMA_10.png text Since that day, going to that grassy field in the afternoons became part of my daily routine. text She would get angry when I called her "Aoko". text For some reason, it seemed she hated her own name. text After some thought, I decided that she seemed like a very distinguished person, so I came to call her "Sensei". text Sensei would seriously listen to anything I had to say, and would always dispel my anxieties with but a single word, without fail. text .... I was depressed from the accident, but slowly, thanks to Sensei, I began to return to my former self. text Even those scary black scribbles didn't seem quite so scary anymore when talking to Sensei. text I didn't know who she was or where she was from... perhaps she really was a teacher. text ~ text But I don't care, it doesn't matter at all. text Because, it's fun being with Sensei. text That alone, is all that matters.. and that alone is more than enough. bgload CMO_02.png text "Hey, Sensei. text Look what I can do!" text ~ text I wanted to surprise her one day, so using the fruit knife I brought from the hospital, I cut down a tree growing in the field. text Like before, I run the knife along the scribble-like line, and cut it cleanly across the base. bgload IMA_10.png text "Amazing, isn't it? text I can cut anything easily, as long as it's somewhere where I can see the scribbles. text No one else can do this right?" text "Shiki..!" text ~ text She slaps me across the face. bgload CMO_03.png text "Sen.. sei?" text ".... What you just did was extremely thoughtless." text Sensei gives me a hard, piercing glare. text ~ text .... I don't know why, text but I realized I just did something I definitely shouldn't have done. text ~ text With Sensei's severe expression and the pain from my cheek where she slapped me, text I felt very, very sad. text ".... I'm.. sorry." text Before I knew it, I was crying. text "-----Shiki." text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text Then, a gentle, warm feeling envelops me. text ~ text ".... There's no need to apologize. text It's true that you did something I should be angry at you for, but it's definitely not your fault." text Sensei squats down and hugs me. text "But you know, if someone doesn't tell you otherwise now, one day you're going to make a mistake you can never take back. text That's why I won't apologize.. you can hate me all you want, if you feel that way." text ".... No, I don't hate you, Sensei." text ".... Really? text I'm glad you feel that way.. I guess it was fate that the two of us met here like this." text Sensei began to ask about the scribbles I could see. text As I told her about the lines, the black jagged lines that somehow only I could see, Sensei's embrace tightened. text ".... Shiki, what you are seeing is something that should never be seen, by anyone, or anything. text Everything in existence has points where they are most easily broken. text We, who will break down one day, are imperfect for this reason. text Your eyes have the ability to see the fate of all things.. to put it another way, you can see the future." text ".... See.... the future?" text "That's right. text You can see death. text .... You don't need to know any more than that. text If someday, you happen to go down that path, the principles will become clear to you as something that is needed." text ".... Sensei. text I really don't understand.." text "That's good, it's important that you don't understand now. text All I want you to know is that you must never cut these lines on a whim or as a joke, understand? text ---If you do so, your eyes will begin to take the lives of others too lightly, and that is the worst thing that can possibly happen." text ".... Okay. text I won't do it if you say so, Sensei. text Besides, it kind of hurts my chest. text .... I'm sorry, Sensei. text I'll never do it again." text ".... Good for you, Shiki. text Never forget the feelings that you have experienced here today. text If you stay that way, I'm sure you'll find happiness." text ~ text Sensei finally lets go of me. bgload IMA_05.png text "But Sensei, I see those lines and get worried. text They'll be cut as soon as I trace them, right? text Then it wouldn't be weird for my surroundings to come apart at any time." text "You're right. text I'll be able to help you with that at least.. It seems as if that's the reason why I'm here." text Sensei sighs, then favors me with a warm smile. text "Shiki, I'll give you a very special present tomorrow. text I'll give you your old life back, the one you were living before your accident." bgload CMO_01.png text The next day. text Exactly the seventh day after I met Sensei, She arrives in the grassy field carrying a large trunk in one hand. text "Here. text If you put these on, those strange scribbles won't be visible anymore." text What she gave me was a pair of glasses. text "But my eyes are fine." text "Just put them on. text The lenses don't have any magnification or anything." text Sensei forces them on me. text Suddenly--- text "Whoa! text Incredible! text This is amazing, Sensei! text I can't see the scribbles anymore, not at all!" text "Of course. text I had quite a time stealing Mystic Eye Killer from my older sister to make this Aozaki Aoko masterpiece! text So treat them well or there'll be hell to pay, got it?" text "Yup! text I'll take good care of them! text You're incredible, Sensei! text You made all those horrible lines disappear just like that! text It's like magic!" text ~ text "Of course, I am a sorceress, after all." text ~ text Giving me a proud smile, Sensei puts her trunk down on the ground. text "But know this, Shiki. text Those lines haven't disappeared. text It's just that you can't see them. text Once you take the glasses off, you'll be able to see them again." text "---R-really?" text "Yes. text That's the one thing that cannot be fixed. text Your only choice is to keep living your life and do your best with the eyes you have now." text "...... No. text I don't want these scary eyes. text If I cut those lines again, I'll end up breaking my promise to you." text "Oh, you mean never cutting the lines again? text Silly, you can break that promise whenever you like." text ".... Really? text But you said it was something I shouldn't do." text "Yes, it is. text But that is your gift, Shiki. text It's yours to use as you see fit. text No one else but you has the right to judge you. text But out of all the abilities one can have, yours is terribly unique. text If you have such a power, that means there is a meaning behind you having it. text God doesn't give us powers for no reason. text You might say that you were given the 'Mystic Eyes of Death Perception' because one day, a time will come when you will need them. text That's why you must not live in denial of their existence." text Sensei squats down so our eyes would be level. bgload CMO_04A.png text "But you know, that's why you must never forget. text You are a very kind and honest person, Shiki. text As long as you remain the way you are now, your eyes will never bring forth any wrong." text "However, I'm not telling you to become a saint. text All I'm saying is live true to yourself, and become a man in the manner that you think is right. text Since you can accept your mistakes and are able to apologize, I know that in ten years, you will become a great man." text ~ text That being said, text Sensei stands, and reaches for her trunk. text "Oh, but I must say, unless in exceptional circumstances, you shouldn't take the glasses off. text Special powers attract other special powers. text Only when you decide there is no other way should you take off those glasses, and even then, be mindful of how you use your power. text Power in itself is not evil. text What is evil rests solely in the hearts of the ones wielding such power. text Be it for good or evil, it will be up to you and the choices you make." text ~ text She picks up her trunk. text ~ text ---Sensei doesn't say anything more after that, text but deep down, I knew we would have to part. text "---It's impossible, Sensei. text I can't do it.. I won't understand just by myself. text The truth is, I was so afraid before I met you. text I was only able to return to being me, because you were with me.. text .... I can't do it. text Not even with these glasses, if you're gone, I can't do it..!" text "Don't say such things, Shiki. text If you tell lies that even you yourself can't believe, you'll only make whoever hears you sad." text Sensei raises her eyebrows in displeasure and pokes my forehead. text "---You know it yourself, don't you? text You're alright now. text So don't say stupid things and give up on the self that you finally found. text Only you can choose to be you, no one else can do it for you." text ~ text Sensei turns around. text "Well, this is goodbye. text Listen, Shiki. text Life is not easy; everyone's life is a hard, long, rocky road, filled with many pitfalls. text You have more power than anyone else to do something about that, so pull yourself together." text Sensei is leaving. text I was sad, but I'm Sensei's friend, so I have to see her off properly. text "Yes. text Goodbye, Sensei." text "Well done.. That's right, Shiki. text Hold onto that confidence, and always live true to yourself. text When you find yourself in trouble, calm down and think things through carefully. text Okay? text A solution will always present itself if you do. text It'll be alright. text You'll manage, even on your own." text Sensei laughs happily. bgload CMO_04B.png bgload IMA_03.png text The wind blows. text The field of grass sways in unison. text Sensei was already gone. text ~ text ".... Good-bye, Sensei." text ~ text After saying that, I really felt that I would not see her again. text All that remained were her many words and these mysterious glasses. text It was only seven days, but she taught me things more valuable than anything else. text As I stand there by myself, I feel tears well up in my eyes. text ~ text ---Man, I was such a fool. text ~ text I could only say goodbye. text I couldn't even say a single word of thanks to her. bgload IMA_10.png text I left the hospital soon after that. text Afterwards, I didn't return to the Tohno household, but was taken to live with my relatives instead. text But it's alright. text Tohno Shiki will be just fine, even by himself. text I'll spend a new life with my new family. text ~ text And like that, Tohno Shiki's ninth summer ended. text The new autumn arrived, and I think I became more of an adult.... music ~ bgload IMA_10.png text @Chapter X (someone get me this info) text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----Autumn. text ~ text The last traces of summer are disappearing today, a Thursday halfway through October. text This is the day when I, Tohno Shiki, return home. text It's been eight years since I left. bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_03.png music 02.mp3 text "Shiki, hurry up. text You're going to be late for school." text I hear Keiko-san's voice floating in from the kitchen. text ~ text "Okay, I'm leaving~!" I call back. text ~ text I place my hands together in the room that was mine at the Arimas up until now. text ~ text "I'm going. text Thanks for letting me live with you these last eight years." text Clap Clap. text I fold my hands together in prayer. text Then, grabbing my only bag, I leave the room that had become so familiar. bgload BG_57.png text I walk through the entrance to the Arimas' house, then turn to face it. text "Shiki." text Keiko-san, who had come to the door to see me off, calls my name somberly. text "See you later. text Take care, Mom." text What a strange thing to say. text I won't be coming back. text Never again will I pass through this door as a member of the Arima family. text "Thanks for looking after me. text Please give my regards to Father, too." text Keiko-san simply nods. text Eight years---the eyes of the person who had been my mother look so sad. text I don't think I've ever seen her like that before. text "I'm sure it'll be hard for you at the Tohnos' house. text Please watch yourself. text Your body is weak; you mustn't overdo it." text "I'll be okay. text After eight years, I'm just as healthy as anyone else. text I'm a lot tougher than I look." text "I suppose you're right. text But.. the Tohnos are different from everyone else. text I'm worried they'll be too much for you." text I know what Keiko-san means. text My home from today forth will be a mansion, an uncommon sight in this day and age. text Not only is the house amazing, but the family itself is highly respected. text It's said they hold significant investments in many corporations. text To top things off, it's my true home. text The Arimas have only been looking after me. text "But, it's already decided." text Yeah, it's something that's decided already. text "Alright, I'll be heading off then. text Thanks for taking care of me." text I repeat those words one last time, and turn my back on the household I had grown so accustomed to over these past eight years. bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_05.png text .... *sigh* text I leave the Arimas and start walking to school with a heavy heart. text ~ text ---Eight years ago. text I recovered from a serious injury that normally would have meant death. text Then I was entrusted to the Arimas, a family branching off from the Tohno family. text I had lived with my real parents at the Tohno mansion up until I was nine, then I lived with the Arimas for eight years until now, my second year of high school. text I lived a normal life as an adopted son. text From the time I met Sensei---those special circumstances Sensei told me about as she parted never happened, and the glasses hid the "lines" from me as long as I wore them. text The life of Tohno Shiki was a peaceful one. text It meandered along gently.. text .... until a few days ago. text The day when the head of the Tohno family sent word to me. text "Return to the Tohno Mansion." text The very family that, until now, had shunned me. bgload BG_23A.png text *sigh* text I sigh again. text To be perfectly honest, even before the accident, I had never gotten along with the Tohno household. text Maybe as a kid I never liked the formality demanded by the family. text Perhaps that's why I said nothing when the old man told me I was going to live with the Arimas. text I think it turned out well. text I got along well with my adopted parents, Keiko-san and Fumio-san. text It was as if they were my real parents. text ~ text I lived a normal life in the loving family of the Arimas like a real son, just like I had always wished. text I don't regret living there. text .... Except for one thing. text My little sister, one year younger than me, remained behind with the Tohnos. text "Akiha.. I bet she hates me now." text It would only be natural. text She had to live in that mansion all by herself, under the constant supervision of that hard-headed old man. text I could easily imagine what Akiha thought of me, the one who escaped. text I let out another sigh. text I can't help it. text What's going to happen will happen. text Today, after school, I'll return to my true home. text Lord knows what'll occur. text "But for now, I've got more pressing problems." text My watch shows 7:45. text Homeroom starts at eight o'clock sharp and anyone who isn't in class by eight is marked as late. text Clutching my bag, I start sprinting towards school. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png text *huff*.. *huff*.. *huff*.. text I manage to make it to school in less than ten minutes. text I enter from the back gate, accomplishing a feat that would bring the track scouts running if they knew. text ".... Come to think of it, today's also the last day I'll come in through the back gate." text The Arima and Tohno houses are on opposite sides of the school with the Arimas' being behind while the Tohnos' is in front. text Obviously, I'll be coming through the front gate in the future. text "And I quite liked the lonely atmosphere back here, too." text For some reason, the back gate at our school isn't really popular. text Only ten people or so, myself included, actually use it. text It's quiet and pretty devoid of people day or night. text ~ text Clang! text Clink, Clink, Clang! text ~ text .... Like I said, pretty quiet. text The sound of a hammer mixed with distant birds singing reaches my ears. text "Hammering.. Huh?" text Clang! text Clink! text Clong! text ~ text A half-rhythmical ringing comes from one corner of the courtyard. text "........" text What is that? text Homeroom begins in less than ten minutes. text I don't have time to stop and find out, but I am pretty curious. text Right now--- text ~ music ~ choice There's only a few minutes until homeroom. I have to head there right away.|I'm curious, so I'll go take a look. if selected == 1 jump s21.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s22.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png text I feel the morning sunlight. text I keep my eyes closed as I try to fall asleep again, but the gentle sunlight keeps urging me to open my eyes. text ~ text ---Slowly, I start to awaken. text ~ bgload IMA_05.png text A quiet atmosphere. text The air is comfortably cold, and the sunlight is warm enough. text I guess the weather will be great today. text ~ text ---Then, I should get up and go to school. text ~ text That's right, I have to go to school. text The past three days, my life was chaos and it made me forget I was a student. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text "........" text I wake up. text I'm lying on my bed, and my glasses are on the bedside. text I automatically put them on and look around. text The sunlight streams so strongly in through the window, I almost expect to hear it pouring through. text "----" text I take a quiet breath. text I fill my lungs with fresh air, and it feels like my chest is purified. text I hear the clock ticking. text Small birds chirp in the woods outside. text I stay on my warm bed, aimlessly feeling the relaxed passage of time. text ~ text -----This is, of course, another peaceful day. text ~ text ".........." text But, I feel a bit unsatisfied. text Although I'm back in this calm morning, I---feel that there is something that seems out of place. text Even though I killed that vampire with the black coat and everything is back the way it was---I'm feeling that something is missing. text ".... That's ridiculous." text I shake my head, and shake off that unimportant thought. text ~ text ---And then. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text "Uwaaaa!" text I jump up in my bed. text Now that I look, Hisui is standing quietly at the side of my bed. text "Hi-HiHi-Hisui---" text ".... Please excuse me, Shiki-sama, but since you did not notice, I spoke." text "Ah---well, I mean, I'm sorry, too." text Hisui respectfully bows to me. text ~ text ---Sh-she surprised me. text My heart is still pounding rapidly. text "---Huh? text But it's still before seven o'clock, Hisui." text "Yes. text It is a bit earlier than your usual waking time, Shiki-sama." text "Well, yes---then why are you here, Hisui?" text "I came to wake you up. text Akiha-sama wants to know what have you been doing these last two days so she wanted me to bring you no matter what." text "-----Ah." text .... I forgot. text Come to think of it, I skipped school last Saturday and was with Arcueid through all of Sunday. text What's more, I came back late last night, snuck in like a burglar, and then went to sleep. text ".... Don't tell me, Akiha's angry....?" text "I do not know. text Please confirm for yourself, Shiki-sama." text ~ text ---Hisui's voice sounds very cold. text ~ text ".... Hisui, you knew I came back?" text "Yes. text I noticed when you returned early this morning around two o'clock. text We saw you on the security camera when you were climbing the gate, Shiki-sama." text "---Um, does Akiha know this?" text "No, only Nee-san and I know this." text "That's---good." text .... Anyway, I think I avoided the worst possible situation. text However, it's still pretty bad. text Not informing her what I've been doing these last two days and returning in the middle of the night, it's pretty bad. text "---Alright. text I'll head down immediately. text Umm.... and, if possible, I'd be happy if you tried to calm her down as much as possible." text "Akiha-sama already appears calm. text I think it will be difficult for my words to calm her even more." text "---" text Ugh, one problem after another? text I just got done with Nrvnqsr, so I never thought I would face another life and death battle without even a rest break. text Well, time to get up. text I can't do anything staying in bed. text "I'll go after I change, so please go ahead, Hisui. text .... It's alright, I won't run." text "---Well then, we will be waiting for you." bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text .... *sigh* text Well then, I should change quickly so Mistress Akiha may pass judgment on me. bgload BG_33A.png text ---Alright, I'm here. text Now only a door separates me from the sitting room where Akiha awaits. text No matter what the circumstance was, there's no excuse for skipping school and not coming home for two days. text Now--- text ~ choice I will apologize.|Try to deceive her.|Tell the truth. if selected == 1 jump s219.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s220.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s221.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png music 01.ogg text I walk along a different path than the one I usually take. text Passing through unfamiliar streets, I slowly approach the Tohno mansion. text The surroundings are not completely unfamiliar. text After all, I had lived here until I was nine years old---eight years ago. text This is not the first time I have taken this path back to the mansion. text My feelings are a little complex. text The path home is nostalgic, yet fresh. text Up until just now, I had not looked forward to returning to the Tohno household. text Now, it doesn't seem so bad. bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_17.png text .... The house I lived in until I was nine years old. text Right now, my sister Akiha is in that utterly un-Japanese, western-style mansion. text Tohno Makihisa---My old man who hated me, and the master of the Tohno household, died a few days ago. text My mother died from illness after Akiha was born, so the Tohnos had dwindled down to me and my sister. text Being the eldest son, you would think I would stand to become the Tohno heir, but I have no such privilege. text To become the Tohno heir means being bound by a strict upbringing. text I have lost count of the number of times my father had scolded me over my dislike of not being able to live freely. text That was when I got involved in that accident, and my body became weakened.. My father saw it as a good opportunity to get rid of me. text His reasoning was something along the lines of "someone who could die any moment can't become the heir, even if he is the eldest son". text Sadly for my father, I betrayed his expectations by making a recovery, but my sister Akiha was already deemed to be the heir to the Tohno household. text And so I've heard that Akiha, who was already being raised harshly in order to become a proper daughter of the Tohno household, received an even harsher upbringing since then. text That was a long time ago---I played together with Akiha in the mansion back before the accident. text After that, I never saw her again. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_22B.png text .... The life in the mansion I abandoned eight years ago. text Those eight years were long, and my memories of that time have largely faded. text But in spite of that, there is one thing that even now continues to burn strongly within my heart, and that is----- text ~ choice About my little sister Akiha.|About the cheerful girl.|About the girl by the window. if selected == 1 jump s38.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s39.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s202.scr fi bgload BG_22B.png music ~ text .... Akiha isn't the only person I haven't seen since then. text I can't remember all the details because it's been eight years, but there were other children at the mansion around the same age as me. text I don't remember their names, but there were two girls who were twins. text The old man once said that they didn't have any relatives, so he took them to work as servants. text ".... That's weird. text We played together so often when we were small, but I can't remember their names." text I close my eyes and cast my mind back. bgload IMA_10.png music 09.mp3 bgload event/HIS_E01.png text I should be able to remember. text She was a girl who was always cheerful, so cheerful that you would become cheerful just by looking at her. text A girl with a carefree personality who was loved by everyone at the mansion. text Because she was close to my age, I got along very well with her, and it seemed like everyday we would run around the garden together. text "Let's play together, Shiki-chan." text She would say, and I could remember her taking me out of my room after I secluded myself inside. text She would often laugh and take shy Akiha's hand, trying to make her play with us. text Maybe she was older than the both of us. text She would guide me and Akiha to play together, but once we started playing, she would just watch over us. text Even Akiha's tutor, the harsh butler, would say "I don't mind, as long as ****** is with you guys", and let Akiha out to play. bgload IMA_10.png text But I'm much more concerned about the other girl. bgload event/HIS_E02.png text .... I don't know what kind of girl she was or why she was always like that. text From the second floor, text there was always a girl looking down at us every time I turned to look at the mansion while we were playing in the garden. text She was the twin of that cheerful girl, but she would always gaze at us expressionlessly. text That girl would never try to leave the house. text All she would do was watch us with those cold eyes. text .... Was it because it bothered me so much that I thought she seemed so lonely? text Most of the memories I have about the Tohno mansion are only about her. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Well, in the end, I only ended up talking a little with her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png text "I wonder if those girls are still at the mansion...." text While I think about that, I take a white ribbon out of my bag. text An old white ribbon that the girls gave me at the very end. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_20.png text ---Eight years ago. text After I was involved in the accident. text The day I was entrusted to the Arima family. text ~ text Right before I was to leave the mansion, the girl gave me this for some reason. text ~ text .... I'm just lending it to you, so be sure to return it. text Saying something along those lines, she ran off. text A promise made under a large tree. text ~ text The weather was beautiful that day. text Looking up, there was a high, high blue sky I could just lose myself in. text It was my last memory of when I left the Tohno mansion, eight years ago. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png text *sigh* text I put the ribbon back in my bag. text "But it's been eight years, after all...." text Not only do I not know if they are still at the mansion, I can't even remember their names. text ".... Even so, this ribbon is precious to me...." text The time when my father had disinherited me. text Rather than being saddened over having been discarded by him, I felt a warmness inside when I thought she was waiting for me to return the ribbon. text That's why I want to keep the promise, as long as I still remember it. text I agreed to return to the mansion because Akiha is now there all by herself. text I left her there for eight years, pushing all responsibility onto her while I selfishly lived freely. text .... But there is something else. text I really think I decided to return because of that promise. text The white ribbon. text .... Because of that promise made to the only one who said she would be waiting for me. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar kohaku_regard + 3 jump s41.scr bgload BG_40D.png text The howling continues. text There's no way I can sleep like this. text .... I can't sleep, but that's just normal. text "............ I'm sleepy, so I'll pass." text Pulling the sheets over me, I stretch out on the bed. text I can just think of the howling as the sound of something mundane, like cars driving by on the street. text *sigh* text Today's been a very long day. text I'm mentally tired from eating dinner in this unfamiliar mansion and my conversations with Akiha and everyone else. text After all that, the howling is just background noise. text I close my eyes and gently fall asleep. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_08.wav 1 bgload BG_40D.png text "----Nng." text I think I just heard something. text Half-awake, I look at the clock. text It's just past two. text .... It's been about two hours since I heard the dogs howling. text The dogs' howling has already stopped. text The mansion is so quiet, I can hear the clock ticking in the silence. sound SE_07.wav 1 text "------?" text I hear it again. text .... Inside the mansion.... from the lobby? text "-----Could it be a burglar?" text It's not impossible. text The mansion's contents are outrageously valuable. text On top of that, with no one here now except Kohaku-san, Hisui, Akiha and myself, it's very insecure. text ".........." text I get out of bed, and slip out of the room quietly. bgload IMA_10.png music 06.mp3 bgload BG_46C.png text .... If it's a burglar, Akiha and everyone will be in danger, so I can't let this one go. text I'll just look down from the second floor into the lobby; that should be safe enough. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png text There's nothing wrong there. sound SE_07.wav 1 text "..........!" text No, someone's there. text The figure that enters from the entrance and crosses the lobby with wobbling, uncertain steps, is--- text ~ bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T19B.png 40 0 bgload BG_33D.png text "Aki.... ha?" text She's not going to her own room on the second floor, but to the first floor of the west wing. text The only things there are Kohaku-san's room and my old man's room. text ".... What's she doing at this time of night....?" text I can murmur all I want, but there won't be any answers forthcoming. text After gazing at the lobby for a while, I decide to return to my room. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40D.png text ...... Well, she probably had something to do, or went to see Kohaku-san. text I feel bad about sneaking around and watching her, and I don't want to just ask her about everything she does. text ".... Sleep, sleep. text There's school tomorrow." text I bury myself in bed and close my eyes. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text ---As I fall asleep, text ~ text my thoughts keep returning over and over to Akiha's hollow-eyed figure in the lobby, and how something seemed wrong. jump s205.scr bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_05.png music 09.mp3 text Back then, the whole mansion was like a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. text Every day was fun. text No one thought about ever growing up, text and we believed that days and nights would always be the same. text ~ text It was just a childhood spent playing like puppies. text We got along wonderfully, and were the best of playmates. text Whenever I turned back, Akiha would be there, waving her hands and hiding shyly. text Yes, always the same. text Back then, the whole mansion was like a giant playground. text ~ text The garden, a deep forest. text The house, a tall castle. text ~ text We played in our own little world, which would take days to explore. music ~ bgload IMA_11.png text "---Good morning." text ~ text .... I hear an unfamiliar voice. text The dream disappears, and all that remains is the feeling of my languid, waking body. text ~ text "It is morning. text Time to wake up, Shiki-sama." text ~ text An unfamiliar voice greets me. text .... Stop calling me Shiki-sama already. text I told you yesterday, it sends chills down my back---- music 02.mp3 bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ---I wake up. text ~ text Hisui stands far from the bed, like a statue. text "...." text Where am I? bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text A girl in a maid uniform bows. text "Ah.. yeah, I came home, right.." text I push myself up, and look around the room. text "Good morning, Hisui. text Thanks for coming to wake me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "There is no need to thank me. text It is my duty to come and wake you, Shiki-sama." text Hisui answers indifferently, completely expressionless. text "Ah, really..? text Okay then.." text .... Even in an unfavorable light, I think Hisui's features are beautiful. text It should be wonderful for such a girl to wake me every morning, but as Hisui never smiles, I don't feel that happy about it. text .... What a shame. text If Hisui only had half of Kohaku's brightness, she would be really cute. text "---Do you need something?" text Realizing I am looking at her, Hisui stares straight back at me. text "No, nothing at all. text Waking up with you there makes me feel like I'm really at the Tohno mansion." text Now then. text Getting off the bed, I stretch out both arms. text "Shiki-sama, there is no time. text From the mansion to your school is a thirty minute trip. text This leaves only twenty minutes for breakfast." text "Eh? text .... Ahh! text It's already seven o'clock!?" text I gasp in amazement after looking at the clock. text .... My repeated awakenings last night must have messed up my sleep pattern. text "Your uniform is folded and awaits you over there. text Please come to the sitting room after you have changed." bgload BG_40A.png text "Damn it, if you're going to wake me, wake me up earlier.." text Muttering selfishly to myself, I reach for the uniform. text It's folded neatly, and the shirt has even been ironed. text Passing my wrists through the sleeves feels good. text It's that fresh, brand-new feeling. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text Akiha and Kohaku-san are relaxing in the sitting room. text Akiha is wearing the uniform of the Asagami Ladies' Academy, a famous school for young girls. text They are drinking tea together gracefully, as if breakfast ended a long time ago. bgload BG_34A.png setvar flgP + 1 choice Greet Akiha.|Greet Kohaku-san.|Greet both of them. if selected == 1 jump s304.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s123.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s124.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png text "---Good morning." text ~ text .... I hear an unfamiliar voice. text The dream quickly fades away as a voice calls me back to reality. text "It is morning. text Time to wake up, Shiki-sama." text ~ text An unfamiliar voice greets me. text .... Stop calling me Shiki-sama already. text I told you yesterday, it sends chills down my back---- bgload BG_40A.png bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 music 02.mp3 text ---I wake up. text Hisui stands far from the bed, like a statue. text "Mm...." text I sleepily look around. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text A girl in a maid uniform bows. text For a moment, I doubt my eyes. text Finally, I recall my current condition. text "Yeah, I came home, right.." text I push myself up, and look around the room. bgload BG_40A.png text Outside the window, the weather is great. text A blue sky like the one I saw in my dream. text "Good morning, Hisui. text Thanks for coming to wake me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "There is no need to thank me. text It is my duty to come and wake you, Shiki-sama." text Hisui answers indifferently, completely expressionless. text *sigh* text ".... Why do you have to be so formal, Hisui?" text It's really a shame. text If Hisui only had half of Kohaku's brightness, she would be really cute. text "---Do you need something?" text Realizing I am looking at her, Hisui stares straight back at me. text "Ah, no, nothing at all. text Waking up and seeing your face, I just felt like I'm really at the Tohno mansion.." text Hisui's eyes are like cold ice. text Seeing that all of a sudden, something reminiscent of a dream flashes through my mind--- text "-----I, see." text I remember it completely. text That day, that girl who gave me the ribbon right before I left was the one who always watched us from that window. text That is, in other words--- text "It was.... Hisui." text "Yes? text Did you say something, Shiki-sama?" text "Ah.... Hisui, do you remember? text About when I left here eight years ago?" text "Yes, I remember it. text But, was there anything special that happened?" text "Eh---anything special? text Hisui?" text "Please forgive me. text Eight years has passed since you departed this mansion. text So even if you speak of those times, I cannot answer with any specific details." text "Wha-----" text Does she not remember the promise we made back then? text "Hisui---you don't remember about the ribbon?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T23.png 62 0 text ".... Ribbon....?" text She looks downcast as she admits with difficulty that she does not remember. text ".... I see. text That's right, it was eight years ago.... Sorry, it's nothing. text Just forget about what I said." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "................" text .... She doesn't remember the promise. text But, it isn't anything I can hold against her. text Even though it was maybe just a childish promise, it really did help me to face forward into the future back then. text "Well, time to get up. text Hisui, do you know what time it is?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Yes, it is now past seven o'clock in the morning." text "Okay, that leaves me just a little time then." text Stretching my back, I get up out of bed. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T23.png 62 0 text "You say that, but you do not have much time. text It takes about thirty minutes to go from the mansion to your school. text You only have twenty minutes to eat breakfast and get ready." text "Eh----that's right, this isn't Arimas' house!" text I'm filled with horror. text I was so used to the Arima house being only twenty minutes away from school, but from here, I don't even know a shortcut. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Your uniform is folded and awaits you over there. text Please come to the sitting room after you have changed." bgload BG_40A.png text "Damn it, if you're going to wake, me, wake me up earlier.." text Muttering selfishly to myself, I reach for the uniform. text It's folded neatly, and the shirt has even been ironed. text Passing my wrists through the sleeves feels good. text It's that fresh, brand-new feeling. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text Akiha and Kohaku-san are relaxing in the sitting room. text Akiha is wearing the uniform of the Asagami Ladies' Academy, a famous school for young girls. text They are drinking tea together gracefully, as if breakfast ended a long time ago. bgload BG_34A.png choice Greet Akiha.|Greet Kohaku-san.|Greet both of them. if selected == 1 jump s304.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s123.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s124.scr fi bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text "Akiha-sama? text It's almost time to leave; is this alright?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T05A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text ".... I know. text Sheesh, don't be so worried over stuff like this on the first day." text Muttering some complaints, Akiha stands up. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text "Well, I must say goodbye. text Nii-san, you should apply yourself to your studies today." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha leaves the sitting room. text Kohaku-san follows, seeing her off. text "Apply myself to my studies..?" text She's quite ceremonious about trivial things in an old fashioned kind of way.. I guess it's because she's been disciplined under our old man for the last eight years. text ".... Well, I'd have gone to school even if she hadn't said anything." text I scratch my cheek. text There was something about Akiha's face as she left.. because of it, I paid no attention at all to her various admonishings this morning. text "Of course---" text I clap my hands together. text For some reason, Akiha's face just then seemed to resemble her face from long ago--- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33A.png text After eating the breakfast Kohaku-san prepared, I exit into the lobby. text Hisui was waiting there with my bag. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, have you enough time?" text "Yeah, it should only be twenty minutes to school if I run. text It's only seven-thirty, so I should be fine even if I take the long way." text Seeming satisfied with this answer, Hisui bows her head in assent. text "Then, allow me to see you out." text "Eh? text Ah, yeah.. thank you." text .... I still feel terribly awkward having my own servant. text "Oh, Shiki-san! text Please wait just a moment!" text With pattering footsteps, Kohaku-san runs down from the second floor. text "...." bgload BG_33A.png text Hisui steps back and falls silent as Kohaku-san approaches. bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "Huh? text Weren't you with Akiha?" text "Lady Akiha goes to school by car. text Since I had something to give to you this morning, I stayed behind." text "Something to give me?" text "Yes. text This came from the Arima family yesterday." text Kohaku-san smiles. text "Eh? text But, I have all my luggage already. text The things I used while I was at the Arimas' house all belonged to them, so all I've got are my own clothes.." text "Really? text But this was sent here, nonetheless.." text Kohaku-san hands me a thin wooden box, perhaps twenty centimeters long. text It's not heavy at all. text ".... Kohaku-san, I've never seen this before." text "Well.. apparently it was left to you by your departed father. text It was to be given to you in the will." text ".... By my old man?" text .... I can't feel anything about that. text What's the old man who expelled me from this mansion eight years ago doing leaving me things? text "Oh well. text Kohaku-san, please take it to my room for me." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T09.png 52 0 text "-----" text Kohaku-san is staring intently at the wooden box. text She seems almost like a child who wants a toy. text ~ text Staaaaaare. text ~ text No, she is a child. text ".... I get it. text You want to know what's inside, right?" bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, not at all. text I merely wondered for a moment." text .... Like I said, you do wonder what's inside. text "Alright, let's open it. text One, two.. three!" text With a dry sound, the wooden box opens. text Inside, there is----a ten-centimeter bar of thin iron. text ".... It's.. an iron bar." text Undecorated and worn, it has finger marks all over it. text .... The old man must have really hated me to leave me a piece of junk like this. text "No, Shiki-san. text It's a fruit knife." text Kohaku-san takes the iron bar out of the box. text "See, isn't it one of those folding knifes? text One, two.. three!" text With the sound of sliding metal, a ten centimeter blade pops out from the bar. text .... I see, it certainly is a knife. text "It's old, but it seems pretty solid. text The year and the era it was made in is written on the back." text Kohaku-san replaces the blade, and hands over the knife. bgload BG_33A.png text Certainly, there's a number written on the grip. text The character "seven", and under it, the character "night". bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 text "Nee-san, there is no era by that name. text It just says 'Nanatsu-yoru'." text "Ah!" text I turn around in surprise. text Hisui, who had been silent until now, was looking at the knife over my shoulders. text "Y, you surprised me.. Hisui, you should say something. text You don't have to look over my shoulder like that, you know. text If you want to see it, I'll show it to you." bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T02.png -2 0 text "Ah----" text ~ text Hisui's cheeks become faintly red. text "P-please excuse me. text Um---That knife was so beautiful that I could not help myself." text "Beautiful? text You really think it's beautiful? text It looks kind of beat up to me." bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 text "---Not at all. text The tempering of the blade is masterful. text I think it is a knife with its own proper history." text "Really? text It looks to me like a piece of junk.." text But since Hisui seems so convinced, I begin to feel the same thing. text .... Hmmm. text In its own way, I guess it's not such a bad inheritance. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 setimg KOHA_T02.png 116 0 text "'Seven nights'..? text Maybe that's the name of this fruit knife?" text "Maybe.. though, I can't imagine him naming a knife like that." text Whatever the case may be, it's obvious that it's an antique. text "Well, in any case, I believe in taking what's given to me." text I replace the blade, and put the knife in my trouser pocket. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 text "Shiki-sama, have you enough time..?" text "Ah! text I have to get going. text Well, Kohaku-san, thanks for the delivery." text Kohaku smiles and waves me off. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_48A.png bgload BG_48A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text I come out to the gates. text Hisui follows in silence. text ".... Hisui. text You're seeing me off?" text Hisui nods wordlessly. text "Shiki-sama? text What time shall we expect your return?" text It seems Hisui will continue to use "-sama" to the bitter end. text Well, if I take time to argue it now, I'll be late for school. text I'll complain about the honorific later. text "Shiki-sama?" text "Ah, yeah. text Uh.. probably around four o'clock, I think. text I don't do any club activities." text When I don't hang out with Arihiko, I usually get back pretty early in the evening. text Hisui bows deeply at my random estimate. bgload BG_48A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Please take care on the way." text .... I'm not sure what to take care about, but she's probably just worried about my health. text "Yeah, thanks. text You too, Hisui." text I return the goodwill with good intentions. text With an energetic wave of the hand at Hisui, I leave the gates of the mansion behind. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22A.png text ~ text ---I go down the hill. text Since I've attended school from the Arimas' house up until now, this is my first time taking this route. text "Not many from our school.." text Apparently, there are not many people from my school who live around here. text Half past seven in the morning. text I can't see anyone running along the streets in a school uniform except me. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23A.png text Slowly, I begin to see some people in school uniforms intermingled with the crowd. text This is around where the road to school begins. text ~ text ".... Where's Yumizuka-san..? text Well, I'm not going to be that lucky.." text I recall the smiling face of the classmate who departed here yesterday saying "my house is this way". text As I think of Yumizuka Satsuki in the classroom, my pace quickens a little, and I hurry towards the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png text I leave the residential area and reach the crossroads. text The gates will be closed in about ten minutes. text I start to run across the asphalt. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text ------I made it. text ~ text It seems like it took twenty minutes rather than thirty from the mansion. text I'll need to leave around seven if I want to go slowly, since I ran several times on the way. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text "----?" text When I get to the classroom, I notice the air is buzzing. text Although the classroom in the morning is always noisy, there's something different about the noise today. text I walk to my desk by the window. text Arihiko is waiting there sullenly. text "Arihiko, did something happen?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text ".... Dunno. text It's nothing big. text There's a rumor that someone in class ran away from home." text "Ahh.. that's what all the fuss is about, then." text I sit down at my desk with a sigh. text "---What do you mean, nothing big!? text Who ran away? text Who!" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "How should I know? text But we'll know when homeroom starts. text Whoever's seat is vacant, they must be the one who ran away from home." text "Ahh, that's true." text It's true, but, Arihiko's attitude seems a little dry. text .... If one of our classmates really has run away from home, I think it's a bit much to just ignore it as someone else's problem. text "Arihiko? text Aren't you being insensitive? text One of our classmates ran away from home.. aren't you worried?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Eh? text You're the only one who's seriously worried, dumbass. text Everyone's talking about it because it's an interesting thing to talk about. text It's not as if you or I had run away from home, so there's no need to worry, is there?" text ~ text .... Now I remember. text This guy's cold like that to everyone except his friends. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Though, I guess I am a bit worried. text Running away from home at a time like this.. they'd have to be really brave or really.." text "..? text A time like this? text What kind of time is that?" text "I told you yesterday, Tohno. text There's a serial killer going around on the streets right now. text I don't know who ran away from home, but they'd have no excuse if they got attacked by him while living on the streets." text "Can't be----there's no way that'd happen." text "Tohno, you should watch TV more. text There's been eight victims already, and he doesn't discriminate. text You'd better think again if you think you're safe. text The town's empty at night nowadays. text The only people who go out are drunkards and policemen, which is why it's so boring." text Arihiko's voice is very serious. text Hearing it, I begin to feel uneasy. text "Oh, Kunifuji's here. text It's homeroom at last." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko returns to his seat. text ~ text After a while, everyone is seated. text Only one seat is empty. text There's no mistaking it. text The desk of Yumizuka Satsuki is empty. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png bgload BG_22B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Well, my house is this way. text Bye-bye. text See you at school tomorrow." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text "...." text .... Yumizuka said that when we parted yesterday. text I don't know what happened at home, but I can't see her making that smiling face before running away. text "Yumizuka is absent." text Yumizuka Satsuki is merely treated as absent as attendance is taken. text .... As if nothing is amiss, homeroom proceeds. text ~ text I---- text ~ choice Ask about Yumizuka Satsuki.|Just sit silently. if selected == 1 jump s207.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s208.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text -----I know Yumizuka was smiling yesterday. text ~ text I didn't think that she could make such a face, say "bye bye", and then run away from home. text "---Sensei." text "What is it, Tohno? text A question?" text "Yes. text Is it true that a student in our class has run away from home?" text "Hrm------" text Instantly, the air in the classroom solidifies. text He frowns, then, with a difficult expression, bows his head in assent. text "Yes, that is what we've heard from Yumizuka Satsuki's parents. text Yumizuka didn't come home last night, but they've been searching, and I'm sure they've already found her." text Saying so, he departs. text ~ text The classroom becomes noisy again. text I have a bad feeling about this. text .... It's really heavy. text A terrible feeling as if my body is tied down to this chair. bgload IMA_10.png if flgP >= 1 jump s209.scr fi jump s210.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ---I was about to ask, but I didn't think the teacher would tell me. text ~ text If she did run away from home like Arihiko said, it's her business. text Besides, there isn't a teacher on the planet who'd answer a classmate who just casually asked "Has Yumizuka-san run away from home?" text ".... Yeah, it's not like it's been confirmed yet or anything." text Maybe Yumizuka was just late. text It would be a better idea to see how things go for a little while longer before asking the teacher. bgload IMA_10.png if flgP >= 1 jump s209.scr fi jump s210.scr bgload BG_06A.png music 01.mp3 text I still feel down even when lunch time arrives. text While the news of Yumizuka Satsuki running away from home was shocking, it seems it wasn't a topic that could last forever. text The classroom is just like always, and it seemed that I'm the only one troubled by our absent classmate. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Tohno, let's go get lunch." text "That's okay. text I don't really feel like it." text "Huh.. I guess it can't be helped. text Don't be troubled with other people's problems too much." bgload BG_06A.png text "...." text Other people's problems, huh. text Arihiko's words are too close to the truth. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Huh? text You're not with Inui-kun today?" text ".... Senpai? text What are you doing in our classroom?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "Well, I thought I'd have lunch with you guys.. Tohno-kun, aren't you going to eat something?" text Senpai sits down on the desk, looking at me anxiously. text "Nah, I just don't seem to have any appetite today." text "Ahh.. Are you not feeling well?" text ".... Something like that. text Don't worry about me, you go on to the dining hall. text Arihiko's probably already there." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Oh, you're not energetic at all! text I don't know what happened, but if you don't eat lunch, you'll just feel even worse." text "That's.. true. text But.." text But since I'm not hungry, there's not a lot I can do. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Alright, I'll take you somewhere special. text It's really a secret, but you're special, Tohno-kun." bgload BG_06A.png text With that, she grabs my arm and pulls me out of the chair. jump s209a.scr bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_11A.png text Ciel-senpai takes me to an unused classroom in the very corner of the school building. text ~ text "Huh..? text This is a Japanese-style room, isn't it?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "That's right. text It's very relaxing since no one else is here." text "Well, that's true, but.. isn't this place locked, Senpai?" text "Yes. text It's usually only open to members of the tea ceremony club, so normal students can't get in." text Saying so, she takes a key out of her pocket. text "Oh. text Are you in the tea ceremony club, Senpai?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes. text Well--Actually, I'm the only member." text With a laugh, Senpai goes into the Japanese-style room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_09A.png text .... The inside of the room feels special, as if it isn't part of the school. text The sensation of the tatami and the sunlight through the windows feel very relaxing. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "As I said earlier, I'm the only member of the tea club. text Thanks to that, I can use this place freely during lunchtime and after class. text Here." text Laughing, Senpai lays out cushions. text "I'll make some tea now, so please wait right there, Tohno-kun." bgload BG_09A.png text .... Senpai heads towards the sink to prepare the tea. text There's no point in standing up, so I do as I am told and sit down on the cushion. text "......" text Perhaps it was the magic of the Japanese-style room. text That chaotic maelstrom that had been raging in my chest calms down, and now I can finally begin to think calmly about what has happened with Yumizuka. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Thanks for waiting. text Here you are. text Now, let's have some lunch. text Actually, I have some things to ask you, so it's just as well we're having lunch here." text "You have something to talk to me about?" text Puzzled, I drink the tea I'm offered. text As I'm in the Japanese-style room, my posture reflexively straightened and my mind has become tranquil. text .... Although I had no connection to it, the Arima family heads a tea ceremony school. text Perhaps it was because I had been raised in that kind of environment, that I feel more at ease in a Japanese-style room than a Western-style one. text Senpai looks at me with a troubled expression. text "What's wrong, Senpai? text You look a bit worried." bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Eh? text Ah, um, I was just a little surprised at how calm you were about all of this, Tohno-kun." text "Really? text Well, my family is a strict one, so I'm used to these kinds of things. text More importantly, Senpai, didn't you have something you wanted to talk to me about?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "I do. text The continuation of what we were talking about earlier." text ".... What we were talking about earlier.. you mean about my family?" text Senpai nods to indicate a yes. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "If you don't mind, I would like to hear more about it. text I was curious about it since we stopped halfway." text ".... It's not that I mind, but hearing about my family isn't very interesting. text It'd be a waste of time." text "I don't mind if it's not interesting, I just want to hear about it." text ".... Hmm, you sure are eccentric, Senpai." text "Maybe I am," Senpai laughs. text "Alright, then. text Let's continue from before. text You said you moved to your home. text What do you mean by that?" text Senpai asks, full of curiosity. text .... Well, the conversation back then must've been pretty fragmented for Senpai, since she didn't know any of the circumstances. text "---Let's see. text Basically, I'm a guy who's been disinherited. text I was seriously injured after getting caught up in a traffic accident when I was nine years old. text The injuries themselves somehow healed, but after that, I easily collapsed from anemia and threw up my food. text That's why I was entrusted to my relatives, the Arimas, while I recuperated." bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Uh, so in other words, the Arimas have been your parents who raised you since you were nine, right?" text "That's right. text I knew my old man hated me for some reason and that once I had been entrusted to the Arimas, I would never go back home.... Go back to the Tohno mansion, that is. text That's why, well, I thought I'd just continue to live as a son of the Arimas forever. text That's what I thought, but my old man kicked the bucket recently. text That's when they told me to return to the mansion, now that my old man is no longer there, and I finally agreed to them." text ---And that, pretty much, is my domestic situation. text ~ text I end my story like that. text Ciel-senpai gives a little nod silently. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text ".... May I just ask one thing?" text "Mm? text Sure, if I can answer it. text Go ahead." text ".... Alright, then I'll ask. text Did you dislike your previous family?" text ~ text My previous family---the Arimas who had raised me as my parents? text ~ text My mother and father who weren't my real parents, text and the unfamiliar building which without a doubt was home to strangers. text But completely regardless of that--- text "No, I liked them. text They were people who didn't care that I wasn't related to them by blood. text They were so warm to me that I felt bad about being depressed all by myself. text And for them to love me no matter what.... I didn't think it was a bad thing." text ---I was loved by these people. text ~ text That's why soon, even one day sooner, text I have to truly become family to them--- text ~ text I had been telling myself those words since I was young. text .... Since a very, very long time ago. text Over and over, I swore, till I would practically pass out. text ".... Um, just like Arihiko said, I didn't have a single complaint about the Arima family. text They treated me well, and I think I responded to their affection, too. text Between us, even though I knew we were just playing at being family, even if it was all just an act, I didn't feel any pain." text No, I was happy instead. text In a way, I had considered the Arima parents and me to be the ideal nuclear family. text "---But it was no good, was it?" text ".... Yeah. text Despite everything, there was a line I couldn't cross. text 'This isn't your real family....' No matter what I did, I couldn't get those words out of my head. text I knew I should have been ignoring it, but I just couldn't do it. text I don't know if you'd call it a childhood experience, but it had already become like a curse to me. text Somehow, no matter where I was, I felt like a stranger to my family." bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text Senpai is silent. text Avoiding my gaze, she huddles her shoulders apologetically. text "See? text It was boring after all, right? text That's why I said it would be a waste of time." bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "No, that's not true. text It was a very meaningful story." text Saying that, Senpai begins to eat her own lunch. bgload BG_09A.png text I follow her example and start nibbling off the bread I had bought. text .... Thanks to my conversation with Senpai, my appetite has returned. text Despite that, I still couldn't even finish half of it. music ~ bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "So. text Tohno-kun, is anything troubling you right now?" text "Eh--why that, all of a sudden? text I don't have any worries in particular." text "Hmmm. text Then I suppose the reason you aren't eating much must be because of your health." text Senpai stares at me. text .... Somehow, her gaze feels very penetrating. text It feels difficult to remain silent under a gaze like that. text ".... I don't have any worries, but.. Senpai, what do you think of the recent killings?" text I can't help but ask. text The stories about my classmate who hasn't returned home won't leave my mind. text "Killings? text Oh, you mean that business about the vampires?" text "--Yes. text There's already been eight victims, right? text I haven't caught the news lately, so I'm not too sure about this subject. text Do you know anything, Senpai?" text "Well, I know as much as anyone else does, but no, not the details. text It's just that.. The word 'vampire' sends chills down my spine." text "Ah, you mean how it seems the victims have had their blood drained? text Strange, isn't it? text I wonder what it could mean?" text "Who knows? text It's impossible to know how such people think. text But I wonder why they've nicknamed him the 'vampire'?" text "....?" text What an odd question. text "Well, isn't it because the blood was drained from the bodies? text It'd only be natural to call them vampires, wouldn't it?" music 04.mp3 bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Do you know the folklore about vampires, Tohno-kun?" text Suddenly breaking into a smile, Senpai asks an even stranger question. text ".... Vampire folklore? text .... You mean how people who have their blood sucked by vampires become vampires themselves?" text "Yes. text If that was true, there shouldn't be any bodies left, right? text Supposing some vampire was the killer, there'd be no bodies, Tohno-kun." text "---I see. text That's true, but.. it's just a nickname, isn't it? text Do you really believe in vampires, Senpai?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text "Not at all. text After all, the fact that the bodies are there show that it's not a vampire, right?" text Smiling, Senpai gives a reply that seems slightly off the point. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "But couldn't you also think of it this way? text Maybe the victims whose bodies have been found died because they couldn't become vampires. text Perhaps there are those who can be turned, and those who can't. text The people who can become vampires won't have their corpses found even if they were attacked by vampires. text Because even now, they're still alive--out there somewhere. text But those who can't become vampires just die, and so their bodies wind up being found." text "Well-----that's.." text .... Senpai is still smiling. text I know it's only a joke, but I'm having difficulty laughing it off. music 03.mp3 bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Oh, I'm just joking. text It'd be like some kind of horror story if that were really true. text I don't like scary stories, so please don't ask me things like that." text ".... What? text It looked to me like you were really getting into it, Senpai." bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, I don't like scary stories, but I do like scaring you, Tohno-kun." text "........" text .... Did I do something to make her bear a grudge against me? bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "But all jokes aside, Tohno-kun, lately the streets have become dangerous at night. text You mustn't go out, even though you are an energetic young man." text Senpai gives me a warning that sounds like a joke. text I can't tell how serious she is. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06A.png text Lunch break ends, and fifth period starts. text The lesson on classics goes in one ear and out the other. bgload event/STK_E03.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Well, my house is this way. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Bye-bye. text See you at school tomorrow. bgload BG_06A.png text That's what Yumizuka said. text She wouldn't say that and then run away from home. text ~ text "----" text ~ text I have a bad feeling about this. text The killer who wanders the town at night. text It's dangerous to go out at night, the words Senpai said. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_06A.png text "----" text Perhaps it was because of that red imagery surrounding us when we parted. text Suddenly, text a vision of Yumizuka Satsuki soaked in red blood appears before my eyes. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text "Guh--" text ~ text It happens suddenly. text My vision goes white, and my sense of balance reels. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text "----" text ~ text My field of view lurches. text Something lurks in the back of my head, and my consciousness feels heavy. text ".... This is bad.." text I know this feeling. text Sudden dizziness prior to an anemic attack. text The blood accumulated in the brain's blood vessels become a black lump, making my head sway, and my vision will go pitch black. text It feels as if the blackness is pushing its way out of my brain into my eyeballs. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png bgload IMA_10.png text ---This is bad. text I haven't been collapsing during class lately-- text ~ text Red. text Is it because Yumizuka's blood-red image is too fresh in my mind? text My vision distorts. text As darkness envelops it, I somehow grab onto my desk. text ~ text But, it's useless. text There's no strength in my fingers. text I fall towards the floor-- text As I do, I remember her words. text ~ text "Tohno-kun, help me when I'm in a pinch, okay?" text ~ text --I told you that's impossible. text Whatever you may think of me, I'm not Superman---- bgload BG_10C.png music 01.mp3 text "---Sorry for dragging you along with me, Arihiko." bgload BG_10C.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "Yeah, yeah, I'm used to you collapsing without warning like that. text Honestly, sleeping in the infirmary up to the very last minute? text Just who do you think you are?" text "You should've woken me up. text There's nothing conscientious about letting me sleep until they lock us in the building." text "Shaddup. text You think I'm going to wake up a sick person? text You'd just collapse again. text C'mon, we need to get back. text It's already seven, y'know." bgload BG_10C.png text Arihiko walks down the corridor. text .... After that. text I collapsed from anemia and was left to sleep in the infirmary. text Time passed until school lock-up time at six-thirty, when I was awoken by Arihiko's punch. text And so, we came to be walking along this deserted corridor. text "Hey. text C'mon Tohno. text What are you doing?" text "--Sorry. text I'm coming." text I shake my still-woozy head, and follow Arihiko. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01C.png bgload BG_01C.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Alright. text You can go home by yourself from here. text See you at school tomorrow." text ".... Thanks. text Sorry as always, Arihiko." bgload BG_01C.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Don't worry, pay me back in double in the future." bgload BG_01C.png text .... Arihiko's answer isn't exactly in proper Japanese.. text Smiling wryly to myself, I decide to head back to my own house. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24C.png text I reach the intersection. text It's still seven in the evening, but there's no one around. text I guess because of the killer, fewer people go out at night. text The only figure I can see now is the back of a woman, far away. text ".... Ah, a blond?" text The distant woman seems to be a foreigner. text Even from far away, I can see her golden hair rippling as she walks. music ~ bgload BG_24C.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text ~ text .... It draws my eyes after her. text Even though I only see her from behind, I can tell she's beautiful. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text --------Thump. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_24C.png text "Eh.." text ~ text Suddenly my heart pounds loudly. text My throat becomes inexplicably dry and parched. text I break out in a cold sweat. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_13.png bgload BG_24C.png text "U--gh." text My head aches. text It's not like the anemia earlier. text Rather than fading, my consciousness becomes sharper. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ha-----gha." text I gasp. bgload BG_24C.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text That---back. text Watching the woman's golden hair--My head hurts terribly. sound SE_00.wav 1 text *pant*---*pant*, *pant*----" text .... My thoughts feel like they're melting into a haze. text I will.. follow behind her, and then--- text ~ text "And.... then?" text What am I going to do after that? bgload BG_24C.png text The woman disappears into a group of apartments in the shopping district. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ".... I have.. to.. fo.. llow.." text I don't know why, but I think that. text My legs move on towards the apartments. text ~ text But, before that. text ~ bgload BG_24C.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 bgload BG_24C.png text "--!" text Only for an instant. text Out of the corner of my eye, I see the figure of Yumizuka Satsuki. text "Yumizuka, san-----?" text My head becomes clear. text Yumizuka.. it was only for an instant, but without a doubt, that was Yumizuka. text Was she going towards town? text "What's she doing out, at a time like this..!?" text I was so mad, I didn't care if she disappeared or if she ran away from home. text It's too dangerous for a girl to walk around town at night alone. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text Yumizuka walks through the crowded town. text .... She's so far away, I'm not certain. text But even if I've mistaken her, I decided to run after her and tell her to stop. text "Wait, Yumizuka-san--!" text I shout, chasing after her. bgload BG_25B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "---" text Yumizuka glances back, as if she heard my voice. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text That face.. there's no confusing it. text The girl walking ahead of me is unmistakably Yumizuka Satsuki, and the expression on her face wasn't frightening. text "--Ah." text But I felt a chill run through my spine. text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text My heart beats quickly. text The back of my head becomes heavy, and my throat burns. text An ache assaults my head, just as it did with the blond woman earlier. text "What is this.. It's weird.." text The inside of my body is burning. text I feel dizzy as if I'm in the grip of a terrible fever. text ~ text In that moment, Yumizuka begins to walk again. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text "Wa.. Wait, Yumizuka-san..!" text I call out, running. text Yumizuka walks on, not turning. text "Ca.. can't you hear me, Yumizuka..!" text I urge my hot body onwards. text But, no matter how much I try, I can't catch her. text ~ text .... No matter how fast I run, I can't catch up to her even as she walks. text "------" text Something is.. strange. text I know that, but I can't tell what it is. text Right now, all I can do is to follow Yumizuka Satsuki. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text ----And then. text ~ text I lose sight of her. text Yumizuka Satsuki, whom I had been chasing without success, is nowhere to be seen. bgload BG_26A.png text ".... Shit.. What the hell is going on..!" text I stop, catching my breath, text My chest heaves deeply. text .... Though I hadn't realized until now, I must have been running for a long time. text ~ text "What.. time is it..?" text Resting my hands on my knee, I glance up at a nearby store window. text It's--already midnight. text "----Can't be. text I couldn't have been running for that long." text .... It's hard to believe, but the clock is correct. text Looking around, most of the shopping district is closed. text "---I should.. go back." text Even though I'm worried about Yumizuka, I feel like I won't be able to find her anymore. text .... I chased her for almost four hours, calling her name all this time, but she did not even respond. text What was she thinking? text ~ text With a big sigh, I decide to head back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png jump s211.scr bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text I arrive in class earlier than usual. text "Phew." I walk to my desk next to the window. text ~ text "Good morning, Tohno-kun." text An unfamiliar voice greets me. text "---Eh?" text I turn around, confused. bgload BG_06A.png setimg STK_T01.png 53 0 text "Tohno-kun, the teacher was looking for you. text He said he wanted to talk to you about your house." text "Hmm.. My home? text Must be about me moving." text .... I should have finished the formalities yesterday. text Perhaps there's something I forgot to do. text "-----" text The girl doesn't move, but stands there looking at me. text "Uh.. Good morning, Yumizuka." text "Yeah. text Good morning, Tohno-kun. text Looks like you remember my name." text ~ text Sighing with relief, Yumizuka Satsuki gives a faint smile. text "I can remember the names of my own classmates, you know? text It's just that I haven't spoken to you much." bgload BG_06A.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Yeah. text I was a little nervous about talking to you." text Yumizuka smiles again. text She seems happy about something. bgload BG_06A.png text "...." text Yumizuka continues to stare at me as if she wants to say something else. text .... To be honest, I don't know her that well. text Although we're in the same class, I can count the times we've spoken. text But Yumizuka Satsuki is the center of attention. text She's often the topic of conversation among the boys, and there aren't any bad rumors about her among the girls. text In short, she's your typical class idol. text ~ text Naturally, she's always surrounded by a crowd. text She's the complete opposite of a loner like me. text While I might be able to remember the name 'Yumizuka Satsuki', there's no reason for her to remember the name 'Tohno Shiki'. text It seems like some bothersome coincidences are at work today. bgload BG_06A.png setimg STK_T01.png 53 0 text "Tohno-kun. text Um.. Can I ask you a question?" text "If I can answer, you can ask as many as you want." text "Um.. um.. Sorry if it's something personal, but.. you said you're moving.. Are you going to move somewhere far away?" text Her voice trails off, as if it's hard for her to ask. text She clasps her hands to stop fidgeting. text "I know it's sudden, but.. will you be transferring somewhere?" text "Ah, no, no. text I'm changing my residence, but not my school. text My new house is still in this town anyway, so it's no big deal." text "Oh.. that's good." text Yumizuka sighs with relief. text "..?" text How odd. text Why would something like me moving cause that kind of reaction? text "But.. are you going to leave the Arimas?" text "Yeah. text I enjoyed living with them, but I can't leech off them forever." text ~ text .... Huh? text How does Yumizuka know that? text No one at this school should know I was living with the Arimas, except for a certain guy.. text "Wassup, Tohno!" text A carefree loud voice rings out from the classroom doorway. text As if on cue, the guy who's been my friend since middle school appears. bgload BG_06A.png bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey, if it isn't Yumizuka! text It's not often I see you talkin' to Tohno." text ".... Morning, Inui-kun." Yumizuka looks away with an unenthusiastic reply. text .... I guess she isn't the type who'd respond well to a guy like him. text "Tohno's picking up chicks? text What the hell is going on? text I thought you weren't interested in 'em?" text Arihiko exclaims his joke loudly. text "You moron, stop spreading lies. text I'm a normal guy! text Of course I'm interested in girls." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Is that right? text Good for you man! text Still, these days, girls find it more amusing if you have a weird sex drive instead. text But they'll only find it amusing and it won't go any farther!" text His bottomless, cheerful laughter echoes throughout the morning classroom. text .... I let out another sigh. text I once again wonder, like I have many times before, how I ended up knowing this person. text ~ text His hair dyed orange, ears pierced. text His vicious glare that shouts he will pick a fight with anyone, any time, and his wearing of rebellious clothes. text Inui Arihiko is the only free-spirited outlaw in our university-oriented high school. text "Do you have to be so loud this early in the morning? text I'm depressed about all sorts of stuff, so stay away from me today, okay?" text I wave my hands to shoo him away. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Depressed? text What's wrong, man? text Is it 'that' time of the month?" text ".... Wait, I take that back. text Rather than just for today, stay away from me for the rest of my life. text My depression will only get worse with you around." bgload BG_06A.png text Ignoring Arihiko, I head back to my own desk. text Dropping my bag and taking a seat, I stretch my back. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey, you can't just ignore other people like that, Tohno. text You're gonna hurt people with that careless attitude of yours." text "Oh, that's news to me. text Isn't there some way I can kill them instead? text If you can tell me how, I'll repay you by trying it out on you." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text ".... That's cold, man. text Aren't you just a little nastier than usual this morning?" text "Didn't I tell you I'm depressed? text Other people aside, I'm certainly not showing any kindness to you." text Arihiko sighs. text ".... Why are you only mean to me, Tohno? text You're like a saint to everyone else. text It's not fair." text "What, you just figured that out? text The world's unfair." text ".... You really are only mean to me." text ~ text Arihiko gives another exaggerated sigh. text I didn't try particularly hard to be cold to Arihiko. text That's just the kind of relationship we have. text "So, Arihiko, what's a chronically-late night owl who never shows up until second period doing here in homeroom? text It's a little.. no, it's very odd." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Haha.. I was thinking that too. text I guess being at school on time isn't just for when I happen to wake up early." text ".... Well, I won't comment on your hobbies, but what I'm asking is why you woke up early." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Why I woke up early? text Uhh.. I guess it's because I can't stay out late since all that fuss started, so I actually go to sleep at night now. text You've heard the stories about that serial killer, haven't you?" text ".... I see. text Come to think of it, I did hear something like that." text I feel a tinge of regret at needing Arihiko to remind me. text For the past two or three days I had been debating whether or not to return to the Tohno household, so I completely lost touch with the news. text "What was that again? text They've given it some really nasty name, like the 'Freakish Serial Killings' or something." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "There's more to it. text So far, all the victims have been young girls. text The eighth victim was only two days ago! text And to top it all off, they were all.. wait, what happened to them again?" bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko tilts his head in contemplation. text "...." text I'm an idiot for asking him. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png -24 0 text "Yeah, I remember now! text All the victims were cut up into pieces and arranged in a pattern or something!" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png -24 0 setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text ".... No, Inui-kun. text Everyone who was killed lost a lot of blood." text "Oh yeah, that was it. text They said it's some kind of modern day vampire or something." text "Hmph. text You sure know a lot about this, Yumizuka-san." text "Not really. text It's happening in this town, so it's in the news. text You'd remember it even if you didn't want to." text .... I see. text I thought it was happening in a neighboring town.. but I guess it moved down here. text "Well, anyway, that's what happened. text Even I wouldn't be going on the streets at night with a killer walkin' around. text That's why I've been waking up at seven lately." text ".... What, that's it? text Having a good reason doesn't make a good story. text Where's the fun in that?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text "Man, you're cold. text What, did you collapse from anemia already this morning?" text "I'm alright, thanks for asking. text If I was anemic twenty-four hours a day, I'd be dead by now." text "Yeah, you're right. text If you say you're okay, then I guess you're okay." sound SE_02.wav 1 text ---And.. text ~ text The bell rings, interrupting our conversation. text ~ text "Hey, class is about to begin. text Hurry up and get back to your seat." text With a "Yeah", Arihiko goes back to his seat. bgload BG_06A.png setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text "See you later, Tohno-kun." text "Ah.. Yeah. text Sorry for keeping you, Yumizuka-san." bgload BG_06A.png text Her light footsteps tap across the floor as she returns to her desk. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06A.png text Second period is over. text Our homeroom teacher, who's also our math teacher, calls out to me as he leaves. text "Tohno, your documents are missing some details. text Please go visit the office." text It shouldn't take long, so I'll head to the office before the third period starts. text The office is on the first floor. text The second-year classroom is on the third floor, but I could make it back before third period starts if I run. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11A.png text -----I run. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_07A.png text -----And run. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_10A.png text -----And ru.. sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png text ..!? text The impact floors me with a thud! text My head hits something, and the world swims before my eyes. text "Ooow.. Owowow.." text I hear a voice nearby. text It's a woman's voice I've never heard before. text It looks like I ran into someone. text "I'm sorry, are you alright?" I still can't see my surroundings too well, but I apologize to the person I hit. text "Yes, I'm alright.. How about you? text Are you okay?" text There's no trace of accusation in that gentle voice. text I don't know who she is, but it seems like she's worried about me. text "Ah.. Yeah, I'm also okay." text I shake my head and stand up. text Finally, I can see clearly. bgload BG_10A.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Are you really alright? text Your forehead is swelling up." text "Eh..?" text I feel a prickle of pain when I try to touch it with my hand. text .... Just like she said, I'm developing a magnificent lump. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "I am so sorry. text I was not paying attention to where I was going. text Your forehead must really hurt, right?" The female student gazes apologetically at my face. text From the formal way she spoke, I assumed she was a first-year, but from the color of her ribbon, I can see she's a third-year.. in other words, my senpai. text "No, it's fine, really. text I'm the one at fault. text I'm sorry for bumping into you, Senpai." text I lower my head in a bow. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Ah, come to think of it, you're right. text You shouldn't be running down the hallways, you know. text There are people like me spaced out while looking down at the courtyard." text "Yes, I'll be more careful.. Are you alright, Senpai?" bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Yes, I only fell. text It's because you ran into the wall while trying to avoid hitting me, Tohno-kun." text "Really? text No wonder I'm seeing stars." text I'm lucky to get off with just a bump after running into a wall at that speed. text "Sorry about that, but spacing out in the hallway is also dangerous, Senpai." bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes, I'll be more careful." text Senpai smiles and nods. text ~ text "...." text It's an honest smile. text "Uh.. excuse me, I'd best be going." text Beating the dust off my pants, I begin walking towards the office. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text But the older student continues to watch me through her glasses. text "...." text Wait, just who is she? text I was distracted because I ran into her, but come to think of it, she's beautiful. text If she's this beautiful, the male students would be talking about a "third-year beauty wearing glasses". text "Um.. I'm going now. text You should go back to your classroom too, Senpai. text Ah, if you're in any pain, please come to my classroom. text I'm Tohno from Second Year, Third Class. text I'll take responsibility." text She nods. text .... Even though she's older than me, it's like dealing with someone younger. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Alright. text If anything happens, I'll come to your classroom at lunchtime. text Remember, Shiki-kun, you mustn't run in the hallways." text "Okay, but you shouldn't space out in hallways either, Senpai." text With that, I wave my hand and leave. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ----Wait. text ~ text Shiki-kun? text I haven't told her my first name. text Come to think of it.. did she use my name earlier too..? text ".... Huh? text Have I met you before, Senpai?" text "Eeeh!?" text Senpai cries out in surprise, and mischievously puts on a depressed face. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "You're terrible, Tohno-kun! text You've forgotten about me?" text "----?" text Forgotten? text No, I didn't think so. text If I ever got myself involved with a beautiful woman like her, there'd be no way I'd forget.. text ".... Um.." text She looks up at me reproachfully. text Those eyes.. I'm sure I.. remember from somewhere.. don't I? bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_10A.png text .... Come to think of it, we exchanged greetings once or twice before.. didn't we? text "Ciel-senpai.. right?" text I say her name apprehensively. bgload BG_10A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, and I'm glad you remember. text You seem the type to space out and forget, Tohno-kun." text .... I don't think I space out, but there's nothing I can do about the fact that I forgot text "Well then, goodbye. text Let's meet again at lunchtime." text Ciel-senpai bows again. text I watch her walk down the hallway. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar akiha_regard + 1 jump s24.scr bgload BG_06A.png music 01.mp3 text --Even after second period, Yumizuka still didn't show up. text With no way to find out, my bad feeling about this grows. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text It's lunchtime. text In spite of the morning's excitement, the classroom has returned to its everyday cheerfulness. text It seems that no one in class is really taking Yumizuka Satsuki's running away from home seriously. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Tohno, let's get lunch." text "That's okay. text I don't really feel like it." text "Huh, I guess it can't be helped. text Don't be troubled with other people's problems too much." bgload BG_06A.png text "...." text Other people's problems, huh? text Arihiko's words are too close to the truth. text "Huh? text You're not with Inui-kun today?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text ".... Senpai? text What are you doing in our classroom?" text "Well, I thought I'd have lunch with you guys.. Tohno-kun, aren't you going to eat something?" text Senpai sits down on the desk, looking at me anxiously. text "Nah, I just don't seem to have any appetite today." text "Ahh.. Are you not feeling well?" text ".... Something like that. text Don't worry about me, you go on to the dining hall. text Arihiko's probably already there." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Oh, you're not energetic at all! text I don't know what happened, but if you don't eat lunch, you'll just feel even worse." text "That's.. true, but.." bgload BG_06A.png text But since I'm not hungry, there's not a lot I can do. text ~ text I---- choice Ciel-senpai is right.|No, I really don't feel well. if selected == 1 jump s209a.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s212.scr fi music ~ bgload BG_25B.png text .... There is no one around. text The shopping district still had some people, but the way back to the mansion should be completely empty. text "......" text The words "serial killer" run through my mind. text Midnight. text Walking through town alone. text I might be an easy prey for such an attacker. sound SE_09.wav 1 text "----!?" text A sound. text Somewhere behind a building, there is a sound. text I think it is the sound of someone falling? text ".... The back alley....?" text The noise came only once. text An eerie silence surrounds me. sound SE_09.wav 1 text .... I have a bad feeling about this. text Did someone collapse in the back alley? text Did the wind just knock something over? text .... Whatever it was, I probably shouldn't get involved. text ~ text -----But. text Is it because I was looking for Yumizuka a while ago? text I feel like she's there for some reason. text ".... What.. should I do....?" text There's no one around. text The only help I can rely on is this knife Kohaku-san handed me this morning. text ~ text I------- text ~ choice Go and look.|Don't go and look. if selected == 1 if flgP >= 1 jump s217.scr fi jump s218.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s234.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text ".... Sorry. text I really don't feel too good right now. text I'm going to the clinic, so please just have lunch with Arihiko." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text Senpai sighs. text ".... I don't know what is going on, but please do not push yourself, Tohno-kun." text "Haha--I'm going to the clinic so I won't push myself." bgload BG_06A.png text Forcing a smile, I leave the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text When I get back, homeroom has ended. text I'm the only one left in the classroom as everyone else has rushed off to club activities or to their houses. text ~ text "----Well." text ~ text There's really no need for me to stay here. text Putting my things in my bag, I leave the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23B.png text It's past four o'clock. text I told Hisui that I'd return around four, so I don't have time to wander around. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png text "...." text I suddenly stop as I walk up the hill. text Yesterday, at this same time. text I remember how natural the parting was between Yumizuka and I. text "........" text To be honest, I'm concerned about Yumizuka. text But no matter how much I worry, there's nothing I can do. text I told her I would help her as much as I could whenever she was in a pinch. text But now, I don't even know how I can help. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32B.png music 01.mp3 text I reach the top of the hill, walk along the wall and reach the front gate of the mansion. text ".... This western mansion does seem out of place." text In the middle of a residential area and at the top of a hill, this imposing mansion really does give the impression that it is from a country other than Japan. text Besides, to top it all off---- bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text And standing there in front of the gate to welcome me is a maid. text Hisui stands like a statue in front of the gate. text "Thanks, Hisui.... Um, forgive me for asking, but have you been waiting for me here the whole time?" text "No, not the whole time. text I have only waited for half an hour. text Is there something wrong?" text She speaks extremely matter-of-factly. text .... Wait a minute, waiting for me like that is going overboard. text "---I'm really happy that you waited to greet me, but you don't have to go that far. text Wearing that and standing so conspicuously, I feel a little embarrassed." text Plus it is autumn. text It'll get pretty cold out soon. text "................" text Hisui is silent. text She might be part foreigner, as her blue eyes are like finely crafted glass, staring at me lifelessly without emotion. text A brief silence ensues. bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01B.png 62 0 text ".... I understand. text Then, starting tomorrow, I will wait in the lobby." text Hisui gives a brief bow and opens the gate. bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text After that, she resumes her immobile depiction of a statue. text After I walk through the gate and enter the garden, she quietly follows behind me. bgload BG_48B.png text When we reach the entrance, Hisui whooshes past me. text "Uwaa!" text I instinctively jump back. bgload BG_48B.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text ".... What is it, Shiki-sama?" text "Uh, no-----nothing, it's nothing." text ".........." bgload BG_48B.png text She silently opens the front door. text She must have moved ahead of me to do so. text Waiting behind her master until her turn arises and quietly fulfilling her duty. text Perhaps that is the duty of a maid, but it makes a normal person like me a little nervous to have her attending my every move. text .... This isn't good at all. text This just makes me feel like a perpetual guest in my own home. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33B.png text "Um, Hisui?" bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Yes, what is it, Shiki-sama?" text "I said this yesterday already, but I'd like to do things that I can do by myself. text No, please let me. text This is sort of a secret, I suppose, but the truth is, I really am pretty lazy deep inside, so I tend to let things go." text Yeah, I really want that to be a secret from Akiha. text ".... I do not understand, are you telling me to be more strict?" text "No, that's definitely not it. text I just want to live as relaxed as possible." text ".... I am deeply sorry. text I do not appear to understand what you are saying, Shiki-sama." text ".... Um, that's why I'm saying--you don't have to look so serious." text .... This is troubling. text Last night when I talked to her a little about this I had a premonition, but I didn't know she took things this seriously. text "---Sheesh, what I'm saying is that you don't have to worry about me. text I don't mind being helped with things like laundry and cooking, but other than that, I can take care of myself. text Isn't it just you and Kohaku-san taking care of this enormous mansion? text So I don't want to add to your duties; just relax!" bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "......" text Her expression doesn't change. text She doesn't answer or even give a nod. text Just.. a quick closing of the eyes, I think. text "I understand. text But you do not have to worry about me, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_33B.png text ~ text ----Argh, she doesn't understand at all...... text ~ text Hisui swiftly swishes to the side to make way for me. text I sigh. text .... I am really taken aback.. text All this devotion really does make me happy, but I think it'll be good if she was just half as cheerful as Kohaku-san. text She has such a beautiful atmosphere around her, maybe if I just relax a little bit, that would be-- bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, are you not going to return to your room?" text "No, I was just thinking about something." text I turn to the side and face the stairs. text Hisui looks rather longingly at the bag in my hand. text .... I think she wants me to let her carry it. text She already went through all this trouble just to greet me, and now she wants to carry my bag. text I ignore her longing attitude as I quickly walk towards my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40B.png bgload BG_40B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Please take off your school clothes and place them here. text I have to clean the mansion, so if you need anything, please call for me." text ".... Hisui, you clean the mansion? text I wonder what Akiha and Kohaku-san are doing." text "Akiha-sama is in the salon taking care of Makihisa-sama's business and inheritance matters. text Nee-san would most likely be sweeping in the courtyard." text ".... Huh? text My old man's business inheritance? text Is she talking with a lawyer or something?" text "Yes. text It seems that she is being informed about all of the administration policies, so she will be extremely busy until dinner time." text ".........." text Well, the old man DID suddenly pass away, so he probably didn't tell her anything about his company. text "Sorry for taking your time. text I'll call you if anything happens, so you can return to what you were doing." bgload BG_40B.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Well, then, please excuse me." bgload BG_40B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40B.png music ~ text I change out of my uniform and into some normal clothes. text The clock says it's just past five o'clock. text It'd be a waste if I just spaced out in my room, so now I should---- text ~ choice Go see Hisui.|Go help Kohaku-san.|Stay in my room. if selected == 1 jump s214.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s213.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s215.scr fi bgload BG_40B.png text .... That's right, she's been taking care of me since yesterday. text So if I have time to fool around, then I should go help Kohaku-san. text "I guess she's sweeping in the garden." text If it's just sweeping the garden, even I could help with that. text I psyche myself up, and head towards the garden. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_42B.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T06.png 52 0 text "Oh, welcome back, Shiki-san." text Kohaku-san faces me with a tender smile. text "Thanks. text You're sweeping the garden by yourself?" text "Yes. text The gardener will not be here for another three days, so I thought I should just straighten up these fallen leaves." text Kohaku-san holds the bamboo broom with both hands. text She looks like she's really enjoying herself. text Cleaning up this large area by herself should be quite a huge task. text "You're really something, Kohaku-san. text I'd complain if I had to sweep this whole garden." text "Oh no, it isn't like that at all. text This is my duty, so I have to do it to put food on the table. text That is why I must push back my tears and sweep this garden. text Ahaha!" text Kohaku-san laughs and gives a care-free smile. text She certainly is cheerful. text "Besides, there are some things I do in the back courtyard, so when I am not busy, I always check up on the garden." text "Eh....? text 'Things you do'? text Like what?" text "Well, let's see. text Ever since I was a child, I've liked growing flowers. text I gathered so many kinds of flowers on whim that it is more like a jungle than a flowerbed." bgload BG_42B.png text "Ahaha," Kohaku-san laughs brightly once again. text .... But I didn't know that. text I rarely go back here so I didn't realize it, but I guess I have seen something like a flower garden from the second floor. text "I see. text You like gardening, Kohaku-san? text What kind of flowers?" bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Well, lots of kinds. text But most of them are morning glories." text "Oh, morning glories? text That seems like a fitting choice." text "Really? text I always thought that they didn't quite match the mood of the mansion though.." text "No, not the mansion. text I mean they suit you well, Kohaku-san. text Morning glories are so pretty in their simplicity." bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T18.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, I think you have the wrong idea. text The ones in the garden are Korean morning glories. text They are a bit dangerous." text Kohaku-san laughs as if something was really funny. text "Is that so? text But Korean morning glories are still morning glories, right?" bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Yes. text It is also known as crazy eggplant, or datura. text The flowers can be made into an anesthetic. text The world's first general anesthetic, Tsuusensan, was made in Japan with the Korean morning glories as its main active ingredient. text If you drink it by accident, it will cause dangerous hallucinations, so please be careful, Shiki-san." text ~ text .... Um, I don't really think I'd ever "accidentally drink" the flowers, Kohaku-san. text "I also wanted to grow some cactus and other cute things like that, but Akiha-sama was vehemently against it so I had to stop. text It really is too bad that I tell you all these things, but cannot show them to you." bgload BG_42B.png text Saying that, she takes up the broom again. text ".... I see. text So you sweep the garden because you like flowers and stuff like that?" bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T06.png 52 0 text "No, that isn't really the reason. text Actually, I'm terrible at cleaning inside the mansion. text I don't know why, but I always seem to break something." text "Huh?" text "I seem to break or rip the most valuable thing in the room. text Well, but I don't do it on purpose, right? text But Hisui-chan told me, 'Nee-san, maybe you should just stick to the family finances and cooking.' How mean of her!" text Kohaku-san is still smiling while acting angry. text But----this is quite different from my first impression of her. text ".... You don't mean.. Kohaku-san, are you clumsy?" text My statement is more of a blurted outburst than a direct question. text Kohaku-san groans in disappointment. text "You're saying it too, Shiki-san? text Hisui-chan is too cruel and says, 'Nee-san, you are too slow', while Akiha-sama teases me and says, 'You are not being careful enough.' text I don't mess up because I want to! text They're so mean!" text ".... That's right. text There really aren't too many people that mess up because they want to." text I didn't know what to say, so I tried to be somewhat neutral. text "That's right! text It's the thought that counts, so I think they should overlook it if I mess up ten or twenty times!" bgload BG_42B.png text Kohaku-san starts quickly sweeping the leaves again. text ---Well, I didn't come here to get in her way. text "Kohaku-san, is there another broom?" bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T06.png 52 0 text "Yes, there are many in the shed. text What are you going to use it for?" text "No, I just thought I'd sweep up some leaves too." text Kohaku-san's broom freezes. bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "----That will not do, Shiki-sama. text If you were to do that, I would be in trouble." text "Get in trouble? text Who would get you in----well, I guess there really is only one person who would." text "Yes." text Kohaku-san nods quickly. text "Don't worry about it. text I'm doing it because I want to. text So it's wrong for Akiha to complain. text If Akiha has any complaints, she'll have to blame me, not you." text "Oh, that is true." text "Isn't it? text So relax. text Besides, it's more fun if we both do it." bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text ".... Um. text Shiki-san, you do not seem to understand Lady Akiha. text If you did that, she would get angry for another reason, I think." text ".... I don't get it, but you're saying she'll get angry whatever happens?" bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T18.png 52 0 text "Ahaha, that's it. text So please do not worry about sweeping." text Still smiling, Kohaku-san says this directly. text ".... Oh. text No matter what happens, Akiha will get mad at you. text Then I don't want to make any trouble for you. text Sorry, forgive me for just being careless." text "No, you were not being careless. text I'm very happy you wanted to help me." text Even though she says that with her bright smile, I feel bad because I really did want to help her. text ~ text I sigh. text Kohaku-san looks up at my face cheerfully. bgload BG_42B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, did you really want to help me?" text "Yeah, if I won't get you in trouble.." text "Then, shall we go somewhere else? text Akiha-sama will find us here, so I think it is better if we sweep behind the mansion." text "Behind.... in the backyard?" text "Yes. text Akiha-sama will never find us there, so we can sweep all we want. text Here you go," Kohaku-san hands me the broom she had in her hands. text "I will go to the shed to get another broom, so please go ahead, Shiki-sama. text Please don't let Hisui-chan or Akiha-sama spot you as you go, okay?" bgload BG_42B.png text Trot trot trot! text Kohaku-san dashes with quick, light steps. text ~ text ---She really looks like a mischievous kid. text ~ text Before I realize it, a grin creases my lips. text Akiha and Hisui don't seem to be the joking type, so Kohaku-san's brightness is quite charming. text "Alright, let's do this----!" text Gripping the broom that Kohaku-san was using earlier, I covertly walk to the garden behind the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar kohaku_regard + 1 jump s216.scr bgload BG_40B.png text .... That's right. text She's been taking care of me since yesterday, so if I have time to fool around, I ought to go help Hisui. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_46B.png music 01.mp3 text ---Well then. text Hisui said she'd be cleaning the mansion, but where could she be? text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33B.png text I go down to the lobby. text She wasn't in the hallway on the second floor, so maybe she's in the sitting room? text ~ bgload BG_34C.png text .... Not here. text ~ bgload BG_35.png text ........ Not here. text ~ bgload BG_46B.png text ............ Not here. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text ................ Not here. bgload BG_33B.png text She's not anywhere on the first floor. text The only place I haven't been are the locked recreation rooms, the guest rooms, and the salon where Akiha is right now. text ".... I guess she's on the second floor then." text It is a big mansion, so there's probably a bunch of places I haven't looked. text Psyching myself up, I start up the stairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_46B.png music ~ text I go up the stairs and glance down the hallway. text And then, text I see Hisui's silhouette standing by the window in the east hall of the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/HIS_E04.png music 09.mp3 text "Hisu--" text My voice dies in my throat. text In the middle of the hallway. text In the twilight, between light and shadow, Hisui stands motionless. text "------" text .... I can't.. speak. text Something about her seems.. dangerous. text ~ text Hisui lingering in the gloom of this western-style mansion. text She seems so incredibly beautiful; but at the same time, a chill runs through me, as if I were looking at a ghost. text ~ text She doesn't even move a finger. text She simply stares out the window. text "------" text That window. text Is that the same one she watched us from back then? text "Hisu----i" text I can't do anything but stare in fascination. text I'm so dumbstruck I can't speak, or even blink. text I can only watch her. text ~ text ----And then. text Her eyes, still like that of a doll's, suddenly turn towards me. text "Shiki-sama, is something wrong?" text "Ah---no, nothing, I just, um...." text "?" text Hisui tilts her head in curiosity. text That seems to break the mysterious spell I was under. text "I was looking for you because I had some free time and thought I'd give you a hand. text For some reason, I couldn't find you, but I made it." text " .... I see. text But Shiki-sama, there is no need for you to do that. text Please return to your room." text "Hmmm......" text I thought it would turn out like this, Hisui doesn't want me to do any work. text "But Hisui, I don't have anything else to do. text I don't like just doing nothing, so I thought I ought to pitch in." text "Shiki-sama, you may say that, but there is no longer any work that you might assist me with. text The only thing that remains is to arrange Akiha's bedroom. text No males are allowed to enter Akiha's bedroom. text Not even you, Shiki-sama." text "Hmmmm........" text Well, that's definitely true. text .... But, it is a little cruel. text She didn't have to emphasize that last part. text "Please excuse me, I have to finish my duties." bgload BG_46B.png text Her footsteps echo in the air and she goes into Akiha's bedroom. text ".......... Sheesh." text I can't just go into a girl's bedroom because I have free time. text ".... Oh well, I guess I'll go back to my room." text I turn on my heels. text Before doing so, I get curious about the window Hisui was staring out of. text "Huh---isn't that Kohaku-san in the courtyard?" text You can see the whole courtyard from this window. text Was Hisui looking out into the courtyard from this window just as she did when she was a child....? bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar hisui_regard + 1 jump s216.scr bgload BG_40B.png text .... No, I would feel bad about moving around and interfering with Hisui and Kohaku-san's work. text It's still only been two days since I came back to the mansion. text Perhaps it's because I'm not used to it yet, but for some reason, I feel tired. text I should relax and rest until dinner. bgload IMA_10.png jump s216.scr bgload BG_34B.png music 01.mp3 text It's after dinner, and we drink tea in the sitting room. text Akiha sits across from me and Hisui stands by the wall. text There is no such thing as a TV in the room, and Akiha doesn't say much. text ~ text ---Everything seems so.. high-class. text "Shiki-saaan, can you come here for a moment?" text Kohaku-san's cheerful voice calls from the lobby. bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san? text Kohaku is calling you. text Did you do anything to make her call for you?" text "No, I don't remember anything---I'll be right back." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33C.png text I leave Akiha and Hisui behind and go to the lobby. text Kohaku-san is pacing back and forth by the entrance. text ".... Kohaku-san. text What are you doing?" bgload BG_33C.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Ah, Shiki-san. text Well, it's a little complicated.... Can you please step outside with me? text Here is not a good place." text "....?" text I don't understand what's going on, but I follow her anyway. bgload BG_48C.png text "You have something to tell me? text Is it a secret or something?" bgload BG_48C.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes. text If Akiha-sama were to hear it, she would get mad at you, Shiki-san." text Something Akiha would get mad over....? text "What do you mean? text I haven't done anything to make her mad." text "Oh, it isn't anything you did. text But you know, while you were eating with Akiha-sama, a guest came to see you." text "Huh? text A guest, for me?" text "Yes. text She was walking around the front gate, so I called out to her. text She was wearing the school uniform of your high school." text And then Kohaku-san began to describe the guest's appearance. text About my age, with a slightly childish face. text A cute girl, her long hair tied in pigtails....? text "........" text Thump. text I feel as if my world is enveloped in darkness. text That description. text Isn't it Yumizuka Satsuki, who ran away from home--- text "She asked 'Is this Tohno-san's mansion?' And I answered 'Yes it is.' Then she asked 'Is Tohno-kun here now?'" text ".... Hmm. text And then what, Kohaku-san?" text "Yes, well she seemed to want to talk to you, but she refused when I asked if she wanted to come in. text She seemed okay that she would not get to meet you right now." text Kohaku-san wonders aloud what it was all about, and she tilts her head. text But, I'm the one who wants to know. text "Why------why did Yumizuka-san come to my place...." text I don't know. text I don't know, but, I have a bad feeling about this. text ".... Kohaku-san, how long ago was this?" text "Um, it was before the end of dinner, so about ten minutes ago." text "--! text And, which direction did she go?" text "She went down the hill, towards the station, I think." text ---Can I make it? text If I run---if I get lucky, I might make it. text ".... Got it. text I'll be gone for a little bit, so please keep this a secret from Akiha." bgload BG_48C.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "I understand. text If Akiha-sama found out, she would not leave you alone, Shiki-san." text Giving a quick bow to the smiling and cheerful Kohaku-san, I run down the road and into the night. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_24C.png text *pant*----*pant*, *pant*---- text Dashing with all my strength, I run toward the station. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----! text I look for someone like Yumizuka in the crowd in front of the station. text ~ text *pant*.... *pant*, *pant*...... text I'm out of breath. text My legs are painfully aware of how fast I was running, and they stop. text ".... I, knew.... it wouldn't, be this easy, to find, her...." text *pant*, *pant*. text Trying to control my breathing, I start to run again. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text ~ text ---I don't see Yumizuka Satsuki anywhere. text ~ text It's only natural, but I can't seem to give up that easily. text .... I don't think it is because I am so worried about her. text It's just that I have this terrible premonition, that's why I am running like this. text ---I'll be going. text Bye-bye, Tohno-kun. text ~ text That was a goodbye just like any other. text .... A truly happy, gentle smile. text That was not the face of someone who'd run away from home. text ~ text ---Tohno-kun, help me when I'm in a pinch, okay? text ~ text Yes, it really is that simple. text I just.. don't want to betray that smile---- bgload BG_28B.png text I pant with exertion. text I don't see her in the park, either. text .... There wasn't a way to find her from the beginning. text I should just give up and go back to the mansion. text ".... Damn.... it...." text Still, I try to look for her as I turn to go back through town. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text I come to the front of the station once more. text It's already past nine o'clock. text It's probably because of all the recent serial killings that the area around the station is quite empty already. text ~ text ----At that moment, text ~ text "Yumi----zuka." text For an instant, I doubt my eyes. text But the back of the figure in front of me, it resembles Yumizuka Satsuki too much. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text Yumizuka walks quickly into the midst of the crowd. text .... I can't tell for sure. text I may have been wrong, but I decided I should catch up to her and call out to her. text "Wait, Yumizuka-san---!" text I shout while running. bgload BG_25B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "------" text Did she hear me? text Yumizuka quickly turns around to face my direction. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text That face.. there's no confusing it. text The girl walking ahead of me is unmistakably Yumizuka Satsuki, and the expression on her face wasn't frightening. text "----Ah." text But I feel a chill run through my spine. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thump. text My heart starts to pound quickly. text The back of my head throbs heavily, and my throat is burning. text ~ text "What is this.. It's weird.." text The inside of my body is burning. text I feel dizzy as if I'm in the grip of a terrible fever. text ~ text In that moment, Yumizuka begins to walk again. bgload BG_26A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Wa---wait, Yumizuka-san..!" text I call out, running. text Yumizuka walks on unsteadily, not turning. text "Ca.. can't you hear me, Yumizuka..!" text I urge my hot body onwards. text But, no matter how much I try, I cannot catch Yumizuka. text ~ text .... No matter how fast I run, I cannot catch up to her even as she walks. text "------" text Something is.. strange. text I know that, but I couldn't tell what it is. text Right now, all I can do is follow Yumizuka Satsuki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text ~ text --And then. text ~ text I lose sight of her. text Yumizuka Satsuki, whom I had been chasing without success, is nowhere to be seen. text ".... Shit.. What the hell is going on..!" text I stop, catching my breath. text My chest heaves deeply. text .... Though I hadn't realized until now, I must have been running for a long time. text "What.. time is it..?" text Resting my hands on my knees, I glance up at a nearby store window. text It is--already midnight. text "----Can't be. text I couldn't have been running for that long." text .... It's hard to believe, but the clock is correct. text Looking around, most all the lights in the shopping district are off. text "---I should.. go back." text Even though I'm worried about Yumizuka, I feel like I won't be able to find her anymore. text .... I chased her for almost three hours, calling her name all this time, but she did not even respond. text What was she thinking? text ~ text With a big sigh, I decide to head back to the mansion. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s211.scr bgload BG_25B.png text ----I can't ignore my feelings. text ~ text With a killer skulking around town at night looking for victims, I shouldn't be investigating suspicious sounds in alleyways. text But.. I still remember Yumizuka's smiling face from yesterday. text There's no reason for Yumizuka to be there. text But if she is, she might need my help. text .... I'll never forgive myself if I just ignore this. text "----Alright." text Putting my hand in my pocket, there is the cold touch of iron. text Even though I don't intend to use it, it's comforting to know that I'm not unarmed. text .... And if it comes to it, I have my "eyes" too. text Sensei said not to use them recklessly, but she'll find it acceptable if I use it against a killer. text ".... The sound.. it came from here.." text Preparing myself, I step into the alley. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_30B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text ---Thump. text My heart pounds. text The back alley is quiet. text .... The noise came from the open area at the far end. text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thump. text The back of my head, hurts. text As if convulsing under the utmost strain, my wracked spine hurts as if it's about to rip itself out of my body. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thump. text Why is it? text I can't think, yet my instincts shout at me. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thu-mp. text Don't go. text Don't go any further. text If you do, you won't be able to come back. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thu-mp. text But it's already too late. text I step out of the back alley, and into the the open space. bgload BG_31B.png music 04.mp3 text "----Eh?" text That weak voice is all that I can get out. bgload IMA_13.png text The back alley is a single sheet of crimson. text Limbs are strewn amongst the garbage and rubble. text Not the limbs of dogs, or cats, or the like. text They are human limbs, blood dripping from fresh meat and bone. text The ground and the walls are painted with red blood. text A heavy scent fills my nostrils. text Thick. text Like a red fog permeating my body, the choking smell of blood. text A face. text A face. text A face. text A face on a severed head, rolling around with an expression of agony. text A face shriveled up like a mummy, split in halves. text A face with both eyes gouged out, so distorted I can't even tell if it used to be a man or a woman. text "-----" text Unable to make a sound, I merely gaze speechless at the corpses. text No, they can't even be called human bodies any more. text Even a badly made sculpture looks better than this. text ~ text There are four bodies. text They roll around like scraps of leftover food. bgload IMA_13B.png text "Ah----ah." text I gape in shock at the sea of bodies. text The back of my head throbs, my throat is parched, and my breath burns like fire. text My fingertips quiver, and my mouth distorts. text What---is this? text What is this world before my eyes? text "----Red." text ~ text Yes. text Before my eyes, everything is that terrible color--- text But I merely stand. text No screaming, no fear. text Like the scene of an accident in a movie, I only stare at the back alley. text Undoubtedly, text this is how my mind is protecting myself. text Otherwise I would have gone mad. bgload BG_31B.png text A corpse against the wall moves. text No, that's wrong. text It's not a corpse. text It's not like the scrapped hands and feet. text It's a living human being, with limbs attached. text "Ah......" text I see something out of place. text In this ghoulish spectacle, the response to seeing someone alive is more of astonishment than happiness. text ~ text But, if he's alive. text If he's alive, I have to help him. text "Uh---hello?" text With my mind still paralyzed, I step towards the living figure. text ~ text "---Gih." text ~ text Pulling itself up from the sea, it raises its face toward me. text A face like a dried out skull. bgload IMA_10.png text "Hii----!" text ~ text I leap back reflexively. text But, the skull moves faster than I do. text With a voice crying out "hyuuu! text hyuuu!" he jumps at me. text ----Hyuu! text Hyuu! text ~ text A hideous voice, right next to me. text Looking down---there is a large hole in the skull's throat, preventing him from speaking correctly. text "----Ah!" text The dried up face, the dried up arm reaching for me. text In the throat of this bag of bones, vocal chords vibrate in accord with the ghastly voice. text "Uwaaaahhhhh!" text Desperately, I try to tear him off me. text But he merely raises that ghastly voice, and will not get off. bgload IMA_11.png bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Rip. text Its fingers pierce my shoulder. text ".... Chhh!" text My body arcs from pain. text The fingers were like a sharp needle. text It shreds my skin mercilessly, scooping out nerves and flesh as it goes--- text ~ text "Ah, aahhh----!" text ~ text The pain is so great that I can say nothing else. text Though I try to tear him off me screaming, he is too strong. text Whatever I do, he does not move. text With a creak, the skull's jaw opens. text The mouth opens wide enough to rip off my shoulder with a single bite, and he approaches my face as if saying, "I don't want to die, somebody save me". text ~ text "St---" text ~ text I can't even say "stop". text The guy made only of skin and bones, tries to bite my head----and suddenly, he collapses. music ~ bgload BG_31B.png text "Eh..?" text The awesome power vanishes. text The bag of bones in a person's form crumples to the ground and disappears. text ~ text Softly, text like a bad dream, it turns to ash and blows away. text ".... What the hell is this?" text Pain runs through my shoulder. text "Ach.." text My own blood flows down my back. text The pain is real. text So this must be real. text A terrible nightmare. text But---it can't be a nightmare, because it's not a dream. music 01.mp3 text "Tohno-kun. text It'll be dangerous if you stay there." text "----!" text I turn towards the voice behind me. text At the mouth of the alley where I came from, I see Yumizuka Satsuki. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Yumi.. zuka---?" text "Good evening. text Fancy meeting you in a place like this, huh?" text As if we had merely bumped into each other in the mall, Yumizuka greets me lightheartedly. text "Yumizuka, you.. What are you doing, out at a time like this?" text "Oh, just going for a walk. text But what's Tohno-kun doing? text Killing so many people like this is bad, right?" text Yumizuka says, with a light smile. text "Killing so many people.. eh?" text I look around me. text .... And I remember the tragic scene I'm surrounded by. text In a sea of blood. text Tohno Shiki stands aghast like a murderer. text "N.. no! text This wasn't me!" text "Oh, of course it was. text Everyone's dead, and Tohno-kun's alive, so obviously Tohno-kun must have killed them." text "No way! text It just attacked me....!" text I point at the monster that attacked me moments ago. text But, nothing's there. text Even the ashes of the bones have been blown away by the wind. text "Ah----" text I swallow my breath. text Yumizuka is chuckling. text "It's not.. this wasn't.. wasn't me.." text My head is paralyzed, and can only manage broken language. text .... I understand. text I can think clearly, but I can't put my thoughts into words. text ~ text For example, why is Yumizuka at a place like this after running away from home? text ~ text For example, why is Yumizuka laughing in the face of this tragic scene? text "Yumizuka-san, I---" text "Yeah, I know. text You just interrupted someone's meal. text I'm sorry for sounding mean. text I always act against my feelings, so I'm always acting like this to you." text Yumizuka is still laughing. text .... It's so inappropriate for this scene, I feel a chill. music ~ text Yumizuka doesn't move from the entrance of the alley. text Her arms are positioned strangely, as if she's hiding something behind her back. text ~ text ---And, looking closer, text there are spots of something red on her sleeve. text "Yumizuka, you---" text "What is it? text Your face looks scary, Tohno-kun." text She laughs again. text "------" text .... No. text Somehow, this girl cannot be Yumizuka Satsuki. text "Yumizuka.. why are you hiding your hands like that?" text "Ah, have I been found out? text I guess you're too observant to miss that, huh. text I've always liked that about you, Shiki-kun." text ~ text After emphasizing the "Shiki-kun", text she brings her hands out. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T06.png 53 0 music 06.mp3 text Both hands are dyed crimson. text Not yet dry, the blood drips off them in red droplets. text And, proudly, text Yumizuka Satsuki is smiling. text "Yumizuka, your hands---" text "Yeah. text I killed those people." text "Wha---" text "Oh, but, it's okay. text I didn't kill them because I hated them. text I just needed their blood to live, so I had to kill them." text ~ text .... What.. is this? text I.. don't really understand what Yumizuka is saying. text "You.. really killed them, Yumizuka?" text "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you it's a lie, right? text Or do you think it's impossible for a girl like me to do such a thing?" text Her voice laughs softly. text ~ text ---I don't believe her. text ~ text I don't believe her, but she is definitely not telling a lie. text This tragic scene. text It's all Yumizuka's doing. text "Why.. such a terrible thing..?" text "It's not terrible. text Like I said, I didn't kill them because I hated them. text There's nothing wrong with killing others in order to live, is there, Shiki-kun?" text "What..! text That's absurd! text Killing is wrong!" text "No, it's not. text But, I did do one bad thing. text Since today was my first time drinking blood, I let a little of my blood get back into them. text Because of that, you got attacked, Shiki-kun. text "I'm sorry for getting you involved. text But we're lucky; it died without being able to finish changing." text "What.. what are you talking about, Yumizuka?" text "It's okay if you don't understand right now. text I don't really understand myself yet, so I can't explain it very well." text But, I think after a few days I can become like Shiki-kun. text Like Shiki-kun, become a great---" bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text As she says so, her face distorts in pain. text "Ha---.. aaau!!!" text Rasps of agony echo from her throat. text Yumizuka chokes up blood. text "It----hurts. text I guess, even if I'm hungry, I shouldn't just drink blood at random. text If it's not good quality, beautiful blood, it won't agree with me.." text She breaks out in a fit of coughing. text She chokes out blood with every cough. text "Nn---kuh, nnaaah..!!!" text Yumizuka's body convulses. text .... I don't really understand. text All I know is, Yumizuka's in terrible pain. text That's all I can clearly understand. text "Hey.. are you okay, Yumizuka..!?" text I run towards her to take her hand. text "----No! text Don't come any closer, Shiki-kun!" text But, Yumizuka's voice stops me. text ".... You mustn't. text I'm not.. entirely okay, Shiki-kun." text She speaks painfully, still vomiting red blood. text "Yumi.. zuka, you.." text I don't understand. text Why Yumizuka's in pain, or why she's like this. text "What the hell is going on? text You said you killed those people, but it's a lie, right, Yumizuka..? text If you're in that much pain, shouldn't you be in a hospital?" text .... I'm fooling myself. text Even though I understand Yumizuka brought about this tragic scene, I still lie to myself. text "Yumizuka.. I'm coming over there, okay?" text I speak gently. text But Yumizuka shakes her head in violent refusal. text "Why!?---If you're in pain, we have to get you to a hospital right away..!" text "Shiki-kun, you're not getting it. text You really never understand anything.." text "Idiot! text I told you before, I don't understand..!" text "Ah.. yeah, you did, didn't you. text But you're still here.." text Yumizuka begins to pull away. bgload BG_31B.png text ".... It hurts, Shiki-kun." text She breathes raggedly, coughing up red blood. text "It hurts, it's cold, and I'm scared. text I really want your help right now, Shiki-kun." text ~ text ---But it's too early. text ~ text Saying that, text Yumizuka straightens up again. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T08.png 53 0 text "Wait for me, okay? text I'll go become a great vampire, then I'll come back and see you!" bgload BG_31B.png text "Ah.. wait, Yumizuka!" music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_30B.png text "------" text Yumizuka is gone. text Even as I start to run, Yumizuka is long gone. text .... Her speed is inhuman, like that of a wild beast. text "---Yumizuka, you---" text What happened to you, really......!? text "Gah---!" bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_30B.png text My injured shoulder throbs. text When I look back, the open space where all the limbs were scattered only left red blood. text The faces, the organs, the hands and feet. text They all turned to ashes, like the skull did before. text "Sh.. it.." text Angrily, I strike the wall. text "What the hell is going on!!!" text I bellow pointlessly, and the alley echoes my voice. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32D.png text "----" text The next thing I know, I'm at the gates of the mansion. text The wound on my shoulder aches. text The lights of the mansion are dark. text Somehow, I hadn't realized I would be coming back so late. text Akiha--Akiha will surely be angry with me, I think as I put my hand on the heavy doors. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png text .... The lobby is empty. text So, what should I do? text Even though my wound needs treating, Kohaku-san is probably asleep-- text ~ text ".... Nii-san?" text "Eh?----Akiha?" text I look up in the direction of the voice. text .... Akiha is standing on the stairs. music 01.mp3 bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T03B.png 40 0 text "It is you. text Coming back so late at night, just what do you think---" text Akiha reaches the bottom of the stairs, and her rebuke stops. bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T15B.png 40 0 bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T10B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san.. where did you hurt your shoulder?" text "Ah---" text Damn it. text I had wanted to hide the wound, but it's too late now. text "Ah, no, this is.." bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T11B.png 40 0 text "Never mind. text Hold still. text Is it only your shoulder..?" text "Ah--yes, but, how do you know.." text "I can tell with all that blood on your clothes. text I'll hear about it later, but right now, we'll treat it. text Please, forgive me, Nii-san." bgload BG_33D.png text Saying so, Akiha touches my shoulder. text "---Tch!" text My body jumps at only the slight touch of Akiha's finger. text .... It appears that the wound is deeper than I thought. bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text "Ah.. I'm sorry, did it hurt, Nii-san?" text ".... No, I'm.. I'd like to say I'm okay, but I guess I'm not. text Even a touch is really painful." bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "I see.. if it's this deep, I think it is too much for Kohaku. text I'll treat it, so please go into the sitting room." bgload BG_33D.png text Akiha walks upstairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34B.png text "........ Phew." text I turn on the sitting room lights, and sit on the sofa. text The wound on my shoulder hurts, and begins to become unbearable. bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Sorry for making you wait. text I'll treat the wound, so please relax." text Akiha comes in holding a first aid kit. text .... I don't think that would really help on this wound, but I guess I should at least get it disinfected. bgload BG_34B.png text Akiha moves behind me, and begins to treat the wound. text The uniform, damp with blood, is cut away with scissors, and the wound is exposed and disinfected. text "---Guuuh!" text I clench my fists as the pain flashes through my body. text .... But after that, the ache of the wound begins to fade. text Akiha must be skilled at medical care, or perhaps the wound wasn't so bad to begin with. text After a few minutes, the pain completely goes away. bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T04B.png 40 0 text "Alright, we're done. text I expect a wound like that should be healed by the morning." text Akiha packs away the first aid kit. text .... Somehow, I'm surprised. text I would have expected Akiha to ask where I got injured, and to rebuke me for playing outside so late. text ".... You haven't asked, Akiha." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "I haven't asked.. about what?" text "Well.. you know. text Why I'm back so late. text Why I'm hurt." text I blurt it out like a complaint. text After what happened with Yumizuka, I'm exhausted. text And because I'm tired, I said such a thing. bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san. text I.. think I know the right order for things. text Right now, the priority is to tend to your injury." text ".... I see. text Of course, I see.." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T06B.png 40 0 text "Ohh! text What kind of person did you think I was, Nii-san! text I'm not about to yell at someone who's hurt." text ".... You're right. text I'm sorry; thank you for everything. text But, even though you treated it--" bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T18B.png 40 0 text "You're going to say you can't explain the situation, right? text I don't want to listen to your excuses, but today is special. text If you do not wish to talk about it, I won't inquire either." text "Eh? text Is that, okay? text I came back so late at night.." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T16B.png 40 0 text ".... Certainly, I am curious about what might have happened to you. text But, I trust you and I have enough trust to believe you weren't doing something too dangerous. text And.. I can't force someone to talk when they look like that." text Akiha looks away shyly. text "...." text Look like that---is my expression that bad right now? bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T03B.png 40 0 text "I'll listen when you have recovered, Nii-san. text If you rest overnight, your health should improve." bgload BG_34B.png text "------" text Feeling awkward, I look away from Akiha. text .... I'm glad she won't listen to me until I'm better, but I feel like I won't be able to talk about it even in the morning. text ~ text In the end, I can't tell Akiha anything. text I feel too guilty to even look at her face. text ".... Akiha, I---" bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T06B.png 40 0 text "Ohh, please don't keep making that face! text I told you, I'll make an exception today, so go back to your room and rest, alright? text I bet it's something you can't talk to me about anyway!" bgload BG_34B.png text Having read my expression perfectly, Akiha turns and goes out to the lobby. text I can only sit on the sofa and watch her leave. text ~ text Suddenly, I wonder. text Was Akiha waiting for my return? text Is that how she appeared in the lobby so quickly? text "---Akiha." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "What is it, Nii-san?" text ".... Thank you for treating me. text I'm sorry for making you worry." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T19B.png 40 0 text "Eh----" text Suddenly, Akiha stops walking. text ~ text ---And then she turns away. text ~ bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T05B.png 40 0 text "I.. I wasn't worried about you, Nii-san. text If you've that much energy for flattery, you should concentrate on taking care of yourself!" bgload BG_34B.png text With a crash, she slams the door behind her. text "---I really don't understand her." text But, I do understand that she was worried about me. text ".... Seems like I wasn't doing something too dangerous, huh?" text Akiha seems to believe me since she said that. text But really, it was a frighteningly dangerous scene. text The bodies scattered in the back alley. text The figure of Yumizuka, her hands stained red with blood. text ~ text "---Guh." text ~ text A chill runs through me just at the memory. text I stand up, taking care of my wound, and return to my room. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40D.png text I change clothes, and fall onto the bed. text But if I close my eyes, I'll see the scene in the back alley. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I killed all those people. text Yumizuka said so, as if it was nothing. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---I needed their blood. text So, she killed them. text Just like a vampire. text Like.. a bad joke. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Wait, okay? text I'll go become a great vampire--- text .... I don't remember. text What did Yumizuka say at the end. text ~ text "Huh.." text Sleepiness fills my body. text With Yumizuka's face still etched in my mind, I close my eyes slowly. bgload IMA_10.png text .... Only one thing is clear. text That Yumizuka told the truth, and she really did slaughter all those people. text ~ text But even then. text Instead of fearing everything that happened, I'm more concerned about the one thing she said. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---It hurts. text It really hurts, Tohno-kun--- text .... There's something wrong with me. text Yumizuka is really a murderer, but those words will not leave my mind--- jump s235.scr bgload BG_25B.png text ----I can't ignore my feelings. text ~ text With a killer skulking around town at night looking for victims, I shouldn't be investigating suspicious sounds in alleyways. text But.. I still remember Yumizuka's smiling face from yesterday. text There's no reason for Yumizuka to be there. text But if she is, she might need my help. text .... I'll never forgive myself if I just ignore this. text "----Alright." text Taking a deep breath, I steel my spirit. text Besides, if it comes to it, I have my "eyes" too. text Sensei said not to use them recklessly, but she'll find it acceptable if I use it against a killer. text ".... The sound.. it came from here.." text Preparing myself, I step into the alley. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_30B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text My heart pounds. text The back alley is quiet. text .... The noise came from the open area at the far end. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thump. text ~ text The back of my head, hurts. text As if convulsing under the utmost strain, my wracked spine hurts as if it's about to rip itself out of my body. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thump. text ~ text Why is it? text I can't think, yet my instincts shout at me. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thu-mp. text ~ text Don't go. text Don't go any further. text If you do, you won't be able to come back. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---Thu-mp. text ~ text But it's already too late. text I step out of the back alley, and into the the open space. bgload BG_31B.png music 04.mp3 text "----Eh?" text That weak voice is all that I can get out. bgload IMA_13.png text ~ text ---The back alley is a single sheet of crimson. text ~ text In it, limbs are strewn amongst the garbage and rubble. text Not the limbs of dogs, or cats, or the like. text They are human limbs, blood dripping from fresh meat and bone. bgload BG_31B.png text The ground and the walls are painted with red blood. text A heavy scent fills my nostrils. text Thick. text Like a red fog permeating my body, the choking smell of blood. text A face. text A face. text A face. text A face on a severed head, rolling around with an expression of agony. text A face shriveled up like a mummy, split in halves. text A face with both eyes gouged out, so distorted I can't even tell if it used to be a man or a woman. text "-----" text Unable to make a sound, I merely gaze speechless at the corpses. text No, they can't even be called human bodies anymore. text Even a badly made sculpture looks better than this. text There are four bodies. text They roll around like scraps of leftover food. text ~ text "Ah----ah." text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text I gape in shock at the sea of bodies. text The back of my head throbs, text my throat is parched, and my breath burns like fire. text My fingertips quiver, and my mouth distorts. text What---is this? text What is this world before my eyes? text "----Red." text Yes. text Before my eyes, everything is that terrible color--- text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text But I merely stand. text I think I may be going crazy. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text Thump. text Thump. text Thump. text ~ text While being faced with a totally bizarre, alien landscape like this, text my heart screams shrilly in anticipation. bgload BG_31B.png text A corpse against the wall moves. text No, that's wrong. text It's not a corpse. text It's not like the scrapped hands and feet. text It's a living human being, with limbs attached. text "Ah.." text I see something out of place. text In this ghoulish spectacle, the response to seeing someone alive is more of astonishment than happiness. text ~ text But, if he's alive. text If he's alive, I have to help him. text "Uh---hello?" text In my rush of emotion, I step towards the living figure. text ~ text "---Gih." text ~ text Pulling itself up from the sea, it raises its face toward me. text A face like a dried out skull. bgload IMA_10.png text "Hii----!" text I leap back reflexively. text But the skull moves faster than I do. text With a voice like "hyuuhyuu!", he jumps on me. text ~ text ----Hyuu! text Hyuu! text ~ text A hideous voice, right next to me. text Looking down---there is a large hole in the skull's throat, preventing him from speaking right. text "----Ah!" text The dried up face, the dried up arm reaching for me. text In the throat of this bag of bones, vocal chords vibrate in accord with the ghastly voice. text "Uwaaaahhhhh!" text Desperately, I try to tear him off me. text But he merely raises that ghastly voice, and will not get off. text With a creak, the skull's jaw opens. text The mouth opens wide enough to rip off my shoulder with a single bite, and he approaches my face as if saying, "I don't want to die, somebody save me". text "St----" text I can't even say "stop". text The guy made only of skin and bones, tries to bite my head---and suddenly, he collapses. music ~ bgload BG_31B.png text "Eh....?" text The awesome power vanishes. text The bag of bones in a person's form crumples to the ground and disappears. text Softly, text like a bad dream, it turns to ash and blows away. text ".... What the hell is this?" text A pain runs through my shoulder. text "Ach.." text My shoulders begin to turn red and swell where he has grasped me. text ~ text The pain is real. text So this must be real. text ~ text A terrible nightmare. text But---it can't be a nightmare, because it's not a dream. music 01.mp3 text "Tohno-kun. text It'll be dangerous if you stay there." text "----!" text I turn towards the voice behind me. text At the mouth of the alley where I came from, I see Yumizuka Satsuki. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Yumizuka.. san---?" text "Good evening. text Fancy meeting you in a place like this, huh?" text As if we had merely bumped into each other in the mall, Yumizuka greets me lightheartedly. text "Yumizuka-san, what about you.. what are you doing, out at a time like this?" text "Oh, just going for a walk. text But what's Tohno-kun doing? text Killing so many people like this is bad, right?" text Yumizuka says, with a light smile. text "Killing so many people.. eh?" text I look around me. text .... And I remember the tragic scene I'm surrounded by. text In a sea of blood. text Tohno Shiki stands aghast like a murderer. text "N.. no! text This wasn't me!" text "Oh, of course it was. text Everyone's dead, and Tohno-kun's alive, so obviously Tohno-kun must have killed them." text "No way! text It just attacked me....!" text I point at the monster that attacked me moments ago. text But, nothing's there. text Even the ashes of the bones have been blown away by the wind. text "Ah----" text I swallow my breath. text Yumizuka is chuckling. text "It's not.. this wasn't.. wasn't me.." text My head is paralyzed, and can only manage broken language. text .... I understand. text I can think clearly, but I can't put my thought into words. text ~ text For example, why is Yumizuka at a place like this? text ~ text For example, why is Yumizuka laughing in the face of this tragic scene? text "Yumizuka-san, I---" text "Yeah, I know. text You just interrupted someone's meal. text I'm sorry for sounding mean. text I always act against my feelings, so I'm always acting like this to you." text Yumizuka is still laughing. text .... It's so inappropriate for this scene, I feel a chill. music ~ text Yumizuka doesn't move from the entrance of the alley. text Her arms are positioned strangely, as if she's hiding something behind her back. text ~ text ---And, looking closer, text there are spots of something red on her sleeve. text "Yumizuka, you---" text "What is it? text Your face looks scary, Tohno-kun." text She laughs again. text "------" text .... No. text Somehow, this girl cannot be Yumizuka Satsuki. text "Yumizuka---why are you hiding your hands like that?" text "Ah, have I been found out? text I guess you're too observant to miss that, huh. text I've always liked that about you, Shiki-kun." text After emphasizing my name, text she brings her hands out. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T06.png 53 0 music 06.mp3 text Both hands are dyed crimson. text Not yet dry, the blood drips off them in red droplets. text And, proudly, text Yumizuka Satsuki is smiling. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Yumizuka, your hands---" text ~ text "Yeah. text I killed those people." text ~ text "Wha---" text "Oh, but, it's okay. text I didn't kill them because I hated them. text I just needed their blood to live, so I had to kill them." text She says it as if it was normal. text Of course I can't understand it. text All I do understand is---my blood is pulsing wildly throughout my whole body. text Thump. text Thump. text Thump. text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text Like I've fallen in love at first sight with that bloody Yumizuka, I am excited--- text "You.. really killed them, Yumizuka?" bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "You wouldn't believe me even if I told you it's a lie, right? text Or do you think it's impossible for a girl like me to do such a thing?" text Her voice laughs softly. text ~ text ---I don't believe her. text I don't believe her, but she is definitely not telling a lie. text This tragic scene. text It's all Yumizuka's doing. text "Why.. such a terrible thing..?" bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "It's not terrible. text Like I said, I didn't kill them because I hated them. text There's nothing wrong with killing others in order to live, is there, Shiki-kun?" text "What..! text That's absurd! text Killing is wrong!" text "No, it's not. text But, I did do one bad thing. text Since today was my first time drinking blood, I let a little of my blood get back into them. text Because of that, you got attacked, Shiki-kun. text "I'm sorry for getting you involved. text But we're lucky; it died without being able to finish changing." text "What---what are you talking about, Yumizuka?" text "It's okay if you don't understand right now. text I don't really understand myself yet, so I can't explain it very well. text "But, I think after a few days I can become like Shiki-kun. text Like Shiki-kun, become a great---" bgload BG_31B.png text As she said so, her face distorts in pain. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text "Ha---.. aaau!!!" text Rasps of agony echo from her throat. text Yumizuka chokes up blood. text "It---hurts. text I guess, even if I'm hungry, I shouldn't just drink blood at random. text If it's not good quality, beautiful blood, it won't agree with me.." text She breaks out in a fit of coughing. text She chokes out blood with every cough. text "Nn---kuh, nnaaah..!!!" text Yumizuka's body convulses. text .... I don't really understand. text All I know is, Yumizuka's in terrible pain. text That's all I can clearly understand. text "Are you okay, Yumizuka..!?" text Without thinking, I run towards her to take her hand. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T12.png 53 0 text "----No! text Don't come any closer, Shiki-kun!" text But, Yumizuka's voice stops me. bgload BG_31B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text ".... You mustn't. text I'm not.. entirely okay, Shiki-kun." text She speaks painfully, still vomiting red blood. text "Yumi.. zuka, you---" text I don't understand. text Why Yumizuka's in pain, or why she's like this. text "What the hell is going on? text You said you killed those people, but that's a lie, right, Yumizuka..? text If you're in that much pain, shouldn't you be in a hospital?" text .... I know. text Even though I understand Yumizuka brought about this tragic scene, I still lie to myself. text "Hey, Yumizuka---I'm coming over there, okay?" text I speak gently. text But Yumizuka shakes her head in violent refusal. text "Why!?---If you're in pain, we have to get you to a hospital right away..!" text "Shiki-kun, you're not getting it. text You really never understand anything.." text "Idiot! text I told you before, I don't understand..!" text "Ah.. yeah, you did, didn't you. text But you're still here.." text Yumizuka begins to pull away. text ".... It hurts, Shiki-kun." text She breathes raggedly, coughing up red blood. text ".... It hurts, it's cold, and I'm scared. text I really want your help right now, Shiki-kun." text ~ text ---But it's too early. text ~ text Saying that, text Yumizuka straightens up again. bgload BG_31B.png text "Wait for me, okay? text I'll go become a great vampire, then I'll come back to see you again!" text "Wha---wait up, Yumizuka!" text ~ bgload BG_30B.png text "------" text Yumizuka is gone. text Even as I start to run, Yumizuka is long gone. text .... Her speed is is not that of a human's, but of a wild beast. text "---Yumizuka, you---" text What happened to you, really..? sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_30B.png text ~ text "Gah---!" text My shoulders throb in pain where he grabbed earlier. text When I look back, the open space where all the limbs were scattered only left red blood. text The faces, the organs, the hands and feet. text They all turned to ash, like the skull did before. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_30B.png text "------Ah." text Thump. text I feel sick as if I'm going to cough up blood. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text "This can't, be----" text Thump. text This excitement, is so intense, I almost ejaculate. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text "This---" text For a while, text the crimson color of blood burns in my eyes. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text "This can't be real----!" text My world swims before me. text My eyes see nothing but a distorted world. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_48D.png text ---Before I realize it, I'm back at the mansion. text ~ text Just like a pet somehow finding its way home, I guess. text I'm on the verge of collapsing from dizziness; I didn't think I would make it back this far. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text "...... Ggh." text Vomit. text I'm going to vomit. text "Ah---gha, ah---" text My heart is exploding, I can hardly breathe. text ".... I have to.... hurry and rest...." text Since I've collapsed so many times before from my anemia, I know I'm about to faint. text ---If I rest. text If I just rest my body in bed, this nausea, my exploding heart, will all go back to normal. text ~ text I---I can forget all about that, as if nothing happened, and wake up to a normal day. bgload BG_33D.png setimg KOHA_T03B.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san? text You have returned?" text "Ah.... Kohaku--san." text Kohaku-san emerges from the west hallway. text .... That's right, Kohaku-san's room is in the west hallway on the first floor. bgload BG_33D.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-san. text Did you get to meet your friend?" text "Uh---ah, yes, I met her." text I remember as soon as I answer. text The scattered limbs. text Face. text Face. text Face. text Face. text The blood-stained alley. text Yumizuka's laughing face and her bloody hands---- text ".... Sorry. text I'm going back to my room, so please go back as well, Kohaku-san." text I don't feel like talking with anyone right now. text I leave Kohaku-san behind and go up the stairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text I collapse on my bed. text "Ah----ah." text My chest rises and falls as I take deep breaths. text "-------" text My mind feels faint. text Dizziness overwhelms me. text Even if it means passing out, I just want to go to sleep right now. text ---So why can't I sleep? text ~ text I'm so dizzy right now, but why don't I pass out like always? text If I close my eyes, the vision of that scene in the alley shows up under my eyelids. text My heart throbs violently. text It isn't terror, rather---it's closer to sexual excitement. text ~ text "Why----" text I don't understand it at all. sound ~ text Is there this thin of a line between terror and lust? sound SE_03.wav 1 text "Eh........?" text Who can it be at this hour? text "Shiki-sama, are you awake....?" text That whisper is Hisui. text Thump. text Just imagining her form, my heart calms down a bit. text ".... Yeah, I'm awake. text Please come in." text "---Please excuse me." bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T23.png 62 0 music 01.mp3 text .... What's this? text Hisui enters carrying a tray and something that looks like medicine wrapped in paper. text ".... Hisui. text What are you doing at this hour?" text "Shiki-sama, you seemed to have trouble sleeping so I brought you some medicine." text "Eh......? text Uh, that's right. text .... But how did you know, Hisui?" text "I heard it from my sister. text She told me that you were very tired, so I should give extra care." text .... I see, it was Kohaku-san. text She must have seen how bad my face looked when we met in the lobby. text ".... And, this medicine is?" bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "It is a sleep-inducing medicine. text Your personal physician gave his approval that it could be used for you." text "Approval.... at this hour!?" text "No, my sister asked your personal physician as soon as she found out you were coming here to live in this mansion." text "Wow--Kohaku-san is pretty amazing. text She's pretty thoughtful." text Anyway, I'm very thankful right now. text Taking the water from Hisui, I drink the medicine. bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T19.png 62 0 text "Nn----ah." text I start to feel very sleepy after a while. text ".... Thanks, Hisui. text Please give Kohaku-san my thanks as well." bgload BG_40D.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "As you wish. text Well then, please rest well, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_40D.png text .... I can hear Hisui's footsteps. text It feels like all the power is draining from my body. text "Mm---feels, good---" text I space out. text As if I was passing out, I quickly fall asleep--- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload BG_31B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Is this a dream? text A red alley. text The same back alley that I was in before. text ~ text Where Yumizuka Satsuki is killing. text Luring appropriate passers-by into that back alley. text ~ text Mercilessly killing them from behind by twisting their necks like a damp cloth, then plunging her teeth into them. text ~ text One person. text Two people. text Three people. text Four people. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text How dare she--do those things without me! text As if in a dream, indulging herself in drinking the blood, Yumizuka tears apart the four dead bodies and continues licking the blood. text ~ text A crimson world. text But, I don't feel it is sick, or detest it at all. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Pathetic. text Pathetic, pathetic. text A knife in my hand. text *pant* *pant* My breathing is out of control. text My heart is pounding like a piston, urging me to do something. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text If it were me, I'd do a much better job. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*. text I breathe hard. text Is it because I'm holding back my impulse of wanting to do the same things Yumizuka Satsuki is doing? text ~ text I'm going out of control. text Because I don't---want to see such a thing. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Why are you hesitating? text There's no--hesitation. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Why are you holding back? text There's no--holding back. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text There's no point resisting it. text Someone's.. irritating voice. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I I want to do what I want to do. text That voice. text It is, my own. text ~ text .... Yumizuka is crying. text Is she crying because she's not good at killing? text Or is it because she's in pain? text I don't know. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Worthless. text Is it alright to think so? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That woman is worthless. text .... But, am I the one who is worthless? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text WORTHLESS ones should just be killed. text .... Is it alright to kill the worthless? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Kill. text ............ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Kill. text .......... text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Kill. text .... text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Kill. text Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill KKill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL bgload IMA_13B.png text KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL text KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL KILL bgload IMA_11B.png sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s236.scr bgload BG_33A.png text ".... That's right. text I think that's the best choice." text I don't think Akiha will understand about non-humans like Arcueid and Nrvnqsr, and since I can't tell the truth, I should at least sincerely apologize. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "--Good morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me "I am angry." text "Um, uh.... Morning, Akiha." text "Let's dispense with greetings. text Please sit there. text I wish to speak with you, Nii-san." bgload BG_34A.png text "------" text Her words are so forceful, I can't say no. text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from her. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "----Ugh." text Despite her polite language, Akiha's words are unmistakably a threat. text But, her Onii-chan cannot tell her such a story. text ~ text "About that, Akiha." text "Yes, what is it?" text "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you." bgload BG_34A.png text Crash. text The teacup that Akiha was holding falls to the table. text Rather, I think she dropped it intentionally. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 text "Akiha-sama---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png -2 0 setimg AKI_T04A.png 104 0 text "Oh, I'm sorry Hisui. text Would you please clean it up?" bgload BG_34A.png text Hisui silently cleans up the spilled tea and the shards of the (very expensive-looking) teacup. text ~ text I uneasily watch her do so while Akiha is glaring at me. text Once done cleaning, Hisui goes to the kitchen. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "---Then, Nii-san." text ".... Yes?" text "Could I ask you again?" text Akiha doesn't give up. text I can feel her drive to get the story out of me no matter what. text But still, I don't think I can tell her about it. text Of course not just for my sake, but hers as well. text ".... No. text No matter how many times you ask me, I can't tell you. text I feel sorry that I made you worry, but I can't tell you about it." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "--Even though you are sorry, you can't tell me, Nii-san." text "That's right. text I'm sorry I haven't contacted you and for not being able to talk about it. text But I haven't done anything wrong the past two days. text .... I don't even want to think that was a wrong thing to do." bgload BG_34A.png text ---That's right. text Even these past two days were simply kill or be killed--I want to believe it was the right thing to do. text ~ text I did it to help Arcueid, but most of all.. I do not regret killing that cannibalistic monster. text ~ text At the very least, there will be no more victims killed by having their blood drained. text "----I'm sorry, Akiha. text I'm sorry to worry you, but please don't ask me anymore." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "------" text Akiha looks me in the eye. text For a while, she stays like that. text ".... I understand. text After thinking about it, you must have your reasons, so I won't press you on this anymore, Nii-san." text ".... I'm sorry. text Thanks for understanding." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "-----" bgload BG_34A.png jump s222.scr bgload BG_04.png text The source of the noise soon becomes apparent as I walk towards the courtyard. text A female student is crouching in the middle of the tree-lined path, working with a hammer and nails. text "...." text What is she doing? text There are only a few minutes left until homeroom. text "---Maybe she doesn't have a watch." text At the moment, that's the best I can come up with. text .... Still, to notice and then just ignore her would be somewhat cruel. text I approach her unhurriedly, trying not to surprise her, and speak. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png music 03.mp3 text "Hey, homeroom is starting soon." text "Huh?" text The squatting girl raises her face. text The ribbon on her uniform displays the color of a third-year. text "...." text The older student looks at me while holding her hammer. text "Uh.. um.." text Her gaze through those glasses is so direct I feel like I'm being pulled in. text Her serious eyes make me want to apologize for bothering her. text The splint she was facing is rotten beyond use. text .... Come to think of it, our school's rear courtyard is in a terrible state of disrepair. text The splints are neglected, and the flower beds untended. text Apparently, the teachers intend for the students to conduct a big cleanup at the end of the year, so the maintenance men have done nothing since summer. text ---I take in the situation with a single glance. text The girl with the hammer is repairing the broken-down splints, paying no mind to the fact that her tidy uniform is being dirtied. text She has sweat on her brow, and it looks like she had been swinging her hammer in a most serious manner. text .... But as far as I know, there is nobody in charge of repairing public property at this school. text "Um.. What is it?" text The older student asks, adjusting her crooked glasses. text "Uh, it's nothing. text I was just wondering what you were doing." text "Ah.. as you can see, I'm in the middle of fixing the splints." text Yeah. text I can see that. text "That's not what I meant. text I was wondering why you are doing something like this. text Won't the maintenance people take care of it anyway?" text "Ahaha.." text The older student laughs to hide her embarrassment. text "I'm the kind of person who can't stand seeing a mess like this. text I just can't leave them alone." text It seems as though she is repairing the splints because she just couldn't let them stay that way. text "...." text What an odd senpai. text "That's why you're fixing it on your own? text If you don't like the mess, why not just avoid coming here?" text "Well, my classroom is over there." text Senpai points at the second floor classroom facing the courtyard. text "My seat is next to the window, so it's easy for me to see the courtyard.. Well, usually I just bear it, but when I took my seat today, I was surprised to see all the splints in this area were broken." text Senpai's face clouded, as if to say, "Isn't that terrible?" text .... Apparently she's upset, although she doesn't look seriously angry. text "You know what they say, 'strike while the iron's hot' and all. text I borrowed the tools from the office, and decided to fix them myself." text ~ text And so, the explanation ends. text ~ text Making a bow, Senpai returns to hammering the nails. text ".... Alright, I understand all that, but how about we leave it here for now? text Homeroom is in less than five minutes, and if it's this bad, won't the school get around to fixing it pretty soon?" text "No way!" text Gripping her hammer, the senpai with glasses shakes her head furiously. text "I won't be able to concentrate with the garden like this, even if I go to class. text It'll just sound like nonsense to me, and then the teacher will say, 'Hey, you! What are you staring at?' I'll get yelled at for sure!" text Senpai continues to grip the hammer while she emphasizes her point. text ".... Well, I suppose the teacher would be upset if you kept looking outside." text "He would, wouldn't he? text That's why I have to do it now." text With that, Senpai begins her repairs once again, clumsily hammering away. text She's obviously not used to using a hammer. bgload BG_04.png text *Clank* *Clank* rings the hammer as it hits the wood. text .... By the looks of it, there isn't just one or two broken splints. text I can't begin to guess how long it will take her to repair all of them on her own. sound SE_02.wav 1 text The bell begins to ring. text ".... Looks like first period's started." text I give up, considering things have gotten to this point. text I sit down silently and begin to help repairing the splints. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_04.png text Once I began to help, I quickly realize mending them isn't that difficult after all. text Although the older student is not used to making repairs, she is quite skillful anyway. text She has already gotten the hang of it, and work is proceeding at a brisk pace. text Senpai's movements are quick and sharp, and I enjoy watching her. text She really is quite clever. text .... Before I know it, there is only one splint left to repair. text ~ text Thirty minutes have passed. text I can't stay here any longer, and only one more would be no problem for Senpai. text "Well, I'll be going." text I stand up and dust off my pants. text The student with the glasses also stands up and begins to stare at me. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "..?" text Come to think of it, just who is she? text I hadn't given it any thought because of what I was doing, but when I stop to consider her I realize she is quite beautiful. text Someone this good looking would be known by every male student. text They'd be talking about a "third-year beauty". text "Um.. I have to go. text Don't work too hard, Senpai." bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text She gives an obedient nod. text .... Even though she's older than me, it's almost like dealing with someone younger. text "Thank you for helping me. text I'm glad you did." text She makes a quick bow. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "I'll be sure to come say hello during lunch. text Ah, don't forget to wash your hands, Tohno-kun." text "You too, Senpai." text With that, I wave my hand and leave. text ~ text .... Wait. text ~ text ".... Huh? text Have I met you before, Senpai?" text "Eeeh!?" text Senpai cries out in surprise, and mischievously puts on a depressed face. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, you've forgotten about me?" text "..?" text Forgotten? text No, I don't think so. text If I had ever met a beautiful woman like her, there'd be no way I'd forget.. text ".... Um.." text She looks up at me reproachfully. text Those eyes.. I'm sure I.. remember from somewhere.. don't I? bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_04.png bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text .... Come to think of it, we had exchanged greetings once or twice before.. hadn't we? text "Ciel-senpai.. isn't it?" text Apprehensively, I suggest her name. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, and I'm glad you remember. text You seem the type to space out and forget, Tohno-kun." text .... I don't think I space out, but there's nothing I can do about the fact that I forgot. bgload BG_04.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "See you later, then. text Sorry for keeping you." bgload BG_04.png text Ciel-senpai bows again. text I watch her go, then start to walk towards the school building. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text When I reach my class, it's already the break after first period. text I slip into the room while everyone's busy talking. text My desk is the window seat in the very back row, so I can sneak there without drawing any attention. text And, when attendance is taken in the second period everyone will probably say, "Hey, when did Tohno get here?". text It's a strange quirk in an otherwise dull class. text ~ text ----But I guess that plan won't work this time. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Yo, truant boy! text It's totally unlike you to be late." text "...." text I sigh. text It feels like reality is being hammered back into me after the pleasant time I spent with Senpai. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "What's with that sour face of yours? text Being late when I'm actually on time.. what do you think you're doing?" text ".... Hey, listen, I'm not coming to school for your sake, you know." text "What!? text But I'm coming to school for your sake! text That's so unfair!" text "...." text Words fail me. text I wonder, like I have many times before, how I ended up knowing this guy. text His hair dyed orange, his ears pierced. text His vicious glare that screams he will pick a fight with anyone, anytime, and his wearing of rebellious clothes. text Inui Arihiko is the only free-spirited outlaw in our university-oriented high school. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "We've been bitter enemies since middle school, right? text If you make a carefree face like that in front of your rival, you'd better be prepared for trouble!" text In any case, Arihiko is a loud guy. text "Yo! text Morning, Tohno!" text Before I know it, everyone in class is looking my way and greeting me. text ".... Shut up, Arihiko. text You're ruining my chance to slip into class unnoticed! text And why am I your 'rival', anyway? text There are plenty of other tough guys around, so stop bothering me." text .... Well, he still owes me close to 10,000 yen from middle school so I guess that does make him my enemy. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Why are you only mean to me, Tohno? text You're like a saint to everyone else. text It's not fair." text "What, you just figured that out? text Life's not fair." text ".... You really are only mean to me." text I didn't try particularly hard to be cold to Arihiko. text That's just the kind of relationship we have. text "By the way, Arihiko, what's a chronically-late night owl who never shows up until second period doing here in homeroom? text It's a little.. no, it's very odd." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Ahaha.. I was thinking that too. text I guess being at school on time isn't just for when I happen to wake up early." text ".... Well, I won't comment on your hobbies, but what I'm asking is why you woke up early." text "Why I woke up early? text Uhh.. I guess it's because I can't stay out late since all that fuss started, so I actually go to sleep at night now. text You've heard the stories about those serial killings, haven't you?" bgload BG_06A.png text .... Serial killings..? text ~ text ".... I see. text Come to think of it, I did hear something like that." text I feel a tinge of regret at needing Arihiko to remind me. text For the past two or three days I had been debating whether or not to return to the Tohno household, so I completely lost touch with the news. text "What was that again? text They've given it some really nasty name, like the 'Freakish Serial Killings' or something." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 text "There's more to it. text So far, all the victims have been young girls. text The eighth victim was only two days ago! text And to top it all off, they were all.. wait, what happened to them again?" text Arihiko tilts his head in contemplation. text "...." text I'm an idiot for asking him. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 text "Yeah, I remember now! text All the victims had cross-shaped slashes on their throats!" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text ".... No, Inui-kun. text Everyone who was killed lost a lot of blood." text "Oh yeah, that was it. text They said it's some kind of modern day vampire or something." text "Hmph. text You sure know a lot about this, Yumizuka-san." text "Not really. text It's happening in this town, so it's in the news. text You'd remember it even if you didn't want to." text .... I see. text I thought it was happening in a neighboring town.. but I guess it moved down here. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png -24 0 setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text "Well, anyway, that's what happened. text Even I wouldn't be going on the streets at night with a killer walkin' around. text That's why I've been waking up at seven lately." text ".... What, that's it? text Having a good reason doesn't make a good story. text Where's the fun in that?" text I sit down while dealing with Arihiko. text "Man, you're cold. text What, did you collapse from anemia already this morning?" text "I'm alright, thanks for asking. text If I was anemic twenty-four hours a day, I'd be dead by now." text "Yeah, you're right. text If you say you're okay, then I guess you're okay." sound SE_02.wav 1 text The bell rings while we're talking. text "Hey, class is about to begin. text Hurry up and get back to your seat." text "Yeah, alright. text Oh, by the way, we'll have lunch today in the cafeteria instead of on the roof. text I've invited a special guest, so look forward to it!" bgload BG_06A.png setimg STK_T01.png 117 0 text With a scheming laugh, Arihiko returns to his seat. text "See you later, Tohno-kun." text "Ah.. yeah. text Sorry for keeping you, Yumizuka-san." bgload BG_06A.png text Her light footsteps tap across the floor as she returns to her desk. text .... But. text It's still a mystery to me why she joined our conversation. text She's just our classmate. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png setvar ciel_regard + 1 jump s23.scr bgload BG_33A.png text Well, I just have to deceive her somehow. text I don't think Akiha will understand about non-humans like Arcueid and Nrvnqsr, so I'll have to minimize my lying without telling the truth. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "--Good morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me "I am angry." text "Um, uh.... Morning, Akiha." text "Let's dispense with greetings. text Please sit there. text I wish to speak with you, Nii-san." text "------" text Her words are so forceful, I can't say no. text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from Akiha. text "Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "----Ugh." text Despite her polite language, Akiha's words are unmistakably a threat. text But, her Onii-chan cannot tell her such a story. text "About that, Akiha." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Yes, what is it?" text "The truth is, I ran into a minor acquaintance of mine and I showed that person around the city." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Oh? text A minor acquaintance?" text "Yeah, I got to know the person just recently, and we met just outside of school. text I was asked to keep this acquaintance company until Sunday, so--" text "So you skipped school and stayed away from home without even notifying me or asking permission." text ~ text .... Akiha's gaze is extremely frigid. text She seems even more shocked than angry. text ".............." text ".............." text I remain quiet as Akiha stares at me wordlessly. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "And, who was it?" text "Eh?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "I asked who this acquaintance of yours is." text She looks at me directly in the eye. text I can feel her thinking "I will not be deceived". text "--Well, I--" text "If you can't tell me, that means you feel guilty about it, Nii-san." text Her gaze shoots right through me. text I get the feeling she'll attack me more if I look away, so I stare back at her. text .... Well, this is totally random, but.. text She does not remind me of the Akiha from back then. text Her stretched back, her perfect posture, her unwavering eyes. text Perhaps this is imprudent, but I honestly think she has become very beautiful. text "You know, Akiha." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "What?" text "Your eyebrows are pretty thick." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T15A.png 40 0 text "------!?" text Bam! text Akiha's leg smacks the table as she jumps up. text "........ Ah." text How do I say this--she's surprisingly surprised? text ".... I don't get you at all. text That wasn't something to be surprised about." text "---------" text With a deep breath, Akiha slumps her shoulders. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, it seems like you do not wish to answer me seriously." text ".... That's not right. text Honestly, I won't lie to you. text It's just that I have a lot of things I can't say to you." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "Geez. text Really, ever since we were small I was never able to tell if you were an honest or dishonest person, Nii-san." text ".... Really? text I don't really remember how I was when I was small." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T13A.png 40 0 text "You don't have to remember. text But, I haven't changed either. text Pressing you like this even when I know how it will turn out.. maybe I haven't grown up at all." bgload BG_34A.png jump s222.scr bgload BG_33A.png text ---I'll try telling the truth. text ~ text I don't want to lie to Akiha, and if I explain everything sincerely, Akiha may understand. text .... Well, the possibility of that is like winning a lottery. text ~ text "--Alright, let's go." text Taking a deep breath, I open the sitting room door. bgload BG_34A.png text In the sitting room, Akiha is on the sofa and Hisui is standing by the wall. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "--Morning, Nii-san." text Her gaze is telling me "I am angry." text "Yo, morning, Akiha." text A defiant person is strong. text I give a cheerful greeting to Akiha's bullying gaze. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "----" text She might be confused with my cheerfulness, as she just stares at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san, let's dispense with the greetings. text Please sit here, I wish to speak with you." text "Sure. text Let's keep it short though." text I solemnly and calmly sit down on the sofa across from Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Well then, Nii-san. text This is very abrupt, but may I ask about these past two days?" text "-----Hm." text .... I knew it. text Since I left the house for two days, there's no excuse. text Time to honestly tell her all about Arcueid and these past two days. text "About that, Akiha." text "Yes, what is it, Nii-san?" text "These past two days, I was hunting a vampire. text You know about the recent killings, right? text They were the work of a vampire, so I helped the 'good vampire' I met recently, and I fought with the 'bad vampire'." text ~ text ----Like that, I explain concisely. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T15A.png 40 0 text "Wha------" text Akiha is taken completely by surprise. text .... Well, I guess it is a natural reaction. text In her head, she's probably thinking I'm making a fool of her, and anytime in the next instant, bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_10.png setimg AKI_T07.png 40 0 text "Are you making a fool out of me, Nii-san!!!???" text She'll shout something like that to me-- bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T10.png 40 0 text ".............." text ...... Huh? text She seems upset, but she doesn't say anything. text "Um.... Akiha?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san, is this some sort of a bad joke?" text "------Uh." text Akiha looks at me quietly, like she was seeing directly into my heart. text "No.... well, how should I put this." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "A joke, right?" text ".... Well, I know it sounds like one, but.." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "---No, it has to be a joke. text So please do not say such things in the future, even if it is a joke." bgload BG_34A.png text She stares at me, more uneasy than angry. bgload BG_34A.png text Since her stare looks so serious, text "............ Yeah." text I can only nod to her. jump s222.scr bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "I understand. text Then I will no longer ask about this. text But, please refrain from doing anything like this ever again. text Nii-san, you are the eldest son of the Tohno family; if you do not understand your position better, it will be very troubling." text "--Hey, that has nothing to do with this. text Besides, you are now the successor to the Tohno family, so it doesn't really matter what I do. text If you're so worried about the future of the Tohno family, you should go find a husband appropriate for the Tohno household." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T13A.png 40 0 text "-----" text ....? text For some reason, Akiha descends into silence. text "What's wrong? text Are you feeling alright, Akiha?" text "--It's nothing. text If you have enough time to worry about me, please pay more attention to yourself. text You have your chronic anemia to worry about, Nii-san." text "...... Hmph." text .... Well, it is true that I frequently collapse from anemia. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Anyway, please do not leave the mansion by yourself often. text Even without that, the city is dangerous recently. text Someone like you, who meanders about in a daze is just asking to be attacked by that serial killer." text "Serial killer?--Oh, those serial killings." text Those serial killings where nine victims have been found. text Their bodies were all drained of blood, so they call it the modern day vampire, but-- text "Oh, that's okay. text Those incidents, they won't ever happen again." text "----Huh?" text "It means the vampire isn't around anymore. text That killer--is caught already." text "Is that so....? text Nii-san, how do you know about that?" text "Well, I just happened to see it, but for sure, such things will not happen again." bgload BG_34A.png text .... Yeah, at least there won't be any more people killed by Nrvnqsr. text These past two days spent with Arcueid.. so many things happened I really can't say just what is right and what is wrong. text But, the simple truth remains--I can say it was all for the best. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san----? text What happened? text You suddenly seem very happy." text Akiha looks strangely at my face. text "It's nothing. text I just feel that it is finally, finally over." text A smile unconsciously creeps over my lips as I answer. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text It's half past seven. text "Shiki-san, breakfast is ready!" text Kohaku-san's cheerful voice rings out from the dining room. text "Well, I'll go eat breakfast. text Isn't it almost time, Akiha? text Don't mind me and go ahead." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T09.png 40 0 text "Yes, I know, Nii-san." text Maybe it's because of our conversation, but Akiha is in a good mood. bgload BG_34A.png text Rising from my seat, I head to the dining room. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png text I really don't have an appetite. text How come? text Well, having white rice with something blood-red all over it would make anyone lose their appetite. text "-----" text I shake my head. text It's certainly just an illusion, and Kohaku-san's cooking looks excellent as always. text Getting a hold of myself, I take a bite of the breakfast. text ~ text ----I instantly spit it out. bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 music 03.mp3 text Akiha looks at me questioningly as I came out of the dining room right away. text "Nii-san, did you forget something?" text "No, it's nothing. text It's just something really trivial." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text "Shiki-san doesn't seem to have an appetite this morning. text He just throws anything he eats back up, so I got him to take some medicine." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T13A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text "Eh-----?" text "She said medicine, but it's really just some vitamins.. I had a bad dream last night. text I should settle down in a bit so I'll eat at school." text I didn't say this to Kohaku-san, but to Akiha's eyes telling me she wants to say something. text "So I'll head out soon. text My head should clear up once I start walking to school." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T17A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T01A.png 116 0 text "Wait, Nii-san---" text Akiha's voice comes from behind me. text "I'm going. text I'll be back early today, so you can scold me then." text Ignoring Akiha's worried voice, I exit the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32A.png text Hisui walks with me to the gate, carrying my bag. text "Well, I'll be going. text Thanks for seeing me off, Hisui." text Hisui wordlessly hands me my bag. bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, around what time will you be returning?" text "You don't trust me either? text It's okay. text I'll definitely be back in the afternoon." text "--I understand. text Then please be careful on your way." text Hisui bows deeply. text Feeling a bit embarrassed about it, I leave the mansion's gate. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png text At the intersection there are only the figures of my fellow high school students. text No young woman sitting on the guardrail like that one time. text "--Well, of course." text I probably won't ever see her again. text First of all, her goal was to execute the vampire, and with Nrvnqsr gone, there's no reason for her to stay around here any longer. text ~ text --Just a little bit, in my chest. text Things like regret.. and lingering affection. text It is true she only brought trouble, but even still.... it was fun being with her. text "......" text I think there must be something wrong with me. text Even though I was in such danger the whole time, there's still a part of me that unconsciously tries to remember her. text .... It's almost like I'm in love with her. text Even though I would never want to be exposed to that kind of danger again. bgload BG_01A.png text Because I skipped breakfast, I arrive at the front gate ten minutes before it closes. text Everyone who doesn't have club activities before school arrives at this time. text The only clubs that meet in the morning are the sports clubs. text So naturally, the entrance gets crowded with students. text "----Ah." text By the gate I see a familiar figure. text Not even knowing what I plan on doing, I chase after her. bgload BG_03A.png bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Ah, good morning Tohno-kun. text It's strange to meet you out here." text ".... Yeah, I saw you from behind, so I ran after you. text Um.... there was something I wanted to ask." text I sneak a look at her face. text "Yes, what is it?" text She faces me with her usual, gentle smile. text I--- text ~ bgload BG_03A.png choice No, that had to have been someone else.|Ask about last night. if selected == 1 jump s223.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s224.scr fi bgload BG_03A.png text .... Wait a minute. text All of that happened, and Senpai still greeted me with her usual smile. text Last night----if she saw me fighting Nrvnqsr, then she definitely can't just greet me like this. bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun? text Did you want to say something?" text "Um, hold on." text .... If I think back, that person who helped me last night may not have looked like Ciel-senpai at all. text I couldn't get a good look at her face because it was dark, and her atmosphere was completely different. text "Senpai, could I get a good look at your face?" text "Uh, yes?" text She curiously tilts her head and looks up at me. text ~ text .... Of course. text Once I think it through calmly, that person didn't resemble Senpai at all. text ".... Sorry, it's just a mistake. text It's nothing, so please forget about it." text "A mistake? text I'm a little interested--Mistake about what?" text She still stares up into my face. text "Uh.... It's, ummm." text Looking away, I try to hide my blushing face. text .... Having her so close to me at the school gate is embarrassing. text "N, nothing. text I just thought I saw someone that looked like you last night, but it must have been a mistake." text ".... Hmm, a person that looked like me?" text Senpai gives a very interested nod. text It seems she isn't going to just forget about it. jump s225.scr bgload BG_03A.png text ---I gather up my courage and ask her about last night. text ~ text ".... Uh--Senpai. text Last night, were you in the park? text I thought I saw you wearing something like a black coat, with your skirt flowing in the wind." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... What is that?" text "Um....! text well--yeah, the high-laced boots suited you. text I was kind of fascinated, you looked.. really cool." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ...."Huh?" Senpai tilts her head. text She frowns like she doesn't understand my words completely, and then denies it. text "Um, I don't quite understand, but you're saying that I was near your house two nights ago, looking like that?" text "Yeah. text Senpai, that was you, right?" bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "No way. text Tohno-kun, are you saying I look like I really have that much free time?" text ---Senpai is really angry. text She can't be playing ignorant or lying. text "Ah----No, that's not it, but I just.... saw someone that looked like you in park last night, so---" text Senpai gives a sigh. bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, that wasn't me. text I don't have that kind of hobby." text "Ah---Yeah, I know. text I just wanted to ask." text Certainly after having her say that, she is right. text Ciel-senpai and the person that night aren't related at all. text In the first place, Senpai's just a normal person, and if she was actually there---she had to have seen me kill that vampire with my knife. text If she saw such a gruesome scene, there'd be no way she could talk with me normally like this. text ".... Sorry, please forget about it. text I guess it was just someone else." bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "That's fine, but.... did that person really look like me? text That weird person?" text "Well, I'm not too sure. text It was dark, and far away........ huh?" text Yeah, it was far and I couldn't make out her face. text So why did I think it looked like Senpai....? text ".... Hmm.. Maybe there is something wrong with me." text I cross my arms and think. setvar flgC + 1 jump s225.scr bgload BG_03A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text The ten minute bell rings. text "--Uh-oh, we'll be late. text Well, bye Senpai, see you later!" bgload BG_03A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, I'll come see you during lunchtime." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text I fly into my classroom. text It's still five minutes before class, so it's very noisy inside. text ~ text "--Whew." text I take a breath and head to my seat. text With this much time left, I didn't even need to run at all. text "Yo, Duke of Delinquency." text "......" text From behind, I hear the voice I never look forward to. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "What's going on, Tohno? text I never heard you were skipping class. text It's a lot of trouble. text You have to tell me when you skip school and go play!" text Arihiko says those preposterous words with an unbelievably happy expression. text ".... Why should I have to tell you when I don't go to school?" text "Isn't it obvious? text When you don't show, neither does Senpai, so it's bad unless I think of something ahead of time." text .... What's bad for this guy? text "But seriously--What happened? text Since middle school, you've had anemia, but never skipped school. text Well, you did a cool trick several times, leaving as soon as you arrived." text "It's kind of like that. text I made it to the intersection and felt bad, so I went back home." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Hmmm.. Both you and Yumizuka seems to be acting like bad students lately." text "--Well, I'm guilty as charged, but .... is something wrong with Yumizuka-san?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Her? text She's been absent lately. text She was always such an honor student, so I think she might have been stressed out. text But I bet she can't call a raise 'cause she has a bad hand." text ".........." text Arihiko's words are always.. very unique. sound SE_02.wav 1 text --While we are talking, the homeroom chime rings. text ~ text "Well, I'm off. text Since you skipped Saturday, make sure you study hard today." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko goes back to his seat. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text Fourth period ends and the class erupts into pandemonium all over again. text The guys dash off to the cafeteria, the girls eat their lunches at their desks, and Inui Arihiko's carrying a sandwich and coming over to me. text ~ bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Yo Tohno! text Lunch, lunch." text "---" text .... What should I do? text Since morning, I haven't really had an appetite. text I don't feel hungry, so maybe I don't have to force myself to eat. text .... If I eat, I might throw it up again and cause trouble. text I should---. text ~ choice Alright, I'll eat.|Alright, I won't eat. if selected == 1 jump s226.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s227.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text --Even still, I need to get at least some nutrition. text ~ text I'm already prone to passing out as it is; and if I don't push myself to eat, I'll probably just pass out. text "Sorry, go ahead and eat. text I gotta go buy food." text "Oh yeah? text Guess I'll start eating without you." bgload BG_06A.png text I leave Arihiko happily unsealing his sandwich behind me as I exit the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text I buy some bread and some milk, and then go back. text Arihiko and Ciel-senpai are already over at my desk by the window. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 text "Oh, Tohno-kun. text I'm joining you guys." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Ah, no, no. text You don't have to mind much. text We're pretty happy when you can join us. text Isn't that right, Tohno?" text Is Arihiko that pleased just to be with Senpai? text He happily asks me for agreement. text Well, for once we do seem to be in agreement. text "That's right. text You really helped me out by coming, Senpai. text I don't know what I would've done if I had to eat while staring at this guy's face." text I answer lightheartedly and take my seat. bgload BG_06A.png text Senpai's eating from a large lunchbox and Arihiko is long since finished with his sandwich. text "...... Alright." text I take a bite from my bread. text I still have no appetite, so I forcefully wash it down with some milk. text ~ text Arihiko holds a lively conversation with Senpai since they are both done with lunch. text They talk about the strange events like serial murders and whatnot, which really does not help my appetite. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text They haven't found all those missing people yet?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "It seems that way. text There was even another new report this morning. text Inui-kun, didn't you see the news this morning?" text "Nah, I don't have time to do anything in the morning so I didn't watch it." text "That's no good you know, staying up late at night. text You shouldn't walk around at night, there's some scary people out there." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "That's no problem. text I'm a scary person myself." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Well, you might be right. text Inui-kun, you do seem like a shady character." text "Ahahaha." The two of them laugh. text ~ text .... Hm, Ciel-senpai might be serious, but Arihiko probably said that as a joke. text "Hahaha." Arihiko's eyes twitch as he smiles. text Anyway, I can't exactly ignore their conversation. text "---Senpai. text You mentioned a new report--what is it....?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "In the news this morning, a young woman who went shopping last night--about our age--and she went missing. text Her house is close to the park, I heard." text ".... Oh, close to the park." text ~ text As soon as I say that, the contents of my stomach threaten to rise up. text --Last night. text ~ text That unknown girl who just by chance was by the park, was destroyed by that irrational violence. text Missing might be a better description than dying, since she was devoured without even so much as a hair left. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "That makes her the ninth victim, no, the tenth? text Damn, what an amazing pace, all in a single month." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Yes, but I hear last night's disappearance was a little different from the other ones. text The families of all the other girls who disappeared noticed it a short time later." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "By the way, you didn't watch the morning news either Tohno-kun? text Don't tell me you're not a morning person either?" text ".... Hmm. text I wouldn't say I'm a morning person, but I'm not terrible in the morning either. text But, leaving that matter aside, I still won't be able to watch it for a while. text At my house, there's no TV." bgload BG_06A.png text Senpai and Arihiko stare blankly. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 text "No TV--Your house is.. that big mansion, right?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Heh, there's no way you don't have a TV in that mansion. text I won't let you say you don't have one in your room, being a student and all." text "No, there really isn't one. text My old man always said there was no need for such brainwashing machines. text There's a small one in Kohaku-san's room, but I'm not about to barge into a girl's room in the morning." text If I want to get the news, I just have to rely on a newspaper. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun, what do you mean by a girl?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "You can't just say that and get away with it, Tohno." text They're both glaring at me. text I slap my hand over my mouth, but it's far too late. text "Uh, um--simply put, just that there's a servant at my house named Kohaku-san." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Huh, a servant? text You're really lucky to have a girl around you at all times to take care of your every need." text "That's not it! text There isn't anyone to take care of the mansion, so we have to hire people to do it. text Whether she's male or female is entirely irrelevant." text "Oh reeeeallly? text Hey Inui-kun, doesn't Tohno-kun sound real intimate with this Kohaku-san? text "Yeah yeah, he looked so happy when he said her name. text I wanted to ask before, but just what kind of a life does Tohno lead right now?" bgload BG_06A.png text They trade glances. text "...... Ugh." text I choke on the bread I'm eating. text Arihiko, even Ciel-senpai with her cool glance, interrogates me with bizarre intensity. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 text "Tohno-kun, there is still plenty of time left. text Please tell us all about your life at the mansion." text She approaches with a smile that won't seem to let me get away. text ".........." text ~ text Just thinking about the twenty minutes or so I have left to live through this makes my head spin. bgload IMA_10.png jump s228.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text ---I won't. text Skipping two meals won't kill me. text ~ text ".... Mm, I'll pass. text Do what you want." text Seeing a vision of food with something red on it isn't something I want to do again. text To be honest, I'm already feeling bad looking at Arihiko's sandwich. text Because there are many bright red tomatoes in it. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "What's this? text You're becoming more and more unhealthy. text Is your new lifestyle not suiting you that much?" text "That might be it. text They complain about me being late when I wake up at seven o'clock and the curfew's at eight o'clock. text If I spend the night somewhere without asking, they interrogate me afterwards. text It's like a prison, right?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Isn't that alright? text It's a proper life. text Early to bed and early to rise, right? text You won't be able to grow up to be a good guy if you burn out when you're young." text "I agree. text .... But, you seem to lend the argument more strength than anyone else can." text ~ text As the ultimate counter-example, that is. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Oh yeah? text You're pretty honest today. text Alright, alright, I'll split the sandwich with you." text "I said, I didn't want to eat. text Don't worry about me and eat; lunch'll end soon." text "Okay, down the hatch." text Arihiko holds his sandwich with both hands and begins to eat. bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text ------And then. text ~ bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 text "Hello everyone." text Senpai comes in with something that looks like a boxed lunch. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Oh? text Senpai, I thought you always ate in the cafeteria?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "No, I don't have a set lunch routine. text It just depends what mood I'm in." text Senpai takes out an boxed lunch wrapped up in a cute handkerchief. text But it seems just a little too big for a girl. text ".... You mean you managed to get up early and make lunch this morning?" text "Yes, that's it. text I managed to wake up before seven this morning and.... wait a minute, what are you making me say, Tohno-kun!?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text ".... No, that's not what I meant, but.... Senpai, you're not a morning person?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Eh----? text Ah, yes, I'm not.. not good at waking up early." text Senpai suddenly looks like a student being scolded by a teacher. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "My family owned a bakery, so we'd get up very early every morning. text But I'm terrible in the morning. text My father would always get angry when I was a kid." text What!? text A bakery!? bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text Me and Arihiko look at each other. text He must be imagining the same thing I am: Ciel-senpai kneading dough with those white finger of hers and baking it. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "My daily battle with my father lasted ten years, but in the end, he gave up and told me working two people's worth is better than trying to train me. text Since then, I can wake up when I want to." text ~ text Ciel-senpai sticks out her well-developed chest. text ~ text "Oh, is that so? text I'm a little surprised; you seem so reliable." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Yes, I always try hard to not make any mistakes in front of you. text But really, I'm more of a clumsy person." text Yeah, maybe she is a bit clumsy. text Come to think of it, I really started to get close to Senpai when I saw her, an upperclassman, all alone in the courtyard fixing those splints and helped her out. text A really clumsy person would never do something that wouldn't benefit them the least bit. text "I see. text ---But, I like people that are clumsy. text I can relax better with them." text "Yup." Arihiko agrees next to me. text "So, since you're not a morning person, you usually eat in the cafeteria?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Yes, although I usually eat in the cafeteria, there are times when I make lunch. text Aren't you two part of the cafeteria group?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Nah, it depends on what mood we're in too. text When we were freshmen, my sister made me something, but Tohno here would always eat in the cafeteria or buy bread, so I end up doing what he does." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "I see. text So Tohno-kun is a person of many moods." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Yeah, yeah. text Being with him will just drain you out, so be careful Senpai." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text ~ text "That's true," Senpai agrees and she opens her lunch. text The round box is half rice and half side dish. text It's pretty much a normal lunch, but it seems a little large. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Then, I'll start eating. text Is is okay if I use this person's chair?" text "A person who isn't here has their chair up for grabs. text I'm sure Takada-kun would love for you to have his seat, Senpai." text Takada-kun is a guy who sits next to me. text He's pretty plump, but a good guy. text Sometimes, he borrows money with a grace period which lasts about until the end of eternity. bgload BG_06A.png text Senpai doesn't put her lunch on my desk, but puts it in her lap. text Next to her, Arihiko starts opening his second pack of bread while still standing up. text Next to these two, I stare aimlessly out the window. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 text "Huh? text Tohno-kun, are you not eating?" text "No, I thought I'd skip today." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 text "Not eat.... Won't that make you hungry?" text "No, not really. text I'm not hungry and skipping lunch doesn't affect me that much." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 text "Wow, that's amazing. text If I skip a single meal, I can't function. text I'd just collapse of hunger. text .... It's a little embarrassing, I always eat more than most people, and I still get hungry." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Not at all. text Senpai, you've developed a lot more than other women. text I'm sure you have to eat a lot to maintain that large chest of yours." text Yeah, Arihiko speaks the truth. text To tell the truth, we both want her to eat more and grow more. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T11.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text Is Senpai embarrassed or shy? text She makes a face I don't quite understand. text .... Well, I'm sure she's probably happy. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "But Tohno-kun, will you really be alright if you skip lunch?" text "I'll be fine. text Skipping meals during the day isn't that rare. text I only didn't eat breakfast, so I'll probably be fine until evening." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Wow---Tohno-kun, your body will break down with that kind of lifestyle." text "It won't break. text This is more of a mental restriction. text .... Well, thanks to an accident long ago, my doctor told me it wasn't good to gain weight, so it's better for me to skip meals once in a while." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Huh. text I guess even guys still think about their diet after all." text Senpai looks up at me for some reason, and after thinking a little bit, closes her lunch. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Um, I just remembered I had something to do, so excuse me." text Gathering up her things quickly, she disappears like the wind. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "---Mmm, how cute." text Arihiko comments on Senpai regretfully while watching her leave. bgload IMA_10.png setvar flgD + 1 jump s228.scr music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text After class, the room quickly fills with the gloom of dusk. text The sun is sinking below the horizon. text There's no one else in the classroom. text I'm the only one who likes sitting here and doing nothing. text ~ text "-----" text The room is painted red. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---I don't like watching the sunset. text It makes me think of blood, and reminds me of the events in the past few days. text "------" text Still, I don't particularly feel like going back home. text I stare blankly out the window. text ~ text Red. text Red, sunset. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text "Ah----ow." text ~ text The old wound on my chest hurts. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text The color red. text Something.. red. text Such as, human blood. text Lots of blood.. sticky, with a strong smell. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "----Gah." text ~ text It hurts. text My glasses are on, but, my head hurts. text ~ text Why? bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text Throbbing pain. text My head text Why? text My head. text Why? text Thro text b w why---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_07.png sound SE_09.wav 1 sound SE_04.wav 1 bgload BG_06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text I start to pant heavily. text ~ text ~ text My breathing is ragged. text I'm horribly----getting worked up. text I'm irritated; There's something I can't stand, and I can't calm down unless I take it out on something----. text ".... Is it--Tohno-kun?" bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 music 03.mp3 text "Huh----Sen.. pai?" text Senpai has a very serious look on her face as she enters the room. text "I just heard a sound like someone knocking over desks.... was that you, Tohno-kun?" text "----Eh?" text I turn around. text Indeed, desks are strewn about and chairs overturned everywhere. text ".... Ah.... yeah, it seems so. text I guess I got a little irritated for no reason, um--" text Did I really do this? bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Geez, you can't do that. text I don't know what happened, but you shouldn't take it out on things." bgload BG_06B.png text ~ text Senpai starts to straighten out the desks and the chairs. text I wordlessly do so too. text ".... Sorry. text I don't.. quite know myself." bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Hmm. text Tohno-kun, you're acting weird. text You were spaced out in the rain that time, and today you spaced out in the middle of all these jumbled desks." text "Yeah--yeah, I'm tired and it's making me act weird." text I take a deep breath. text .... Is it because I saw Senpai's face? text That headache and the irritation I had before vanishes like it was never there. text "Sorry, I've caused you trouble again. text I'll head out now, so see you tomorrow." bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, Tohno-kun, are you going back now?" text Yeah, I nod. text As if nothing had just happened before, she gives me a hearty smile. bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "What a coincidence. text I was just thinking that I should go back too. text Since it happens to work out, can I go back with you?" text "No, I really appreciate the offer, but.... isn't your house in the opposite direction? text We can't exactly walk back together." text "I know, so we'll be together until the gate." text ".... Well, in that case, my pleasure." bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I have to get my things, so please wait a minute." bgload BG_06B.png text With light footsteps, Senpai runs out of the room. text ~ text It really was only a minute till she came back. bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Thanks for waiting. text Now then, let's go!" text She really is cheerful. text How should I say this? text Just seeing her drives away the clouded feelings I had earlier. text Having such a great person ask me to come with her, I ought to be punished if I was still gloomy. text ".... Okay, let's go. text But, it's a pretty short trip to the front gate." bgload BG_06B.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "Ah, that's right. text We'll have to go as slow as possible to make it worth it." text Senpai starts to walk. text Following her, I leave the darkening classroom behind me. bgload IMA_10.png if flgD >= 1 jump s230.scr fi jump s229.scr bgload BG_01B.png text We walk out the gate. text From here, we have to go our separate ways. text ~ bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Well then, this is goodbye for now. text We got here pretty quickly." text .... I feel the same way. text I was really thinking it would be better if the school were a bit bigger. text "Well then, Senpai, see you tomorrow." bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, let's meet at school tomorrow." bgload BG_01B.png text Smiling as she responds, Senpai disappears in the opposite direction. text After watching her go, I head down the street towards my house. bgload IMA_10.png jump s233.scr bgload BG_06A.png text It's lunchtime. text Now then, where should I eat lunch? text ~ choice Eat lunch in class.|Go eat in the cafeteria.|Go out into the hallway to think about it. if selected == 1 jump s25.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s26.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s27.scr fi music 03.mp3 bgload BG_11B.png text I walk through the hallway bathed in sunset with Senpai. text While talking about pointless things, we walk as slowly as possible. text ~ text There's such a wonderful atmosphere here. text ---Thinking back, I spent the night in Senpai's room. text Back then, my mind was filled with the fact that I killed someone, and after that, I forgot about it when I was with Arcueid. text .... If it wasn't for that one night, I don't think I would be here today as I am now. text She doesn't bring it up, but I wonder what she thinks about that night. text .... Did it feel like she was just lending a hand to a depressed lowerclassman? text Like picking up an abandoned puppy cast out in the rain? text ".... Senpai, um--" bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes?" text Senpai looks over to me. text .... Right when I was going to ask about that night, text ~ text Guruuuuuu. text ~ text My stomach interrupts, growling audibly. text No, not 'growling'.. it's more like a roar. text "............ Uhhh." bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "............" text The silence is a little uncomfortable. text ".... Tohno-kun, it seems you're hungry." text "---I guess so. text Geez, do I get hungry even when I don't have an appetite?" text I let out a sigh. text Looking at me, Senpai smiles. bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Of course. text Being human means you have to eat to live." text "No doubt. text .... Come to think of it, I'm really starving." text .... I hadn't realized it, but skipping breakfast and lunch really did take quite a bit out of me. text I don't think I can last until dinner, so I should buy some bread on the way back----- bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, here." text Senpai presents me a pouch of cloth she is holding. text I think it's her lunch. bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "It's partly eaten, but is that okay?" text Blushing a bit, Senpai says this embarrassedly. text .... That's right, Senpai only ate half of her lunch today. text Finishing someone else's half-eaten lunch is a little embarrassing. text I---- text ~ choice No. I refuse to do something so embarrassing.|I don't care. I'll nod. if selected == 1 jump s231.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s232.scr fi bgload BG_11B.png text I can't go that far. text Senpai is probably saying it out of goodwill, but I don't want to let her see me like this. text "--No, I think I can make it. text Your words are enough to fill me up." bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... Is that so? text Tohno-kun, you haven't had anything all day. text Are you sure you won't collapse on the way....?" text "Let your heart not be troubled. text Someone like me who's always fainting sees it coming a mile away. text And today, my body says I'm perfectly okay." bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ".... Well. text If you say so, I guess it's alright." text Giving somewhat of an amazed sigh, Senpai continues walking down the hallway. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01B.png text We walk out the gate. text From here, we have to go our separate ways. text ~ bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Well then, this is goodbye for now. text We got here pretty quickly." text .... I feel the same way. text I was really thinking it would be better if the school were a bit bigger. text "Well, then, Senpai, see you tomorrow." bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, let's meet at school tomorrow." bgload BG_01B.png text Smiling as she responds, Senpai disappears in the opposite direction. text After watching her go, I head down the street towards my house. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s233.scr bgload BG_11B.png text ~ text Never mind that and just eat. text I believe kindness should always be accepted. text "---I'll take it. text I'm hungry, so if you don't mind, I'll eat it." text Yeah, even if it's a bit past the expiration date, I wouldn't mind. bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Then let's go to the tea ceremony room. text If we go there, I can get you some tea." bgload BG_11B.png text Senpai trots off down the hallway. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E02B.png music 02.mp3 text "Thanks for the meal." text I bring my hands together briefly and start to dig in to Senpai's lunch. text Munch, munch. text I eat without restraint while Senpai stares at me. text Munch munch. text Munch. text Munch. text Munch. text Munch. text Munch. text Munch. text Munch. text "----Mm." text I gulp some tea. text Senpai keeps watching me. text "Does it taste good?" text "Mm, it's cold and not very good." text .... I think that comment was a little too honest myself, but it's my personality, so I can't change it. text Senpai gives a small laugh as she looks directly into my eyes. text "Tohno-kun, you have quite a philosophic outlook." text She says this kindly. text ".... Huh? text I don't get you, Senpai. text Saying something like that all of a sudden." text "But it's true. text Normally, people wouldn't eat another person's half-eaten lunch like that. text But you don't seem to mind what others think of you, do you?" text "---? text Really? text I'm not that self-conscious." text ~ text I just live honestly. text But, if living life without caring what others think is philosophical, then this person is much more of a philosopher than I am. text If it was me---I could never mend the splints in the courtyard that everyone else ignores all by myself. text "In my opinion, I think you're more philosophical than I am, Senpai. text You're always living at your own pace. text It feels so good just to watch." text I speak openly. text Of course it was a compliment, but Senpai says "Oh, I see," and slumps in disappointment. text "Um.... Senpai? text Did I say something bad?" text "--Yes. text Because normally, that's what they call an old spinster. text I'm a girl, so hearing that is a shock." text .... Hmmm. text For Senpai, that must mean she's acting old rather than being philosophical. text "Oh yeah? text So does that mean I'm acting like an old man now? text Well excuse me, I'm just a high school student bravely facing the dangers of life." text "Ah, but you can't deny it. text Because a sitting cushion and a cup of tea really suit you. text Always calm, you seem like a retired man." text Senpai giggles. text .... I wanted to hear I was more a guy that looks good in Japanese clothing, but if Senpai says a retired man, then maybe that isn't a bad thing. text "Oh. text Well then, fellow old-timer, how about we have a long chat over a cup of tea?" text "I'd love to keep you company, Shiki-san." text With a beaming smile, Senpai pours some tea into my tea cup. bgload IMA_10.png text An hour passes. text We talk together until five-thirty, then we walk out the gate before it closes and go our separate ways at the intersection. music ~ setvar ciel_regard + 1 jump s233.scr bgload BG_32B.png text I head up the road and draw near the mansion. text After a little more walking I see Hisui standing by herself at the front gate. text ~ text "....? text I wonder what Hisui is doing?" text Tilting my head to the side, I head for the front gate. text Hisui realizes I'm here and bows her head. bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." text "---Ah, yeah---thanks, Hisui." text I can barely reply since I'm bewildered by the respectfulness of it all. text "Um---were you waiting for me to come home?" text "Yes. text Greeting the master is a servant's duty." text Answering very matter-of-factly, she doesn't even bat an eyelash. text "Um, Hisui, I'm truly happy you waited to greet me, but there's really no need to wait outside. text I'll come back on my own, so you can just greet me whenever you realize I'm back." bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "-----" text Hisui's face clouds slightly. text .... Oh, maybe.. text Maybe she was waiting for me to return like this on Saturday and Sunday. text "--Hisui, um--" bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Starting from tomorrow, I will await your return in the lobby." text Hisui gives a quick bow and opens the mansion gate. text Hisui turns around as she does so. text ........ *sigh* text For some reason, the atmosphere isn't exactly conducive to conversation. text Hisui closes the gate after I pass through, then she silently walks to the entrance to open the door and leads me into the lobby. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40B.png text I get to my room. text Akiha isn't back yet from her lessons, Kohaku-san is preparing dinner, and Hisui is cleaning the mansion. text ~ text "---Geez, there's nothing to do." text Well, there's quite a mountain of studying, reviewing, and memorizing a student like me has to do. text But, I just don't feel like doing anything. text Suddenly, Arcueid's face flashes in my mind. text Whether good or bad, it's probably just a reaction to the crazy two days I just had. text Perhaps spacing out here in my room will be good, giving my mind and heart a break. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40C.png text After eating dinner by myself in the large dining room, Kohaku-san treats my wounds and I go back to my room. text Akiha didn't make it back in time for dinner. text Her lesson was apparently going to last a while, so she was going to eat away from home. text It's past ten at night now. text It's a bit too early, but since I'm exhausted, I should sleep early tonight-- setvar flgE + 1 jump s116a.scr bgload BG_25B.png text ----I can't do something that dangerous. text ~ text If I went into an alley like that, no one can come to help me. text There's something wrong with me wanting to go in there just because I heard a noise. text It is getting late and I should head back. bgload IMA_10.png music 01.ogg bgload BG_48D.png text I return to the mansion without meeting anyone. text The lights around the mansion are all off. text Somehow, I hadn't realized I would be coming back so late. text Akiha--Akiha will surely be angry with me, I think as I put my hand on the heavy doors. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png text .... There's no one in the lobby. text It is late after all. text Akiha, Hisui and Kohaku-san are most likely fast asleep in their rooms. text ~ text ".... I couldn't find you after all, Yumizuka-san." text But I know she has to be somewhere. text Then----for sure, she will come to school tomorrow. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text I return to my room silently so as not to wake Akiha and the others. text It's getting late. text To get ready for tomorrow, I have to hurry up and go to sleep. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.ogg text .... I feel as if someone is calling my name as I wake up. text ~ text "Mn........" text A little warmth returns to my body. text I look around suspiciously and see an unfamiliar figure by my bed. text "Oh----Hisui." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Yes. text Good morning Shiki-sama." text Hisui bows. text "Ah, right----yeah, morning Hisui." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text I get up as I answer. text This is my room, and just like yesterday, Hisui came to wake me up. text "Thanks. text I'll change and head to the sitting room, so you can go back to what you were doing." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "Yes. text Then I will be waiting in the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text Hisui bows her head and walks to the door. text Tap, tap, tap. text Her footsteps are louder than normal. text She reaches the door and then turns around. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, forgive me for asking such a question. text What time did you return last night?" text ~ text ----Yesterday. text If I recall correctly, I went out looking for Yumizuka-san and returned after not finding her---- text ~ text ".... Sorry. text Something caught my attention and I came back late.... Um, I will be prompt from now on so it would be great if you could overlook it this time...." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ".... No, it is not necessary for you to say such a thing, Shiki-sama. text It is the duty of us servants to work in accordance with the schedule of our masters. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text However, I humbly request that you at least contact us. text Whatever the circumstances, you should still be able to let us know." text "----You're right. text Sorry. text I'll keep my promise from now on." text "I understand. text Then please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png text ".... That was rare. text Hisui seemed pretty angry." text She's always so expressionless, it seemed she really gets angry when she does get angry. text .... As if I did something really terrible. text "----Well then, time to get up." text After changing out of my pajamas and into my school uniform, I head to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text I find Akiha and Hisui there. text Kohaku-san is probably in the kitchen cooking my breakfast. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san." text Sitting on the sofa, Akiha greets me and looks at my expression. text ".... Ah, morning. text Sorry about last night." text Returning her greeting, I head to the dining room. text There really isn't that much time for me to stay and chat with Akiha--and I myself don't really feel like talking to anyone at all. text "Nii-san, I would like to speak with you a little--is that alright?" text "Speak with me? text I don't really mind." text I sit on the sofa across from Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "This is cutting straight to the heart of the matter, but what were you doing last night? text Hisui says you returned late at night. text Nii-san, you know about our eight o'clock curfew, correct?" text Akiha asks me with a direct stare. text "Sorry for breaking the curfew. text A classmate of mine seemed to be having a lot of trouble so I went looking for her.... Well, all I ended up doing was walk around. text I apologize for being late, but it isn't a big deal." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Just walking the streets IS something. text You are still a minor, so please do not wander out late at night. text Even if you weren't, there have been a lot of disturbances going on." text ".... Maybe I am a minor, but I don't do anything dangerous. text I don't care for drinking or anything like that. text You can just relax. text And I'm a guy after all. text Walking around town at night isn't dangerous." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "What are you saying? text Please say those kind of words after you can go a week without anemia. text I shouldn't have to say this, but you shouldn't strain your body. text You might plan on walking around energetically, but you'll end up collapsing all of a sudden. text What would you do then?" text "Ah------that may be true, but.." text Akiha seems to be worrying about me. text When I think about it that way, I start to feel that maybe last night was a little selfish---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T21.png 40 0 text "Goodness. text If you do that what would others think? text For the eldest son of the Tohno family to collapse late at night in town, the rumors would make me so embarrassed I couldn't even go to school." text "Uh------that may be true, but.." text .... Akiha seems to be worrying about herself. text I start to think I was stupid for thinking last night was selfish. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Anyway, please keep the curfew tonight. text If you break it again, I will have to hand down a punishment on you as head of the household." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha whirls around quickly and exits the room. text ".... Punishment, Akiha?" text I think it was a joke, but she certainly sounded serious. text "Shiki-saaaan, breakfaaaast!" text Kohaku-san's voice rings out from the dining room. text I rise and head towards the dining room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32A.png bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, around what time will you be returning today?" text "Yeah, today is Saturday so I'll be back early. text I don't know what Akiha will do if I get back late either." text Yeah. text To be honest, it's a little scary. text "I understand. text Well then, please be attentive and take care of yourself." bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text She gives her customary bow. bgload BG_32A.png text After Hisui sees me off, I leave the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06A.png music 03.ogg text ----As I arrive at my classroom I look for Yumizuka-san. text She isn't in the group of girls. text She hasn't come yet? text Or maybe---- bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Yo. text are you looking for something Tohno-kun?" text .... The familiar face of my friend appears from the side like a crab. text "Yeah. text I'm in the middle of looking, so don't get in my way, Arihiko." text "Oh reeeeally? text If you're looking for Sacchin, it's useless. text It seems she'll skip school today too." text Arihiko giggles meaningfully.... He seems to have seen right through me. text ".... What's this Sacchin thing?" text "Sacchin is Sacchin. text Miss Yumizuka was taken in by the police last night and is now under house arrest. text Takada-kun told me while he was eating chocolate." text "Eh----Yumizuka-san returned home?" text Something seems a little out of place. text "Hey. text If you don't believe me ask Takada-kun. text He seems to be one of Yumizuka's neighbors." text "---------" text I look around to my classmate nearby. text As usual, Takada-kun is eating chocolate. text He looks like he's doing his best impression of Santa Claus as he munches while walking. text .... Quite the interesting person for a side character. text ".... No, I'll pass. text Takada-kun isn't one to spread rumors so it's most likely true." text "Yeah. text A lot of girls have gone by to visit her and Kunifuji went this morning to her house.... Well, it seems like Yumizuka will have a rough time for a while." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko returns to his chair with a difficult expression. text ~ sound SE_02.wav 1 text ----The homeroom bell rings. text ~ text Still feeling a bit vague about it all, I wait for Kunifuji-sensei's arrival. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text .... Our teacher Kunifuji didn't come. text Classes started without homeroom and the Saturday class ended quickly. text My classmates exit the room hastily. text Those with club activities go to the cafeteria while those without any hurry on home to spend the rest of their Saturday elsewhere. text "--------Well then." text There's no need to laze around here. text I should go back to the mansion and think about what to do from there. text I stand out of my chair. text ~ text ----And then, text ~ text "Will Second Year, Third Class Tohno Shiki-kun please report to the Staff Room immediately." text Says the intercom announcement. text ".... What's this? text I didn't do anything to be called up." text Tilting my head out of question, I leave the classroom. bgload IMA_10.png music 01.ogg text ----Come to think of it, maybe it is natural. text The school was bound to find out it I was walking around late at night in my school uniform. text My school is second-rate but still oriented towards attending university so there are a lot of troublesome rules. text .... After being sternly warned by the student guidance counselor, I end up writing an essay of apology. bgload BG_08B.png text "............ It's getting late, Kunifuji-sensei." text I mutter to myself in the empty room. text The teacher told me he would come back after an hour. text .... It's half-past six already. text It seems Akiha will scold me once more. text "-----Fine. text I'll be heading back now." text I announce this to the teacher who isn't here in an attempt to convince myself and stand up. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06C.png text Of course, the classroom is empty. text I walk over to my desk to take the bag in my hand and exit to the hallway. music ~ text ~ text "Good evening, Tohno-kun." text ~ text Suddenly, someone calls my name. text "---------!?" text I whirl around instantly. text ~ text ----In the dark, unlit classroom. text Yumizuka Satsuki sits with her back to the blue moonlight. text "Eh----Yumizuka, san?" bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "What a coincidence. text You are still here Tohno-kun? text Don't tell me you were in the guidance counselor's room?" text "Ah----yeah. text Just a little unpleasantness there----" text "I see. text You know, I was called there about last night too. text I was in the very next room." text She smiles as she says so. text A gentle, carefree smile like before. text "--------" text So why is it? text For no reason, a chill runs up through my spine. text "I see.. it was you next door. text Huhu, the school rooms are narrow so you can somehow understand what is going on next door. text Your live body warmth or your breathing.. it would have been nice for me to enjoy it longer." text Our eyes meet. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06C.png text Swaying. text Stretching. text This instability as if the floor was bending. bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "But it's great timing. text I.. have a request for you Tohno-kun. text Is it alright?" text "Uh----sure, I'll do it if I can." text "Really? text Then I'll ask. text Tohno-kun, can you go out with me?" text ----? text Well, if that's it.. sure. text "Sure, do you have something you need to buy? text I don't think there's too many good stores open right now though." bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T09.png 53 0 text "................" text She looks at me blankly. text .... Huh? text It seems like I was a little off. bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Oh, that's not it Tohno-kun. text I'm not asking you to take me out shopping. text I'm asking you to go out with me like a lover." text Yumizuka-san giggles happily. text "Eh------" text After.. such a sudden confession.. my brain.. doesn't seem to work.. properly. text "Wait a second. text Yumizuka-san, I----" text I'm happy, but.. text To be told this all of a sudden, I---- music ~ bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_06C.png music 04.ogg text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Well----no-----problem----right? text "Yeah.... there's, no problem.. I think." bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Really!? text Yay! text Then I'll call you Shiki-kun from now on! text I'm so glad. text I was worried that you might hate me for saying that. text .... Yeah. text Maybe I didn't need to use the teacher to make sure you stayed late." text She mumbles. text I don't quite grasp what she said. bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T07.png 53 0 text "Hey Shiki-kun. text I really used a lot of courage to tell you. text Did you know how scared I was, Shiki-kun?" text She looks at me directly. text Her eyes. text Why.. do her eyes look red----and as if I was asphyxiated, my brain stops working. text "----Yeah. text You did well, Yumizuka-san." text ".... Yeah. text So, hey. text Maybe I should get a reward from you, Shiki-kun? text I've been waiting so long----I want you to do it, Shiki-kun." text "Do what?" bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "Simple. text I want you to kiss me, Shiki-kun." bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_06C.png text ----This isn't good. text ~ text Somewhere in my mind, something screams at me in warning. text ~ text ----So..? text ~ text I don't care about that. text If she----if Yumizuka-san wants it, what's wrong with it? text We are lovers----so isn't it normal? text ".... Alright. text Don't move, Yumizuka-san." bgload BG_06C.png setimg STK_T02.png 53 0 bgload BG_06C.png text I walk towards Yumizuka-san. text The dry sounds of my footsteps. text I walk in between the desks to draw closer to the girl by the window. text .... As I do, text I see the bodies of many female students collapsed in between the desks as if they were hidden. text Blood flows from each of their necks. text But still----I couldn't care less about them. text ----Yumizuka-san doesn't move. text ~ text Grabbing both her arms, I press my lips to hers emotionlessly. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_06C.png text ~ text ".... Huhu. text With this, you are mine Shiki-kun." text ~ text Her whisper sounds incredibly evil. text "Ah-------rghh....!?" text I collapse onto the floor. text A splashing sound. bgload BG_06C.png text I didn't notice it before, but the floor is splattered with blood. text Under the desks lie the discarded corpses of my classmates strewn about. text "Wha------" text I try to stand up using my arms but I fall back down again. text There's no strength in my body. text Heat. text The heat, suddenly turns cold. text "Relax Shiki-kun. text I won't make you like them. text All you have to do is listen to my voice just like this." text ~ text ----Her cold voice. text I don't understand at all what she's doing. text Even though I don't understand anything, I know this is so wrong it makes me nauseous. text "Ghh--------!" text I strain my arms and legs as I crawl on the floor. text But even that was stopped with her voice. text "No. text You can't get away. text I won't let you get away. text .... C'mon. text First we have to expand my world. text You'll help me won't you? text You broke your promise to help me whenever I was in a pinch, so you have to listen to whatever I say from now on." text She chuckles. bgload IMA_11B.png text .... My distant heartbeat. text The fragrance of the blood drenching the floor makes me dizzy. text So, if I ever do wake up again, then.. text I realized my body will never feel warm again. text ~ text In the moonlit classroom, text Yumizuka Satsuki slowly bites into Tohno Shiki's neck. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s532.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png music 09.mp3 bgload CMO_05B.png text A hot, summer day. text ~ text A blue sky and large, large columns of summer clouds. text The wafting breeze. text The droning voice of the cicadas. text ~ text The voice of cicadas. text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text ~ text ----So loud I want to die. text Cicada shells are lying in the clearing. text As if the sun is right by my side, text the clearing is roasting. text ~ text A hot midsummer's day. text ~ text As if the entire world became a frying pan. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. text Akiha is crying. text A child lies collapsed at her feet. text His white shirt is painted red with blood and he doesn't move at all. text ~ text I'm, looking down at that. text My hands are red, just like that child on the ground. text No, that's not it. text These hands are red with the blood of that child. text "Akiha----!" text ~ text The adults are coming. text ~ text "What in the----" text ~ text The adults take Akiha away. text The child lies there, dead. text Alone by myself, the adults press the hands which killed the child to the ground. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_05.png text "Did you kill him---!?" text ~ text The adults are yelling at me. text They shout my name, the one who killed the child. text Those two syllables, shouting as if they went crazy. music ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Just those two syllables. text Those adults call me SHIKI, as my hands are stained in red. bgload IMA_11.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_40A.png text "Shiki-sama, if you do not get up now, you shall be late. text Please, wake up." text ~ text .... Hearing my own name called, I awaken from a deep dream. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Hisui..?" text "Yes. text Good morning, Shiki-sama." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text Hisui bows deeply. text Autumn sunlight shines through the window; this is unmistakably my room. text "--Hi.. sui." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, are you feeling unwell?" text "Ah.. No, I'm fine." text .... I just had a terribly nostalgic dream. text But I can't remember the details that well. text "What was it.. I can't remember.." text "?" text Hisui tilts her head slightly. text .... Well, there's no point in telling Hisui. text The dream---what kind of a dream was it? text A dazzling white bright enough to bring tears to my eyes, and furiously gushing spots of red. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -------Something. text SOMETHING, LIKE AN INAUSPICIOUS DREAM. text ".... SHI.. KI.." text "Yes? text What is it, Shiki-sama?" text ".... It's nothing. text I'm sorry--I'll go straight to the dining room." bgload BG_40A.png text With a nod, Hisui walks to the door. text Clack, clack, clack. text Hisui's footsteps are louder than usual. text Just as she is about to leave the room, she turns back. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, forgive me for asking. text What time did you return last night?" text "Ah.. yesterday.. Quite late at night." text ".... Shiki-sama, you said your return would be at four o'clock. text I assume the schedule changed?" text "----Ah." text I remember. text Yesterday morning, I told Hisui that she should expect me at four. text "I'm sorry. text Things happened, and I didn't make it back. text I will be prompt from now on so it would be great if you could overlook it this time...." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text ".... No, it is not necessary for you to say such a thing, Shiki-sama. text It is the duty of us servants to work in accordance with the schedules of our masters. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 62 0 text However, I humbly request that you at least contact us. text Whatever the circumstances, you should still be able to let us know." text "----You're right. text Sorry. text I'll keep my promise from now on." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Then please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png text ".... That was rare. text Hisui seemed pretty angry." text She's always so expressionless, it seemed she gets extremely angry when she does get angry. text .... As if I did something really terrible. text "----Well then, time to get up." text Pulling away the sheets, I get up. text ~ text ---At that moment. text ~ sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text My body aches terribly. text "Guh..!" text The pain--it's not from the gash in my shoulder. text It's from a much deeper place, aching with my heartbeat. text "A---gah---" text Clenching the sheets, I somehow weather the pain. sound ~ text "Ahhh--" text It fades away. text There's nothing lingering. text Perhaps just a sudden fit? text ".... Chest.. wound." text I touch my chest over my cloth. text There is a great scar there, and even now that it has healed, at times it still hurts like it did just now. text The doctor said the physical wound is healed, but that the mind must be replaying the pain over and over again. text Usually, the scar begins throbbing after I see a traffic accident or something dead. text The image of blood or death must make me recall the accident eight years ago. text ".... Because of last night, I guess." text The red back alley. text And the normal, smiling face of Yumizuka. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "Guh--!" text My chest--hurts. text The image of Yumizuka doesn't leave my mind. text But I don't know what I should do, what I can do. text I can only live my everyday life. text ".... Shi.. t.." text Swearing at myself, I roll out of bed. text After changing out of my pajamas and into my school uniform, I head to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha and Hisui are in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is probably in the kitchen cooking my breakfast. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san." text Sitting on the sofa, Akiha greets me and looks at my expression. text ".... Ah, morning. text I'm sorry about yesterday." text Returning her greeting, I head to the dining room. text There really isn't that much time for me to stay and chat with Akiha--and I don't really feel like talking to anyone at all. text "Nii-san, I would like to speak with you a little---is that alright?" text ".... Alright. text But please make it short since I don't have much time." text I sit on the sofa across from her. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Continuing last night's talk.. Nii-san, what were you doing yesterday?" text Akiha asks me with a direct stare. text "Nothing. text Just went for a walk in town. text I'm sorry for getting back late, but it's no big deal." text Since I don't want to lie to Akiha, I answer as evasively as possible. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Just walking the streets IS something. text You are still a minor, so please do not wander out late at night. text Even if you weren't, there have been a lot of disturbances going on." bgload BG_34A.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ah------" text Disturbances--the killer skulking around the town at night. text Why? text Why didn't I realize? text The killer that murders people and drinks their blood. text That phrase perfectly matches Yumizuka's behavior yesterday-- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... I shouldn't have to say this, but you shouldn't strain your body. text If you come back with an exhausted face like last night's again, I'll get worried. text If you're in trouble, please tell me. text I may not be able to do much, but if you could.." text ~ text -----I don't want to think about it, but.. text Yumizuka. text Yumizuka could be the killer terrorizing the town. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san? text Are you listening to me?" text "Eh----uh, yeah. text I'm listening." text I hear Akiha's voice. text But, the only thing in my mind is the image of Yumizuka from yesterday. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text Akiha glares at me. text "So. text You can't talk about your situation, Nii-san?" text "Yeah. text It has nothing to do with you, Akiha." text Right now, I can think only of Yumizuka. text I want to be alone--and so I said that. text "You're going to keep going your own way, is that what you're saying, Nii-san?" text ".........." text "I understand. text Well, please, feel free. text If that's what you want, Nii-san, I'll do the same." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha stands, and walks out to the lobby. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Is this acceptable?" text ".... Acceptable? text Is what acceptable?" text "I believe Akiha-sama is deeply concerned about you, Shiki-sama. text But I think it is difficult for her since she does not often talk about her feelings----" text "I know. text But right now, my head's full, and I can't.. I do feel sorry." text "........" bgload BG_34A.png text Hisui falls silent. text "Shiki-saaaan, breakfast!" text Kohaku-san's voice can be heard from the dining room. text I stand up and head towards it. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32A.png bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, around what time will you be returning today?" text "Ahh.. since today's Saturday.. --No. text It'll probably be in the evening. text There's something I want to look for." bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Please, take care until then." text She bows deeply. bgload BG_32A.png text After Hisui sees me off, I leave the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ music 01.mp3 bgload BG_06A.png text ---There was no point coming to school. text ~ text Yumizuka Satsuki was treated as an absentee, and no one seemed to be the slightest bit concerned about her. text Time passed without my realizing it. text Perhaps Arihiko or Ciel-senpai came by sometime, but I don't really remember. text Noon comes, and school ends. text I have no idea. text I have no idea, but I still have to look for Yumizuka. choice Go search for Yumizuka.|Search around the school.|Search around the city. if selected == 1 jump s237.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s238.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s239.scr fi bgload IMA_11.png text "Shiki-sama....!" text ~ text ----There's a voice calling me. text ~ text "Please remain strong. text I shall bring you something to drink." text ~ text ----I sense the presence receding. text ~ text Footsteps. text It makes me realize that it is morning now. bgload BG_40A.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text "-----" text I open my eyes. text There isn't anyone else in my room. text I hear something ragged. text ".... What is.... that noise?" text Speaking, I realize that it was my own breathing. text "Hu.... h?" text My body is drenched in sweat. text A tiredness suffocates me, as if I had just ran a long marathon. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "Kgggh...." text My head hurts. text .... Because I saw that hideous dream. text Yumizuka painted with blood, and I, staring at her in envy. text A complete nightmare. text ".... There's something wrong...." text I manage to say this much, still breathing hard. text Last night's dream still lingers in my head. text It really was a horrific nightmare. text I was just blanked out in my dream, as if I couldn't rouse myself from the nightmare if I tried. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 sound ~ music 02.mp3 text "Shiki-sama....!" text And then, text Hisui rushes into my room. text "Hisui....? text Did something happen? text You didn't even knock." text "Um.... Are you awake, Shiki-sama....?" text "Yeah, I just got up. text Good morning, Hisui. text Thanks for coming to wake me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text "Um--yes. text Good morning." text Returning my greeting apologetically, Hisui approaches the bed. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "I have brought you something to drink. text You do not appear well, so please drink it." text Looking at it, it seems like she brought a drink on a silver tray like she did yesterday. text "....? text I don't really feel bad or anything. text I slept soundly and I feel refreshed." text "But---" text Hisui stares at me. text "You seemed to be in a very poor state earlier. text Shiki-sama, does the scar on your chest not hurt?" text "No, not really.... Well, it may be because of that terrible dream. text I was really having quite a nightmare." text ~ text .... I feel dizzy just remembering it. text Hisui looks intently at my face. text ~ text ".... I see. text Hisui, you woke me up." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text ".... Yes, I am deeply sorry." text "What are you saying? text Thanks, Hisui. text You really helped me a lot." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T03.png 62 0 text I really do mean that from my heart. text If she hadn't woken me, I might still be trapped inside that awful nightmare. text "I'll change and go to the dining room. text Thanks for everything--and for giving me this drink. text Sorry about that." text "No, you do not need to apologize. text I will wait for you in the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text Hisui silently leaves the room. text To be honest, I really am quite moved. text I thought she was truly without emotions, but she may just be poor at expressing them. text She was so distressed over me having a nightmare, it makes me smile imagining her in such a hurry. text Maybe it isn't that hard to see Hisui's smile. text "----Well, time to get up!" text I throw off the sheets and get up. text ~ text ---In that instant. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text Pain explodes through my body. text "Gaaah......!" text It's from a much deeper place, aching with my heartbeat. text "Ah---ggghh---" text Clenching the sheets, I somehow weather the pain. sound ~ text "Ahhh--" text It fades away. text There's nothing lingering. text Perhaps just a sudden fit? text ".... Chest.. wound." text I bring my hand over my chest. text There is a great scar there, and even though that it has healed, at times it still hurts like it did just now. text The doctor said the physical wound is healed, but that the mind must be replaying the pain over and over again. text Usually, the scar begins throbbing after I see a traffic accident or a dead body. text The image of blood or death must make me recall the accident eight years ago. text ".... Because of last night, I guess." text The red back alley. text And the normal, smiling face of Yumizuka. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "Guh--!" text My chest--hurts. text The image of Yumizuka doesn't leave my mind. text But I don't know what I should do, what I can do. text I can only live my everyday life. text ".... Shi.. t.." text Swearing at myself, I roll out of bed. text After changing out of my pajamas and into my school uniform, I head to the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha and Hisui are in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is probably in the kitchen cooking my breakfast. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Good morning, Nii-san." text Sitting on the sofa, Akiha greets me and looks at my expression. text ".... Ah, good morning Akiha." text Returning her greeting, I head to the dining room. text There really isn't that much time for me to stay and chat with Akiha---and I don't really feel like talking to anyone at all. text "Nii-san, I would like to speak with you a little---is that alright?" text "That's fine, but please make it short since I don't have much time." text I sit on the sofa across from her. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text "Then I will get straight to the point. text Nii-san, where did you go last night?" text Akiha looks directly at me as she asks. text .... Kohaku-san probably did keep it a secret, but I guess it wasn't possible to hide being gone for two hours. text "Nothing. text Just went for a walk in town. text I'm sorry for getting back late, but it's no big deal." text Since I don't want to lie to Akiha, I answer as evasively as possible. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Just walking the streets IS something. text You are still a minor, so please do not wander out late at night. text Even if you weren't, there have been a lot of disturbances going on." sound SE_00.wav 1 text "------Ah." bgload BG_34A.png text Disturbances--the killer skulking around town at night. text Why? text Why didn't I realize it? text The killer that murders people and drinks their blood. text That phrase perfectly matches Yumizuka's behavior yesterday---- bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... I shouldn't have to say this, but you shouldn't strain your body. text If you come back with an exhausted face like last night's again, I'll get worried. text If you're in trouble, please tell me. text I may not be able to do much, but if you could.." text ~ text ---I don't want to think about it, but.. text ~ text Yumizuka. text Yumizuka could be the killer terrorizing the town. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text ".... Nii-san? text Are you listening to me?" text "Eh----uh, yeah. text I'm listening." text I hear Akiha's voice. text But, the only thing in my mind is the image of Yumizuka from yesterday. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T02.png 40 0 text Akiha glares at me. text "So. text You can't talk about your situation, Nii-san?" text "Yeah. text It has nothing to do with you, Akiha." text Right now, I can think only of Yumizuka. text I want to be alone--and so I said that. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "You're going to keep going your own way, is that what you're saying, Nii-san?" text ".........." text "I understand. text Well, please, feel free. text If that's what you want, Nii-san, I'll do the same." bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha stands, and walks out to the lobby. bgload BG_34A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text Is this acceptable?" text ".... Acceptable? text Is what acceptable?" text "I believe Akiha-sama is deeply concerned about you, Shiki-sama. text But I think it is difficult for her since she does not often talk about her feelings----" text "I know. text But right now, my head's full, and I can't.. I do feel sorry." text "........" bgload BG_34A.png text Hisui falls silent. text ~ text "Shiki-saaaan, breakfast!" text Kohaku-san's voice can be heard from the dining room. text I stand up and head towards it. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32A.png bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, around what time will you be returning today?" text "Ahh.. since today's Saturday.. --No. text It'll probably be in the evening. text There's something I want to look for." bgload BG_32A.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 text "I understand. text Please, take care until then." text She bows deeply. bgload BG_32A.png text After Hisui sees me off, I leave the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ music 01.mp3 bgload BG_06A.png text ---There was no point coming to school. text ~ text Yumizuka Satsuki was treated as an absentee, and no one seemed to be the slightest bit concerned about her. text Time passed without my realizing it. text Perhaps Arihiko or Ciel-senpai came by sometime, but I don't really remember. text Noon comes, and school ends. text I have no idea. text I have no idea, but I still have to look for Yumizuka. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23B.png text The sun sets. text Even after running everywhere in town, there's no sign of Yumizuka Satsuki anywhere. text ~ text "........ Gah." text I bite my lip angrily. text .... But it's not anger over not finding her. text Two days ago. text I'm mad at myself for promising such a thing in the first place. text ~ text ---Help me when I'm in a pinch, okay? text ~ text Yumizuka said that, and I answered lightheartedly. text I would help, as much as I could. text .... Such an irresponsible answer. text There's really nothing I can do. text She said it hurt. text I can't even find Yumizuka, painfully suffering in the cold darkness. text "---" text The sun is setting. text .... I don't want to admit it, but maybe I can only find Yumizuka after nightfall. text ".... I told Hisui I'd be back in the evening." text Perhaps it's too early. text I'll go back to the mansion and calmly think this through. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33B.png bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome home, Shiki-sama." text Hisui was waiting in the lobby. text "I'm back.... Hisui, where's Akiha?" text "Akiha-sama has not returned yet. text Since she shall be late, we are to have supper first." text "I see.... I'll be resting in my room until dinner, so I'll head to the dining room when it's time." text "Yes. text Please rest until I call you." bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T16.png 62 0 bgload BG_33B.png text I turn my back to the bowing Hisui and walk towards my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ---After supper, I sit down on my bed. text ~ text The clock's hands show nine o'clock. text Since leaving the mansion after eight is forbidden, I cannot go outside any longer. text "........" text But, that's merely a rule. text If I feel like it, I can easily go outside. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_22B.png bgload BG_22B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Bye-bye. text See you at school tomorrow, Tohno-kun. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40C.png text .... What.... am I thinking? text It's just foolish. text I just can't comprehend what's happening to Yumizuka. text I do realize she is the vampire serial killer causing all these incidents in town. text ~ text But still. text I can not forget her last words she said in the sunset on our way home---- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40D.png text .... Before I realize it, it's almost midnight. text Lost in thinking about what I should do, I've passed some of the night wide awake. text ~ sound SE_03.wav 1 text ".... Shiki-sama, are you awake....?" text .... Hisui's voice. text Why is she up this late at night? bgload BG_46C.png text "I'm up, but why, Hisui?" bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T23.png 62 0 text "---Yes, I was unsure, but if you were awake, I thought that I should tell you." text "Tell me what?" text "Just a while ago, a call came for you, Shiki-sama. text The message was that 'I'll be waiting in the park.'" text "Phone call.... This late at night?" text "Yes, the call ended before I could ask for a name, so I was unsure if I should tell you, Shiki-sama--" text "No--that is...." text ~ text .... This doesn't require any thought. text That phone call had to have been from Yumizuka. text ~ text ".... Thanks. text But, it's a little late, so I'll wait until tomorrow. text She's one of my classmates, so I'll see her tomorrow." bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "That is not true. text There is something wrong with smiling like that with such a strained face." text "Stupid, I'm not lying at all. text I'm fine, I won't go out this late at night. text Akiha would get mad, and you would get in trouble, so there's no reason for me to do that." text ".............." text Hisui descends into silence. text The conversation between us dies. bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T23.png 62 0 text ".... Shiki-sama. text Please do not push yourself too hard." text ".... Nah, I'm not pushing anything. text I'll go to sleep, so please go back to your room." text ".............." bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text Hisui just looks at me. text "---Well, good night." text Not being able to endure her stare, I slam the door. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text ".... Sheesh. text I can't hide anything from Hisui." text I take my knife out of the drawer. text .... I don't intend to necessarily use it, but I just feel better with it by my side. text ~ text "---The park? text Why would she call me out at this hour---" text ~ text Muttering, I think back to those foolish tales. text Vampires can only move about during night time. text So supposing that's true, then Yumizuka didn't call me out at this hour. text It's more like if it wasn't this hour, then she couldn't call me at all. text ".... Sorry, Hisui. text Even I think I'm stupid. text You told me not to strain myself, but I can't just sleep like this." text Apologizing to the empty room, I quietly leave the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png music 01.mp3 bgload BG_27B.png text *pant*--*pant*--*pant* text I rest my body, burning from all the running. text It's almost midnight. text The park located off of the main road. text Because of the serial killings these past several days, there's not a soul to be seen around here. text "......" text Thump. text My heart beats loudly. text My throat dries up from the tension. text If the phone call that Hisui received was from Yumizuka, text then she has to be waiting there for me. bgload BG_28B.png text The park is empty at night. text There isn't a sound under the the moonlight. text I don't know why, but a chill runs through me. text ~ text "----------Sst." text ~ text The back of my head numbs. text A horrible chill, as if my body freezes to my fingertips. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text I try to catch my breath. text In contrast to my cold body, my throat is scorching. text It's dry with thirst. text I put my hand in my pocket. text I just---wanted a blade in my hand. text "Why..?" text Just.. text A faint headache. text A low temperature. text My mind is cool like ice. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text Something is strange. text This park, it feels like something bad is around here. text ".... Just what am I afraid of?" text I shake the headache off, and walk deeper in. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text There's no one around. text A terribly dark and lonely place to meet someone. text ~ text There--someone is crouched. text ~ text Breathing raggedly. text Her face, pale white, as she scratches her throat in pain. text Without a doubt, it is Yumizuka Satsuki. music 09.mp3 text "Yumi.. zuka?" text Her figure is tormented. text Without a thought for what happened last night, I run towards her. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text "Wait.. !" text Yumizuka stops me with just a word. text ".... Wait, Shiki-kun. text I'm glad you came, but I don't want you any nearer right now. text Please, don't come any closer." text Her breathing looks painful. text Her body convulses as she speaks, as if she's about to collapse any second now. text "Don't be stupid! text I'm not going to leave someone looking as painful as you alone..!" bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "No, I'm okay.. You came, so I'm fine now." text Forcing herself up, Yumizuka smiles at me. text ".... What's going on, Yumizuka? text Why haven't you been home? text What was that about, yesterday? text Why, that----" text "Hm? text That what?" text "That---you know what I'm talking about!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T01.png 53 0 text "If you mean yesterday---well, you saw what happened. text I told you, 'I killed those people,' didn't I?" text She answers frankly. text .... It's almost as if she's laughing at my feelings of denial. text "Then.. the recent killings in town were all your doing, Yumizuka..!" text "I don't like to say it, but.. that's the way it is, yeah." text "What the hell do you mean, 'That's the way it is' ..!?" text "It's just the way it is. text I killed those people, and I'll keep on doing the same thing. text I can't just lie about it, can I?" text "Yumi.. zuka, you--" text "Please. text Stop calling me that. text I'm calling you Shiki-kun, so it's only fair for you to call me by my first name too." text "Wha.." text I take a deep breath. text Yumizuka is still like before. text Even though she acts like she used to----she says some pretty scary things. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "When I think about it, I look foolish. text I could never talk to you like this, for all the years I watched you from afar." text "Eh--Yumi.. zuka....?" text "I was always watching you, Shiki-kun. text Even before I was saved in that warehouse, I was always watching you. text I'm.. really a coward. text I always just agreed with the people around me, and smiled when it seemed right. text Before I knew it, everyone was treating me like an idol." text "So school wasn't fun for me. text But that changed, after you talked to me in the second year of junior high, Shiki-kun." text "Eh--?" text "Nah. text It's not something you'd remember. text How can I put it.. You were always natural, never showing off. text Probably you didn't even think about what you said back then." text "------" text What can I say. text Just as Yumizuka says, I remember nothing. text I don't know what I said to her, or even if I had talked to her back then. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T01.png 53 0 text "It's okay. text Don't make a face like that. text You were only hanging out with Inui-kun, so it was normal for you to ignore other classmates." text "But that was okay. text I was happy just being in the same class as you, Shiki-kun. text It was my goal to talk to you and let you call me Yumizuka-san. text Now that I think about it, it was too small of a wish." text ~ text She recalls nostalgically. text Those ancient days. text .... Like she is remembering something that happened a long time ago. text "I.. was always watching you. text I knew you'd never notice me, but I watched you anyway." text "------" text ~ text Well--to be honest, I'm happy, but.. text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T07.png 53 0 text "Do you like me, Shiki-kun?" text How can I answer her right now---? text ~ music ~ bgload BG_29B.png choice I like her.|I hate her.|I can't answer. if selected == 1 jump s243.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s290.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s291.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29A.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23B.png text The sun sets. text Even after running everywhere in town, there's no sign of Yumizuka Satsuki anywhere. text ~ text "........ Gah." text I bite my lip angrily. text .... But it's not anger over not finding her. text Two days ago. text I'm mad at myself for promising such a thing in the first place. text ~ text --Help me when I'm in a pinch, okay? text ~ text Yumizuka said that, and I answered lightheartedly. text I would help, as much as I could. text .... Such an irresponsible answer. text There's really nothing I can do. text She said it hurt. text I can't even find Yumizuka, painfully suffering in the cold darkness. text "---" text The sun is setting. text .... I don't want to admit it, but maybe I can only find Yumizuka after nightfall. text ".... I told Hisui I'd be back in the evening." text Perhaps it's too early. text I'll go back to the mansion and calmly think this through. bgload IMA_10.png jump s240.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text ---I'll search at school. text ~ text I know she's absent, but.. right now, this school is the only connection I have to her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06F.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_10B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_03B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01B.png text The sun sets. text Even after looking everywhere at school, there's no sign of Yumizuka Satsuki anywhere. text ~ text "........ Gah." text I bite my lip angrily. text .... But it's not anger over not finding her. text Two days ago, I'm mad at myself for promising such a thing in the first place. text ~ text ---Help me when I'm in a pinch, okay? text ~ text Yumizuka said that, and I answered lightheartedly. text I would help, as much as I could. text .... Such an irresponsible answer. text There's really nothing I can do. text ~ text She said it hurt. text I can't even find Yumizuka, painfully suffering in the cold darkness. text "---" text The sun is setting. text .... I don't want to admit it, but maybe I can only find Yumizuka after nightfall. text ".... I told Hisui I'd be back in the evening." text Perhaps it's too early. text I'll go back to the mansion and calmly think this through. bgload IMA_10.png jump s240.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text ---I have no idea where she could be. text But let's search around the area where there are lots of houses and apartments. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22B.png text The sun sets. text Even after running everywhere in town, there's no sign of Yumizuka Satsuki anywhere. text ~ text "........ Gah." text I bite my lip angrily. text .... But it's not anger over not finding her. text Two days ago. text I'm mad at myself for promising such a thing in the first place. text ~ text ---Help me when I'm in a pinch, okay? text ~ text Yumizuka said that, and I answered lightheartedly. text I would help, as much as I could. text .... Such an irresponsible answer. text There's really nothing I can do. text ~ text She said it hurt. text I can't even find Yumizuka, painfully suffering in the cold darkness. text "---" text The sun is setting. text .... I don't want to admit it, but maybe I can only find Yumizuka after nightfall. text ".... I told Hisui I'd be back in the evening." text Perhaps it's too early. text I'll go back to the mansion and calmly think this through. bgload IMA_10.png jump s240.scr bgload BG_06A.png text It's lunchtime. text Now then, where should I eat lunch? text ~ choice Go out into the hallway to think about it.|Go eat in the cafeteria.|Eat lunch in class. if selected == 1 jump s28.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s29.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s30.scr fi bgload BG_33B.png bgload BG_33B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome home, Shiki-sama." text "I'm back.. Hisui, where's Akiha?" text "Akiha-sama has remained at school for certain formalities. text Since she shall be late, we are to have supper first." text "..?" text Certain formalities, huh. text Akiha's school probably has lots of formalities as it is a top tier school for young ladies. text "I'll go wait in my room till suppertime and I'll head down when it's ready." text "Yes. text Please rest until I call you." bgload BG_33B.png text I turn my back to the bowing Hisui and walk toward my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ---After supper, I sit down on my bed. text ~ text The clock's hands show nine o'clock. text Since leaving the mansion after eight is forbidden, I cannot go outside any longer. text "........" text But, that's merely a rule. text If I feel like it, I can easily go outside. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/STK_E03.png text ~ text ---Bye-bye. text See you at school tomorrow, Tohno-kun. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text I--- text ~ choice Go look for Yumizuka.|I can't do something that dangerous. if selected == 1 jump s241.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s242.scr fi bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ----I.. just can't let her be. text ~ text I know that looking for Yumizuka is dangerous. text No matter what her reason is, she did kill that many people. text But I can't let it go. text That way home in the sunset. text I cannot forget the last words she said. text ".... I'll go. text Obsessing over it won't do any good." text I change clothes, and slip my knife into my pocket. text I tiptoe out the mansion, so as not to wake Akiha or the others. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png text ~ text .... The lights in the lobby are out. text It's a dark, lonely place; perfect for a secret departure. text Creak, creak. text I go down the stairs which creak only when they shouldn't, and walk quietly to the door. text ~ text --And.. text ~ bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T01B.png 40 0 text "Nii-san? text You're going out, at this hour?" text Already in the lobby, Akiha speaks quietly. text "Akiha--so, you got back, huh?" text "Yes, just a little while ago. bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text But anyway--what are you doing, Nii-san? text You've changed your clothes, so it appears you are going out." text Akiha gazes intently at me. text It's not a look of blame. text She is merely gazing at me uneasily. text "You're going to go out and get hurt again, like last night. text Aren't you, Nii-san?" text ".... I'm sorry. text A friend of mine is in trouble. text I can't let it go." bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T23B.png 40 0 text ".... I see. text I'm sure you're going to go even if I stop you, Nii-san." text "Yeah, but I won't do anything dangerous. text I'm just going to check it out a bit. text .... I'm sorry to cause trouble like this, when I've only just come home." text Saying so, I begin walking out. bgload BG_33D.png text "Ah--" text A soft voice comes from behind me. text "Nii.. san." text A weak voice, so unlike Akiha's usual tone. text .... It's just like her voice from eight years ago--tinged with unease. text "Akiha..?" bgload BG_33D.png setimg AKI_T17B.png 40 0 text "You'll.. come back, won't you?" text "----" text Akiha's weak, vulnerable face. text It has none of its earlier coldness, but like Akiha's childhood face, it's close to tears. text ".... What are you talking about? text I'm only going out for a moment. text You shouldn't make a face like that." text "I.. I know, but.." text "It's okay. text I'll come right back. text I'm sorry, Akiha; I've always been causing you trouble." text "Ah--Nii-san!" bgload IMA_10.png text Ignoring Akiha's voice behind me, I leave the mansion. text .... Outside, a moonlit night. text Perhaps because I saw Akiha's unsettled expression. text For some reason, I feel I may never return here. music ~ bgload BG_26A.png text I arrive at the shopping district. text If Yumizuka's anywhere, she'll most likely be here. text It's because the murder victims are found near this shopping district. text ~ text ".... Damn it, what am I thinking..!" text I curse my own logic. text .... But, at least I'm more likely to find her here than anywhere else. text Putting all thoughts aside, I start to look around for Yumizuka. bgload IMA_10.png music 06.mp3 bgload BG_26A.png text .... How long has it been? text There's no sign of Yumizuka; not in the back alleys nor in the crowds. text ~ text *pant*---*pant*----*pant* text ~ text I rest my body, burning from all the running. text It's almost midnight. text .... It might be useless to keep looking around. text "Where has she gone..?" text I start walking again. text There's one place I haven't looked yet. text I'll give up after my body really can't move anymore-- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text .... Leaving the brightly-lit main street behind, I arrive at the park. text Because of the serial killings recently, there's not a soul to be seen around here. text "........" text Even though I can't imagine Yumizuka being here, it's the only place left to look. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text "-----" text The park is empty at night. text There isn't a sound under the the moonlight. text I don't know why, but a chill runs through me. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text "--Sst." text The back of my head numbs. text A horrible chill, as if my body freezes to my fingertips. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I try to catch my breath. text In contrast to my cold body, my throat is scorching. text It's dry with thirst. text I put my hand in my pocket. text I just---wanted a blade in my hand. text "Why..?" text Just.. text A faint headache. text A low temperature. text My mind is cool like ice. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text Something is strange. text This park, it feels like something bad is around here. text ".... A little more till I reach the center of this park." text I shake the headache off, and walk deeper in. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text There's no one around. text A terribly dark and lonely place to meet someone. text There--someone is crouched. text Breathing raggedly. text Her face, pale white, as she scratches her throat in pain. text ~ text Without a doubt, it is Yumizuka Satsuki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png music 09.mp3 text "Yumizuka--!?" text I guess there is the joy of finally finding her. text Not thinking about last night, I run towards her. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text "Wait..!" text Yumizuka stops me with just a word. text ".... Wait, Shiki-kun. text I'm glad you came, but I don't want you any nearer right now. text Please, don't come any closer." text Her breathing looks painful. text Her body convulses as she speaks, as if she's about to collapse any second now. text "Don't be stupid! text I'm not going to leave someone looking as painful as you alone..!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "No, I'm okay.. You came, so I'm fine now." text Forcing herself up, Yumizuka smiles at me. text It seems like a show of bravado. text .... But I can't approach her. text I do at least understand that Yumizuka doesn't want me near her. text ".... What's going on, Yumizuka? text Why haven't you been home? text What was that about, yesterday? text Why, that----" text "Hm? text That what?" text ".... Damn it, I don't know! text I really don't understand anything, Yumizuka..!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "Really? text You saw what happened yesterday. text I told you 'I killed those people', didn't I?" text She answers frankly. text .... It's almost as if she's laughing at my feelings of denial. text "Then.. the recent killings in town were all your doing, Yumizuka..!" text "I don't like to say it, but.. that's the way it is, yeah." text "What the hell do you mean, 'That's the way it is' ..!?" text "It's just the way it is. text I killed those people, and I'll keep on doing the same thing. text I can't just lie about it, can I?" text "Yumi.. zuka, you--" text "Please. text Stop calling me that. text I'm calling you Shiki-kun, so it's only fair for you to call me by my first name too." text "Wha.." text I take a deep breath. text Yumizuka is still like before. text Even though she acts like she used to----she says some pretty scary things. text "When I think about it, I look foolish. text I could never talk to you like this, for all the years I watched you from afar." text "Yumi.. zuka?" text "I was always watching you, Shiki-kun. text Even before I was saved in that warehouse, I was always watching you. text I'm.. really a coward. text I always just agreed with the people around me, and smiled when it seemed right. text Before I knew it, everyone was treating me like an idol." text "So school wasn't fun for me. text But that changed, after you talked to me in the second year of junior high, Shiki-kun." text "Eh--?" text "Nah. text It's not something you'd remember. text How can I put it.. You were always natural, never showing off. text Probably you didn't even think about what you said back then." text "------" text What can I say. text Just as Yumizuka says, I remember nothing. text I don't know what I said to her, or even if I had talked to her back then. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "It's okay. text Don't make a face like that. text You were only hanging out with Inui-kun, so it was normal for you to ignore other classmates." bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "But that was okay. text I was happy just being in the same class as you, Shiki-kun. text It was my goal to talk to you and let you call me Yumizuka-san. text Now that I think about it, it was too small of a wish." text ~ text She recalls nostalgically. text Those ancient days. text .... Like she is remembering something that happened a long time ago. text "I.. was always watching you. text I knew you'd never notice me, but I watched you anyway." text "----" text ~ text Well--to be honest, I'm happy, but.. text ~ text "Do you like me, Shiki-kun?" bgload BG_29B.png text How can I answer her right now---? text ~ music ~ choice I like her.|I hate her.|I can't answer. if selected == 1 jump s243.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s290.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s291.scr fi bgload BG_40C.png music ~ text ----I don't know. text ~ text I was so intent on looking for Yumizuka until this evening. text But with nightfall, the events of last night suddenly appear fresh in my mind. text The dead bodies scattered about the alley. text Yumizuka, who said she killed them. text .... No matter what the reason, she killed them. text So I understand that staying out of it is the best choice. text ".........." text I understand, but I can't cast aside my doubts. text What am I thinking? text It's just foolish. text I just can't comprehend what's happening to Yumizuka. text I do realize she is the vampire serial killer causing all these incidents in town. text ~ text But still, text I can't forget her last words she said in the sunset on our way home---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text .... Before I realize it, it's almost midnight. text Lost in thinking about what I should do, I've passed some of the night wide awake. text ~ sound SE_03.wav 1 text ".... Shiki-sama, are you awake....?" text .... Hisui's voice. text Why is she up this late at night? bgload BG_46C.png text "I'm up, but why, Hisui?" bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "---Yes, I was unsure, but if you were awake, I thought that I should tell you." text "Tell me what?" text "Just a while ago, a call came for you, Shiki-sama. text The message was that 'I'll be waiting in the park.'" text "Phone call.... This late at night?" text "Yes, the call ended before I could ask for a name, so I was unsure if I should tell you, Shiki-sama--" text "No--that is...." text .... This doesn't require any thought. text That phone call had to have been from Yumizuka. text ".... Thanks. text But, it's a little late, so I'll wait until tomorrow. text She's one of my classmates, so I'll see her tomorrow." bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T17.png 62 0 text "That is not true. text There is something wrong with smiling like that with such a strained face." text "Stupid, I'm not lying at all. text I'm fine, I won't go out this late at night. text Akiha would get mad, and you would get in trouble, so there's no reason for me to do that." text ".............." text Hisui descends into silence. text The conversation between us dies. bgload BG_46C.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text ".... Shiki-sama. text Please do not push yourself too hard." text ".... Nah, I'm not pushing anything. text I'll go to sleep, so please go back to your room." text ".............." text Hisui just looks at me. text "---Well, good night." text Not being able to endure her stare, I slam the door. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text ".... Sheesh. text I can't hide anything from Hisui." text I take my knife out of the drawer. text .... I don't intend to necessarily use it, but I just feel better with it by my side. text ~ text "---The park? text Why would she call me out at this hour---" text ~ text Muttering, I think back to those foolish tales. text Vampires can only move about during night time. text So supposing that's true, then Yumizuka didn't call me out at this hour. text It's more like if it wasn't this hour, then she couldn't call me at all. text ".... No matter how much I think about it nothing will get done." text Right now I have to go to the park. text I exit the mansion quietly to avoid Hisui's notice. bgload IMA_10.png music 01.mp3 bgload BG_27B.png text *pant*--*pant*--*pant* text I rest my body, burning from all the running. text It's almost midnight. text The park located off of the main road. text Because of the serial killings these past several days, there's not a soul to be seen around here. text "......" text Thump. text My heart beats loudly. text My throat dries up from the tension. text If the phone call that Hisui received was from Yumizuka, text then she has to be waiting there for me. bgload BG_28B.png text ".........." text The park is empty at night. text There isn't a sound under the the moonlight. text I don't know why, but a chill runs through me. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text "--Sst." text The back of my head numbs. text A horrible chill, as if my body freezes to my fingertips. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I try to catch my breath. text In contrast to my cold body, my throat is scorching. text It's dry with thirst. text I put my hand in my pocket. text I just---wanted a blade in my hand. text "Why..?" text Just.. text A faint headache. text A low temperature. text My mind is cool like ice. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text Something is strange. text This park, it feels like something bad is around here. text ".... Just what am I afraid of?" text I shake the headache off, and walk deeper in. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text There's no one around. text A terribly dark and lonely place to meet someone. text There--someone is crouched. text Breathing raggedly. text Her face, pale white, as she scratches her throat in pain. text ~ text Without a doubt, it is Yumizuka Satsuki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png music 09.mp3 text "Yumi.. zuka?" text Her figure is tormented. text Without a thought for what happened last night, I run towards her. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T04.png 53 0 text "Wait.. !" text Yumizuka stops me with just a word. text ".... Wait, Shiki-kun. text I'm glad you came, but I don't want you any nearer right now. text Please, don't come any closer." text Her breathing looks painful. text Her body convulses as she speaks, as if she's about to collapse any second now. text "Don't be stupid! text I'm not going to leave someone looking as painful as you alone..!" bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "No, I'm okay.. You came, so I'm fine now." text Forcing herself up, Yumizuka smiles at me. text ".... What's going on, Yumizuka? text Why haven't you been home? text What was that about, yesterday? text Why, that----" text "Hm? text That what?" text ".... Damn it, I don't know! text I really don't understand anything, Yumizuka..!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "Really? text You saw what happened yesterday. text I told you 'I killed those people', didn't I?" text She answers frankly. text .... It's almost as if she's laughing at my feelings of denial. text "Then.. the recent killings in town were all your doing, Yumizuka..!" text "I don't like to say it, but.. that's the way it is, yeah." text "What the hell do you mean, 'That's the way it is' ..!?" text "It's just the way it is. text I killed those people, and I'll keep on doing the same thing. text I can't just lie about it, can I?" text "Yumi.. zuka, you--" text "Please. text Stop calling me that. text I'm calling you Shiki-kun, so it's only fair for you to call me by my first name too." text "Wha.." text I take a deep breath. text Yumizuka is still like before. text Even though she acts like she used to----she says some pretty scary things. text "When I think about it, I look foolish. text I could never talk to you like this, for all the years I watched you from afar." text "Yumi.. zuka?" text "I was always watching you, Shiki-kun. text Even before I was saved in that warehouse, I was always watching you. text I'm.. really a coward. text I always just agreed with the people around me, and smiled when it seemed right. text Before I knew it, everyone was treating me like an idol." text "So school wasn't fun for me. text But that changed, after you talked to me in the second year of junior high, Shiki-kun." text "Eh--?" text "Nah. text It's not something you'd remember. text How can I put it.. You were always natural, never showing off. text Probably you didn't even think about what you said back then." text "------" text What can I say. text Just as Yumizuka says, I remember nothing. text I don't know what I said to her, or even if I had talked to her back then. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T03.png 53 0 text "It's okay. text Don't make a face like that. text You were only hanging out with Inui-kun, so it was normal for you to ignore other classmates." bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "But that was okay. text I was happy just being in the same class as you, Shiki-kun. text It was my goal to talk to you and let you call me Yumizuka-san. text Now that I think about it, it was too small of a wish." text ~ text She recalls nostalgically. text Those ancient days. text .... like she is remembering something that happened a long time ago. text "I.. was always watching you. text I knew you'd never notice me, but I watched you anyway." text "----" text ~ text Well--to be honest, I'm happy, but.. text ~ text "Do you like me, Shiki-kun?" bgload BG_29B.png text How can I answer her right now---? text ~ music ~ setvar flgK + 1 choice I like her.|I hate her.|I can't answer. if selected == 1 jump s243.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s290.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s291.scr fi bgload BG_29B.png text "---To be honest, I don't know. text But I can't just leave you alone." text .... Yes. text Since I talked to Yumizuka two days ago, she has never left my mind. text So that must mean.. text ".... Unlike your case, I don't feel like I've known you for years, but---" text Even though I knew it was dangerous, I still came here. text "I.. think I do.. like you." bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T09.png 53 0 text "----" text Yumizuka looks at me, aghast. text I stare back at her. text "---No.." text She shakes her head. text She seems about to burst into tears. text "---I don't want that.." text ".... Yumizuka.. san?" text ".... Because that, that just makes me look---stupid.." bgload BG_29B.png text Still aghast, Yumizuka looks down as she murmurs. if flgP >= 1 jump s312.scr fi jump s313.scr music 03.mp3 bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text At lunch break, that guy who didn't even show up for a single class arrives. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Yo Tohno! text Food, let's get some food!" text He's happy about something, being even more energetic than usual. text "Of course, food. text But you seem to be in a great mood. text Did something happen, Arihiko?" text "Yup. text I just asked Senpai if she wanted to eat lunch together, and she refused." text "............" text That's odd. text "Senpai" must be referring to Ciel-senpai, but this guy seems to get happy when his offer is refused. text "Hey, Arihiko, you have that sort of taste?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "No, no, I'm not finished. text So I asked Senpai why not, and she said 'If Tohno-kun is there, then I don't want to come'!! text Uwahahahahahahahaha! text Isn't that great, Tohno!?" text ".........." text That's odd. text Why have I been friends with this guy since middle school? text "Oh man, she really hates you Tohno! text A rival's loss is my gain, so I'll treat you to lunch today!" text Arihiko happily slaps my back. text ".... Well, I'm happy you're treating me, but Senpai was angry at me?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "N? text .... well, after she asked 'will Tohno-kun be with us?' and I nodded, her face turned all red. text As soon as she heard your name, her face probably burned with anger." text ".... Probably? text Isn't that a little different, Arihiko?" text "Maybe. text Maybe not." bgload BG_06A.png text .... Arihiko's story can't be trusted. text Certainly Senpai did seem angry this morning, but I don't know why she would be. text ".... No way, she couldn't have realized what kind of dream I had." text If she could figure that out from that one conversation, she'd make a great detective. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey, stop whining and let's go, Tohno. text There's only seats enough for half the people using the cafeteria." text "Ah---no, I---" text ~ bgload BG_06A.png choice Yeah, I'll go with Arihiko to the cafeteria.|No, even if she hates me, I'll go see Senpai. if selected == 1 jump s245.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s246.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text Senpai can't be mad at anything else other than the incident this morning. text .... Senpai didn't seem angry this morning, but if she is angry, then I probably shouldn't go meet her. text ".... Yeah, maybe I should just go to the cafeteria today." text "Yeah, do that. text C'mon, hurry up. text There's only enough space for half the people using the cafeteria." text Arihiko takes me by the arm and pulls me off. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text I sit next to Arihiko and eat my lunch. text My school's cafeteria has a television, and for better or worse for our education, they play back the morning news they recorded this morning. text At any rate, the news they are playing back is talking about a drunk customer stabbing to death a convenience store employee, something that makes me not want to go to a convenience store for at least a few days. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "What a dangerous world we live in. text Indiscriminate serial killers, drunken people stabbing people. text A man can't even feel safe playing around at night anymore." text Arihiko seems like he is seriously watching the news. text ".... Well, certainly it is dangerous. text But at least those serial killings won't happen anymore, so things should be like usual." text "Oh really? text Did they catch the serial killer?" text "No, they haven't caught him.." text ~ text ---But Nrvnqsr is no longer in this world. text ~ text So the stupid title of the modern day vampire killings shouldn't be showing up in the news anymore and there will be no more of those meaningless killings. text "Anyway, those terrible incidents won't happen anymore; There won't be any more victims, and the streets will be back to normal." text "Hmmmh, I didn't know. text I guess I should watch the news more often." text Making a strained face, Arihiko earnestly stares at the news. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s249.scr bgload BG_06A.png text "---I'll pass. text I'm going to buy some bread and eat by myself." text "Really? text Then I'll go ahead." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko goes off to the cafeteria. text ".... Well then." text I also get out of my chair and head over to the tea club room, where Senpai may be. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_11A.png text .... I stand before the tea ceremony room. text Of course, I bought some food for myself before I came. text ~ text Knock-knock. text ~ text I tap on the door. text I hear some scuffling inside and sense a person on the other side. text "Yes, who is it?" text I can hear Senpai's voice through the door. text "It's me. text Senpai, would you like to eat lunch with me?" text .... There's no answer. text "Senpai, I said lunch." text ".... I'm not eating with you, Tohno-kun." text That voice doesn't sound happy at all. text I'm not sure what to do, if flg1 >= 1 jump s248.scr fi jump s247.scr bgload BG_11A.png text ".... Senpai, did I do something wrong?" text I ask her directly. text ".........." text There's no answer. text I can feel her uneasiness through the door. text "Um, Senpai?" text Knock-knock. text I try again. text ~ text After a few seconds.. text After a very uncomfortable silence, I hear Senpai's voice once more. text ".... Not really, you're not at fault here. text I can't see you right now because of my circumstances." text "? text What's are your circumstances, Senpai?" text "It's okay, so just please eat by yourself! text I'll calm down by the time school ends, so until then, I won't see you!" text "........ Uh." text Her scolding voice backs me up and I raise the white flag. text ~ text "I understand. text Then I'll go back to my classroom." text Telling her through the door, I leave the tea ceremony room behind. bgload IMA_10.png jump s249.scr bgload BG_11A.png text "I have some curry bread." text ~ text I pull out my secret weapon. text "Tohno-kun, do you think I can just be bought with food!?" text Senpai shouts from the other side. text .... Maybe this less than one hundred yen bread didn't work. text ".........." text Geez. text I think trying to barge in would make her more angry, so I guess I should just go back. text ~ text ---And then, bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Well, I guess I'll have some though." text She opens the door and stands in front of me. text "Se, Senpai--?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T08B.png 52 0 text "Come to think of it, I shouldn't be taking this out on you Tohno-kun. text Turning away a guest that came here would be a little rude." text With a red face, she mumbles something like an excuse. text "Senpai, does that mean, we can eat lunch together?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text ".... Ummm, I don't mind if you take it that way. text If you like this room that much, then please come in." bgload BG_11A.png text Senpai goes into the tea ceremony room. text Following behind her, I walk inside. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_09A.png music 03.mp3 text I start to eat with Senpai. text Even though I got the impression that she was in a bad mood from Arihiko and her reaction back then, it certainly doesn't seem that way. text ".... Senpai. text I heard this from Arihiko, but you're angry at me? text How come?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Eh--no, I'm not really angry at you. text It's more of an indirect thing.... Maybe, it's more your insensitivity?" text ".... Wait a sec Senpai. text You're normally a hard person to understand, but today you're even more so. text If you're angry at my insensitivity, that's fine, but what do you mean by 'maybe'? text Senpai, you don't understand how you feel?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text She sighs. text "I'm a little unsure. text I'm not usually concerned with myself." text Senpai almost sounds apologetic. text "---Probably, I don't like myself." text ".... Senpai?" text Senpai sits in silence without looking at me. text After a short moment of silence, she suddenly glares at me. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "More importantly, Tohno-kun." text ".... Yes?" text Straightening up, I look back into her eyes. text .... Since I know she's about to begin a very serious conversation. text ~ text "Uh.... what is it, Senpai?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Could I have that curry bread?" text ~ text "Wh, what's with that all of a sudden!? text Didn't you just say you won't be bought out by food!?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "That's a different matter. text Tohno-kun, are you trying to take back what you said earlier!?" text ~ text .... Senpai is really angry. text It was just a joke for me, but I guess she took it very seriously. text ".... Yes, yes, I understand. text Please accept this, Your Highness." text I hand over the curry bread. text Giving that up, I only have some sausage bread left. bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text ~ text "Yay!" Senpai happily takes it from me. text .... Is she a kid or something? bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text "Then I will give you some of this hamburger. text Here you go," Senpai says as she gives me half of it from her lunch. text "......" text I think the difference in the barter exchange rate was a little high.. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E02A.png text After we finish our meals, we pass the time while sipping tea. text A perfectly tranquil passing of time. text ~ text It seems like she's not conscious of my presence, and I'm not especially conscious of her presence either. text ~ text Just, a calmness. text Like two friends of the same gender, we pass the remaining break time like this. text "Hey, Tohno-kun." text "Yes? text What is it, Senpai?" text "I've been thinking about this for a while, but your glasses aren't used to correct your vision, right?" text ".... Wow, you're amazing Senpai, bullseye. text They're just for show." text ~ text "I knew it," Senpai nods. text "Hey, Tohno-kun, could I ask a favor?" text Senpai looks expectantly at my eyes. text .... Not so much my eyes, but my glasses. text "Just once, could you take off those glasses?" text "---------" text That would be troubling. text Taking these glasses off means I would see those "lines" and more importantly---I don't want to see the "death" of this person close to me. text "I can't do that. text Unfortunately, I've never taken these off in front of others. text It's kind of like a vow, so I'll reject your request." text I answer clearly. text Senpai slumps disappointedly. text "Huh, if you say so, then I guess it's not possible." text "Yes, because these past eight years, I never---" text ~ text .... never took them off in front of other people, but. music ~ text "----" text That's right. text That ended. text With these eyes. text I saw the death of many, many things. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_09A.png bgload CMO_13.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "-------Tohno-kun?" bgload BG_09A.png bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Ah---yeah, what is it Senpai?" bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "What do you mean, 'what is it?' Suddenly spacing out like that, lunch break is almost over you know." text ".... Oh, that's true. text I thought we had about ten more minutes." bgload BG_09A.png bgload BG_09A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Yes, we did have ten minutes. text But you were just spaced out for that long." bgload BG_09A.png text Senpai gathers up the cups. text "Huh.... Was it really ten minutes....?" text While I'm still tilting my head in curiosity, I help Senpai tidy up the tea ceremony room and then leave. bgload IMA_10.png setvar ciel_regard + 1 jump s249.scr music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text Classes end again with plenty of time to spare. text ~ text Well--- text ~ choice Go back to the mansion.|Go to the tea ceremony room.|Go out into the city. if selected == 1 jump s250.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s251.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s252.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png music 03.mp3 text I stay in the classroom. text My lunch changes every day, according to my mood. text Some days, lunch is made for me. text On others, I might yearn for some udon and switch to the school lunches. text When a meal is simply too much trouble, I go to the store and buy some milk and bread instead. text I didn't ask for a lunch today. text Since I'm not returning home to the Arimas, I turned down the offer this morning. text Consequently, I won't have anything to eat if I stay in the classroom. text I'll have to go to the cafeteria, even if I don't feel like it. text "So that's what it comes down to." text I leave the classroom with some exasperation. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text The cafeteria is packed, as usual. text A long line of people waiting for their orders has developed. text I join the line and order chikara-udon. text Looking around the cafeteria, I spot a familiar face at a back table. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Yo, Tohno! text Over here!" text Arihiko vigorously waves his arm. bgload BG_50.png text ~ text "...." text My head hurts. text But there aren't any other empty seats, so I have no choice but to walk over to the table where my friend is sitting. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Sheesh! text You're late, Tohno! text I told you we have a special guest coming today so you should've got here sooner." text Despite his words, Arihiko is alone. text "So, Arihiko, who is this special guest?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Ah.. she dumped me. text She said she was busy with something today. text Said she'd come next time." text "Hmph.. dumped you, huh? text So, is this guest a girl?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Yeah, she's a senpai I've been hitting on. text Well, she's popular with everyone, so I guess it can't be helped." text Getting straight to the point, Arihiko slurps at his curry udon. text He seems persistent, yet at the same time, he's not. text That's one of the good things about him. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text "So, what was the real reason?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Huh? text What do you mean?" text "The reason you were early this morning. text You aren't the sort of person who comes to school early just because he gets up early, Arihiko-kun." text I question Arihiko as I sit next to him, eating my chikara-udon. text "Hmm." text Arihiko gives an uncommitted response as he slurps away at his soup. text "Are you going back to your real house today, Tohno?" text "Yeah, I am.. wait, have I told you about that already?" text "Nah. text I just heard it from the teacher." text Arihiko continues to wolf down his curry udon without glancing in my direction. text "I thought, 'Maybe Tohno will get really depressed!' so I decided to check it out." text ".... I see. text And your verdict?" text "Pretty disappointing. text It wasn't worth getting up early for." bgload BG_50.png text "You really have too much time on your hands, Arihiko," I conclude, as I bite into the white rice cake in my chikara-udon. text .... That's the kind of person Arihiko is. text Today is the day I return to the house of my real family, returning from the home of the adopted family who raised me. text Arihiko must have heard about it somewhere and came to school early because he was worried about me. text ".... Arihiko, I think your appearance does you a disservice. text You're really sentimental underneath." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Heh, heh.. If it's the always-melancholy Tohno telling me that, then maybe I'm the real thing." text Arihiko slurps noisily at his noodles. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "So man, what's really going on?" text "What do you mean?" text "You've been living with the Arimas since primary school, right? text It's been eight years already. text Your dad has basically disinherited you. text Why is he suddenly calling you back now?" text "He didn't 'disinherit' me. text He just kicked me out of the house somehow." text "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. text But it's so boring, it's not even funny." text Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. text Refusing to ever be serious is one of Arihiko's easy-to-understand traits. text ".... Yeah, I guess you're right. text If you get kicked out of the house, laughing is all you really can do." text "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? text That's what people would call disinheritance. text Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." text "...." text .... Who knows? text That's something I'd like to know too. text "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." bgload BG_50.png text Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his hot curry soup. text Lunchtime is short. text Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my chikara-udon. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s31.scr bgload BG_06B.png text I have nothing in particular to do, so I decide to just head straight back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32B.png text Climbing the hill, I return to the mansion. text It's not even five o'clock yet. text There's still two hours until dinner, so I'll kill some time in my room--- bgload IMA_10.png jump s253.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11B.png music 03.mp3 text I hurry to the tea ceremony room. text Senpai has her hand on the door as I arrive. text "Senpai!" bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Ah, Tohno-kun. text Are you going home now?" text "No, I thought I'd talk with you a little bit. text You're going to have some tea now, right? text I was thinking of joining you." bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "No, I'm going home now. text I have something to do, and this month club funding is getting a little low." text "---Ah. text I see, all those tea snacks were bought with club money." text .... But, come to think of it, a club that can buy snacks with its own funds has to be wonderful. bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "So I can't keep you company.... Tohno-kun, do you have any plans after this?" text "Me? text No, not anymore." text "Well then, care to walk with me to the front gate?" text "Yeah, it would be my pleasure." bgload BG_11B.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text Senpai grins and nods, and walks by my side. text We decide to walk together for five minutes to the school gate. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01B.png text Without any serious talk between us, we arrive at the school gate. text "Well then, see ya tomorrow, Senpai." text Raising one hand, I start off down the road in the opposite direction from her. bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, please wait. text I have something I wanted to ask you, Tohno-kun." text "? text What is it?" text "Yesterday, you said there was someone that looked like me. text I kind got curious, so I wanted to hear a bit more about it." text Her eyes burn with curiosity. text .... But to me, that's not something I really want to recall. text ".... Sorry, I don't want to talk about it. text It was just a mistake I made, so it's okay." text I look away from Senpai as I give a vague excuse. text "Is that so?" text Senpai quickly ends her questioning. bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "But you saw that person late at night, right? text .... Tohno-kun, I think walking around late at night like that is pretty dangerous. text Those serial killings have been continuing, you know? text If you meet that serial killer, that would be terrible, wouldn't it?" text ".... Senpai, you're worried about me walking out late at night?" text "---Yes. text You're a good person, so you're the type that'll get easily tricked and put in danger." text Senpai looks like she is seriously worried. text "-----Nn." text Yes, her concern makes me extremely happy. text "Thanks Senpai. text But it's alright, the one behind those incidents is gone." bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Eh? text Gone? text What do you mean?" text .... Crap, Nrvnqsr is a secret between just me and Arcueid. text I can't talk to Senpai about it, and besides, it's no use telling her about it. text "Um, yeah, that's right. text It is dangerous to walk around at night, really." bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text ".... Anyway, from now on, please stop walking around at night. text You're a good student." text "Yeah, I know. text I'm not sure about being a good student, but I won't play around at night anymore like you say." text ".............." text ~ text Senpai stares at me. text ---Does she not believe me? text She doesn't seem convinced. text ".... I get it. text Then, I promise." text I stick out a hand. text "Senpai, I owe you one for that time, so I'll do as you ask. text So it's a promise." bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Um............ you want to, shake hands?" text "Yeah. text We're a bit too old for pinkie promises, so we'll shake hands." text ".............." text After standing there a little perplexedly, Senpai takes my outstretched hand. bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "I understand. text It's a promise, Tohno-kun." text She shakes my hand up and down. bgload BG_01B.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "Well then, goodbye. text Let's meet again at school tomorrow." bgload BG_01B.png text Wrapped up in the sunset, Senpai disappears. text After watching her go, I decide to head home, too. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_32B.png text I walk up the road and back to the mansion. text It's not quite six o'clock yet. text There's still an hour until dinner, so I'll kill some time in my room--- bgload IMA_10.png setvar flgI + 1 jump s253.scr bgload BG_06B.png text I don't feel like returning to the mansion directly, so I'll wander around the city for a bit. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png text ---I arrive in front of the station for no apparent reason. text ~ text Ever since I was invited back to live in the Tohno mansion, I've been low on money, so I really don't want to spend any money here. text When I lived at the Arimas, Keiko-san would always give me some money for cleaning or tending the garden.... but now that I'm at the mansion, I don't think I can hope for that kind of income. text I'd like to do a part time job, but Akiha would never allow it. text ............ *sigh* text Reflecting on my complicated situation, I let out a sigh. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png text Not doing anything, I watch the people passing by. text I pass the time like that for an hour until I realize how pointless it is. text ".... What the heck am I doing?" text I don't know for sure myself. text Was I thinking that I would see someone with golden hair walking by if I watched all these people? text ".... How stupid. text You'll never see Arcueid again, Shiki." text I stop leaning on the wall and head back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32B.png text I walk up the road and back to the mansion. text It's not quite six o'clock yet. text There's still an hour until dinner, so I'll kill some time in my room--- bgload IMA_10.png jump s253.scr bgload BG_34B.png music 03.mp3 text ---Dinner is over, and it is now nighttime. text A rare event, Akiha, Kohaku-san, and Hisui are all in the sitting room, so I join them for some after-meal tea. bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T03.png -12 0 text "Is that so? text I like the second one rather than the first one. text I think the taste is more refined." bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T03.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T04B.png 104 0 text "It's a difficult choice. text The difference in taste is great, but everyone handles the different concentrations in varied ways. text But, Kohaku, you like Japanese tea better, right? text I think Hisui prefers english tea." bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 setimg AKI_T04B.png 104 0 text "Hisui-chan does not mind blands that much. text She may look sensitive, but Hisui-chan is---" bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "Nee-san." bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T01.png 126 0 text "---sensitive like she looks. text See, there isn't anything she can't do like cleaning or sewing, Shiki-san." text Kohaku-san suddenly engages me in conversation. bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T08.png 126 0 text Hisui's glance seems.. somewhat scary too. bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text ".... Why are you suddenly telling me that, Kohaku-san?" bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T05.png -12 0 text "Because Hisui-chan is your servant. text You surely know about her sensitiveness, right?" text "Um, well---" text I quickly look over at Hisui. bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T05.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T08.png 126 0 text "................" text .... Hisui stands there quietly with something like an air of attack around her. text "---No, I don't think she's that sensitive. text She takes care of things quickly even when I mess something up, and she doesn't get angry like someone else when I come home late." bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T05.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 bgload BG_34B.png setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T18B.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 text "Nii-san, don't you know it is perfectly natural for someone who breaks curfew to be scolded?" text ".... I know, but isn't eight o'clock a bit too early? text I'm not a little kid, so let's make it like ten o'clock from now on." bgload BG_34B.png setimg AKI_T02B.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T04.png 126 0 text "I refuse. text You don't have any reason to stay out that late anyway. text It's not like you have a cram school or a club to attend." bgload BG_34B.png text "............ Hmph." text I can't really rebut her when she brings that up. text Someone free like me coming home late means that I'm out playing around. bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, it is as Akiha-sama says. text It's dangerous out there recently, so please don't go out at night, okay?" text "---Dangerous, you mean those serial killings?" text "Yes," Kohaku-san nods. text .... It almost makes me laugh. text The one doing that, Nrvnqsr, is no more. text But the only ones who know that are me and Arcueid, and other people are still frightened about the shadows of the dead killer. text "This morning they found another victim in the shopping district. text That's the eleventh victim you know, the eleventh victim." text ".... Wow, eleventh? text That's amazing, that's a baseball te----" text ~ text -----Wait a minute. text ~ text "Kohaku-san!" bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes?" text "What you just said, is that true!?" bgload BG_34B.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "Yeah, it's true. text It was in this morning's news. text It seems like it happened last night, but just like all the others, all the blood was drained completely." bgload BG_34B.png text ~ text "Wha------" text ~ text That's, weird. text Because Nrvnqsr is dead. text How can someone who died two days ago kill someone the day after? text "No way---" text Did he not die? text .... No, that's definitely not it. text He definitely died. text So, how come--- bgload event/ARK_E01.png bgload BG_34B.png text "-----" text Then maybe. text If the vampire roaming the streets disappeared, but these incidents are still happening.. text Then, the only vampire left in this city is her--- music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Good night, Shiki-sama." text ".... Yeah, good night, Hisui." bgload BG_40C.png text The door shuts softly and I'm left in the room alone. text "............" text Another victim appeared. text Another victim, killed by a vampire. text "It can't be.... Arcueid, right?" text She said she doesn't suck blood, and more than that---I don't think anyone who acts that human could do that. text I only spent two days with her, but I can't believe she would do anything bad. text With her prettiness, her great smiling face, she couldn't have sucked someone's blood and discard them on the street. text "------But.." text But, there's been another dead body found. bgload event/ARK_E01.png bgload BG_40C.png text ".... I should just meet her once more and ask her about it." bgload IMA_10.png text Saying that aloud, I quickly act on it. text I take the knife I used to fight Nrvnqsr and sneak quietly out of the mansion. text Going out into the street, I start to search for Arcueid. bgload BG_27B.png text My lungs feel like they're going to burst. text I stop running and catch my breath. text My body which was running non-stop until now wheezes to try to suck in more oxygen. text My panting fills the air. text .... This is no good, I can't find her. text I ran down the street and to her place, but I still couldn't find her. text ".... That Arcueid.... She's always around when you don't need her, but when you try to find her....!" text I speak those words selfishly. text It's been four hours. text It's almost midnight, but I still don't see Arcueid anywhere. text ~ text .... For some reason. text For some reason, I thought optimistically that I'd find her easily once I started looking for her. text I want to see her, and when we last parted, she said "See you later." text "Shit.... Where did you go, Arcueid....!" text For some reason, I'm getting very annoyed. text I keep thinking I'll see her soon but I don't. text This is killing me. text ".... I.... thought.... we'd see each other again......" text ---? text What is that? text It's like.... I'm in love with her. text "---But that---" bgload event/ARK_E06B.png bgload BG_27B.png text "---That's stupid." text Forcing a grim smile, I shake that thought from my mind. text ".... I'll check out the park, and if I don't see her there, I'll go back." text Taking a deep breath, I walk to the park. text ~ text Two nights ago. text That park where so much happened, the park where I parted with Arcueid. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png music 06.mp3 text "---Hm?" text There's something different about the park. text "...... The lamp posts are off." text The lamp posts throughout the park are all turned off. text The moonlit park seems more solitary than usual. text "Hmm.... is it a power outage?" text I look around me. text .... Outside the park, the lights are all working. text The only lamps not working are within the park itself. text ~ text ~ sound SE_11.wav 1 text -----Clang----- text ~ text ~ text "Eh----What was that just now?" text I can hear something. text The clamor sounds like it's coming from a fight. text "-----" text I'm curious. text There's no basis for this, but this late at night, if there's any sort of trouble going on, I think it has to involve her. text "...... Alright." text Trying as hard as I can to be silent, I head towards the source of the sound. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text "----!" text I can see two figures facing off. text Someone is wearing dark black garments and I can't tell who it is. text But I can easily tell the other one. text White garments, and golden hair that can be easily spotted even in just the moonlight. text ".... Arcueid....!" text Arcueid is being attacked by this black human shape. text ~ text That black human shadow is carrying something like a sword, and it isn't something like a simple fight. text ~ text Sword in hand, it jumps towards Arcueid. text Arcueid deflects the blade coming in towards her chest with her hand and lightly contacts the chest of that black shape. text ~ text In the next instant, text that sword wielding shape flies through the air like a soccer ball. text ~ text Th-thump, roll, roll, roll. text ~ text Falling down on the brick pathway in the park, it keeps rolling as if easing the fall. text No, to be more accurate, text it rolls right toward me. text "....?" text It's dark and I can't tell, but in front of me the shape stops rolling and regains its feet. text "Ku-----!" text A sharp, cut-off voice. text "Haa.... ah." text Fascinated by this display, I let out a breath of admiration. text Suddenly, text the sword-carrying figure ceases all movement. text "I'm seen----!?" text The figure finally seems to realize I'm here. text And then---it leaps towards me with sword in hand. text "----Eh?" text The cutting blade of the sword rapidly arcs towards my throat. text This speed. text This flying speed, this accuracy, surpasses that of Nrvnqsr's beasts. text The shadow's movement is as fast as Arcueid's when she was tearing apart Nrvnqsr's beasts. text ~ text The sword pokes lightly at my neck. bgload IMA_11B.png text ~ text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text My heart accelerates to a feverish pitch. text I don't even have time to think of the danger or to evade; my thoughts are filled only with death. text ~ text The sword doesn't pierce my throat, but stops suddenly. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno.... kun---?" text "------Sen, pai." text Our voices overlap. text Both of our voices are drowned in disbelief---Ciel-senpai and I stare at each other in amazed shock. text "Shiki, get away from her!" text Arcueid's voice calls from far away. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "-------" text Arcueid dashes towards us. text Senpai glares at me with eyes that seem to belong to another person--- bgload BG_29B.png music ~ text ~ text ---Like that, she turns around and runs off. text "Wh.... why?" text Senpai is completely gone. text That black figure, Senpai wearing those dark clothes. text .... That person who saved me two days ago when I was nearly killed by Nrvnqsr's crows. text But---Senpai, she said that wasn't her, so why--- text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki---!" text .... I suddenly realize Arcueid is in front of me. text "A--Ar, cueid--" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "Are you alright!? text Did she do anything to you?" text Just like Senpai before, she looks at me intensely. text But that doesn't matter. text ~ text "Did she do anything to me....?" text I touch my neck that had a sword on it until now. text There's a light, sharp pain. text The finger that touched my neck is faintly painted red. text Senpai's sword has cut my throat only a few millimeters deep. text ".... What is, going on? text Why would, Senpai attack me?" text Why---really, why would she glare at me like that? bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Isn't it obvious? text You saw us trying to kill each other. text She is someone who operates in complete secrecy, so she hates for an ordinary person like you to see what was happening." text Arcueid says that unbelievable statement. text "---Kill each other.... why? text How come---why would you and Senpai do something like that?" text Lost in pure shock, I can only manage those words. bgload BG_29B.png text In the first place, I didn't come here to ask that. text I wanted to ask her---Arcueid about something, which is why I was out here in the first place. text ".... I don't know. text I only came to see you, so why---why are you and Senpai trying to kill each other?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Eh? text Shiki, you came to see me?" text "---Yes. text I had something I wanted to talk about, so I was just looking for you---so why did it end up this way? text .... I don't know. text My head is just spinning. text Please---could you tell me what's going on, Arcueid?" text "Well, I was just simply fighting with that person from the Church. text It isn't something that concerns you, so just forget about it Shiki." text "----It does concern me. text But first, what do you mean by 'the Church'? text Explain it so I can understand." bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid doesn't answer. text She mulls it over until she nods. text "Sure, why not?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Since you're that worried, I'll tell you. text It really doesn't concern you though, do you really want to hear it?" text "Yeah. text No matter what it is, I won't mind." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh? text How enthusiastic. text I'm actually a little curious about why you came to see me though." text ".... Come on, please hurry. text I want to hear about that person." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Hmph," Arcueid looks a little angry. text I don't even think about why she would look like that all of a sudden. text ~ text .... My throat still hurts. text Senpai---Ciel-senpai pointed a sword at me. text All I can think about is why Ciel-senpai would do that. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 music 01.mp3 text ".... Fine, then I'll tell you. text The Dead Apostles are vampires that try the utmost to conceal their existence. text In order to live, they must suck the blood of humans, so victims will always appear as long as they exist. text But there's not too many stories of people being killed by vampires, right? text Do you know why that is?" text ".... Arcueid. text I didn't ask about vampires." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Sheesh, I'm trying to explain it to you in order Shiki, so please answer, okay? text Look, even when the vampires kill people, they try to hide it from the surrounding--society that people like you live in. text They seek to hide themselves and try as much as possible using magic and other things to camouflage their victims and make it appear natural. text Do you know why?" text ".... Well, it's because humans aren't stupid. text If they find out monsters like that exist where they live, they'd attack them. text Even though humans are weak, they do have things like police. text If there are such thing as vampires, an effort would be made to protect people from them. text .... Then people would stop walking around at night like what's going on right now. text I think they try to hide themselves because that's inconvenient for them." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "---Well, I guess that's true, but police are only a law-enforcing group against humans. text We don't consider them at all. text But, it's correct to say that vampires hide their presence for the sake of self-preservation." text "Shiki, there is a natural enemy of the vampires. text A group of something like professional killers that now have the power balance in their favor. text .... It's true for other transcendent species, but especially for vampires, it is fatal for them to reveal themselves. text Even if a vampire made a secret kingdom in a village somewhere in the mountains away from all civilization, this natural enemy would definitely notice if victims keep increasing. text Vampires exploit the humans in secret, for no reason other than self-preservation. text The vampires hide their dead victim's bodies, not out of fear of human society finding out, but in fear of these natural enemies discovering them." text ".... Their.... natural enemy?" text She means someone that fights against vampires. text .... Like Senpai, who was wielding a sword against Arcueid. text ".... So, they aren't human either?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "What are you saying? text Their natural enemy is without a doubt you humans." text "-----? text Natural enemies, us?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Yeah. text Starting from a long time ago, humans used many kinds of magic, the occult, magical ceremonies to create an organization and started to eliminate primates other than humans. text The greatest of these is Christianity---the pride of the Vatican, the Exorcists. text The Catholic Church always viewed "nonhumans" as impurities, but vampires are considered the most dangerous." text "There are many religious groups in the world, but the Catholic Church looks at vampires with more hostility than the rest. text You know, it's almost an obsession. text They are so insane, I don't even want to mess with them." text Arcueid lets out a sigh. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "You should know what I'm getting at by now. text The one who tried to kill you was a member of an elite organization that hunts heretics. text This group, the Burial Agency, is part of the Church. text They use their own strength rather than law to deal with contradictions to Christianity. text These hidden exorcists are more like professional killers. text Being the ones which crush contradictions, their existence is a shadow, and so they do not come out in front of people. text They are a section that should not exist within the organization called Christianity, so they kill all those that discover their existence indiscriminately." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "That woman---it seems she is now called Ciel, probably came here to hunt down the vampire in this city. text Her sense for the 'enemy' is far better than mine." text She says this in an irritated manner. bgload BG_29B.png text "......" text I don't have any words to say. text Senpai---is some sort of an exorcist who's hunting vampires---I just can't believe that at all. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png text ~ text Because Senpai has such a gentle, good nature, text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E02A.png text she can't kill---she's not someone that can handle such things, unlike me. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text "---That's a lie. text That's a lie, Arcueid. text Because Senpai's an upperclassman at my school. text So why would you say she's some member of the Church....!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hey now. text Shiki, you know her?" text Arcueid draws near as if telling me she won't allow that. bgload BG_29B.png text "Of course! text She's a third year at my school, I've known her since I was a first year--" text ~ text ----Since I was, a first year? bgload IMA_10.png text "---Hu--h?" text .... Something's wrong. text Come to think of it, how long have I known her? text I don't even know which class she is in. text I try and remember---but I don't have any memories of her before that day when I found her mending those splints. bgload event/CEL_E01.png text ~ text ---Thank you very much, Tohno-kun. text ~ text Because she smiled as she said it. text For some reason, I felt like I had always known her. text "---This can't----be true." bgload IMA_10.png text First of all, the strangest thing is that.. text Senpai was called "Ciel" like it was natural to be called so, but no one calls her with a different name. text She was only called Ciel, text how come no one doubted such a name---? bgload BG_29B.png text "Arcueid---about Senpai.... about that person, who is she...." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Didn't I tell you? text She's a member of the Burial Agency. text She is a newcomer who entered only eight years ago, but maybe she has great abilities. text She's an agent already having a seat in the perfect number, the Seventh." bgload BG_29B.png text "----" text I don't quite get what Arcueid is saying. text ~ text But, the number seven certainly is a perfect number. bgload CMO_09.png text A number isolated from the others. text In its solitude, it has nowhere to go. text Isolation, isolation. text Since it is perfect, the Apocrypha named with that number refuses reincarnation. text ~ text .... I don't quite get it, but, text for some reason, those words repeat inside my head. bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text ".... That's right, the members of the Burial Agency are highly skilled, so I guess it's easy for them to use suggestion against someone who can't even resist. text That woman probably was deceiving you all in order to stay in your high school." text ".... Suggestion.... like hypnosis?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Yes, it can't be a very complex order. text She probably used something simple like 'Don't doubt Ciel'." text .... Yeah, that's it. text I always felt something was wrong from the beginning, but as soon as I would see her again, those doubts would disappear. text Feeling it is natural for her to be there, text wasn't that one of Senpai's characteristics? text ".... I understand, but there's still something else. text You said Senpai is a member of that Burial Agency, so why is she fighting you? text They only fight bad vampires, right? text So---there isn't any need for you two to fight, right?" text ~ text ---They only fight.. bad.. vampires. text ~ text Such as, those that suck the blood of humans and cast their bodies away. text ".... Arcueid, you---" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hm? text What, did I do something?" text Arcueid looks directly at me. text .... I can't think it. text I don't want to think that this person, would ever suck human blood. text But the truth is, the incidents are still occurring. text Furthermore, Senpai, an exorcist from the Church, is trying to kill Arcueid. text "---Arcueid. text Don't tell me the killing yesterday was your doing? text That's why you and Senpai were fighting---" text I grit my teeth. text I speak those heavy, painful words as if confessing love toward a girl I like. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki, are you serious?" text "Even I don't want to believe it. text But then, who did it? text Nrvnqsr is dead already. text So.... that leaves, um, only.... you, right?" bgload BG_29B.png text .... I'm filled with regret as soon as I say those words. text I still like her. text She saved my life, and those two days were still a lot of fun. text So---I don't want to separate with her like this. text But, if she is the killer vampire, I---- text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------And then, text ~ text Smack. text My head is hit with a fist. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Shiki, you idiot." text "Eh.... Arcueid....?" text "I wouldn't normally let it be settled with just this, but since you look so pitiful, I'll let that be enough." text Smiling, Arcueid hops back. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Shiki, you're a great person." text "Wha----" text Having her say that so suddenly makes my cheeks flush. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "And in addition, you're so honest. text I like those things about you." text Arcueid smiles happily. text Seeing her like that---I can't imagine her sucking on someone's blood. text "Arcueid, so---" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes. text I'm not the killer. text It's the work of some other vampire and not me." text "--------" text The knot in my chest disappears. text I see---I knew it, Arcueid didn't do those things. text ~ text "I see---it's the work of another vampire. text ~ text That's a relief.... Wait, that's weird. text "Hold on Arcueid. text You said it's another vampire, but isn't it odd for vampires to come out one after another?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "What are you saying? text There aren't any new vampires." text "---Wha.. But Nrvnqsr isn't alive anymore. text There isn't anyone else that does something like that." text ".... Oh, I see. text Shiki, you really made a big mistake." text Arcueid gives an amazed sigh. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "You see? text The serial killings you're talking about was always the work of just one vampire from the very beginning. text So no new will come, and Nrvnqsr is unrelated to those incidents." text ~ text ----Eh? text Nrvnqsr is unrelated....? text ~ text "Wha---what do you mean?" text "It's just like I said. text .... You're normally pretty sharp, but you're lost at some points. text Think back, Shiki. text Nrvnqsr was a vampire, but did he ever suck human blood?" text "Suck blood? text He ate humans and---oh." text I see. text Why didn't I notice such a simple mistake? text The victims of the serial killings are found with their bodies drained of blood. text But Nrvnqsr was different. text He didn't leave any dead bodies behind. text He not only drank the blood, but also ate the meat, leaving no trace. text To prove it, the people eaten by him in the hotel were treated as missing people, not killed people. text So---that means, it is something completely different. text "Wait. text Then what is the serial killing going on right now? text Just who is doing it?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "That's a different vampire than Nrvnqsr. text To be more specific, that vampire is why I came here, and Nrvnqsr came here following me. text It's that sort of correlation." text "---Wha.. So the one you're after wasn't Nrvnqsr after all....!?" text "Yes, I didn't ever say he was my initial target. text I was his target, but he was never my target; my target is the one called the 'serial killer' in this city." text "Wha-----" text I gasp in shock. text But---it really is just as she says. text She said her purpose is to kill vampires, so I just thought it was Nrvnqsr she was after---- text ".... So what is it? text Killing Nrvnqsr that night, was pointless......!?" text "It wasn't pointless, you fought in my place. text Well, if you didn't kill me, you probably wouldn't have had to in the first place." text "------" text I feel a little dizzy. text ".... In other words, those vampire killings had nothing at all to do with Nrvnqsr and it was the work of another vampire....?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah, that's right. text But, that's my problem so you don't have to worry about it. text But more than that, hey." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 music ~ text With an extremely happy smile, Arcueid looks up at me as I still stand there in surprise. music 03.mp3 text "How was last night? text Who came?" text "Huh?" text What does she mean by last night? text I don't understand what she's talking about. text After all, I'm the idiot who mistook Arcueid's words and made such a stupid mistake, so of course I don't understand what she is saying, and---huh? text ~ text Did Arcueid ask me who came last night---? text ".... Arcueid. text What do you mean by 'last night'?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Hm? text That's strange, I know I sent you a dream familiar." text "Wait, what's that dream familiar thing?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Um, it's like a familiar that lets you see a dream about what you desire the most. text You're a male, so I sent you a succubus. text Wasn't it a good dream?" text ~ text "I-----" text ~ text A good dream? text That was.. text I remember the realistic dream I had and my face turns red. text ~ text "You, that was your doing---!" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text Arcueid grins even more. text ---Crap. text If I stayed quiet this conversation would have been over, but since I reacted so strongly--- bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Ah, so you did get it. text So, what kind of dream was it? text The dream familiar was supposed to take the shape of your greatest desire, so it felt really good, right?" bgload BG_29B.png text "What kind of dream? text That's---" if flg4 >= 1 jump s254.scr fi jump s255.scr bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid looks up at me full of amusement. text "Uh----" text She's acting like the Arcueid from last night's dream. text ~ text "It doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text I look away from her and refuse. text But Arcueid keeps saying "Come on, come on," over and over. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Come on, tell me. text You can at least tell me who you dreamed about." text She asks like a curious kid. text Every time I turn away she keeps jumping in front of me, saying "Come on, come on." text ~ text .... This is pure torture. text She's as mischievous as last night's dream. text I bury my face in my hands. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Hey Shiki, don't be quiet and tell me." text Arcueid keeps looking at me with those upturned eyes. text ---I can't, God. text This is my limit. text ~ text ".... You." text I hesitatingly let it out in a quiet voice. text "---Eh? text What about me?" text "Don't make me say it again. text I'm saying that it was you who came!" text I shout angrily as I look away. text Arcueid's eyes widen in surprise. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "M, me....?" text "Yeah, it's not a joke. text You came, and----" text There's no way I can finish. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 music ~ text "Ah----" text Now Arcueid looks away from me, looking very uncomfortable. bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text "............" text "............" text Neither of us know what to say. text The uncomfortable silence continues. text .... text ........ text .............. text .................... text .......................... *ahem* text I can't bear the silence any longer and force out that cough. jump s256.scr bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text ~ text ---I'd die before I'd say it. text ~ text "Arcueid, it doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text I look away from her and refuse. text But Arcueid keeps saying "Come on, come on," over and over. text "Come on, tell me. text You can at least tell me who you dreamed about." text She asks like a curious kid. text Every time I turn away she keeps jumping in front of me, saying "Come on, come on." bgload BG_29B.png text ".... Please, just let it go. text There was something wrong with that dream. text .... Even now, that---" text I don't know why I saw that dream. text Arcueid says it's my greatest desire, but I don't want to think that's what it was. text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Oh, maybe it turned into a nightmare? text She does tend to write the story to her liking when fond of her target. text She's only a novice, so I guess it couldn't be helped." text Arcueid thinks aloud. text "....? text Writes the story to her liking? text What do you mean?" text "I'm saying she interprets your desire in her own way. text That dream familiar I sent you is just a child, so she likes to play pranks." text "----I see." text .... That's a relief. text That's right, that dream---It couldn't have been what I wanted. text I let out a sigh of relief. text With this, my innocence has been proved but--- text "Arcueid. text Why did you send me such a thing? text That's too much even for harassment." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "Hmph. text I wouldn't harass you. text I sent you the dream familiar to thank you for defeating Nrvnqsr. text I really am grateful to you, so I thought it'll be great if it made you happy." text "Thank me?---Well, I'm happy you were grateful, but.." text But no matter what, I'll pass on that sort of thanks. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "Oh come on. text Are you saying you can't accept a person's goodwill?" text ".... Hey, you're not a person, you're a vampire, Arcueid." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text ".... That's.... true but." text Arcueid slumps her shoulders. text .... How do I say this.. Arcueid is very open in expressing her emotions. text Being happy, being angry, she changes her expressions so quickly---it's actually kind of charming. text ~ text .... I said she was a vampire, but.. text she really does seem like a human; enough to even make me forget that fact. music ~ jump s256.scr bgload BG_29B.png music 01.mp3 text "Ah---the lamp posts are turning back on." text The previously dark lamp posts spring back to life. text The park lit only by the moonlight gradually becomes brighter. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "It seems that woman lifted her barrier. text It was supposed to prevent anyone from entering the park, but it seems like you could pass right through." text "Hm? text You mean that power outage was Senpai's doing?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Yeah, it's one of their specialties, letting people stay away. text It really has nothing to do with us." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "By the way Shiki. text I wanna ask, but what do you think of Ciel?" text With a cold voice, Arcueid suddenly asks that. text ".... About Senpai? text .... Why do you ask about that, Arcueid?" text "Oh nothing. text I just hate that woman. text We were supposed to meet and exchange information, but I got irritated during the conversation and we ended up trying to kill each other." text "K-kill each other---why did you end up doing that!? text In the first place, Senpai isn't a vampire. text Why did you try to kill Senpai?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "That's my line. text She was the one who struck first!" text "----Eh?" text ~ text .... The one who struck first, was Senpai....? text ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "That's right. text She said 'I knew it was pointless, I just can't allow your existence', and then she attacked me. text She may look very calm, but all the members of the Burial Agency enjoy fighting. text You can't let her fool you too, Shiki." text "Wha-----" text ~ text Enjoy fighting? text Does Senpai really--- bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "---Shiki. text You were fooled by her up to now, right? text So why are you saying things to help her out? text You know, she was tricking you, since you didn't know anything, and pretended to be a normal person. text Don't you feel a little angry at being used?" text Arcueid glares at me. text ".........." text That is, text certainly I'm shocked that Senpai is different from normal people, kind of like Arcueid. text But, I don't feel like I've been tricked. text On the contrary, Senpai has helped me so many times. text "I----" text .... Even though I know about Senpai's identity now, I still think of her as Senpai. text Eating lunch with her, talking about stupid things with her and Arihiko, walking with her to the school gate, all of it is so much fun. text So---if I could. text It would have been better if I didn't find out about her. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text "Shiki. text Whose side are you on, mine or that woman's?" text I feel pressure. text Her eyes are the source. text Now she isn't like a human, but more like an animal hunting its prey. text It seems Ciel-senpai is an unforgivable enemy for Arcueid. text That's why she glares at me with such fierce, hostile eyes. text As if saying, if I am her enemy's friend, I will be Arcueid's enemy as well. text ".... Arcueid...." text I have trouble answering. text I--- text ~ bgload BG_29B.png choice I can't leave Arcueid alone.|Senpai is dear to me. if selected == 1 jump s257.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s258.scr fi bgload BG_29B.png text ---How do I feel? text Certainly Senpai is dear to me. text No matter who she is, the time we spent at school together is precious to me. text ~ text But, even still------to me, Senpai is Senpai. text Friend or foe, man or woman, before all of that, I only feel that she is my dependable Senpai. text "............" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Come on! text You can't fool me by being quiet, you know." text Arcueid continues glaring at me. text .... Come to think of it, no matter what kind of person Senpai is, this person is much, much scarier. text I've been forgetting, but she is a vampire, and she seems to lack knowledge of moral concepts. text ----But, I am still attracted to her. text ~ text Even tonight, I was simply looking for her, but I was getting so frustrated when I couldn't find her. text It was, something like feeling worried about a loved one. text "Shiki, I'll ask you one more time. text Whose side are you on, mine or that woman's?" text Arcueid glares at me in irritation. text ".... Hey now, isn't that already decided? text I'm still here. text If I was on Senpai's side, I would have gone after her." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Um, in other words---what do you mean?" text Arcueid tilts her head to the side questioningly. text "What do I mean?" text ~ text ---Why doesn't she just understand simple conversations? text If she's like this, unless I don't just say it directly, she'll never understand. text "You're pretty dense. text Saying I'm still here means that----" text ~ text Means what? text The fact that I'm attracted to her is an undoubtable truth. text But I know that is something I must not say. text No matter how beautiful she is, it still doesn't change the fact that she's a vampire. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "You're going silent again, what are you trying to say? text If you want to choose Ciel, then just say so!" text "I, I said that's not it! text I keep saying it, but why don't you understand....!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "How can I know!" text Being screamed at irrationally, she screams back at me irrationally. text "Fine! text Then I don't know you at all, Shiki!" bgload BG_29B.png text "Hey, hold on. text Where are you going?" text "It has nothing to do with you. text Don't follow me!" text Is she really that angry? text Arcueid walks away without even turning around. text "Wha-----" text I stand in shock by myself in the park. text .... Arcueid got mad and went somewhere by herself, and I asked her what I wanted, so I know I should go back to the mansion. text ~ text .... But, my feet don't even move one step back. text My logic tells me where I should go, but my heart doesn't listen. text ---It's been said a million times, but. text The feelings of love and hate, they have nothing to do with logic. text "-----Man, geez!" text ~ text Damn it. text Why is it that I just can't leave Arcueid alone....!? text ~ text "Arcueid! text I said wait!" text Raising my voice, I chase after Arcueid who keeps on walking. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png setvar ciel_regard - 4 jump s259.scr bgload BG_29B.png text I.. despite all this----don't even want to think that Senpai is my enemy. text ~ text ".... Senpai is my dear friend. text Enemy or ally, I can't label her like that." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T04.png 36 0 text "What is this? text Then what am I to you?" text "You---you're someone I can't leave alone, and um...." text I scratch my cheek. bgload BG_29B.png text Someone I can't leave alone---and I'm concerned about her in a completely different way than Senpai. text Even tonight, I was simply looking for her, but I was getting so frustrated when I couldn't find her. text It was, something like feeling worried about a loved one. text "-----Ah." text .... No, there's no way that's true! text Certainly she is beautiful, but I--- bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_E06B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text "Look, just give it a rest! text Why do you ask me about that anyway!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T16.png 36 0 text "How can I know!" text Being screamed at irrationally, she screams back at me irrationally. text "Fine! text Then I don't know you at all, Shiki!" bgload BG_29B.png text "Hey, hold on. text Where are you going?" text "It has nothing to do with you. text Don't follow me!" text Is she really that angry? text Arcueid walks away without even turning around. text Her figure quickly fades into the distance. text ".......... Ah." text Just where does she plan on going? text ".... What is this, taking it out on me like that?" text Yeah. text She's the one who sent me that dream familiar, so I'm the one who should be angry." text ".... Did I do something, to make her angry....?" text I don't know. text In the first place, there's no way I can understand how vampires think. text "-----" text .... Arcueid got mad and went somewhere by herself, and I asked her what I wanted, so I know I should go back to the mansion. text .... But, my feet don't even move one step back. text My logic tells me where I should go, but my heart doesn't listen. text ~ text ---It's been said a million times, but. text The feelings of love and hate, they have nothing to do with logic. text ~ text "-----Man, geez!" text Damn it. text Why is it that I just can't leave Arcueid alone....!? text "Arcueid! text I said wait!" text Raising my voice, I chase after Arcueid who keeps on walking. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png setvar ciel_regard + 3 jump s259.scr bgload BG_52.png text Surrounded by night, Arcueid walks down the street. text She looks straight ahead, her white figure with golden hair fluttering. text It bears a horrible resemblance to the first time I saw her. text No, or perhaps.. text Perhaps it's like the time she faced off with Nrvnqsr. text ~ text .... For some reason I have a bad feeling about this. text "Hey, Arcueid!" bgload BG_52.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "------" text Arcueid continues to walk without turning around. text "I want to talk to you. text You can at least tell me what you're going to do." text "------" text Of course, Arcueid just continues walking without turning around. text .... It'd be miserable if I left it like this. text I decide to follow her silently for now. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_26A.png text The footsteps echo through the night air. text ~ text ---And then, text Arcueid suddenly stops and turns around. bgload BG_26A.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "Don't follow me. text Don't you understand it's troubling for a normal person like you to follow me around?" text "---So tell me what you're going to do and I'll go back." bgload BG_26A.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text ".... It doesn't concern you, so leave me alone." text Arcueid strides off once more. bgload BG_26A.png text .... Crap. text It seems like our wordless wandering is going to continue. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text When we approach the main street, Arcueid freezes. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 music 04.mp3 text "---Found it." text "Eh...... ?" text Her voice is cold, like a totally different person's. text "----Ah." text .... A chill runs up my spine. text Even from behind, I can feel the hostility manifesting itself in her. text "Arcueid---What, are you--" text I can't even finish. text It's clear what she intends to do without saying anything. text Without a doubt, there is nothing but the pure, unadulterated intent to kill. text "Hey---what are you, thinking....!?" text "----" text Arcueid doesn't answer. text Her eyes are fixed solely on a man in a business suit walking by. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki. text Take off your glasses and look at that person." text "That person---you mean that business man?" text "Hurry. text If you want to know what I'm doing, then leave the questions for later." text "----Alright. text I don't like to look while in town, but---" bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png text I take off my glasses. text ".... Gah." text Instantly a light headache springs forth. text In exchange for the pain, I can see "lines" running all along the walls and the ground. bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "Another question, Shiki. text You only see "points" on living things, right?" text "Eh---? text Yeah, that seems to be true. text Things like buildings only have lines." text .... I saw them back during the time in that hotel, but at the cost of a headache that almost caused me to pass out. text "Right, since you are a living being, you can't comprehend the death of inanimate objects. text So in order to "see" the death of inanimate objects, you must first connect to a circuit of the same orientation as them. text To "see", you have to "comprehend" them first. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Then another question. text Shiki, how does that person look to you?" bgload BG_25B.png text "----?" text It'll just be the same as always--- bgload BG_25B.png setimg MAN_T03.png 47 0 text "----!?" text Without thinking, I step backwards. text .... What is that? text Certainly, all humans have "lines" on them. text But they only have countable amounts and they also look like geometric patterns. text ~ text But---what is that? text There are "lines" running all through him. text Those "lines" are all over him like blood vessels.. so much that I can't even make out his appearance. text "----Gah." text I want to puke. text Those, black "lines"----scribbles making a human shape.. everywhere throughout it, I can see "black points" that look like they are flowing blood--- bgload BG_25B.png bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Shiki, how does it look? text I was hoping it would look normal to you." text "------" text I can't answer. text Right now---it takes all my strength just not to vomit. text "---I see. text How unfortunate that you can even see death on that thing." text "Yeah.... it's not, normal, but.... I can, still see, the lines...." bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "I knew it---you can even kill The Dead. text The fact that they don't have any life has no meaning for you. text Something that moves, something that breaks, you can stop it completely without exception---You're more of a monster, Shiki." text "Eh-----" bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T22.png 36 0 text "As you saw, you can't call that thing human anymore. text It's a vampire that deceives death by sucking the blood of other people." text Arcueid quickens her steps. text She walks straight towards the man. text "Hey, Arcueid---" text "Stay there Shiki!" text Did that young man realize Arcueid was there? text He starts running towards a back alley. text Arcueid strides silently. text Underneath the moonlight, she disappears into that alley. bgload BG_25B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text The sound of my heartbeat is awfully close. text It's not even real late at night. text Even though I'm in the midst of a bustling shopping district, I can't sense anyone besides myself. text ~ text ---THUMP. text ~ text My glasses---I have to put on my glasses. text If I don't do that, I'll see terrible things. text I'll see something so terrible that everything I've seen so far would be nothing in comparison to it. text ~ text ---Th, u, mp. text ~ text But my body won't move. text My eyes that can see this patchwork world look towards that alley in fascination. music ~ text "------" sound SE_01.wav -1 text Suddenly, sounds vanish. text And the presence of other people, text the sound of the wind, text and the smell of the dirt. text ~ text All of it freezes. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------GI text Under the frozen moon. text A bizarre noise sounds from the other side of the wall. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----GO. text ~ text ~ text No way I can see it, text I can't hear anything. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------A sickening sound text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But I can see it. text My eyes definitely see the sound of death and death crashing. bgload BG_25B.png text "Gah---" text My vision turns crimson. text Why---do my eyes see "death", something that shouldn't be able to be seen? text "----" text My glasses. text I have to put on my glasses or I'll go insane. text ~ text I hold back the rising gorge in my throat and use my shaking hand to put on my glasses. sound ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25B.png text Sound and light return. text Now that I'm calm, I glance around and see nothing out of the ordinary in the shopping district. text The bustling of many people passing by. text The brightness of a store's decorated show window and the sound of rushing car engines. text I'm panting excessively. text ~ text I can hardly breathe. text Even though I put my glasses back on, I can still feel a lingering remnant of that "death" and it makes me sick. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text Arcueid comes out of the alley. text There isn't even a trace of her previous hostility and she seems to be in a good mood. text ~ text "Ar---cueid....?" bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Huh? text Oh, I see. text I guess you really did stay here." text "Stay here, you...." text I can't go home after seeing something like that. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Huh, what's wrong, Shiki? text You don't look very lively." text "---Don't worry about it, it's just my anemia. text More importantly Arcueid, what was that all about?" text I look at Arcueid as I grab her arms. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Wh---Shiki, what are you doing all of a sudden? text If you're hurt, I can take you to your house." text "No thanks, I'm fine, so tell me what was that person? text You've shown me this much, so if you say this has nothing to do with me, I'll punch you, Arcueid....!" text I approach her, ignoring the fact I can barely breathe. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "-------" text Arcueid's expression instantly turns serious. text But, I have no intention of backing down. text After a brief stare-off, she gives a sigh. bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T14.png 36 0 text "Fine, you're awfully persistent, Shiki." text ".............. Well forgive me for being so persistent." bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Idiot, that was a compliment. text --Then, shall we go somewhere else to talk?" text "Somewhere else? text Why?" bgload BG_25B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "You want me to tell you about it, right? text So not here, let's go back to the park. text Shiki, can you walk?" text "Oh.... D, don't make fun of me. text This anemia is just an everyday thing." bgload BG_25B.png text "Awwww," Arcueid says regretfully as she smiles and starts to walk. text I walk behind her and resist the urge to pass out. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Well, as you wish, Shiki, let's talk about anything. text If you want to ask something, feel free." text "Then I'll ask, but just what was that guy earlier? text You said he was a vampire, was he what you were after?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "No, he certainly is part of my target, but putting The Dead back into the grave isn't my goal. text I only got him because he was a minion of my 'enemy'. text If I left him alone, he would kill more people to increase his power." text ".... Arcueid. text Um, could you explain it so I can understand? text I don't even know if that guy was even human or not." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Oh. text I guess I never really did explain to you in detail about vampires. text Nrvnqsr was sort of an aberration amongst the vampire race, so I didn't really need to explain it at that time." text "....? text What is a normal vampire then?" text "What I mean is what you all think of vampires. text Immortal, never aging, sucking human blood, turning that human into a vampire, being destroyed by sunlight, all of that. text My 'enemy' is that old type of vampire." text ".... Um, so you mean this 'enemy' of yours is the one behind all the recent serial killings?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text ".... I suppose. text But the killing of all those people by sucking their blood might be the work of "The Dead" like the one you saw earlier. text Shiki, you remember how Nrvnqsr's body was made of all those familiars, right?" text "---Yeah, that's not exactly something I can easily forget." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "The Dead are like that. text When humans have their blood sucked by a vampire, they can also receive some of the vampire's blood. text They die, but remain in this world as a servant of the vampire. text They are called The Dead and they are like the vampire's familiars. text Ah, maybe it's easier to understand if I use the word zombie. text It's closer to the voodoo belief in Haiti where the white serpent-god Damballah is invoked to control a dead body, but let's just say a dead body that moves is a zombie, okay?" text ~ text ---Yeah, I can visualize it better that way. text "I get it, so that man was killed by a vampire, who uses him as a zombie?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yes, yes," Arcueid nods happily. text "---I'm still confused though. text Why would a vampire do that? text Killing people---not letting them die but controlling them, what bad taste." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "You're right, those vampires do have bad taste. text But that's something only the Dead Apostles do. text Those that were always vampires from the very beginning do not do such things." text ~ text "----?" text Always vampires from the very beginning ....? text ~ text "---I remember. text You said there's two types of vampires, those who were vampires originally, and those who were humans. text .... When I heard that before, it kind of stuck in my head, I thought it was a little odd. text So what exactly do you mean by those who weren't originally vampires?" text "Simple, I'm just saying that Dead Apostles used to be humans. text They either gained immortality through magic or became servants of the True Ancestors that sucked their blood. text .... Shiki, you said it was bad taste to use killed humans, but that's just the least of it. text There are other vampires who think up of worse games." text "---A game---what is that? text You guys kill for fun, and use their dead bodies as toys....!?" text ".... I won't deny that. text For vampires, "amusement" is the same as breathing. text For those who were once human but gain imperfect immortality, their greatest enemy is boredom. text They didn't have a reason to become immortal to start with, so once they gained immortality, they lost all kinds of greed. text Their goal was immortality itself, so I guess that's just the way things are." text "----They're bored so they want to play? text Don't be ridiculous. text Isn't it enough that they won't age or die? text Do they really need anything else?" text "That's what I said, they got everything they wanted. text After that, there is no meaning to existence. text As soon as someone realizes they have no value---that their life is stopped, then their meaning of existence disappears too. text Immortality is also another word for death." text "So they started to wear down and they started to create their own amusement, as if to tell themselves they could have fun as long as they lived. text ---That's their beginning. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01B.png 36 0 text "They copy humans and see themselves in a game as lords of a castle expanding their territory. text I guess you could call it a country of The Dead. text It seems they got more enjoyment out of that than they expected." text ~ text .... She speaks as if she was talking of other people. text Arcueid should be one of those, but she certainly doesn't seem like she has that sort of hobby. text "Well, we'll change the topic, but the Dead Apostles were originally human. text There are a few cases where they became vampires through their own magical research, but the majority of them were humans who had their blood sucked. text They are immortal, but they can't last forever. text They can only be immortal if they drink the blood of others. text Didn't I say their immortality was imperfect? text If they can't feed on humans then their immortality is gone." text "But, if they openly fed on humans, then the existence of "vampires" would be revealed. text Even if they don't, just by being there, they distort the world around them. text That would attract the attention of agents of the Church, like Ciel." text ".... Um, so you mean that vampires can't do what they want?" text "Yes, if they break their agreement with the Church and move about freely, they would be immediately discovered and annihilated. text So the majority of the Dead Apostles make subordinates that can bring them blood as they sleep. text Sucking blood and giving the dead body some blood of their own, they create their minions who do their work for them. text We simply call those "The Dead." text ".... Hmm.... So what you killed before was kind of like a soldier for the Dead Apostles?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "Not so much a soldier as a puppet. text The Dead Apostles control the dead bodies by skipping the process of becoming a vampire. text The Dead are completely connected to their parent vampire. text In order for them to survive, they attack others to eat their flesh, but more than half of that energy goes to their master. text Like a queen bee nourished by the worker bees, the Dead Apostles can use The Dead to increase their power while they sleep." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text ".... My 'enemy' can't be found easily because he's using a lot of The Dead. text He only dirties his hands once. text After that, he simply controls The Dead while he sleeps and expands his territory. text ---They say many bodies are found in the recent supposed serial killings, but those are actually just failures. text To tell the truth, there are over a hundred victims in this city. text But only a small amount, the ones discovered, are the victims in the news." music ~ bgload BG_28B.png text "Wha----" text ~ text Over a hundred---? text There are that many that had their blood sucked? text And all those people suck the blood of others to make them into monsters like themselves, like that wandering, lifeless thing earlier--- text "...... That's ridiculous." text Three days ago. text I remember how all those people in the hotel were killed for no reason. text I was there but I didn't see it, so I can only visualize and can't really tell what kind of violence it was. text It's still the same. text I can't fathom the existence of vampires that suck human blood, just to increase their own territory. text ---Just, text without reason, without even recognition, if someone close to me died liked that, how would I act? text I don't want to imagine it, but just a bit. text I imagine Akiha being drained of blood and discarded like trash. text ~ text "K----" text What makes me mad---is that this worst case scenario could happen at any minute in this town and I didn't even have a clue about it before. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T10.png 36 0 text "I knew you would be angry, Shiki. text .... I didn't want to talk about it, because for the prey---for you guys, this is an inexcusable evil. text This is not something you want to hear, is it?" text ".... That's right. text After hearing this, I don't know what to do now." text .... That's right. text There's no way I can live in peace like I did until now, knowing that someone I know may become a victim tomorrow. text Since I found out about it, text I have to fight this vampire just like I did Nrvnqsr. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/NERO_E04.png text ".......... Da--" text ~ text Such a fight. text Do I have to fight again like that when it almost makes me go insane? bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 music 09.mp3 text "Oh, Shiki, you're making that face again. text You can relax. text Even though the avowed enemies of the vampires do not have a presence in this country, I'm still here. text Didn't I say earlier my purpose was to execute vampires?" text I don't know where that heavy atmosphere went because Arcueid instantly becomes cheerful. text "Yeah, I remember. text .... But, you're a vampire too, right? text Why do you side with us humans?" text "I'm not really siding with you humans, but I'm doing it because I don't have anything else to do." text "----?" text She doesn't have anything else to do? text I still don't understand her. text "Well, doing that does bring the Dead Apostles after me, but you beat Nrvnqsr who was pursuing me, didn't you Shiki?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "So now I can go back to the original plan and defeat my 'enemy'. text You can go back to living your normal life now, and you don't have to associate with me anymore." text She smiles as if she is happy about something. text ".........." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Shiki? text Why are you making that troubled face again?" text "Because I'm troubled. text This is something that involves the city I live in." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I said you shouldn't worry. text In two or three days it'll all be over, so there won't be any more victims." text ~ text Yeah, honestly, I don't want to be involved. text ---But, saying that line.. text Shouldn't I, the one actually living in this city, say that line instead of Arcueid? text ".... Arcueid. text Um, can I ask a question? text This 'enemy' you speak of, is he strong?" text "Well, he should be many times superior than The Dead earlier. text I haven't met him this time, but he has been latent for eight years so maybe he's a Class Five by now." text ".... Class Five? text I don't get it, but does that mean he's stronger than Nrvnqsr?" text "Not a chance. text Nrvnqsr was special. text He was a pure, supreme vampire that would be difficult to defeat even with my full power. text Compared to him, this enemy is pretty weak." text "----Oh. text Then---there's no way you'll be defeated." text I breathe out in relief. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Hm, who knows? text A few days earlier and he wouldn't be a problem, but now I'm just recovering. text The possibility that he has more power is actually high." text ".... Recovering? text Are you sick or something, Arcueid?" text "Yeah, I still have the effects from when you killed me and I don't think I'll be fine for at least a few more days." text "----Ah." text That's right--the reason why Arcueid is weak.. it isn't anyone's fault but mine. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "But it's okay. text I'll defeat him for sure even if it kills me, so you don't need to worry about this city." text ".... Idiot, the one I'm worried about is you." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T11.png 36 0 text "Eh? text Why are you worried about me, Shiki?" text Her eyes display true confusion. text .... Well, of course I'm worried. text I was relieved to hear that this enemy was weaker than Nrvnqsr, because I thought there would be no chance of Arcueid being defeated. text Arcueid.. text I don't even want to imagine Arcueid getting hurt. text "............" text It really is weird. text Why---why can I not leave her alone? text Certainly I have the responsibility to bear for killing her. text I also feel guilty that she is weak right now because of that. text But, even if that wasn't the case, I still couldn't leave her alone. text ---I thought about it before too, but.... text as expected, this might have nothing to do with logic. text .... More than the fear that I may even die.. text The emotion that I want to help Arcueid is much stronger. text "About what we talked about before, Arcueid." text "About what?" text "You know, about whether I was Senpai's or your ally." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "Wait, please hear me out. text You know, um---you certainly don't have any common sense, you're selfish, and you're hard to handle." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text Arcueid looks at me with a sour expression. text Ignoring it, I let my true feelings out. bgload BG_28B.png text ".... But, well, it really isn't boring when I'm with you. text I like you. text So, can I see it out until you defeat this enemy .... What I mean to say is that, I won't be Senpai's ally, but yours.." text I steal a glance at Arcueid's face. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "------Really?" text Looking very surprised, she hesitantly returns my gaze. text ".... Well, yeah. text Even I think there's something wrong with me, but I'm already a part of this. text And, I can't just overlook the problems going on in the city I live in." text "So, you mean---" text "Yeah. text If you're still weak, and if you say you need my power, I'll work with you. text .... Um, I might be just a burden, but.." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T09.png 36 0 text "Yeah---! text If you help me, there's nothing we can't do---!" text .... Her face beams brilliantly and she seems extremely happy. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "But, is it okay? text Shiki, you may have to face death again." text "I'm ready. text And, I think that's why I have these eyes to begin with. text ----When I was a child, someone told me this. text That if I have the power others do not, I should do things that others cannot. text I think this is that kind of thing." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh? text .... I don't really know your circumstances." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "But, that sounds good." text .... Arcueid is in an incredibly good mood. text And being with her puts me in a good mood as well. music ~ text "But, what do we do now? text Do you want to search for more of The Dead like before?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Yeah, I think that's all we can do for now. text The one before was the twelfth, so I don't think there's much more. text The parent vampire will have to come out once they all are destroyed, so we have to hunt the remaining ones for now. text Is that still okay?", she asks. text "Anything is fine, I'm just with you. text If you lead, then I'll follow. text --Well, shall we start again?" text "Ah, no, that's good for tonight. text They usually follow a fixed route, and the other Dead will probably not be out tonight. text Since they are fewer in number, I don't think he'll let them all come out at once." text "---Oh really? text But, doesn't that mean this 'enemy' will try to hide The Dead from you, Arcueid?" text "Basically. text But since this 'enemy' is a vampire, he needs to steal the blood and energy of others. text So, even though he knows I'm searching for them, he has to send The Dead out to get the minimal blood he needs." text ~ text ---*sigh* text Then, the minimal Dead he sent out was that man from before, huh. text "So, searching further tonight will be useless, I think." text ".... Well, I don't mind. text It is tedious though." text "Yeah, hunting vampires is tedious work. text We have to find the coffin of this 'enemy' somewhere in this city, so it won't be easy." bgload BG_28B.png text Arcueid lets go of my hand and jumps back softly. text "Arcueid....?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Let's say goodbye for tonight. text We'll meet tomorrow. text With her dance-like steps, she watches me as she gets farther away. text "Tomorrow---wait, where should we meet....!?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T08.png 36 0 text "Here's fine. text The time---yeah, around ten o'clock should be fine." text With a smile, she makes that promise. text "Good night, Shiki. text I'll see you here tomorrow!" text And, text waving her hand, Arcueid disappears. bgload BG_28B.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32D.png text ---I get back to the mansion. text It's about one-thirty in the morning. text The mansion is completely dark. text ~ text "...... This can't be good." text I put my hand on the mansion gate. text Ka-chang. text A sturdy chain holds it closed. text ~ text "---Dang. text I shouldn't cut this." text I think a bit. text Then, I decide to climb over the gate. bgload BG_48D.png text .... I'm exhausted. text After sneaking over the wall like a thief, I quietly make my way to the doorway. text The gate was locked, but the door isn't. text ".... It must have been Hisui." text I give a sigh of thanks. text ~ text So as not to wake Akiha, Kohaku-san or Hisui, I sneak my way through the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text "------Whew." text Letting out a breath, I lay down on my bed. text "............" text My promise to Arcueid. text Maybe it's fate, but you've gotten yourself tangled up in trouble again, Tohno Shiki. text ~ text "----Could I help it? text I just can't leave her alone." text Or maybe I didn't want to leave her alone? text "Well.... I do like Arcueid." text But is that love? text I don't even know my feelings. text At any rate, it looks like I'll be helping Arcueid once again starting tomorrow. text So for now, I shouldn't think of anything else but getting a good night's sleep---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png text ~ text ---I can't sleep. text If I close my eyes, so many things come to mind. text About Arcueid. text About this vampire lurking the streets. text .... About the black-clothed Senpai. text "----" text .... I can't sleep. text At times like this, reading is good. text I know there was a book I was reading before---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_15.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The first feeling was rather one of pity. text ~ text Not anger, not despair. text Just, I thought everything before my eyes was pitiful. text (Of course, the most pitiful thing is myself.) text Life which breaks down without limit. text Daily life which fades without limit. text Time which is forgotten without limit. text ~ text Everyone only falls. text And yet everyone still struggles desperately to continue existing, and when they judge that it is not possible, they continue to reproduce. text Continuing to reproduce. text In the end, even that dies, but there is no recompensation. text Of course, it is not those who die who are not recompensated. text We had no hope to begin with. text What is not recompensated are the attempts. text The noble wish, the yearning for eternity which everyone longs for yet can not achieve. text ~ text I have no interest whatsoever in the things that break down. text If I could see death and understand it, maybe I'll take a bit of an interest. text ~ text A repetition nearly impossible to measure, yet this wish repeats itself. text I thought to replace this almost-comical cycle of wishes with one pure thing. text ~ text There is no need to state the method. text A wish becomes a result after it is granted. text ~ text I lived solely for that reason. text It could not be termed "conviction". text Just, the first word I learned happened to be "eternity". bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_10.png text .... Oh? text So you intend to get the eternity closest to you? text Of course not. text They are only a species that age slower and die harder. text I am becoming one of them only because this body has reached its limit. text If I am to go farther on, it will take time in this body. text It's ironic that you, the one that goes after eternity, hurries with things. text So you plan on leaving here tomorrow? text I'll leave the Burial Agency to you. text In the first place, there is only one empty seat for the priesthood. text I used up all my father's inheritance getting this far, so it is about time I quit. text .... Well, that's fine. text So you are going to complete your magic theory. text I have no intention of leaving here, and I can't live with you. text Well, fortunately, I am a woman. text I'll quickly bear a child and tell it all about you. text Oh? text What will you tell it, Narbarek? text Let's see. text I'll tell it something like--After around a hundred years, another newcomer Dead Apostle will appear. text It is pointless to take notice of him, so ignore him. text No, you wouldn't need to wait a hundred years. text Just like here, I will rise quickly to the top. text This body will become the most superior vampire, so ten years will be enough. text How foolish. text Even if it is you, you would need at least a hundred years if you start over from The Dead. text Their world's intensity is nowhere as nice as ours. text Using direct methods, then you would be right. text But if I become the strongest vampire from the very beginning, their world's rules will not apply to me. text .... What do you mean by that? text It is simple. text As a priest of the Church, you certainly know that Dead Apostles' powers are affected by the True Ancestor that sucked their blood. text Therefore---the solution is very simple. text ~ text ~ text If I wish to become the strongest Dead Apostle, text this blood of mine, text it must be sucked by the strongest of the True Ancestors--- sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png jump s260.scr bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_50.png text The cafeteria is packed, as usual. text A long line of people waiting for their orders has developed. text Casting a glance at the students holding their meal tickets, I sit down at Arihiko's table. text "So, Arihiko, who is this special guest?" text "Uhhh.. that's odd. text We arranged to meet here in the cafeteria. text Hold on, I'll go check things out." text Arihiko runs off, leaving his curry udon. text "...." text Chikara-udon is my choice. text I hope he returns before the noodles go stale. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "It's no good. text Looks like Senpai went somewhere." text "Hmm? text Your guest is a senpai?" text "Yeah, she's a really cool girl. text I've been hitting on her for the last few days, and I finally got her to agree to eat lunch together. text Apparently she has someone she wants to thank today, so she's running around school looking for whoever it is." text *sigh* text ".... It seems like she's a busy person." text "Yeah. text She's kind of like one of those Penny Racers." text With a look of regret, Arihiko splits his chopsticks. text "Well, I guess it can't be helped. text Anyhow, itadakimasu." text "Yes, itadakimasu." bgload BG_50.png text We begin to slurp at our udon. text ~ text .... Just what the heck are Penny Racers anyway? bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text "So, what was the real reason?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Huh? text What do you mean?" text "The reason you were early this morning. text You aren't the sort of person who comes to school early just because he gets up early, Arihiko-kun." text I question Arihiko as I sit next to him, eating my chikara-udon. text "Hmmm." text Arihiko gives an uncommitted response as he slurps away at his soup. text "Are you going back to your real house today, Tohno?" text "Yeah, I am.. wait, have I told you about that already?" text "Nah. text I just heard it from the teacher." text Arihiko continues to wolf down his curry udon without glancing in my direction. text "I thought, 'Maybe Tohno will get really depressed!' so I decided to check it out." text ".... I see. text And your verdict?" text "Pretty disappointing. text It wasn't worth getting up early for." bgload BG_50.png text "You really have too much time on your hands, Arihiko," I conclude, as I bite into the white rice cake in my chikara-udon. text .... That's the kind of person Arihiko is. text Today is the day I return to the house of my real family, returning from the home of the adopted family who raised me. text Arihiko must have heard about it somewhere and came to school early because he was worried about me. text ".... Arihiko, I think your appearance does you a disservice. text You're really sentimental underneath." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Heh, heh.. If it's the always-melancholy Tohno telling me that, then maybe I'm the real thing." text Arihiko slurps noisily at his noodles. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "So man, what's really going on?" text "What do you mean?" text "You've been living with the Arimas since primary school, right? text It's been eight years already. text Your dad has basically disinherited you. text Why is he suddenly calling you back now?" text "He didn't 'disinherit' me. text He just kicked me out of the house somehow." text "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. text But it's so boring, it's not even funny." text Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. text Refusing to be serious, ever, is one of Arihiko's easy-to-understand traits. text ".... Yeah, I guess you're right. text If you get kicked out of the house, laughing is all you really can do." text "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? text That's what people would call disinheritance. text Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." text "...." text .... Who knows? text That's something I'd like to know too. text "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." bgload BG_50.png text Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his hot curry soup. text Lunchtime is short. text Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my chikara-udon. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s31.scr bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text I'm watching a dream. text A vague dream without any particular significance. text ~ bgload event/ARK_E01.png bgload IMA_11.png text Do I like her? text ~ bgload event/ARK_E02.png bgload IMA_11.png text I don't know my true feelings, but I can't deny the reality that I'm always concerned about her. bgload event/CEL_E02A.png bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text Do I like her? text ~ bgload event/CEL_E03A.png bgload IMA_11.png text .... I don't know. text It's just that when I was completely lost within myself, she helped me. text ~ text If she wasn't there, text I may have just died under the pouring rain. bgload event/CEL_E04.png bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text ----I don't know. text That's why I have to ask. text Why she is doing this. text Why her eyes are so devoid of any emotion---- text "---Shiki-sama." text .... I can hear Hisui's voice mingling with the morning light. text "---Shiki-sama, it is time. text Please wake up." text Her inflectionless voice awakens me. bgload BG_40E.png bgload BG_40E.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "------" text ~ text As soon as I wake up, terrible things enter my vision. text I get a headache like I was just shot in the head. text "Ah----" text I almost lose my just awakened consciousness. text Before I fade away completely, I quickly grab my glasses. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama....? text Are you not feeling well?" text ".... No, that's not it. text It's just my anemia acting up." text Lightly shaking my head, I clear my head of what I was seeing. text "More than that, good morning Hisui. text Thanks for waking me up." text Sitting up in bed, I do my best to smile naturally. text "No, this is my duty. text There is no need for you to thank me, Shiki-sama." text "Maybe, but I am grateful. text You are infinitely better than an alarm clock." text ~ text I stand up. text It's not yet seven o'clock---about ten minutes earlier than I usually get up. text ~ text ".... Hmm, breakfast? text I'll be there soon, so please go ahead of me." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, about that, um---Akiha-sama is waiting for you in the sitting room. text It seems she has some questions for you." text Hisui says this with some difficulty. text ".... Some things she needs to ask? text .... Is she in a bad mood....?" text ".... Yes. text Akiha-sama seems to have realized that you left late last night, Shiki-sama." text ".... Ah." text I blurt that out without thinking. text Last night, I went to look for Arcueid and came home late. text ".... Uh-oh.... I thought no one noticed." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Yes, I also thought that I was the only one who noticed." text Hisui answers solemnly. text "....? text Hisui, you realized I left....?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "Oh...." text Hisui looks very apologetic. text "I see, you knew. text No wonder the mansion's entrance was open." text "............ Yes." text Hisui answers reluctantly. text "Thanks, it was a big help. text And, thanks for going out of your way to do that." text "But Nee-san realized too because of that. text Nee-san and I have two-hour shifts watching the mansion. text And she found out about me unlocking the entrance---" text .... I see now. text Kohaku-san is Akiha's servant, so she would have leaked it to Akiha about last night. text "Hisui, there is no need to apologize. text It was my fault that I was walking around at night, so I should take the blame. text I'm still very happy that you left the door unlocked." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "-----" text Hisui just looks at me. text ".... Hm?" bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text ".... It is nothing. text As soon as you change, please go to the sitting room." bgload BG_40A.png text Still looking like she wants to say something, Hisui exits into the hallway. text ".... Dang, I'm going to get scolded by Akiha again." text I mutter to myself as I change. text If I have time for that---there's still something important I have to do instead. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E04.png bgload BG_40A.png text ".... That's right, I have to talk to Senpai---" text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "-----" text I get the headache again. text It faded when I was talking to Hisui, but as soon as she left, it started hurting again. text ~ text "Gh.... crap, this--doesn't look, like it will end, soon...." text I bear the pain as I collapse on the bed. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text .... It doesn't ease up. text Throb, throb. text A pain like I'm being stabbed in the head. text ~ text .... It makes me completely forget what I was thinking about earlier. text ~ text Come to think of it, eight years since that accident, I've always had to deal with my broken body. text Dizziness, headaches, and anemia occurring unexpectedly. text I can't count how many things I had to give up because of that. text The doctor said it was a miracle just surviving it. text Just being able to live is a miracle, so putting up with various pains is perhaps necessary. text .... These broken eyes. text Sensei, who was able to alleviate these eyes, told me to treat that miracle very importantly. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text .... Those words. text Did she mean that human life is not so much precious as it is not returnable, so I should treat it carefully? text ~ text These past few days, I've seen the deaths of many people. text Too easily. text Lives ending so easily, it's almost comical. text If it is something that ends so easily, doesn't it mean that it was only worth that much from the beginning? text If that's the case, it is meaningless to view life as precious. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text ~ text ........ H, uh? text ~ text Why, Since when, sound SE_00.wav 1 sound SE_00.wav 1 text am I, did you start, sound SE_00.wav 1 sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text thinking like that? sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40A.png text .... *sigh* text The headache finally stops. text ".... Maybe I saw too much blood. text What a horrible thought." text I take a deep breath. text Filling my lungs with fresh air, I clear away the unpleasantness. text "---I should hurry up and go to school." text I should go and see Ciel-senpai. text Enduring the slight pain lingering in my head, I leave my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33A.png text I go down the stairs and into the lobby. text Next to me is the hallway that goes down towards the sitting room. text In front of me is the front door that leads outside. text "............" text What should I do? text Akiha is waiting in the sitting room, but I want to hurry up and see Senpai. text ~ choice No, let's go to the sitting room.|More than that, I should go to school. if selected == 1 jump s261.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s262.scr fi bgload BG_33A.png text ---But still, I can't ignore Akiha and go right to school. text .... I want to find out about Senpai right away, but first I should explain to Akiha about last night. bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha is the only one in the sitting room. text Kohaku-san is in the kitchen, humming away. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text ".........." text Akiha doesn't say anything when she sees me and sips her tea quietly. text "Good morning, Akiha." text Resisting the urge to go to school, I greet her as naturally as possible. text Akiha's eyebrow twitches as she places her teacup down and slowly looks at me. bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T18A.png 40 0 text "Good morning Nii-san. text It was quite late when you came home last night, wasn't it?" text ".... No, not really. text It was at most a little past one o'clock, quite normal for a healthy young man in high school to be up, right?" text "I see. text My bedtime is also past midnight so I was up at that time. text But I would come home much earlier than that." text "Yeah, even I was home earlier, wasn't I? text .... I just had something to do, so I was out for a little bit---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T03A.png 40 0 text "Without permission? text You acted like you were out doing something you felt guilty over." text "Uh...." text Her stare is pure ice. text .... This is the second time, and I'm sure even though Akiha looks calm, she is quite angry. text "--Nii-san. text I don't know what went on at the Arima house, but here the curfew is eight o'clock. text It is a rule that must not be broken. text The gate will be locked after that, so please don't climb in like a robber." text "Oh----you knew?" text ".... The surveillance camera showed me quite clearly. text It is a good thing Kohaku-san realized it was you and turned off the alarm system because otherwise you would probably be detained right now, Tohno Shiki." text ".... Oh. text I should thank Kohaku-san then. text And, um, Akiha, I'm sorry. text I shouldn't have kept quiet about it." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text ".... If you understand, then it is fine. text Please make sure you observe your curfew from now on. text I will overlook it this time." text ".... About that, Akiha." text "What is it?" text ".... This is a little hard to say. text I.. have something to do tonight too. text I don't know when I will be back, but I'm not going to do anything bad---" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png 40 0 text "----------" text Her gaze sharpens. text "Kohaku!" text She suddenly stands up. bgload BG_34A.png text Kohaku-san comes in from the kitchen. bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "Yes, what is it, My Lady?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T11A.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "I will be going to school, get the preparations ready." text "Huh? text But I have not yet made Shiki-san's breakfast." bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T06.png -24 0 setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text "You can leave this person alone. text It seems he can do everything by himself." bgload BG_34A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 116 0 text Akiha strides towards the lobby. text Kohaku-san sighs. text ".... Shiki-san, you should not make Akiha-sama so upset. text You are her big brother, so please treat her better, okay?" text Saying that, she walks after Akiha. bgload BG_34A.png text The teacup sits, still steaming. text ............ *sigh* text I know it's my own fault, but I won't have any breakfast today. text But, it is convenient in a way. text It is now just seven o'clock. text If I run to school now, I should be able to get there around half past seven---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text I make it to the gate. text It's about half past seven. text ~ text "........" text I stand and wait for Senpai by the gate. text It probably looks a little strange to the other students walking by, but I don't really care. text ".........." text Senpai doesn't show up. text The school gate is flooded with students as they arrive. text There's only about five minutes before the gate closes. text But Senpai still does not come. text "......" text She---might not come today. text Yesterday, I saw all that happened, so she might not come today, or tomorrow, or the day after--- text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text "...... Ah." text Thinking that, I feel a little faint. text I shake my head to clear it of terrible thoughts. text .... And then, text someone pats me on the shoulder from behind. text ~ bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, what are you doing here?" text "Se, Senpai....!?" text "Yes." text Senpai nods. text "R, really....!? text But yesterday, you were---" text Mph. text Before I can finish, Senpai puts her hand over my mouth. bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, not here. text Let's go behind the gymnasium." text Senpai gives her usual smile as she keeps her hand over my mouth and pulls my arm. bgload BG_01A.png text ".., ..!" text I try to tell her to stop, but I can't speak. text She forcefully pulls me away. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png music 03.mp3 sound SE_02.wav 1 text ----The school bell rings overhead. text .... Homeroom has begun. text Furthermore, no one else is around. text ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Yes, no one can hear us here." text Senpai finally releases me. text Jumping back, I face Senpai directly. text "You want to talk about last night, right? text If there's anything you want to say, please go ahead, Tohno-kun." text Senpai speaks calmly. text As if what happened last night was not a big deal. text "..........!" text But it was a big deal for me. text Her attitude right now makes me mad. text "So that really was you last night....!?" text "Yes. text I did say your name back then too, so it's impossible to hide it any longer." bgload BG_05A.png text "........!" text I grit my teeth. text .... I didn't expect an apology or anything, but still--- if flgC == 0 if flgI == 0 jump s263.scr fi if flgI >= 1 jump s265.scr fi fi if flgC >= 1 if flgI >= 1 jump s264.scr fi if flgI == 0 jump s266.scr fi fi bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text ---No, I have to find out about Senpai. text I don't have time to eat this morning. text ~ bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "---Shiki-sama?" text Hisui comes from the sitting room. text She must have come to check on me since I did not show up after a while. text ".... Sorry. text I'm going to school, please tell Akiha I'm sorry." bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text ".... Please wait Shiki-sama. text You do not look well. text Are you sure you are feeling well....?" text "---I'm fine, just a little headache. text Well, I'm off.... Sorry, I'm being selfish again." bgload BG_33A.png text .... I say something really selfish and open the door before she can respond. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text I reach the school gate. text Since I ran from the mansion, it's not even half past seven yet. text ~ text "........" text I stand and wait for Senpai by the gate. text It probably looks a little strange to the other students walking by, but I don't really care. text ".........." text Senpai doesn't show up. text It's past seven thirty already. text Ten more minutes pass by. text The school gate is flooded with students as they arrive. text There's only about five minutes before the gate closes. text But Senpai still does not come. text "......" text She---might not come today. text Yesterday, I saw all that happened, so she might not come today, or tomorrow, or the day after--- text ~ text ---Thump. text ~ text "...... Ah." text Thinking that, I feel a little faint. text I shake my head to clear it of terrible thoughts. text .... And then, text someone pats me on the shoulder from behind. text ~ bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, what are you doing here?" text "Se, Senpai....!?" text "Yes." text Senpai nods. text "R, really....!? text But yesterday, you were---" text Mph. text Before I could finish, Senpai puts her hand over my mouth. bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, not here. text Let's go behind the gymnasium." text Senpai gives her usual smile as she keeps her hand over my mouth and pulls my arm. bgload BG_01A.png text ".., ..!" text I try to tell her to stop, but I can't speak. text She forcefully pulls me away. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png music 03.mp3 sound SE_02.wav 1 text ----The school bell rings overhead. text .... Homeroom has begun. text Furthermore, no one else is around. text ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Yes, no one can hear us here." text Senpai finally releases me. text Jumping back, I face Senpai directly. text "You want to talk about last night, right? text If there's anything you want to say, please go ahead, Tohno-kun." text Senpai speaks calmly. text As if what happened last night was not a big deal. text "..........!" text But it was a big deal for me. text Her attitude right now makes me mad. text "So that really was you last night....!?" text "Yes. text I did say your name back then too, so it's impossible to hide it any longer." bgload BG_05A.png text " ........!" text I grit my teeth. text .... I didn't expect an apology or anything, but still--- if flgC == 0 if flgI == 0 jump s263.scr fi if flgI >= 1 jump s265.scr fi fi if flgC >= 1 if flgI >= 1 jump s264.scr fi if flgI == 0 jump s266.scr fi fi bgload BG_05A.png text ".... Why? text Why were you doing those things?" text "Why? text I do it because it's my job." text Saying that, she looks directly at me. text "I am here to execute vampires. text So---in the worst case, I cannot leave you like this now, Tohno-kun." text "Wha----" text Being stared at with those emotionless eyes, my heart skips a beat. text "Let me ask you, Tohno-kun. text Why you are associated with a vampire like her? text Depending on your answer, I will---" text ~ text It feels like the air has literally frozen. text ---I thought I would be asking the questions, but our positions have been reversed. text ~ text But I don't know what Senpai will do if I don't answer, and a chill runs through me. text "Now, tell me. text Why you---Tohno-kun is with that vampire." text "Ah---no, no Senpai, that's not it. text Certainly I did agree to help her, but that's already over. text But yesterday, I thought Arcueid was the one behind the serial killings, but that couldn't be right, so I went to ask her and---" bgload BG_05A.png text I tell her all about last night. text Senpai listens to it all silently. text How I met her accidentally, how she explained to me about the vampire in this city, how I teamed up with her to save the city, and everything up until now. jump s267.scr bgload BG_05A.png text ".... But.... but, you said that wasn't you!" text "What wasn't?" text "Three nights ago! text I asked if you were the one that helped me that night in the park, and you said it wasn't you....!" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "That was a lie." text Succinctly. text Senpai simply says so. text ".... Um.... a lie, Senpai?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "You didn't keep the promise we made. text You told me you wouldn't go out at night anymore." text "...... Uh." text She stares at me. text I start to feel like the bad guy all of a sudden, feeling guilty about what I did. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "I made the promise with you so something like this wouldn't happen. text Is that how little a promise with me means to you, Tohno-kun? text That makes me sad." text "Ah---no, that's not it. text About last night, I thought Arcueid was the one behind the serial killings, but that couldn't be right, so I went to ask her and---" text ~ bgload BG_05A.png text I tell her all about last night. text Senpai listens to it all silently. text How I met her accidentally, how she explained to me about the vampire in this city, how I teamed up with her to save the city, and everything up until now. jump s267.scr bgload BG_05A.png text ".... Why? text Why were you doing those things? text "Why? text I do it because it's my job." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "More importantly, Tohno-kun, you were lying when you told me you would not go out at night, right?" text She grins as she says this. text "Oh...." text I did promise her that, but-- bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "You didn't keep the promise we made. text You told me you wouldn't go out at night anymore." text "...... Uh." text She stares at me. text I start to feel like the bad guy all of a sudden, feeling guilty about what I did. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "I made the promise with you so something like this wouldn't happen. text Is that how little a promise with me means to you, Tohno-kun? text That makes me sad." text "Ah---no, that's not it. text About last night, I thought Arcueid was the one behind the serial killings, but that couldn't be right, so I went to ask her---" bgload BG_05A.png text I tell her all about last night. text Senpai listens to it all silently. text How I met her accidentally, how she explained to me about the vampire in this city, how I teamed up with her to save the city, and everything up until now. jump s267.scr bgload BG_05A.png text ".... But.... but, you said that wasn't you!" text "? text What wasn't?" text "Three nights ago! text I asked if you were the one that helped me that night in the park, and you said it wasn't you....!" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "That was a lie." text Succinctly. text Senpai simply says so. text ".... Um.... a lie, Senpai?" text "I lied for your sake, Tohno-kun. text I have to seal the mouth of any ordinary person who finds out my true identity. text Tohno-kun, you don't like pain, right?" text Senpai says such an unbelievable thing with a rather bright and cheerful voice. text "Seal the mouth, um...." text "To put it simply, dead people can't talk. text .... Um, I think I put it too simply." text "Uh---" text I step back without even thinking about it. text Senpai sounds like she is only half-joking. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "So, I cannot let you go free depending on what you tell me. text Tohno-kun, just what is your connection with that woman?" text My heart almost stops as those emotionless eyes stare at me. text ---I thought I would be asking the questions, but our positions have been reversed. text But I don't know what Senpai will do if I don't answer, and a chill runs through me. bgload BG_05A.png text "Ah---no, that's not it. text About last night, I thought Arcueid was the one behind the serial killings, but that couldn't be right, so I went to ask her and---" text ~ text I tell her all about last night. text Senpai listens to it all silently. text How I met her accidentally, how she explained to me about the vampire in this city, how I teamed up with her to save the city, and everything up until now. jump s267.scr bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 music 03.mp3 text "---I understand. text So you teamed up with her to defeat the vampire in this city. text Right, Tohno-kun?" text "Well, yeah, that's how it is." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... I can't believe it. text Tohno-kun, do you really believe in vampires?" text "Wha.... what are you saying Senpai? text Even you, you're one of the Church's exor---" text ~ text Senpai puts a finger on my lips. text ~ text "Don't worry about me. text Isn't the problem more about you, Tohno-kun?" text "Me? text I don't have any problems." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ".... You have no self-awareness, it seems." text Senpai gives a troubled sigh. text "I have a question.. just how much did she tell you about?" text "How much.... well, only that a vampire is in this city sucking people's blood." text "So in other words, you don't know about her or this 'enemy' she is after." text ".... Well, I haven't heard about it. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "I see. text Then, I will tell you about it." text ".... Wow, that's amazing. text You know about that, Senpai?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Well, you know, I am a member of the Church, so of course I know that much!" text "Oh, that's right. text .... Sorry, I kind of forgot. text Ahahaha." text I attempt to laugh it off. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Geez. text I'm trying to be serious here, so please pay attention!" text I nod in assent. text ".... Huh? text But, isn't that a secret? text Arcueid, um.... she said you were all incredibly secretive." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Yes, it really isn't something to talk about, but today is special. text There isn't anyone watching over us or anything, so as long as you don't tell anyone, then it will be okay." text ".... Um. text What will happen if I tell someone else about you, Senpai?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I'll just do exactly what you are thinking of, Tohno-kun." text Senpai gives that frightening response with a smile. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Well then, I'll keep it very simple. text Tohno-kun, how much was explained to you about vampires?" text "---Just about how there are two types, and how Dead Apostles are the vampires that suck human blood. text But I think I know what kind of monsters they are." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "That's true. text Tohno-kun, you did actually defeat a vampire." text "Haha, but you did help me at the very end-----S, Senpai!" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I watched you annihilate "Chaos". text When I came, "Chaos" was already dying though." text "-------" text ~ text I'm surprised. text Then Senpai knows about my eyes---? text ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "It was terrible. text That woman made you do such a thing. text If she had a conceptual weapon to defeat 'Chaos', she should have used it herself. text After seeing your bloody body, I thought I should punish her then and there." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "You too, Tohno-kun. text Even if you were given a weapon that can kill vampires, what were you thinking fighting that thing? text Does she have a hold over your weakness or something?" text Still looking surprised, Senpai complains aloud. text ".... Um, Senpai? text What's this weapon that can kill vampires?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "What do you mean? text I'm talking about that knife you have, Tohno-kun. text .... Oh, I guess she wouldn't tell you about it. text It's not good for her either." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Let's see, vampires have the ability to recover from most injuries they receive. text With ordinary outside force.... I mean normal weapons. text With such things, you cannot cause wounds greater than the speed of their recovery. text To kill a vampire, you need an outside force greater than their speed of recovery, or something that nullifies their ability to recover. text This ability of theirs, the curse of restoration---actually isn't treating the wounds. text Instead, it is a reversing of time to restore the damaged body part back to its original state. text An occult artifact which nullifies this effect is called a conceptual weapon." text ".............." text Senpai cheerfully says all these things I can't understand too well. text "In short, a magical weapon. text We usually lift their curse looking into their human past, so we do not usually use them. text But for those that were not originally human, we use them, kind of like a secret weapon. text Your knife, is it not an anti-vampire weapon she brought?" text "Ah----eh?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Or is it a family treasure? text .... Hmmm, but it would be strange for the Tohno family to possess an anti-demon weapon." text Senpai ponders aloud. text .... I don't know what she's thinking, but it seems she has no idea about my eyes. text "---Um, Senpai? text Where did our conversation about vampires go?" text "------------" text With a start, Senpai stops mumbling to herself. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text She smiles as if to hide her embarrassment. text ~ text .... As usual, her personality is hard to understand. music ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 music 01.mp3 text "Let's get back to the main subject. text Please listen carefully, Tohno-kun." text "Yes, please keep it short." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "It seems you already know about how there are the True Ancestors and the Dead Apostles. text So it is very simple. text The 'enemy' she is after is a Dead Apostle, nicknamed 'The Serpent'. text Among the Dead Apostles, he is considered a heretic, a special vampire." text ".... This vampire is not as strong as 'Chaos', whom you defeated. text But, he is more difficult an opponent to eliminate than this 'Chaos' in a way. text Since he comes back to life even after he dies." text ".... Um, Senpai. text Vampires are immortal, so isn't it natural for them to come back to life after dying?" text "You eliminated 'Chaos', right? text Even if they are vampires, if you destroy their body and soul, they will be vanquished. text If you kill a vampire, they will die. text But 'The Serpent' is a vampire who has conquered even this." text "Tohno-kun, are you familiar with the cycle of reincarnation? text It is part of Buddhist doctrine, so I would think a Japanese would be quite familiar with it." text ".... Yeah. text It's that thing where when someone dies, they are reborn again as another human." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, exactly." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "In other words, text The vampire named 'The Serpent' has made this cycle of reincarnation his own. text That's what I mean when I say he comes back to life even after he is killed." text "Reincarnation---you mean if he dies he will start over again as a baby....?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Yes. text While 'The Serpent' is alive, he chooses his next host and when it is born, he transmits all of the information of his 'self'. text 'The Serpent's' information stays deep within the baby until it matures, or until it gains sufficient intelligence. text As soon as that baby has the intelligence to succeed 'his self', the baby becomes a new vampire that is the 'Serpent'." text "---Wait a minute. text What's that? text Don't tell me that he does surgery on it while it's in the mother or something like that." text "No, it's not anything medical. text Because the instant his body is destroyed, he reincarnates into the body he chose as his next host. text "I said all of his information earlier, but to say it simpler, think of it as his 'soul'. text It wouldn't be quite correct to say his soul propagates through the air and takes over someone's body, but it's similar to an electro-magnetic wave. text In this case, the human brain is what does the transmitting and the receiving. text His exceptional point is that he took this soul, which is incalculable and something that disperses as soon as it leaves the envelope of the body, and processed it as something that could be transmitted." text "............" text Her words don't seem quite real. text I do understand what she is saying. text This serpent guy is reborn as a baby when he dies and this baby turns into this Serpent vampire when it becomes an adult, but.... text ".... If I believe your story, it means that he will never die. text It's not immortality, but it's worse than that. text Being killed and reborn as someone else, that's like living forever." text "Yes, exactly. text It was eight hundred years ago when 'The Serpent' first became a Dead Apostle. text Since then, 'The Serpent' has been reborn seventeen times. text Every time, Arcueid Brunestud has killed him." text "Arcueid did....?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "Yes. text To her, 'The Serpent' is a special vampire. text .... Well, 'The Serpent' has a special meaning to me as well." text ".... But, even if he dies he will just be reborn, right? text So---killing him over and over is pointless, isn't it?" text "----Yes. text He is killed by her, reincarnates, and killed by her again. text That cycle has repeated itself over and over. text .... If Arcueid had the power to kill not the 'body' but the 'meaning', then this probably would not be happening." text Senpai looks down a little and she seems to be gritting her teeth. text ~ text .... I don't know why. text However, it seems that Senpai also has some grudge against the "enemy" like Arcueid does. text ".... A vampire that is reborn every time it is killed...." text That's Arcueid's and Senpai's "enemy". text ".... Senpai. text This Serpent guy, what kind of a guy is he." text "He was originally a man, but that can change depending on the body he reincarnates into. text The troublesome part of this Dead Apostle is that they are all hard to find. text Because he is properly born as a human baby, and has parents. text "The Serpent transforms into a vampire only when he reaches the age where he can do everything at a satisfactory level. text Until then, that human shows no hint of being a vampire. text But once 'The Serpent' awakens, he uses the relationships he gained until that time to blend perfectly into society. text I heard that the Church detects the 'Serpent's' presence usually after a whole town is turned into The Dead." text .... I see. text For example, if this serpent guy were reincarnated in me, he would live as Tohno Shiki even after he becomes the serpent. text Unless he makes a big mistake, he would be free to suck blood without people realizing it. text ~ text ----That is. text ".... Scary. text Of course those around him are in danger too. text But that human whom he reincarnated into, he would just disappear after maturing, right? text One moment that person is living normally and the next moment he suddenly turns into 'The Serpent'. text That's very frightening." text ".... Yes, but it isn't like two people sharing one body. text The human baby is still 'The Serpent'. text Depending on its environment, it's either a good or a bad person. text .... But even that disappears the instant 'The Serpent' awakens. text To sum it up, once 'The Serpent' dies, he is reborn into the next body, and once that body gains intelligence, it gains the previous life's self and becomes a vampire." text ".... That's, strange. text Even if he did reincarnate, that baby is still human. text So, even if it does gain the self of a previous life, the body shouldn't turn into a vampire, right?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Reincarnation isn't the transmitting of personality, it is the transmission of a soul. text So the personality differs every time depending on their families and upbringings. text But the soul itself does not change. text Once bitten by a True Ancestor, not only is the body forever soiled, but the soul as well. text What changes the body is the soul. text 'The Serpent' transmits all his information called his soul, so when 'The Serpent' awakens, the body becomes one of a vampire but----" text "Yeah, but.." text "As you said, just that is too weak. text So he selects his next host while he is alive. text The family he is born into must meet two conditions, the first being one of wealth. text Being born into a family of high social standing, property and money makes it easier to make the whole town into vampires later on. text "And there is another, this is the important one, but amongst normal people like us, there are also people that carry special powers. text Not like magic, which is a mystic power that can be learned, but rather special abilities from birth. text ---Such people are normally called Demonic Children or psychics. text "These special abilities are genetic, so they are inherited---passed on by blood. text He chooses those families that have 'something not human' in their lineages. text A family with wealth and influence, and inhuman power. text Those are the requirements for his host." text "............ This serpent vampire, he seems to be quite prepared." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Yes, since he is a serpent, he has a very slithering intellect." text ".........." text There's something.. text Something about this story I don't like. music ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun? text That was just a joke, but are you listening?" text "Eh---? text Ah, yeah, it wasn't very funny." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text Senpai goes quiet. text But---I really don't feel like laughing right now. text Why do I suddenly feel so down......? text ".... But, I understand now. text That's our enemy, right Senpai?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 music 09.mp3 text "---No. text Arcueid Brunestud's and my enemy. text There is no need for you to worry about 'The Serpent', Tohno-kun. text So please don't go with Arcueid any longer. text Either I or that woman will destroy him. text There is no need for you to face any danger." text "Danger---look, isn't just living in this city dangerous enough? text Even you, even Arcueid are fighting to protect this city! text So I can't overlook this either." text "---No. text She isn't thinking about this city. text She is only after 'The Serpent' for her own reasons." text "Tohno-kun. text The Dead Apostles were once human. text There are two ways for them to become vampires. text Either they would have their blood sucked by the True Ancestors, who were originally born as vampires, text or they change their own bodies through their magical research in their quest for immortality. text 'The Serpent' had his blood sucked by a True Ancestor to become a Dead Apostle. text Do you understand? text 'The Serpent' was a victim of the True Ancestors, a race beyond ours." text ~ text Senpai stares at me. text Those emotionless eyes tell me what she is going to say next. text ".... Don't tell me, that True Ancestor was...." text "Arcueid Brunestud. text The royalty of the True Ancestors who made her only mistake eight hundred years ago. text She is the one who made 'The Serpent'." sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Eh-----" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text ".... From the very beginning, the True Ancestors were an existence far separated from ours. text The Dead Apostles certainly are vampires that wield immense ability, but that ability is only an extension of human capacity. text Because they have managed to attain a long life, they are able to develop their abilities, and manage to refine it to those 'super' abilities as a result. text In other words, anyone can develop abilities equal to the vampires if they have a long time." bgload BG_05A.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text .... Yeah, I think I've read that somewhere. text They say immortality, but being a vampire isn't something that great. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "But the True Ancestors are different. text From the moment they are born, they possess power beyond human comprehension. text From the beginning, these True Ancestors are an existence closer to the world than humans. text "We humans have flourished this much by isolating ourselves from nature. text While we receive blessings from nature, we steal from it, and even if nature is destroyed, we will not be destroyed. text We became the most superior race on this planet probably because of this one sin only we humans carry." text "We can no longer be a part of nature. text In its place, we have gained ways to even destroy nature, this whole planet. text However, from the nature's perspective, this is evil. text The world itself is a form of life, so it has the will to protect itself from us. text But it does not have senses. text So---it creates a presence, separated from nature like us, to remonstrate us." bgload BG_05A.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text .... Senpai is weird. text Nature doesn't have a will of its own. bgload BG_05A.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Yeah, it can't---but, can it be that we just can't feel it? text ~ text ~ text ~ text Nature, the earth, possesses a will. text That is why it still exists and tries to stay beautiful. text The problem isn't that we can't feel it. text ~ text It's that the standard of what nature thinks is beautiful and the standard of what humans believe is beautiful are the same. bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "An existence which the world created to sense for it. text These are what we usually call spirits. text They are a transcendental species existing on another plane different from the remaining spirits of animals in the present world. text The True Ancestors are one type of these spirits. text They are born with the purpose to punish humans, so they only see humans as evil. text Much as we think vampires who prey upon humans are evil, they view humans who prey upon nature as evil." bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text But that's funny. text Then why can't they exist unless they feed on us humans, the evil existence? bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "---Humans are only enemies to the True Ancestors. text As part of nature, no, as those whose power is linked to nature itself, their power has no limits. text .... In the long history of the Church, there are only a few records of fighting against the True Ancestors. text They get their powers from the world itself. text Therefore in order to kill them, a conceptual weapon with the power to kill the world is needed. text .... Of course, such a weapon does not exist. text So that means their 'death' cannot be caused by external factors." bgload BG_05A.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text That night. text She said in that hotel. text That if I had tried to kill her during nighttime, these eyes would not even have been able to see her death. text ~ text In other words. text It means she cannot die. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Do you understand, Tohno-kun? text Arcueid Brunestud is pursuing 'The Serpent' in order to recover her power he took away from her. text It's not for the sake of any humans. text I don't know why she is weakened now, but if she regains her power---she will not need your help, Tohno-kun. text When that happens, do you think she will let you leave safely?" text "............ Of course she would. text Because---she doesn't have any reason to hurt me." text "She is a vampire. text She isn't like the Dead Apostles who suck blood in order to prolong their own life. text Look, Tohno-kun. text If the True Ancestors didn't suck human blood, vampires would never exist in the first place. text They---can survive without sucking human blood, but they still do suck blood because they have the urge to do so, and make humans into an existence outside of human nature. text I can't let some ordinary person like you be with her." bgload BG_05A.png text ~ text ---Senpai's talk ends like that. text ~ text I---it might be because of my dizziness, but it seems like everything she's talking about is totally unrelated to me. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun. text Does that show you how dangerous she is?" text "Yeah, well, I get the gist." text "So please don't cooperate with her anymore, okay?" text "I---" text ~ text I can't do that. text I can't consent to what Senpai is saying. text Because Senpai doesn't know Arcueid. text She doesn't know how good of a person she is. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "---Tohno-kun." text Senpai groans. text But, even if she makes that face, I can't lie to myself. text ".... Sorry, Senpai. text I also have my reasons, so I want to help her. text It's true that I don't know what she'll do if I turn against her. text But it's also true that I just can't leave her alone." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... Please don't say stupid things. text Tohno-kun, you're just a normal boy. text So---you shouldn't do such dangerous things." text ".... Yeah, I'm grateful for your concern. text But, there are some things that I want to protect if I can. text Such as this city, and my peaceful time with you at school, Senpai. text .... Well, even though you ended up protecting me." text ".... But, it is just too dangerous. text You were nearly dead when you fought with 'Chaos'....!" text "Isn't that alright? text Besides, if Arcueid is really that strong, shouldn't defeating this serpent vampire be simple?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "I'm telling you that she is the dangerous one! text Please open your eyes already! text She isn't human. text You don't know when she'll suck blood, she is more of a monster than the Dead Apostles....!" text "Wha-----" text ~ text .... I know. text I know that Senpai is really worried about me. text But----I can't allow those words. text "---Just stop Senpai. text She isn't a monster. text You shouldn't say those things when you haven't even talked to her." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... That is true. text But she is a vampire. text Please understand that....!" text "No, that's wrong....! text Look Senpai, Arcueid doesn't suck blood. text She told me herself, and I don't think she is lying. text I don't know how these other True Ancestors are, but Arcueid is different. text Just her, she is definitely---" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Definitely, what? text Look, even if she isn't dangerous, it's dangerous enough for you to fight. text You can't recover from injuries like she can. text If you get wounded, you will die....! text What I can't forgive is she knows this and still lets you fight. text It's like she's just seeing you as a tool, Tohno-kun!" text ~ text Senpai screams this last part. text .... I know. text I understand she is right. text But, because I understand---her voice annoys me. text ".... Shut, up." text "Tohno.... kun?" text "---Just shut up Senpai! text Arcueid doesn't see me as a tool at all....! text You don't know---you don't know anything about her, you just think she's some sort of monster, so you have no right to say any of that....!" text "Please calm down. text I know I don't know very much about her. text But there is a possibility that she could be deceiving you---" text "Shut up! text Weren't you the one deceiving me!?" text "............ Ah." bgload BG_05A.png text Oh---crap. text Why, did I? text Why did I---say that, terrible, thing? text "...... Senpai, I......" text Said too much. text But I can't say it. text Her expression looks very fragile. text And it looks like it's going to break down the moment I say something. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "You're right, you know. text You're right now that you mention it." text "Sen...... pai?" text "Yes, that's right. text I have been deceiving you Tohno-kun. text So there's no reason for you to believe me." text She suddenly smiles as if her previous expression never existed. text There's no trace of it being faked. text Even though it has to be fake. text I can't see anything but a true smile. text "I apologize for taking your time. text Um, Then---I'll just disappear now." text "----Eh?" bgload BG_05A.png text ~ text The wind rushes by. text In that very instant, text Ciel-senpai disappears from right before my eyes. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text It's now lunchtime. text The room gets loud, and my louder friend appears. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Tohno, where are you eating today?" text "...... Wherever. text I don't care if it's here or the cafeteria." text "Alrighty, then lets have some bread. text If we're here, Senpai might come. text I'll go buy some, any requests?" text ".... As long as it's not curry bread, then anything's fine. text Oh, and some milk." text "Roger." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko walks out of the classroom happily. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Here you go, two curry breads and some milk. text Thanks for waitin'." text "............" text ~ text I told him anything but curry bread, but I guess that had the opposite effect. text I thank him and toss him some money. text I start to chew on my curry bread. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey Tohno, did Senpai come?" text I shake my head no. text "Damn. text Maybe she's in the cafeteria today." text "Arihiko, she won't come anymore." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "Whaaat!? text Did you get in a fight with her!?" text "That's not it, but she doesn't like me anymore. text I'm sorry Arihiko. text If you see her, tell her I'm sorry." text ~ text .... I really do feel it now that I mention it. text I hurt her badly. text She won't come see me ever again. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "What's this Tohno? text Are you telling me sorry for asking her out without asking me?" text "---If that was the case, it'd be much better." bgload BG_06A.png text ~ text Yeah, if it was sorry or goodbye, there would be some hope left. text Certainly, I think that was a pretty bad thing to say. text ".... But, 'I'll just disappear'? text That's too much, right Arihiko?" text ~ bgload IMA_10.png text I say this and put my head down on my desk. bgload BG_06B.png text Classes are over. text It's a Wednesday so the rest of my classmates run out of the room as soon as classes end. text ~ text It's a Wednesday like any other, but I don't feel like doing anything. text Even if I went to the tea ceremony room, Ciel-senpai probably wouldn't be there. text "-----" text As lifeless as The Dead, I go back to the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32B.png bgload BG_32B.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Welcome back, Shiki-sama." text Hisui greets me as soon as I get back to the mansion. text Even though Hisui was waiting for me this whole time, I can't even bring myself to greet her and I make my way to my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text After dinner, I return to my room. text There's still a little time before I'm supposed to meet Arcueid. text ~ text ---Please don't say stupid things. text Tohno-kun, you're just a normal boy. text So you shouldn't do such dangerous things. text ".............." text Senpai was just worrying about me. text In the end, is it just that I chose Arcueid over Senpai? text ".... Why don't you understand your own feelings, Shiki?" text I ask my reflection in the window glass. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "----Tch." text My light headache returns. text Recently, I've been having more headaches. text Up until now, the effects of my anemia have only been dizziness. text It probably changed to these headaches because I've started taking off my glasses and seeing "death". text ~ text ".... It's time." text It's the time I promised to meet Arcueid. text No matter what Senpai said, I have to keep a promise I made. text Putting my knife in my pocket, I exit my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32C.png music 09.mp3 text I go outside. text There were never many people around the mansion to begin with, but because of all these serial killings, it is unnaturally quiet. text It's not even ten o'clock yet, but the emptiness makes it feel more like past one o'clock. text ----*sigh* text It is well into October and the wind is starting to blow colder. text Fall is nearly over as well. text I walk down the empty street holding these sentimental thoughts. bgload BG_47.png text I make my way around the mansion wall. text Past here and down the hill is the park where Arcueid is waiting. text ~ text ---And then, text I see a black figure leaning on the mansion wall. text A woman clothed in black stands not to block my way, but just to watch me go by. bgload BG_47.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Where are you going this late at night?" text Senpai doesn't even look at my face as she says this without the slightest inflection in her voice. text "Sen, pai----" text I freeze dead in my tracks. text I can't look at her face either. text ~ text I feel uneasy about what happened this morning, so I can't bring myself to directly look at her. text "Even after I said all that, you're still going to see her, Tohno-kun?" text ".... It can't be helped. text I can't leave her alone, and I can't ignore the vampire in this city either." text "---I see, you've got a point there." bgload BG_47.png text She closes her mouth. text I pass her figure on the wall. text "Sorry, Senpai.... about a lot of things.." text "Please don't worry. text You weren't mistaken." text .... I hear her voice behind me. text It doesn't seem like she intends to stop me from seeing Arcueid at all. text ~ text I guess Senpai has completely given up on me. text "Well then, I'll be going." text "Yes, please do as you like, Tohno-kun." text I can still only hear her voice. text Yet, I walk away from the mansion without even turning around. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22C.png text Tap, tap, tap, tap. text The footsteps echo in the night along the residential street. bgload BG_24C.png text Tap, tap, tap, tap. text The footsteps echo in the night along the residential street. text They aren't the footsteps of a heavy man, but of a much lighter body. text In addition, I'm wearing sneakers so they don't make such sounds. text Only shoes with a hard bottom can make this sound. text For example, shoes like high-laced boots. text ~ text .... Actually, I don't even need to give an example. text Without a doubt, those footsteps belong to high-laced boots. text ~ text I stop. text The footsteps cease at the same time. text ~ text "........" text This isn't any good. text If I just ignore her like this, we'll reach the park soon. text I should just go out and say it. text I turn around. text "---Hey, Senpai." bgload BG_24C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Yes?" text ".... Um, is your house this way?" text "No, it's in the completely opposite direction. text You went there once, Tohno-kun, did you forget already?" text "No, I remember. text I just didn't have that much confidence in my memory." text "You should, because my house is that way." text "Oh, that's right," I say with a smile. text "Yes, it is," she says, returning my smile. text "Well then, I'm going this way." bgload BG_24C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Yes, please do as you wish, Tohno-kun." text Still smiling, she seems to be seeing me off. text .... But, for some reason.... I have an incredibly bad feeling about this. text "------" text I suck in a deep breath. bgload BG_24C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "What's wrong, aren't you going?" text Senpai asks. text In that instant, I dash down the street. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text ~ text I start to pant heavily. text ~ text This far. text Running full strength this far, she couldn't have followed me--- text ~ bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, going wild like that is dangerous you know." text A hand pats my shoulder from behind. text "Uwaaaa!" text I instinctively jump back. text Senpai stands behind me as if it was perfectly natural to do so. text "Wh, why are you following me, Senpai!?" text "Well, I feel uneasy leaving you by yourself." text She speaks very matter-of-factly. text "Ah, uh." text I don't even know how to respond. text I don't know, but I should--- text ~ bgload BG_27B.png choice Say it bluntly.|Say it calmly. if selected == 1 jump s268.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s269.scr fi bgload BG_27B.png text I should just tell her directly to go home. text "Senpai, you don't have to worry about me so please go back. text Things will get ugly if we go on like this." bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Huh? text Ugly? text What do you mean by that?" text .... She doesn't even seem to be listening to me. text "---Look, why don't you listen to me? text Senpai, didn't you say I could do as I wanted? text So why are you still getting in my way!?" text "Like I said, please do as you wish. text I'm also just doing as I wish myself." bgload BG_27B.png text Still smiling, Senpai walks ahead of me. text "Hey---Senpai!" bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Huh? text What is it, Tohno-kun?" text "What is it!? text Do you enjoy troubling me like this!?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text She smiles. text .... It seems she really does enjoy it. text ".... I get it. text I understand that you're quite a mean person, but let me off the hook for today. text If you keep following me, things will not only be dangerous for me, but for you as well." text "Oh really? text I'm not really following you or anything." text "Eh---?" text "I simply have something to do in the park. text I don't know where you are going, Tohno-kun, but if you're not going to the park, then this is where we say goodbye." bgload BG_27B.png jump s270.scr bgload BG_27B.png text "---Wait a minute. text Senpai, didn't you say I can do as I wish....?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Yes, please do as you wish, Tohno-kun." text Senpai nods and smiles. text ".... Good, I wasn't just imagining it. text Then, this is goodbye. text You shouldn't be following me anymore." bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Huh? text I'm not really following you or anything." text "---Um, Senpai?" bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "I simply have something to do in the park. text I don't know where you are going, Tohno-kun, but if you're not going to the park, then this is where we say goodbye." bgload BG_27B.png jump s270.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11A.png music 03.mp3 text During lunchtime the hall is packed. text Students head to the cafeteria or to their favorite places, lunches in hand. text Caught in the flow of people, I contemplate whether I should go to the cafeteria or the store. text "...." text I'm somewhat taken aback at my own leisure. text ~ text If I have time to waste, it'd be better to go to the cafeteria where Arihiko is. text I begin walking towards the cafeteria. text On the way there, a familiar face waves and runs up to me. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Thank goodness! text I've been looking for you, Tohno-kun." text "Oh.. Ciel-senpai. text Hello." text ~ text ---I feel embarrassed for some reason, and return her unusual greeting. text ~ bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "Yes, hello.. Well, we've already met once today, so I guess it's not proper to say 'Hello'." text A small smile floats onto Senpai's face, as if she found something amusing. text "Eh.. ah.. Yeah, now that you mention it, I guess you're right." text I avert my eyes and give a lukewarm reply, becoming increasingly embarrassed. text ~ text ---I wonder. text I should be used to speaking to Senpai like this, but for some reason I'm getting embarrassed. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text ".... Tohno-kun? text Do you have some urgent business? text You seem a bit unsettled." text "Eh.. No, nothing like that.." text .... I don't, but for some reason her every move feels unfamiliar. text I can't calm down. text ".... It's nothing. text More importantly, Senpai, you said you were looking for me. text Do you need me for something?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Well, I wanted to thank you for this morning, so I was looking for you." text "For this morning.. Ah, you mean in the courtyard?" bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Of course. text Sorry to ask, but are you going to have lunch?" text I sigh. text "Well, people usually eat lunch at lunchtime." bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Great! text Then we can eat together. text I'll treat you as thanks for this morning. text Let's go to the cafeteria." text "Eh.. ?" text Senpai smiles. text Grabbing my wrist, she starts to walk. bgload BG_11A.png text It's strange enough for a third-year like Senpai to walk down the second-year hall, but this attracts even more attention. text The gazes of the students in the hall fall upon Senpai and me and a murmur of conversation starts. text "Wa.. wait just a second! text It's all right, you don't have to..!" text I quickly shake her off my arm. text "I only did what I did this morning on a whim. text There's no need for you to thank me." text I draw back from Senpai, well aware of how flushed my face is. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "There's no need to be so reserved. text Work should be rewarded. text So please, let me treat you." bgload BG_11A.png text Senpai grabs a hold of my arm again. text "That's not what I'm talking about. text I mean-" text I just couldn't say that I'm embarrassed to be with her because we stand out so much. bgload BG_11A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Come on, there won't be any seats left if we don't hurry. text I'll listen to the details after we get to the cafeteria." bgload BG_11A.png text Senpai starts walking, pulling my arm with a tug. text "...." text Any further questions would bring more stares from the people around us in the hall. text I don't know what Senpai is planning, but I peacefully accompany her to the cafeteria. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. text I had spent about ten minutes in the hallway, first spaced out, then talking with Senpai. text So empty cafeteria seats are pretty much nonexistent. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "I'll stand in line, Tohno-kun, so please go get some seats. text Is there any food you don't like? text If there is, now's the time to let me know." text "Uh, nope, there isn't. text I'm not picky with food." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Very well. text I won't take long." bgload BG_50.png text Senpai lines up with everyone else. text "...." text It seems my only choice is to obediently accept that she'll be treating me. text ".... But there aren't any seats left." text I look around the bustling cafeteria. text You can't find even two seats at this hour, let alone two seats togeth---there. text ~ text I sigh. text There, plain as day, is a table with not only two, not three, but four unoccupied seats. text There's only one student sitting at the table, and it seems he noticed me while I was looking around for a seat. text "Yo, Tohno!" text The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. text "...." text My head hurts. text But there isn't anywhere else to sit; I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "You're late. text I told you to hurry because I've invited a special guest today. text What the hell have you been up to?" text Arihiko begins to complain as soon as we are face to face. text "Yeah, come to think of it, you did. text So, who is it?" text "Huh.. about that.. She promised me yesterday she'd come, but she declined this morning. text She said she has someone she wanted to thank or something, so she'd be busy this lunchtime." bgload BG_50.png text Arihiko sighs as he eats his Chikara-udon. text "Someone she wanted to thank?" text Those words catch my attention. text "Arihiko.. that special guest wouldn't happen to be a third-year student, would she?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "Whoa!?" text Arihiko's body jumps in shock. text "A rather energetic girl wearing glasses?" text "Whoaaa!?" text Arihiko begins quivering. text .... The students at the tables around us stand up as if to make a fast escape. text ".... A.. Are you psychic..?" text Arihiko points at me fearfully. bgload BG_50.png text "No, that doesn't mean I'm psychic, it-" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 text "Sorry to keep you waiting. text Good to see you found a seat, Tohno-kun." text There. text Senpai arrives with a smile, carrying a silver tray. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "....!" text Arihiko's eyes are wide open in surprise. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Huh? text Inui-kun? text What a coincidence!" text Still smiling, Senpai takes her seat. text "Ah.. uh.." text Arihiko gives a choked response. text "Here you go, Tohno-kun. text Please, eat until you're full!" text Even after all this time, I still can't shake off her smile. text "Ah.. all right. text In that case, thanks for the food." text .... Taking Arihiko's dumbfounded stare in stride, I sit down. text Senpai sits in front of me while Arihiko sits beside me. text "Itadakimasu." text Putting my hands together with a clap, I look down at the tray Senpai brought. text ~ text And on the menu is: Curry Rice, Curry Rice, and Curry Udon. text "...." text I don't get it. text "Err.. Senpai?" text "Yes? text What is it, Tohno-kun?" text "Uh.. about this.. what's going on?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "What do you mean? text It's lunch, isn't it? text What else does it look like?" text "'What else', you say.. but all I see is curry." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Yes, it's curry." text Senpai laughs happily. text .... The problem is, they all look like curry. text ".... There's three dishes." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Of course. text You're a boy, so you eat a lot. text I'll have just one, so please take whatever you like." text "Ah.. Okay. text In that case, I'll take the curry rice and curry udon." text The other choice is hell. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Make sure to finish it, Tohno-kun. text After all, you aren't picky with food, are you?" text "...." text There isn't a shred of antagonism in Senpai's smile, nor is this some kind of a joke. text She truly had good intentions. text ".... Yes. text Itadakimasu." text I dig into the curry rice with my spoon in despair. text ~ text ---And then, text ~ bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun!" text From beside me came the cry of a dead man being reborn. text "How long are you going to ignore your dear best friend!?" text Arihiko's elbow sinks into the side of my stomach with a thud. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Eh..? text Inui-kun, do you know Tohno-kun?" text "Do I know him? text We've been best friends since middle school!" text My best friend hits the table with a bang for emphasis. text "Really? text The person who helped me this morning was Tohno-kun." text "Oh yeah? text If you had told me his name, I would have brought him here.. So, did this guy do something for you?" text "Yes, he helped me fix my splints." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Huh? text He helped you fix your shin splints?" text Arihiko frowns suspiciously. text .... Well, I guess you would consider helping someone fix their shin splints a bit odd. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T10A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "No, fixing splints. text Please don't make me angry when I am eating." text Ciel-senpai gets angry. text She seems to be someone you can never tire of watching. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T10A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Fixing splints..? text Ah, the splints in the courtyard! text You were at it again? text You sure enjoy that kind of thing, Senpai, but you'd be better off if you gave up. text If you keep doing things like that, the teachers will start expecting you to do them." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "That's all right, I do it because I enjoy it. text You shouldn't talk about the teachers like that though, you know. text They really care about the school." bgload BG_50.png text .... I'm finding it difficult to follow their conversation. text "Senpai, don't tell me that you normally do that sort of thing?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yeah. text Didn't you know, Tohno? text Ciel-senpai is so handy they call her the 'Shadow President' of the student council." text "No, I was asking Senpai. text Wait, never mind.. what on earth is the 'Shadow President'?" text "Is she strong?" I ask with my eyes. text "Yeah," responds Arihiko with an exaggerated nod. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "She's quite something, totally unlike the Student Council, which is the student council in name only. text She's a third-year who'll solve anything for you if you ask her. text Even got a fan club among the first years! text And if something happens, the teachers all rely on her. text There isn't a single teacher who complains about what Senpai does." text Arihiko speaks with pride as if he was actually talking about himself. text "Wow.. Ciel-senpai sure is amazing. text Even the teachers rely on you." text I look at Senpai, impressed. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T11.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Ah, yes. text Uh.. thank you." text Senpai turns bright red, embarrassed. bgload BG_50.png text Senpai churns her curry rice with her spoon. text I guess it's to hide her embarrassment, but it reminds me of the enemy I have to face. text Curry rice by itself is fine, but after that awaits curry udon. text My doctor warned me not to eat too much, but I don't think there's anything else in this situation that I can do. text So I start to dig in to the rice. text *munch* *munch* text Having decided to try to finish one dish quickly, I direct all my concentration to the rice. text ~ text Meanwhile, Senpai and Arihiko began talking about their own homes for some reason. text I already know that Arihiko doesn't live with his parents, but it seems Senpai is also living by herself. text Apparently, Senpai's apartment is quite close to school. text It's roughly between the main street and the park. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Hmmm.. So, Tohno-kun, where do you live?" text "Huh?" text I silently eat my food when Senpai, peering at me, asks a completely unrelated question. text "Where..? text Why do you ask, Senpai?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "You already heard where I live, right, Tohno-kun? text I think it's unfair if I don't know where your house is." text "Unfair? text You worry about the strangest things, Senpai." text "It's not strange. text If I don't know where you live, I can't visit you if something happens, right?" text I stop eating the curry rice. text I have the feeling that something has been said that I should be jubilant about. text "Eh.. Visit? text You mean you'd come and visit me if I catch a cold or something?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "No, I wouldn't. text I don't have any plans to visit at the moment." text Smiling, Senpai replies instantly, as if stating the obvious. bgload BG_50.png text "...." text It seems like the euphoria is premature. text Senpai doesn't seem to have any unusual intentions. text ~ text I see now.. that's just the way she is. text ".... I guess I have to tell you. text Yeah, my house is nearby too, only a forty minute walk. text There's a residential district on top of the hill, right? text Just go a little further and you're there." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Oh yeah. text You're moving today, right?" text Arihiko strikes his hand on the desk. text Senpai tilts her head slightly. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Moving? text Tohno-kun, were you a transfer student?" text "Huh?" text Senpai asks a strange question. text Arihiko meets my gaze. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 text "Uh, listen.. I've been here since the first year. text We've known each other since then, right? text Why are you asking if I'm a transfer student now?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 text "But Tohno-kun, you moved yesterday, so--" text "Moving doesn't automatically make you a transfer student. text I'm just changing my address, not my school. text Until now, I've been living with some relatives in the neighboring town. text I'm just going back to my real home, that's all." text Senpai, who wears a look of surprise, seems to understand. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 text "I see, you've only changed your residence. text So, now you live in the outskirts of town." text "Yeah. text It's that colorful place on top of the hill.. I'm moving there today." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 text "Haah.. could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" Senpai asks with some hesitation. text The western-style house at the top of the hill is probably seen as something special by residents of this town. text I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. text "Yeah, that's right. text I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Hmm.. You don't seem too happy about it." text "It's neither good nor bad. text I don't quite understand it either." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? text I can understand if you're feeling strange. text It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." text "I wonder if that's so.. I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. text Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Yeah, right. text My house is no refuge of yours. text When you come over during the holidays, my sister treats you better than me!" text "...." text That's probably only because Arihiko has terrible behavior, but I refrain from telling him that in the interests of preventing the conversation from getting any worse. text ~ text ---To be honest, it's not pleasant to have my home raised as a topic of conversation. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Wow.. You two certainly get along well." Senpai peers at Arihiko and me. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T02.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "No way! text Me and Tohno would never help each other, no matter how much trouble we were in. text In other words, we're enemies, mademoiselle." text Arihiko says in a fed-up tone. text I'm getting pretty fed-up myself with his pseudo-foreigner-isms, too. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "But your relationship is so good that Tohno-kun has stayed over at your house before, right? text Doesn't that mean you get along really well?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "You're wrong, Senpai. text That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents, and he'd come over to my place every vacation. text He's reserved toward them 'cause they're taking care of him. text That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. text Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" text Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say "unforgivable!" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text ".... Taking care, Tohno-kun?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Ah.." text Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. text ".... Sorry. text I should've thought before I spoke." text "It's okay. text You didn't say anything bad." text I continue to eat my food without looking at Arihiko. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text Yeah, you're right. text If you complained about that, you'll be in for some punishment." text Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. text His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "I'm sorry, Tohno-kun. text Um.. did you not get along with your previous family?" text "No, that's not it. text He has no problem with the Arimas. text Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. text They're really nice people, and from what I could tell, they're a happy family. text Even so, he refused to be their adopted kid, and he escaped to my place every vacation. text Sheesh.. just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T09.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied about. text It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." bgload BG_50.png text I finish my rice as I reply. text Now, only the curry udon is left.. text "It's okay, Senpai. text Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 text "Eh, not at all. text I'm sorry for asking you something so strange." text Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. text The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. text And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Ah, Senpai.. sorry, but I've got something private to talk to Tohno about. text Would you mind leaving?" text Arihiko has no problems making such an offensive request. text Isn't that phrase an indirect.. no, a direct way of saying 'We don't want you, Senpai, so get lost..'? text "You idio---What do you think you're saying!? text We can discuss those things anywhere! text And Senpai is still finishing her--" text ~ text ---Lunch. text ~ text Despite all the talking with Arihiko, Senpai has finished her rice anyway. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "No, I understand. text Well then, I'll be leaving." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves. text ~ text Only Arihiko and I remain at the table. text I sigh. text "Well, it looks like Senpai was having a hard time too, so it was for the best, but you were really pushing it there, Arihiko." bgload BG_50.png bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "Hmm.. Well, it's not like I had a choice. text Anyways, I guess I'll take the role of the guy she ends up disliking." text *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* text Arihiko slurps away at his chikara-udon. text It seems it has gone cold while we were talking to Senpai. text ".... Sorry. text You were trying to hit on Senpai, weren't you?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Of course. text She's probably the number one girl at our school. text But if she's the type to care about something like that, then she's not worth it. text Oh, yeah, I really do have something to talk to you about in private." text "..?" text Arihiko's voice turns serious. text I split my chopsticks with a snap and begin to eat my udon. text "What's wrong? text Why so serious all of a sudden? text I'll let you know right now that I don't have any money. text From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless student." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "It's not that, damn it. text What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" text "What do you mean?" text "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? text I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. text Your dad has basically disinherited you. text Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" text .... I see. text In his own strange way, Arihiko is worried about me. text "He didn't 'disinherit' me. text He just kicked me out of the house somehow." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "Tohno-kun, if there ever was a family that kicked their kid out of their house 'somehow', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." text Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. text ".... Yeah, I guess you're right. text If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? text That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' text Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." text "...." text .... Who knows? text That's something I'd like to know too. bgload BG_50.png text "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." text Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains what is left of his chikara-udon. text Lunchtime is short. text Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly finish my curry-udon. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ setvar ciel_regard + 1 jump s31.scr bgload BG_27B.png text "-------" text I see. text Certainly, I don't really have the right to say anything about that. text I don't have the right, but--- text "Look, just don't go! text Arcueid is in the park! text You know how she detests you, right? text So I can't let the two of you meet!" bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "Oh? text Are you worried about me?" text "Of course, I don't want to see the two of you fight. text I'm begging you, please just go back!" text "--Oh. text I see, you're not worried about me, but you're worried about her, right?" text ~ text Looking off into the distance, she completely ignores what I say. text ~ text .... For some reason, text it seems she is doing all this intentionally because she enjoys teasing me. text ".... Senpai. text Don't tell me, you're still carrying a grudge from this morning....?" text She just smiles and doesn't say anything. text .... She's angry. text That face is unmistakably carrying a grudge. text ".... I get it, everything this morning was completely my fault. text I'm sorry. text So---" text "If you tell me to go back because of that, I'll beat you down Tohno-kun." text "...... Huh?" text "Tohno-kun. text We're still fighting right now. text It seems I'm still angry, so it isn't easy to just talk calmly." text "Um.... Senpai?" text "If you went back, we could make up, but I know that's impossible. bgload BG_27B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text So this conversation is meaningless. text There is no need for you to apologize. text I'm not concerned with what happened this morning." text She looks at me with those eyes devoid of any emotion. text "My duty is to hunt down vampires. text Anything else is trivial." bgload BG_27B.png text ~ text Senpai walks into the park. text "Hey---Senpai!" bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_28B.png text She crosses through the park. text As expected, she's heading right towards where Arcueid is waiting. text "Wait a minute. text Why are you so angry, Senpai!?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "---I'm not angry. text How about yourself? text If you come with me, won't she misunderstand things?" text "Misunderstand---misunderstand what?" text "Don't you like her? text Then, I don't think you should be with me, someone who is her enemy." text "Wha.... it's not like I like her...." text ~ text I can't say for sure though. text I don't know for sure what I truly feel, but I'm sure I am attracted to her. bgload BG_28B.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "You really can't lie even to yourself, can you? text I think you are far too honest." text For a brief instant, her mask reveals a sigh. text "But, it really is better if we separate here. text We are no longer friends, and if Arcueid were to see us---" text ~ text "Hm? text What would happen, Ciel?" music 06.mp3 text ~ text "----!" bgload BG_28B.png text We both turn around towards the voice behind us. text There we see---Arcueid, who seems to be in a particularly bad mood. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png -28 0 text "How surprising. text I came because I heard Shiki's voice and I find you here. text Didn't we already share our information yesterday? text I don't believe you have anything to do with me anymore." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07B.png 116 0 text "Yes, I don't have anything to do with you anymore. text I was just pointing things out to him." text "Oh really? text You intend on stealing my partner?" text ".... That sounds good too. text I still owe you from that one injury you gave me." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07B.png 116 0 text The situation is critical between the two of them. text ~ text As the one standing between them, I can't just watch. text .... Looking at this problem, our relative locations are Senpai, me, then Arcueid. text And if the two of them fight, I would be right in the middle of it. text "You two, why are you glaring at each other? text Your goal is the same, so calm down and...." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07B.png 116 0 text "Be quiet Shiki!" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "Please be quiet Tohno-kun!" text "-------" text .... I failed. text I tried to talk to them but it doesn't seem to have worked. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "--Fine. text Shiki seems to care for you, so I will let you go. text I won't attack you so just disappear." text ".... That's surprising. text Is he that important to you? text I didn't think Arcueid Brunestud could be concerned with anything other than killing vampires." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "------" text "For you, controlling humans comes easily. text It would be better for you to just make him your servant if you wanted help, Arcueid, but why haven't you done that?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T10.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "---Don't joke about such things. text Shiki is my partner. text Even if I don't do that, he still says he will help me." text Arcueid looks away uneasily. text That murderous intent seems to have disappeared. text "---Arcueid. text Don't tell me, you.." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07B.png 116 0 text "You---really want to suck his blood?" text Cling. text From Senpai's direction I hear the sound of solid metal. text ".... I see. text I was surprised you were interested in humans, but that does not really matter. text If you desire the blood of humans, then there is only one thing to do." text Cling. text The sound springs forth from her hand. text Numerous swords, like long nails, are there. text ".... Hey, Senpai....!?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "Tohno-kun, please back away. text Just now, I have confirmed that she truly is a vampire. text Even if she is a True Ancestor that cooperates with the Church, once she desires blood, she becomes our enemy. text Before any victims appear, I will terminate her here." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 text "---You really do speak nonsense when people do not answer you, Ciel. text Very well, if you want to die, then I will grant your wish and kill you. text It's not often I get to kill the same person twice." text Her eyes flare with the intent to kill. text Senpai receives Arcueid's stare in her fighting stance, swords at the ready. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Freezing. text The air feels like it is freezing, and I can hardly breathe. text ~ text ---This isn't good. text They really will kill each other like this. text ".... Wait you two, please. text I said to calm down....!" text Ignoring the tension in the air, I yell out. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T06B.png 116 0 bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png -28 0 setimg CEL_T07B.png 116 0 text "----" text "----" text For an instant, they both stop. bgload BG_28B.png text After that, the sound of two feet kicking the earth. text ~ text ---My shout must have triggered the start. text ~ text The white and black figures crash into each other as if they were two magnets of opposite polarity. bgload IMA_10.png text The fight between the two of them is beyond me. text Arcueid's body movement isn't something I can track with my eyes. text All I can see is a white blur running through the night. text What's surprising is that Senpai does not even back off seeing Arcueid's speed. text It's not like Senpai moves with Arcueid's amazing speed. text But she accurately deflects Arcueid's blazing attacks while standing on the ground. text ~ text As a third person looking on, their strengths are equal. text However, just like Senpai said, Arcueid's power seems limitless. text No matter how amazing Senpai is, her power is not something that goes beyond a certain point. text In contrast, Arcueid seems limitless. text In the beginning, Senpai was overwhelming her, but Arcueid matches her quickly and is now easily surpassing her powers--- bgload BG_29B.png sound SE_04.wav 1 text The fight is quickly decided. text Senpai's body flies lightly on the air and strikes the ground rolling, like a piece of trash. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "Ka---" text Senpai lets out a cry and stands up. text But that is a useless thing to do. sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload BG_29B.png sound SE_04.wav 1 text Senpai's body seems to be shot out by an invisible cannon and flies into the air once more, and hits the ground. text She lies there, not moving. text Blood flows along the park's brick pathway. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Sen---pai?" text There's no response. text She seems unconscious. text Arcueid runs towards her----without any mercy, with terrible eyes seemingly bent on slicing Senpai's neck. text "------Ah." text I can't speak. text There can be no mistake that Arcueid intends to kill her. text And Senpai can't defend herself. text "------" choice Protect Senpai.|Trust Arcueid. if selected == 1 jump s271.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s273.scr fi bgload BG_29B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I can't. text I can't allow that. text "---Stop it, you stupid idiot....!" text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text I frantically run towards Senpai. text Arcueid suddenly stops in front of her. music ~ bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T13.png 36 0 text "Shiki!?" text Arcueid's murderous intent instantly vanishes and she returns to her original look. text She seems completely taken aback that I was protecting Senpai. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T12.png 36 0 text "Why? text How come you're protecting her....!?" text ".... Didn't I say it earlier? text Senpai is a very dear person to me. text Even if it's you---I won't allow you to go on." text I tighten the grip on the knife in my pocket and glare at Arcueid. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text ".... Shiki, you---" text Her eyes are bathed again with hostility. text "Step aside and I'll forgive you this time. text Now. text Stop defending her and don't wield that knife against me." text Her crimson eyes waver like burning candles. sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her intent to kill is about to be directed towards me instead of Senpai. text ~ text I gulp. text My mind is warning me that it's over if I don't step aside at once. text But, even still--- text "...... I can't. text I won't pull back until you say you won't do anything to Senpai." bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "---Step aside, Shiki!" text "No, you step aside, Arcueid....! text Didn't you tell me that you don't kill humans? text Or, was that just a lie....!?" bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text "----No, I don't kill humans. text But I honor those who surpass human capacity. text So I don't mind killing them as something that is my equal. text Such as you, or that woman right there." text ~ text A step. text Arcueid comes closer. text "I see---you're wielding that knife against me again." text ~ text Another step. text She draws closer. text "I forgave you the first time. text But I don't think I can forgive you the second time. text .... In the first place, I don't think I can be hurt with your knife. text Even with your Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, you shouldn't be able to see my death right now." text ~ text From directly in front of me, text her golden eyes enter my vision. bgload IMA_11B.png text ~ text "----Ah." text My heart feels like it's stopped. text A chill races up my spine. text This crushing despair that feels like everything is bearing down on me is far greater than anything during my fight with Nrvnqsr. text ~ text .... I can't, do anything. text This is---what it means, to fight, Arcueid?--- bgload BG_29B.png bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T23B.png 36 0 text "Shiki, this is your last chance. text While I can still think, get back. text I don't want to lose the first person I've liked, just because of that woman." text ~ text ----The chills collect in my neck. text Arcueid is in the perfect position to kill me. text If that arm moves, she can rip off my neck before I could use my knife. text Even still---this is wrong. sound ~ text ".... Why, I just don't understand, Arcueid. text Why are you such a horrible person only to Senpai? text I know you're not the most aware of moral principles, but you're not one to speak about killing people so easily....!" bgload BG_29B.png text "Shiki----" text Arcueid's hostility starts to lessen. text She walks away from the both of us. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "I see. text If you support her this much, then I don't know you." bgload BG_29B.png text "A---Arcueid....?" text "Just be careful, Shiki. text That woman you are protecting, she isn't the person you think she is." text "What---what are you saying?" text "Hmph. text You can be tricked and get your blood sucked by her. text So long! text Don't come crying back to me!" text Arcueid walks away without even looking back. text The only ones left are me and the wounded, collapsed Senpai. text "-----What was she?----" text Saying such stupid things. text Senpai would suck my blood....? text ~ text "---What a, ridiculous, lie." text ~ text That sounds like.. text ~ text "---Senpai is a vampire or something." text Saying that, I laugh aloud. text Because that isn't possible. text Senpai walks around during the day. text Well, Arcueid is a vampire that walks around at daytime, but even she gets weak then. text But for Senpai, she doesn't change whether it's night or day. text ~ text First of all, isn't Senpai a member of the Church? text It's contradicting for a vampire to be in an organization whose purpose is to terminate vampires. text "----! text More importantly, Senpai!" text I turn around to check on Senpai. text The ground was soaked in blood , so I have to get her to a hospital...... music 08.mp3 text "............ Eh?" text ~ text The blood---has disappeared. text Her black robes that were painted red with flowing blood are now spotless. bgload BG_29B.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "----" text Senpai stands up as if nothing even happened and she looks completely unharmed. text "Senpai--what is going on?" text ".... Tohno-kun. text Why did you protect me? text Didn't you know she really almost killed you?" text Her eyes have no emotion whatsoever. text With those vacant eyes, like a lifeless doll, she doesn't even hear my question. text "You ask why? text Because you were going to die. text Anyone would do the same thing in that situation." text "Even if it means getting yourself killed? text Tohno-kun, dedication isn't throwing away your life. text Giving up your life to save others isn't dedication or sacrifice, it's just self-love. text Why---did, you----" text ~ text Her voice is very stern. text She admonishes me severely. text "You only did that so you would not regret it later. text And you are satisfied with just that. text .... To be blunt, it is very troublesome for me. text Idealism is a fine thing, but please don't involve me in your selfish justice." text "Wha---what do you mean? text I just didn't want you to die, Senpai....! text Are you, are you saying that's troublesome!? text Are you saying it would be alright if Arcueid killed you like that---!?" text "Yes. text It is my life, so it has nothing to do with you. text .... It's too miserable being allowed to live because of the mercy of a vampire." text "-----!" text I'm pissed. text Partly because she rejected me even after I protected her. text But, more than that--- text "Don't be ridiculous....! text What--what do you think your life is!? text Don't you see? text If you die, it's all over! text No matter what horrible, awful things you've done, if you don't keep on living, it will have all been a lie! text You have to keep on living.... you have to keep on living because there's nothing else. text So what if you're miserable? text That's far, far better than not being able to feel that at all......!" text "---That's right. text You are someone who tasted death eight years ago. text That's why---you can be content with such a simple way of thinking." text Her eyes are completely vacant. text She speaks without looking at me, like she can't even see herself. text "How happy you must be. text I cannot say such words." text She steps back as she speaks. text ".... Tohno-kun. text What she said before is true." text "Wh.... why are, you, even saying...." text "Like Arcueid said, I cannot be called human. text Didn't you see it, Tohno-kun? text All the blood which was spilled disappeared like it was never there." text "That's----" text "It's fine. text I am a monster. text I am not a vampire, but my body, it isn't like that of a normal human." text Senpai looks down as she speaks. text ".... What.... are you saying Senpai? text Not a body like a human's? text You seem normal to me....!" text "Even if it's like this?" text ~ text Senpai slowly takes her sword and places it against her neck. text ~ text "Se, Senpai....!" text I don't even have time to stop her. text With a clean sound, it slices into her neck. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E05A.png text Splat. text As if painting my very eyes, fresh blood sprays everywhere. bgload event/CEL_E05A.png text ~ text Drip. text Drip drip. text Drip drip. text Drip drip. text Drip. text It's beautiful. text Captivating my vision, even my whole consciousness, the blood seeps into her black garments. text Underneath her robes, text Senpai's white skin is probably mixed with those beautiful crimson lines--- bgload event/CEL_E05A.png text A drop of blood flies forth and lands on my finger. text It releases me from my momentary captivity and returns me to reality. text Before me is Senpai's blood-soaked figure. text "Senpai....!" text I quickly dash towards her. text "There is no need to panic. text See, look at it." text She stops me and points to her neck. text .... The wound is already gone. text And all the blood that was there before has vanished too. text Like a video being rewound, everything returns to the way it was before. bgload event/CEL_E05B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---That was, text strange, and something like the word "rewound" truly describes it, not healing or regeneration. text ".........." text I can't speak. text After seeing that---I'm not crazy enough to tell her that she is still normal. text ".... That's how it is. text If I could've helped it, I didn't want for you to know, Tohno-kun." text Senpai gives a sad smile. text ~ text I text don't know what to say. text ".... Just like you said, Tohno-kun. text I was deceiving you this whole time. text So it can't be helped if you get angry at me." text "............ Ah." text But, I can't blame her. text Something like that---even I wanted her to hide it from me forever. text I wanted her.... to stay like the old Senpai. text "But, I do not regret what happened this morning. text I was really happy that you said it was a fun time together and that you wanted to protect me if you could." text "---Sen, pai." text But, those were, text really, peaceful times I wanted to last forever. text ~ text "Farewell." bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_29B.png text To the very end she gives her perpetual smile and disappears before my very eyes. text "------" text My mind is in complete disarray. text ~ text I can't follow after her. text Arcueid said that Senpai was a vampire. text ~ text Senpai didn't deny it, and even showed me proof, and after saying farewell, she vanished. text Even if it was a lie. text Even if it was a lie that could easily be seen through, if she simply said it wasn't so, things would have been fine. bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E05B.png bgload BG_29B.png text I can't forget her sad face. text Senpai, who was that good of a person, text just an upperclassman at my school, text I didn't want to know she was such a different person. text ~ text ~ text ---Farewell. text ~ text Her last words. text There's no need to think about what it meant. text I knew about her and I even hurt her. text But still, she came to see me. text But, that's all over. text I don't---want to believe that I'll never see her again. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "----No, this isn't happening." text My head doesn't seem to be working. text It's just in shock. text It's so shocked that it can't tell why it's in shock. text ~ text I leave the park with my uncertain memories and faltering steps. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_24C.png text ~ text ---THROB. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_47.png text ~ text ~ text ---Throb. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_48D.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---THROB. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Throb. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40D.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40D.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... I'm incredibly, exhausted. text This headache is killing me. text More than anything else, without thinking about Senpai, or Arcueid or anything at all. text I just want to go to sleep. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_05.png text ~ text A hot, summer day. text ~ text The blue sky and large, large columns of summer clouds. text The breeze wafting by, text and the droning voice of the cicadas. text ~ text The sound of cicadas. text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text ~ text ----So loud, I want to die. text In the clearing, the discarded shells of the cicadas. text As if the sun is right next to me, text the clearing burns with an intense heat. text ~ text A hot midsummer day. text As if the entire world became a frying pan. text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. text waa, u, uwaaa. bgload CMO_06.png text ~ text Akiha is crying. text There's a child collapsed at her feet. text ~ text His white shirt is painted red with blood and he doesn't move at all. text Looking down at him, text my hands are red, just like that child on the ground. text ~ text No, that's not it. text These hands, text are red with the blood of that child. bgload CMO_07.png bgload CMO_11.png bgload IMA_16.png bgload CMO_09.png bgload IMA_01.png bgload CMO_08.png bgload CMO_13.png bgload CMO_10.png bgload CMO_07.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/ARK_E06B.png music 09.mp3 text ~ text A grassy plain hidden from the sun. text Raised only by the moonlight, proud white flowers. text ~ text Under the transparent moon. text A lone woman of pure white. text Not even knowing words. text Not even aware of her self. text Only treated as a method of killing. text ~ text The white woman stained in fresh blood is completely free of injury. text The crimson saturating her dress is only the blood of her enemies. text The only time she is allowed is this brief amount of time after her blood-stained homecomings. text What waits for her after that is only a sleep she cannot wake from herself. text .... The white girl does not even know her fate, and just looks up with distant eyes at the moon. text ~ text ~ text ---I thought, I saw eternity there. text ~ text Is it an illusion? text It probably is. text But I don't care. text The fact that her figure has eternally seared into my memory is truly--- music ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text I feel like I had a nostalgic dream and I wake up from my slumber. text ~ text "Ah----" text As if I wasn't breathing before, I suddenly take a huge breath. text That makes me wake up completely. text "............" text I'm in my room. text After that---after my separation with Senpai in the park, I must have somehow returned to my room. bgload event/CEL_E05B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "---Ciel, Senpai---" text I can't forget her face. text Why didn't I say anything back then? text I was still attracted to Arcueid even though I knew she was a vampire. text So even if Senpai was a vampire, I shouldn't have been that surprised. text ~ text .... I should have laughed. text If I laughed like it was a joke, she probably would have laughed with me like always. text ".... No. text I---" text I really wanted her to stay as Senpai. text The uneventful, but peaceful and fun time I spent with Senpai at school was very precious. text "----Damn." text But, that's all over. text She will never come to school as Senpai ever again. text ".... What should I do?" text I don't know. text I wanted to search for the vampire's lair and kill him, but I can't even look for him by myself. text I've cut my ties with Arcueid, and me and Senpai are fighting right now. text .... No, I won't even be able to see Senpai again. text "-------" text I put on my glasses and get out of bed. text It's past eight o'clock in the morning. text It's long past my usual breakfast time, but today is a school holiday. text ~ text "Hisui.... isn't here?" text Her familiar figure standing in front of the door like a shadow is missing. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png text "M...." text Once again, my light headache returns. text In addition to my new, unfamiliar life at this mansion, the events of the past few days were very stressful. text ........ *sigh* text I let out a deep breath. text I don't know what I should do, but I have a lot of things I have to do. text If I'm worried about Senpai, I can just go to her apartment. text "--Alright. text If anything, first comes breakfast." text You can't work on an empty stomach. text Shaking the sleep from my brain and body, I head towards the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33A.png text Hisui is in the lobby doing something. text She must be doing some redesigning because she's carrying a chair. text "Hisui." text As if suddenly realizing I am here, she walks quickly towards me with her usual soft footsteps. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Good morning, Shiki-sama." text ".... Yeah, good morning. text Sorry for selfishly waking up whenever." text "I am sorry for not being there when you woke up. text Please forgive me." text Hisui silently bows her head. text ~ text .... After going out last night and not even remembering how I came back to my room, being apologized to like this makes me feel like a horrible person. text "There's no need to apologize, I just woke up whenever I wanted to. text It's okay if you want to complain." text Like now, unless she's strict on me, my spirit might waver a bit. text "Shiki-sama....?" text "Ah, it's nothing, don't worry about it. text Anyway, I want to eat some breakfast, is it already made?" text ".... Nee-san is outside. text If you want to eat breakfast, it is already prepared in the dining room." text "Oh. text I'll go eat then. text Sorry for interrupting your work." text After saying I'd see her later, I head towards the dining room. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_33A.png text After finishing breakfast, I return to the lobby. text .... I should go back to my room and change even if I decide to head to Senpai's apartment. text ~ text "----Ow!" text My toe bangs into a chair. text ".... Ow. text Why the heck is a chair here...." text That's right, it's the chair Hisui was carrying earlier. text Since it usually isn't here, I just banged into it walking normally without thinking. text ~ text ".... Dang. text I must be really out of it to hit such a thing." text I give a sigh. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text ---But, Hisui is Hisui. text Why does she have to put a chair here? text What was she thinking in the first place to put a chair where people walk by? text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text .... The toe I banged on the chair still hurts. text It's an excessive pain. text A pain that would have been never there if the chair was never here. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text ---How annoying. text I was supposed to see Senpai, so why is this suddenly getting in my way? text ~ text This chair is an incredible annoyance. text Why is such a thing here? text It never should've been here. text If it wasn't here, I never would've stubbed my toe. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text I get mad and kick the chair. text Throb. text As soon as I do that, the toe I kick with hurts even more. text ~ text Throb, Throb. text Throb, Throb, Throb. text ~ text "-------Why you!" text What a, bothersome, thing. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text Disappear. text This chair is an eyesore. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair. text This chair! bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T08.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama....!?" sound ~ text "---Huh, Hisui? text Why are you rushing here, all of a sudden?" text I say that, truly surprised. text .... I'm breathing heavily. text My chest heaves up and down. text I feel like I just ran a marathon. text "Huh? text .... Why am I so out of breath?" text I gasp hungrily for air. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T07.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama---what, are you saying?" text "Eh, what---why are you looking at me like that? text Did something happen?" text ".... Shiki-sama, are you saying you do not know what you were doing....?" text "What I was doing? text But, I wasn't really doing anything----" bgload BG_33A.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text "Gah---" text My headache returns. text I shake my head to get rid of it and suddenly realize what lies at my feet. text ~ text What lies there are.... text the shattered remnants of the chair. text "------Eh?" text ~ text Thump. text My heart pounds harder. text "---I---did this?" bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "---Yes. text That is the result of you holding the chair and smashing it against the floor many times." text "Wh------" text Why? text Why did I, do that? text I did think that my toe hurt from running into the chair. text ~ text But why did I go that far---why did I get angry over something like that and break it like a kid having a tantrum....? bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, are you feeling well? text If you are sick, I can call a doctor." text "----No, it's nothing. text It's really nothing. text Sorry Hisui, I.... just felt strange." text ~ text I step back from her. text I step back from the pieces of the chair I just destroyed. text "Shiki-sama, please calm down. text Breathing like that is not good for your body." text "I'm fine, leave me alone! text I want to be alone, just let me be....!" bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text I shout that out and run up the stairs. text I passively note that I seem to be running away from her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40A.png text I return to my room and throw myself on my bed. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text Once again. text My temple starts to hurt once more. text Throb, throb. text As if a new heart had emerged in my brain, my head pounds painfully. text "........ Kkk." text It hurts. text It hurts. text It hurts. text ~ text This pain probably caused my earlier violent behavior. text Having to see "death" so much these past few days is messing up my brain. text First---I need to calm down now. text As long as I keep my glasses on, this headache shouldn't get worse. text "...... What am I doing? text ...... I have to go see Senpai.... quickly." text ~ text But, if I see her while I'm like this, I'll only hurt her. text I have to calm down. text Quietly. text If I just sit here quietly, my headache will go away. text ~ text .... text ........ text .............. text ...................... See? text It's disappearing. sound SE_10.wav -1 text My room is very quiet. text In this room only with the ticking of the clock, I should be able to calm down quickly. text ~ text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text ~ text .......... The ticking of the clock. text ~ text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text ~ text ........ Can't you be quiet? text ~ text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text ~ text ........ Hey. text ~ text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text Tick. text ~ text ........ I told you to be quiet......! sound ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---It stopped. text With a crash, the clock stops. text "---It's quiet." text Yeah, that's better. text Now I can go see Senpai. bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_48A.png text I walk out the front door. bgload IMA_03.png text The sky is painted a brilliant blue. text I walk towards the gate. text At that moment, I hear a noise from the garden. text "........?" text That's odd. text Hisui was in the lobby picking up the pieces of the chair. text Kohaku-san is outside, and Akiha is at school. text .... There shouldn't be anyone else here at the mansion. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_42A.png text I arrive in the garden. text .... Come to think of it, most of the time we spent playing was in the garden. text Since coming back here, I've been busy with many things so I haven't had a chance to walk around the garden. text ~ text Rustle. text ~ text That sound again. text It seems like someone just walked through. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_54A.png bgload BG_54A.png setimg HIS_T09.png 126 0 bgload BG_54A.png text "Huh? text Hisui....?" text It's Hisui. text .... It seems she doesn't realize me, but Hisui is making her way towards the woods. text She doesn't seem to notice me. text Does she have something to do? text She enters the forest. text "?" text A bit curious, I follow her from a slight distance. text ~ text ----And. text ~ text Where Hisui headed to, there seems to be a small clearing. text "...... There's a clearing there....?" text Tilting my head to the side, I try to remember, but for some reason, my memory is a bit vague. text In the forest of the mansion, I can see a clearing as if the trees were cut there. text ---No, "can see" is not quite right. text If you walked by normally, you probably would never notice it. text If Hisui didn't walk there, hidden enough by the surrounding trees as it is, I would never have noticed even if I lived here all my life. text ".... There's a clearing there? text .... If so, we probably did play there as kids." text To say the least, I don't remember ever playing with Akiha in the clearing. text ~ text ----I feel like I've never, been there, before. text ~ text "........" text After thinking for a bit, I decide to go into the clearing. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_53.png text .... The clearing doesn't strike me as anything out of the ordinary. text There's no sign of Hisui, who entered before me. text "What's this---just an empty place." text I walk to the middle of the clearing. text This clearing really is just an empty space. text The perfectly level, open ground. text The deep woods enclose the area. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text The voice of the cicadas. text And the strong, summer sunshine that feels like it could dissolve------ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text "Eh........?" text Summer, sunshine---? bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png text ~ text "Ou----ouch......" text The wound on my chest starts to hurt. text Like / stabbing. text This pain / that feels like / a kitchen knife stabbing my chest. bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp. text Chiiirp. text Chirp Chirp----- text ~ text ----From somewhere, I can hear the voice of cicadas. text ~ text But, it's autumn now. text ~ text ----The summer sunshine that bathes everything in white. bgload CMO_05.png text The columns of summer clouds in the far off sky. text I can practically see the voices. text At my feet, there are the discarded shells of cicadas. text Discarded shell. text Someone's--discarded shell. text ~ text "------......" text ~ text ---I'm getting angry again. text I finally calmed down earlier, but I'm feeling annoyed again. text I have to meet Senpai. text I have to hurry up and meet her and tell her I wouldn't care even if she was a vampire. text .... text ........ text ............ text ................ text ~ text .............. but, what is the truth? text Could I honestly say I could smile like I did before with her even if she's a vampire--- bgload CMO_06.png text ~ text .... Someone's crouched silhouette. text The approaching footsteps of a young girl. text The columns of clouds in the far sky. text The discarded shells of cicadas. text When I realize it, text ~ text there is, text my body pierced through the chest and killed. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text And looking down at my corpse in surprise, text is my figure as well. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_53.png sound ~ music 04.mp3 text "Ah-----gg." text My chest hurts. text I feel like vomiting. text My wound has healed a long time ago, but why does it hurt so much? bgload IMA_11B.png text My chest is broken. text The old wound opens, blood flows forth from the opening. text ~ text ---What is this? text My wound, it hasn't healed at all. text ~ text ~ text It hurts. text I'm scared. text ~ text ---I'm assailed with dizziness. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text This is, text The impulse called Death. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text My consciousness sinks. text My wound hurts. text ~ text I hear the sound of my own body collapsing on the ground. music ~ bgload BG_40C.png music 09.mp3 text ~ text .... I can hear voices talking. text ~ text "Akiha-sama, are you not going to call for a doctor?" text "Don't be stupid, Hisui. text There's no way I could do that, since Nii-san's wound isn't normal..!" text .... Akiha and Hisui are talking. text This is SHIKI's room. text It looks like I am sleeping on the bed. text ~ text I planned to say "Yo!" and get out of bed, but I can't move at all. text My chest doesn't hurt anymore, but my body is as heavy as lead. text All I can move are my eyes and mouth. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T10.png -24 0 text "Just what in the world were you trying to do, Hisui? text You know not to let Shiki go near that place....!" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T10.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T05.png 126 0 text "Please.... forgive me." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T07.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T05.png 126 0 text "This can't be solved by apologizing. text You were assigned to serve Nii-san to avoid this kind of situation. text So what were you doing..!?" text Completely different from her usual manner, Akiha gives full vent to her anger. text In comparison, Hisui is accepting the scolding silently, looking down. text .... I'm not sure how this all came about. text But I can at least tell Hisui is being yelled at because of me. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T11A.png -24 0 setimg HIS_T05.png 126 0 text "Answer me, Hisui. text What were you doing and where were you all day long?" text ~ text Hisui doesn't answer. text The air grows tenser between them. text Biting her lip, Akiha takes a step towards Hisui. bgload BG_40C.png text .... Even I understand that Akiha intends to hit her. text Hisui seems to know this as well, but she just stands with her head hung in shame, ready to receive it. text "----Hold on, Akiha." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T15A.png 40 0 text "Nii-san--You're awake!?" text "Yeah, you were so loud, I woke up." text "Ah........" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T16A.png 40 0 text Akiha looks away uncomfortably. text Hisui still keeps looking down, not even trying to look at me. text "You know, you shouldn't let it out on Hisui. text I don't know the circumstances, but this has to do with me collapsing, right? text It's not her fault, I just collapsed on my own." text I strain hard and somehow manage to lift the upper half of my body off the bed. text ~ text But that's all I can manage, and I don't think I can even move an inch more. text But since Hisui is depressed, I have to force myself to act as fine as possible. text ".... Honestly, getting into a fight over me. text Even if you look like an adult, you're still a child." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17A.png 40 0 text "But.. you completely fainted, Nii-san. text You were out for more than ten hours, and nothing like this has happened before. text If----you never woke up, what would I have done....!?" text "Idiot, don't say things like that. text Wasn't this just anemia? text .... Huh? text It's ten o'clock already!?" text ".... Yes, You have been unconscious since noon." text Akiha speaks hesitantly. text "------" text All the strength drains from my body. text I must have slept that long since then. text I wasn't able to go to Senpai's apartment and just slept the time away. text ".... Man, I haven't passed out this long since elementary school. text Oh yeah, I did pass out often back then, since I wasn't used to living at the Arimas and I was stressed out." text ~ text Everything is still woozy like I'm still dreaming. text Blanking out, I stare at the ceiling as I remember some of my past. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... That is true. text It has only been a week since you came back here. text Nii-san, you must be exhausted." text "--Yeah. text I felt that today." text "Didn't you? text So please just rest today. text Your health is weaker than most people's, so your body gets tired unless you take a day off sometimes." text She looks at me with a serious expression. text "............" text .... Just like she says. text I should just forget everything. text I shouldn't think about Senpai or vampires and just rest, or I'll really tire out. text Going on a rampage like that and smashing that chair, there must be something wrong with me. text ".... Yeah, like you say, I'll just go to sleep." text I lie back down. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T17A.png 40 0 text "Really....? text You're not going to sneak out of the room later?" text "What, you don't trust me?" text .... I guess not. text Because, these past few days I've been ignoring her and leaving. bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text "Hisui, tell Kohaku that Nii-san is awake. text Nii-san, what about dinner?" text ".... Oh yeah. text No, tell Kohaku-san I'm sorry, but I don't think I can eat right now. text I'm just going to go to sleep." text ".... I understand. text Then Hisui, tell Kohaku that." text Still looking downcast, Hisui nods and leaves the room. text .... Well then. text Lying down in bed, I start to feel sleepy again. text Like this, I bet I could fall asleep in a minute.. text ~ text ---But, before that. text "Akiha. text There's a place like that in the garden?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T01A.png 40 0 text "Yes. text When we were children, we used to play there often." text "Oh. text For some reason, I don't remember it well." text .... Yeah. text I really did forget all about it. text "And one more thing. text .... It's a weird question, but when we were kids----wasn't there another kid with us?" text "Huh?" text She tilts her head, like she doesn't understand what I'm saying. text .... I guess so. text There couldn't have been another kid. text That was just a dream. text That clearing. text Myself as a child, killed by someone who looked like me. text There's something wrong with that. text If that's true, what am I doing here right now? text "No, it's nothing. text Just talking about a dream." text "Is that so? text Then, goodnight Nii-san. text Please rest well." text "Yeah, I will." bgload IMA_10.png text The instant I answer her, text I fall asleep almost as if I just passed out again. music ~ jump s273.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_14.png text I'm in a dark place. text Eight years since I awoke. text I've been holding my breath in darkness the whole time. text I don't even know why. text That has long since been worn away. text Here, there is only darkness. text But, I know there is something I have to do. text I don't know why I live. text But I know my purpose. text The chains which held me are all gone. text There is nothing holding me back. text ~ text All that's left, text ~ text is killing you. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text Tweet. text Tweet tweet. text Chirp. text Chirp. text ~ text Is the window open? text I can hear the voices of small birds coming from the garden. text ~ text A cool breeze brushes my face. text The brilliant sunlight hits my eyes. text A quiet, delicate tinge. text ~ text A gentle, morning visit. bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text Morning? text It seems I slept until now after Akiha treated me. text My body still feels a little heavy. text But still I feel much better than last night. text Opening my eyes, I get up. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40A.png text "Ugh........" text I feel like throwing up instantly. text I still have my anemia from yesterday? text My chest hurts and I feel sick. text ~ bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Please excuse me." text Hisui enters my room. text She must've thought I was still asleep because she seems surprised to see me up. text "Good morning. text It seems you have awakened, Shiki-sama." text "----" text For some reason, text Hisui's reaction annoys me. text "Morning. text Breakfast, right? text I'll be there soon, so just get out. text I'm going to change." bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T04.png 62 0 text ".... Yes, please excuse me." bgload BG_40A.png text ".........." text No matter how poor of a mood I'm in, letting it out on Hisui like that.. there's something wrong with me. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40A.png text "----" text I feel sick. text Even if I go to school like this, I won't be able to do anything. text ~ text ".... Maybe I'll just stay home." text But, I have to go. text If I go to school, I may see Senpai again. text .... She may not be the "Senpai" I want---but she may still be there. text ~ text "-----Whew." text Taking a deep breath, I settle down. text Managing to resist my dizziness, I leave my room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_34A.png bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T16A.png 40 0 text "Oh, Nii-san. text .... Good, morning." text .... As soon as I enter the sitting room, Akiha greets me hollowly. text ".... Yeah, morning. text You're up early Akiha." text "I am always up this early but.... Nii, san?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T12A.png 40 0 text ".... Are you alright? text Your face still looks pale. text If you do not feel well, you can stay home---" text "No, I'm fine. text I'm better, so you don't need to worry." text I answer her quickly and pass right by. text I head to the dining room since I'll probably collapse if I don't eat. text "See ya. text Isn't it about time for school?" bgload BG_34A.png setimg AKI_T17A.png 40 0 text "............ Yes. text Then, I will be going now." text Speaking hesitantly, she stands up quietly. bgload BG_34A.png text Akiha exits the sitting room. text After watching her go out of the corner of my eye, I enter the dining room. music ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_23A.png text I leave the mansion and head for school. text My limbs are still heavy, and with a feeling like I'm in someone else's body, I go down the hill. bgload BG_01A.png text It's seven-forty. text The gate becomes congested with students hurrying to class. text ~ text "............" text I don't think Senpai will come, but is waiting here better than waiting in my classroom? text ~ choice Wait here.|Go to the classroom.|Go behind the school. if selected == 1 jump s274.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s275.scr fi if selected == 3 jump s276.scr fi bgload BG_01A.png text "...." text I'll wait here. text I don't think Senpai will come.. but maybe she'll come to school like she did yesterday. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01A.png text ---It's about time. text ~ text At about ten minutes before homeroom, the main gates are closed. text "...." text Senpai is not coming. text Sighing, I head towards the classroom with heavy steps. bgload IMA_10.png jump s277.scr bgload BG_01A.png text "...." text No, I get the feeling that I won't be able to see Senpai by waiting here. text If Senpai doesn't feel like seeing me, she'll leave as soon as she sees me. text I should go to the classroom first and think about what to do. bgload IMA_10.png jump s277.scr bgload BG_01A.png text "......" text No, I have a feeling that I won't see Senpai if I wait here. text If Senpai doesn't feel like seeing me, she'll leave as soon as she sees me. text .... If that's the case, she won't come to school through the front gate. text ~ text ".... If she even comes, it'll be through the back gate." text I rush to the back of the school with this thought in mind. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png text ----*sigh* text No one is here. text Not even students coming to school through the back gate. text .... But, I still wait for Senpai who for sure isn't coming. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png text The chime sounds once, telling me that the gate closes. text .... Senpai didn't come. text I should go back before homeroom starts. bgload IMA_10.png jump s277.scr bgload BG_06A.png text Homeroom is about to start, but it is still very rowdy in the classroom. text I take my seat by the window and set down my bag. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Hey, mornin'. text You're looking pretty bad today." text ".... Sheesh. text Everyone looks at me and says the same thing. text Do I look that sick?" text "Eh---? text .... Yeah, come to think of it, you look normal. text I don't know, but you look really down, Tohno." text "........ Down, huh? text .." text Certainly my spirits are low. text Ever since Senpai said farewell, my body has been heavy and both my mind and body are knocked out. text "---Arihiko. text Did you see Senpai today?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png 40 0 text "Huh? text Senpai? text Which Senpai?" text "Which? text .... the only Senpai we both know is Ciel-senpai." text "Shiel-Senpai? text .... Who's that? text Are there any foreign students at our school?" text ~ text ----My mouth hangs open in amazement. text ~ text ".... Arihiko, you...." text I manage to stammer this out in my confusion. text But, nothing else comes out. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "You okay Tohno? text Just spit it out. text As long as it's not asking for money, I'll help you out." text ~ text Arihiko is acting like he always does. text Just like always, he completely does not remember about Senpai. text ~ text ".... Nah, it's nothing. text Sit down, class'll start." text "Oh, it's that time. text Well, later." bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko goes back to his own seat and the teacher arrives. text Homeroom starts, followed by physics, the first period class. text ~ text ---I watch it like a movie on a screen. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_03.png text Senpai.. really disappeared. text Not just from my sight, but the person known as Ciel-senpai is gone completely without a trace. text Arihiko doesn't remember her. text .... I'm sure no one else does either. text That farewell, this is what it meant. text "--------" text The movie in front of me continues playing, showing a teacher using white chalk on a blackboard. text Nothing seems real anymore. text Once classes are over and break time begins, that person will never come again, ever. text During lunch, we will never sit in the tea ceremony room and spend the time aimlessly over lunch. text .... Somewhere. text I had a thread of hope, but that is gone as well. text ~ text I've lost Ciel completely. text I still haven't---haven't done anything. text Haven't told her anything. text We spent time eating lunch together on a nice day such as today. text ~ text That was, a distant, precious dream---- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png text I realize the number of my classmates in the room is dwindling. text ~ text ---It seems it's now lunch time. text "............" text I don't feel like doing anything. text I feel sluggish, so I'll just--- text ~ choice Space out here in the classroom.|Go eat some lunch. if selected == 1 jump s278.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s279.scr fi bgload BG_06A.png text ---I'll just stay in the classroom. text ~ text Senpai isn't there no matter where I go. text No matter what I do, she won't come back--- bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06B.png text The end of the day homeroom session is over. text My chatting classmates get out of their seats. text After staring at them blankly, I get out of my seat to go back to the mansion. text ---Back to the mansion. text But it's not like there's anything if I go back. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E05A.png bgload BG_06B.png text "........" text I know I can never reach her, but I can't give up. text "Damn it---what the hell should I do....!" text ~ text Voicing my thoughts angrily, I leave the classroom. bgload BG_11B.png text .... I look up and find myself in front of the tea ceremony room. text Even though she won't be here, my legs walk in on their own. bgload BG_09B.png text "-------Ha." text Of course, no one is here. text I wasn't expecting anything, but when I'm hit hard like this, my vision seems to waver. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_09B.png text The world starts to spin around me. music 04.mp3 bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Instantly, it happens. bgload BG_09B.png text The ground shakes. text I think to myself it's a large earthquake---but I realize it's not the ground shaking, but the impact of my body hitting the floor that I felt. text "Ah----eh?" text I can't speak well. text ~ text Panting. text The gasping breaths can be no one else's but mine. text But I don't feel bad. text It's more like I don't feel anything, like I have no sense of feeling at all. text The sound of frantic breathing. text ~ text Even though I'm not exhausted, my throat painfully gasps for air. text I don't feel anything. text I feel like the collapsed body here isn't mine. text The sound of gasping. text ~ text Something's---weird. text As I lie breathing wildly on the floor, blood spreads out on the tatami mats---- text "----Gah." text ~ text Suddenly, text a stabbing pain fills my chest. jump s282.scr bgload BG_06A.png text ---Nothing's going to get done if I just rot here. text ~ text Besides, I'm not in the best health right now, so if I don't eat I'll really collapse. text "Guess I'll go to the cafeteria." text Thinking aloud, I get up from my desk. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text The big rush must be over because there isn't a line. text The tables are mostly full of students already eating. text I glance around the room to see if there are any seats left. text ~ text ---And then, bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 bgload BG_50.png text ~ text .... I see someone who looks like Senpai. text "----Haha." text I laugh loudly. text Mistaking someone for Ciel-senpai because there's a small resemblance.. I truly am beat. text I know I'm beat, but I can't take my eyes away from this person that looks like her. text This person that looks like her sits at the table slurping up udon. text It's curry udon too. text Even her food resembles what Senpai would eat. text ~ text "------Ah." text ~ text Actually, it is Senpai. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "----Senpai!" text I dash with all my strength towards Senpai. text "-------" bgload BG_50.png text Senpai looks up at me, then glances away quickly. text She's clearly avoiding me. text But, that doesn't matter. text "Senpai, why are you here....!" text I blurt that out because I can't even think of anything else to say. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Why am I here? text I'm a student here, you know. text If I don't eat during lunchtime, I'll collapse." text "No, that's not what I mean, but---" bgload BG_50.png text I don't know what to say. text My brain just stopped functioning. text She looks away from me as if she wants to complain. text "I thought it was strange for you to be here. text Just yesterday, you said farewell, so I thought I would never see you again---" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Yes, because it was getting late. text Students should go back home at that time, yes?" text Simply. text With a straight face, she says this outrageous punch line. text "Wha---" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "Or, Tohno-kun, are you saying people like me shouldn't come to school?" text Her eyes, that were so devoid of emotion yesterday, look directly into mine. text ~ text .... A student like me? text That's what she said. text I don't know if she's really a vampire or not. text But she healed from that fatal wound quickly, so she has to be something more than human, like Arcueid. text You just can't say that's human. text But still. text To me, she is a very dear person. text I still don't know exactly what kind of feelings I have for her. text But with just half a day. text It was only half a day, but just thinking she wasn't in my world anymore made me feel like reality was nothing I should care for. text So---for me, she is someone I can't lose. text ".... Senpai, I---" text I'd be lying if I said all of it, but I don't care. text Even if she is the same as Arcueid, Senpai is still Senpai. text That is an absolute truth I believe in. text Yes, I should say those words I couldn't say last night. text ~ text However, before that.. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Fine. text I cannot help it if you hate me, Tohno-kun. text But this is my daily life, so no matter what you say, I decided to do as I please." text ~ text She speaks directly. text "You don't have any complaints, right?" Senpai says and stares at me. text "........ Huh?" text Of course, no complaints here. text I feel like such an idiot worrying about it so much. text The strength drains from my body. text But more than that, I can't help but feel really happy. text ".... Yeah, of course I don't have any complaints. text Because up until now, I was ignoring all your warnings and doing as I pleased too, Senpai." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "That is acceptable. text Then, let's shake hands." text She sticks out her hand. text I don't know what she's thinking, but I take her outstretched hand. text ~ text Senpai shakes it up and down. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, then this is a sign that we have made peace. text Let's stay this way, okay Tohno-kun?" text She flashes a full, truly happy smile. bgload BG_50.png text With that, she stands up, taking her tray as she walks away. text ~ text .... I don't know where, but she seems to be heading somewhere. text "Ah----" text After putting her dishes in their place, she exits the cafeteria. text .... That's fine. text I'm happy that she is still here at school, and that we've made up but---can I let things go about Arcueid, and that vampire we're hunting? text ~ music ~ choice I guess so.|No, it does matter. if selected == 1 jump s280.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s281.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_11A.png text The hall during lunchtime is packed. text Students head to the cafeteria or to their favorite places, lunches in hand. text Caught in the flow of people, I contemplate whether I should go to the cafeteria or the store. text "...." text I'm taken aback by my own leisure. text If I have time to waste here, it'd be better if I go to the cafeteria where Arihiko is. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. text Because I spaced out in the hallway, empty seats are pretty much non-existent at this point. text ~ text "---Aren't there any empty seats?" text I cast my gaze over the crowded cafeteria. text There shouldn't be any spare seats this late, but I decide to check the tables out anyway. text ".... Ah." text I'm surprised.... no, I'm astounded. text There, plain as day, is a table with not two, not even three, but four unoccupied seats. text There are two students sitting at the table, and it seems like one of them noticed me during my efforts to locate a seat. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Yo, Tohno!" text The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. bgload BG_50.png text "...." text My head hurts. text But there isn't anywhere else to sit, so I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text An unexpected person is sitting at the table with him. text "Huh, Ciel-senpai?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 text "Ah, if it isn't Tohno-kun." text We point at each other simultaneously. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yo, Tohno---hey wait.... Senpai, do you know Tohno?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yes, I've met him once today already. text We bumped into each other with a bang today, didn't we, Tohno-kun?" text "Ah.... yes, sorry about that." text I lower my head in apology. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Not at all. text I'm also sorry for spacing out like that. text You're a serious person, aren't you, Tohno-kun?" text "Serious....? text No, not really." text Smiling, Senpai gives a satisfied nod. text How should I say this.... Senpai has a unique atmosphere around her. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "But it's sure surprising that Tohno-kun and Inui-kun know each other. text Could it be that you two are in the same class?" text "That's right! text Me and Tohno are more than casual acquaintances! text We've been in the same class since our first year, and we've been inseparable best friends since middle school!" text My best friend strikes the table with a bang for emphasis. text .... Is it just me, or is he more hyper than usual? bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Come on, best friend, sit down! text If you just keep standing there vacantly, your chikara-udon is going to go stale. text Hurry up and sit down, and let me hear all about how you got to know Senpai." text Arihiko slaps my back cheerfully. text "...." text While I really have no story like Arihiko might be hoping for, there are no other seats available. text Reluctantly, I take a seat next to him. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text It seems Arihiko is close with Senpai. text In contrast with me, who's only met her a few times, he's able to talk to her quite casually. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "By the way, Senpai, you said you ran into Tohno, what happened?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yes, I bumped into Tohno-kun between classes. text I wasn't hurt, but Tohno-kun bumped his head." text "Hmm.... I wouldn't have thought Tohno would do something as clumsy as that. text This guy may look spaced out, but he's actually an unbelievably sharp guy. text He doesn't like to depend on others, and he hates causing trouble for others...." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Ah, I also got that impression. text He was only concerned about me when we ran into each other, and he apologized to me just now, too." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "See? text That's the kind of guy he is, so he doesn't make those kind of mistakes. text .... Ah, could it be that your anemia was acting up again?" text Arihiko's voice shows his serious concern for my physical health. text ".... No, it's not that. text I was running to the office to deal with some details for me moving. text That's when I ran into Senpai." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text Well, I thought you became careless because you're depressed over the move." text Arihiko folds his arms and nods to himself in agreement. text ----And then, text ~ bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T10A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun, are you changing schools!?" text Senpai exclaims almost hysterically. text "I'm not changing schools, Senpai. text I'm just changing my place of residence, so I filed the paperwork for a change-of-address." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Eh.... So that means you're going to be living alone?" text "No, I'm just going back to my real home. text It's that fancy place on top of the hill. text I still can't quite believe it yet." text "Oh.... Could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" text Senpai asks with some hesitation. text The western-style house on top of the hill is probably seen as something special to the residents of this town. text I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. text "Yeah, that's right. text I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Hmm.... You don't seem too happy about it." text "It's not a particularly good or bad thing. text I don't really understand it myself." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? text I can understand if you're feeling restless. text It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." text "I wonder if that's so.... I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. text Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Hmph. text Listen, you, I'm not impressed with how you come to stay at my house every time something bad happens. text I like your personality trait of not standing out, but I've hated how you're always too reserved for a long time now!" text Arihiko strikes the table with a bang again. text "...." text Well, everything Arihiko said is true, so there's no way to fight back. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Inui-kun, does Tohno-kun really stay at your house that often?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yeah, he does. text That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents and he would come to my place every long vacation. text He's reserved towards them cause they're taking care of him. text That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. text Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" text Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say 'unforgivable!' bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text ".... Taking care of Tohno-kun?" text "Ah----" text Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text ".... Sorry. text I should've thought before I spoke." text "It's okay. text You didn't say anything bad." text I continue to eat my chikara-udon without looking at Arihiko. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text Yeah, you're right. text If you complain about that, you'll be in for some punishment." text Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. text His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun, um.... did you not get along with your previous family?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "No, that's not it. text This guy had no problem with the Arimas. text Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. text They're really nice people, and from what I could see, they're a happy family. text Even so, he refused to be their adopted child, and he escaped to my place every vacation. text Sheesh.... just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" text "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied about. text It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." bgload BG_50.png text .... Senpai drops her shoulders and falls silent. text It looks like she's sorry for asking about my family situation. text "It's okay, Senpai. text Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Eh, not at all. text I'm sorry for asking you something so strange, too." text Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. text The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. text And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. text "Listen, Senpai---" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Um, I've finished eating, so I'll be leaving now. text I'm really sorry." bgload BG_50.png text Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves her seat. text ~ text Only me and Arihiko remain at the table. text ".... Sorry. text You were finally able to eat with just the two of you, but I got in the way." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Don't worry about it. text That was my fault for not paying attention. text I thought it was bad for Senpai, actually." .... *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* text Arihiko slurps away at his udon. text It looks like it's gotten cold while we were talking. text "Well, that was convenient for us, anyway. text I've got something to talk to you about in private, so it was lucky that Senpai left first." text "What's wrong? text Getting all serious all of a sudden. text I'll tell you now, I don't have any money. text From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless youth." text "It's not that, damn it. text What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" text "What do you mean?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? text I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. text Your dad has basically disinherited you. text Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" text .... I see. text In his own way, he is worried about me. text "He didn't 'disinherit' me. text He just kicked me out of the house for some reason." text "Tohno-kun, if there ever is a house that kicks their child out of their house 'for some reason', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." text Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. text ".... Yeah, I guess you're right. text If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." text "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? text That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' text Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." text "...." text .......... Who knows? text That's something I'd like to know, too. text "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." bgload BG_50.png text Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains his cold udon soup. text Lunchtime is short. text Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly eat my own chikara-udon. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s31.scr bgload BG_50.png text ".... Oh well. text We're finally friends again, and if I talk to her about Arcueid, she'll probably get angry once more." text For now, I have to maintain this relationship. text I watch Senpai as she leaves and then dig into my meal. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06B.png text The end of the day homeroom session is over. text My chattering classmates all get up from their seats. text "----Well then." text I should wait here a bit and see what happens. text Senpai might come here, and even if she doesn't, I can go to the tea ceremony room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06B.png text It doesn't seem like Senpai is coming. text I guess I just have to go to the tea ceremony room. bgload BG_11B.png text My legs quickly exit the classroom and head there. text ~ text ---Well, meeting Senpai means there are a lot of things we have to talk about. text About the vampire in this town, and about Arcueid. text Even though I know it will be painful to talk about them, I still get excited at the chance to be with Senpai again. text I start to breathe hard---- text ~ text I dash down towards the tea ceremony room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_09B.png text There isn't anyone here. text It seems like she hasn't come here yet. text ~ text .... *pant*.... *pant*. text ~ text .... I think I got too excited. text Sitting down on the tatami mat, I catch my breath. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*. text ~ text My heated body doesn't cool off that easily. text I painfully gasp for air. text My body is drenched in sweat, and I feel terrible. text My panting fills the air. text ~ text There's---something weird. text I've been resting for a while, but my breathing is getting worse. text In the first place, why is my body tired after only running this little distance....? music 04.mp3 text "---Gah!?" text ~ text Suddenly, text a stabbing pain fills my chest. jump s282.scr bgload BG_50.png text ".... This can't be good as it is. text Senpai, hey!" text I hurry after her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_05A.png music 02.mp3 bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "Oh? text Tohno-kun, fifth period will start soon you know. text You should hurry back to class." text "Idiot, the same goes for you. text Why are you out here in the courtyard---" text .... I see. text She's only pretending to be a student, so she doesn't really need to go to class. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Hehe, that's right. text I will be late to fifth period too. text I thought I would skip the rest of class, but maybe I should seriously attend class after all." text Senpai smiles happily. text ".... Senpai? text Don't tell me, you've been taking classes....?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Of course I was! text I wouldn't be dressed like this if I wasn't!" text .... She seems quite angry. text "----Ha, haha." text "Hey, what's so funny, Tohno-kun!?" text "No, it's just---so happy and so angry, I knew that you really were Ciel-senpai after all." text I really am happy. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ".... Huh? text I am me, but why would that make you laugh, Tohno-kun?" text "Ah, it's nothing. text More importantly, Senpai. text About, um. text Arcueid---" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "---Ugh." text In a flash, Senpai looks up at me with emotionless eyes. text .... It's hard to speak. text It's hard to speak, but this is why I came after her. text ".... Please listen to me without getting angry. text You told me to stop, but I just can't leave this vampire thing alone." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T06A.png 52 0 text .... Uh-oh. text Her emotionless eyes seem to become tinged with anger. text ".... Anyways, I can't just ignore this vampire. text But I kind of broke up with Arcueid because of yesterday, and I can't do anything without help. text So---if you're looking for this vampire, can I help you?" text ~ text .... Senpai is quiet. text She takes a deep breath. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "I refuse." text And says so with a smile. text "You refuse? text Why!?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Of course I would! text Tohno-kun, don't you remember almost being killed by her!? text Hunting vampires means being in continual danger of death. text I will not let you be involved in such a thing, Tohno-kun!" text "---I know, but I'm saying I'm prepared for that! text I might not look like it, but I've experienced many near-death situations. text I can at least protect myself!" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text ".... Um, Tohno-kun. text How can you say that? text I will admit that you have very good athletic abilities. text Even though you have a weak constitution, your body itself is excellent." text Slumping her shoulders, Senpai says something very surprising. text ".... R, really?" text The tension seems to disappear, and I blurt that out in response. text "Yes. text Tohno-kun, you got naked when you spent the night at my house. text I saw you then. text Not flabbiness, but tight muscles. text You were far away, but I thought your body was very well-formed." text ".... Naked-----But I, didn't get naked." text "Did you forget? text Tohno-kun, did you not change before you entered the bath?" text Ah, that's right. text Certainly I did take off my clothes and had her wash them for me--- text "Senpai, I didn't know you were someone who likes to peek at people who are changing." bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T11.png 52 0 text "---Eh, no, that was, just an accident, I, um, happened to see it, and was a little curious, and thought maybe it would be alright.." text Her face turns a deep red as she stammers her excuses. text .... I guess she's remembering what she saw that time. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08B.png 52 0 text "Geez, look! text No matter how good your body is Tohno-kun, ordinary people cannot stand up against a vampire." text Oh, that's why she doesn't want me to fight. bgload BG_05A.png text "I see. text Then, it's no problem." text I take off my glasses. text ~ bgload BG_05B.png text ~ text I take out my knife. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_05B.png text ~ text My headache starts to flare up. text Resisting that, I cut an appropriate "line" on a nearby tree. bgload BG_05A.png bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, that---" text ".... That's how it is. text Sorry, but my eyes aren't normal. text Arcueid told me I can see the 'death' of things, and they're called something like the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception." text Her eyes widen as she takes it all in. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "--I, see. text So it isn't the knife that's special, but it's you, Tohno-kun." text ".... Not special. text It's just a side effect of an accident I had." text "---That is why she was so interested in you. text Your eyes have too much power for an individual to have." text She suddenly seems drained of all energy. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... Certainly, with that kind of power, it is more dangerous to leave you alone Tohno-kun. text And even if I did refuse, you would probably search for the vampire yourself anyway, and he---couldn't afford to ignore you." text "Senpai....? text You mean---" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I do not want you to be involved, but it's too late. text I cannot deny that you have any connection to this any longer." text "So, it's okay if we go after this vampire together?" bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I am prepared to do that." text Senpai extends out a hand. text But I can feel it's different than when we shook hands in the cafeteria. text "-----" text Of course, I take her hand. text Our hands meet briefly, and the handshake is over. text ~ bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "This makes us a team now. text I am counting on you Tohno-kun, so please count on me. text From now on, the two of us will hunt down the vampire in this city." text She speaks with a gentle smile. text As I nod wordlessly, the chime sounds, signaling the end of lunchtime. bgload BG_05A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "After classes, please come to the tea ceremony room. text We can talk more then." bgload BG_05A.png text Senpai runs towards the school building. text I'm late too, so I run as well. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_06B.png text The end of the day homeroom session is over. text My chattering classmates all get up from their seats. text I usually just linger until the chaos has passed over, but today I stand up with everyone else. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11B.png text I quickly walk out of the classroom. text I head for the tea ceremony room. text A lot has happened between Senpai and me, but it really turned out well. text I'm glad to be able to help her, and I can be more assured than I was fighting by myself. text ~ text But, more than that---I'm excited just to have the chance to be with Senpai once more. text ~ text I breathe hard---- text ~ text I dash towards the tea ceremony room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_09B.png text There isn't anyone here. text It seems like she hasn't come here yet. text ~ text .... *pant*.... *pant*. text ~ text .... I think I got too excited. text Sitting down on the tatami mat, I catch my breath. text ~ text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*. text ~ text My heated body doesn't cool off that easily. text I painfully gasp for air. text My body is drenched in sweat, and I feel terrible. text ~ text My gasping fills the air. text ~ text There's---something weird. text I've been resting for a while, but my breathing is getting worse. text In the first place, why is my body tired after only running this little distance....? bgload BG_09B.png music 04.mp3 text ~ text "---Gah!?" text ~ text Suddenly, text pain fills my chest. if ciel_regard >= 9 jump s283.scr fi jump s282.scr bgload BG_09B.png text "Tsss, ah........!" text My body falls with a crash. text "Ah, ah, ah........!" text My entire body is convulsing. text It, hurts. text My chest, my chest is, burning,,,,,,! bgload IMA_11B.png text "----,---,aaaah......!" text My mind is drifting away. text My fingers claw at the tatami mats in pain. text I pull and rip at the mats. text But, it doesn't stop the pain. text "Hagh, gah, ghaaaaa....!" text Pain. text ~ text Pain. text ~ text Pain. text Such pain, is frightening. text "U, ugah, kuaaaa......!" text I can't bear it. text If it lasts another second, text then, it would be better, just to die----! text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Fine. text I'll grant your wish, Shiki." text "----Eh?" text I lift my head off the floor. text Before that. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_09C.png text Before that. text My pain disappears. text I don't feel pain anywhere. text I don't even feel heavy. text I don't even feel.. alive. text "----" text I try to say something, but my throat doesn't move. text There's nothing. text No pain, text no sensation, text not even, freedom. text "-----!" text I don't know what's going on, so I try to get up. text ~ text My body doesn't even twitch. text It's not that I'm tied down, nor is it that my entire body is numb. text ~ text If I have to give a metaphor, text it's like my body is already dead, but my mind is mistakenly still lingering in my body. text "------" text Of my five senses, only my sight is still alive. text .... the room is dark. text It's night outside already. text "---" text I can't move my face, so I move my eyes. text "---Oh? text I thought you had completely disappeared, but you're awfully persistent, Shiki." text I can hear a voice I shouldn't be able to hear. text "----!" text I glance around the dark as best as I can. text There, text I see something I don't know about. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text "----" text Who is that? text I've never seen him. text I've never seen him---but I feel like, I've known him from a long, long time ago. sound SE_01.wav -1 text "What's this? text How mean of you, Shiki. text You've been looking for me for so long and when I come out, you don't remember me?" text With an amused laugh, he stares at me with blood-shot eyes. text "-----" text My mind, the only thing still working, freezes. text He didn't say it yet, text But---I know he is a vampire. text That he is the "Serpent" Senpai and Arcueid are looking for. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text ".... No, that's wrong. text Certainly I am the vampire known as the Serpent of Akasha. text But to you, I'm not the Serpent, but rather, SHIKI, right? bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ---Man, how cold of you. text You make me look stupid for thinking about you all these eight years." text -----? text SHIKI? text Eight years? text What is that----? text "---Did you really forget Shiki? text .... Was the old man's hypnosis that good or---did you lose your memory after dying once? text Shit, either way, what a waste! text Do you understand!? text These eight years, I've waited these eight years! text I've waited for this instance where I could steal everything from you, the one who killed me! text But what use is it now if you don't remember!?" text "-----" text What is, he saying? text I---killed him? text "That's right! text If you've forgotten, then remember. text The three of us were always together, right? text In the Tohno mansion. text Akiha and you, and I would play in the garden together. text Before I became like this eight years ago that day!" bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_06.png bgload BG_09C.png text ---I, can't remember. text Certainly---it seems like there was another kid with us back then. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ".... You can't remember? text And we were such good friends too." text He grits his teeth. text His whole body quivers with emotion as if he was brimming with vexation. text "---Geez. text Was I the only one in pain? text That's terrible, Shiki. text I was always locked away by my old man, but I could always sense you. text Haha. text Because I was using your 'life'. text Even though we're not connected by blood, we're connected by our souls." text "That's why you---I wanted you to have a terribly gruesome end." text How unfortunate, he says. text "What I wanted to say is this, Shiki. text I'm your brother. text But you and Akiha seem to have heartlessly forgotten that." text "-----" text My.... Tohno Shiki's, brother......? bgload IMA_10.png text "---If you've forgotten, then there's nothing to talk about. text Your painful death is the goal of this body.... of Tohno SHIKI. text I've gone along with that this long, but it's time to lower the curtain. text Even for me---to have two bodies with one life is not very efficient." text The voice nears. text I'll be killed like this. text .... No, I say I'll die, but maybe I'm already dead. text My arms and legs can't move. text My eyes, my ears, my nose don't work. text ~ text That's why there isn't even any pain. text I am killed so vaguely that I don't even realize it. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s522.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_13.png text "Tsss, ah........!" text My body falls with a crash. text "Ah, ah, ah........!" text My entire body is convulsing. text It, hurts. text My chest, my chest is, burning,,,,,,! text "----,aaaah......!" text My mind is drifting away. text My fingers claw at the tatami mats in pain. text I pull and rip at the mats. text But, it doesn't stop the pain. text "Hagh, ghah, ghaaaaa....!" text Pain. text Pain. text Pain. text ~ text Such pain, is frightening. text "U, ugah, kuaaaa......!" text I can't bear it. text If it lasts another second, text then, it would be better, just to die----! text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Fine. text I'll grant your wish Shiki." text "----Eh?" text I lift my head off the floor. text Before that. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_09C.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_09C.png bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_09C.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text Before that, text my pain disappears. text I don't feel pain anywhere. text I don't even feel heavy. text ~ text I don't even feel.. alive. text "----" text I try to say something, but my throat doesn't move. text There's nothing. text No pain, text no sensation, text not even, freedom. text "-----!" text I don't know what's going on, so I try to get up. text My body doesn't even twitch. text It's not that I'm tied down, nor is it that my entire body is numb. text ~ text If I have to give a metaphor, text it's like my body is already dead, but my mind is mistakenly still lingering in my body. text "------" text Of my five senses, only my sight is still alive. text .... the room is dark. text It is already night outside. text "---" text I can't move my face, so I move my eyes. text ~ text ----, -----, ------, text ~ text Something. text I hear something nearby. text But I can't really hear anything. text It seems something is wrong with my ears since I can't even hear my own breathing. text ~ text Just, text I feel like I can dimly hear a pained voice calling my name. text "---Oh? text I thought you had completely disappeared, but you're awfully persistent, Shiki." text I can hear a voice I shouldn't be able to hear. text "----!" text I glance around the dark as best as I can. text There, text I see something I don't know about. sound ~ bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "----" text Who is that? text I've never seen him. text I've never seen him---but I feel like, I've known him from a long, long time ago. text "What's this? text How mean of you, Shiki. text You've been looking for me for so long and when I come out, you don't remember me?" text With an amused laugh, he stares at me with blood-shot eyes. text "-----" text My mind, the only thing still working, freezes. text ~ text He didn't say it yet, text But---I know he is a vampire. text That he is the "Serpent" Senpai and Arcueid are looking for. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text ".... No, that's wrong. text Certainly I am the vampire known as the Serpent of Akasha. text But to you, I'm not the Serpent, but rather, SHIKI, right? bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ---Man, how cold of you. text You make me look stupid for thinking about you all these eight years. text Hey, don't you feel the same way Ciel?" text He says that while looking at me. text "----!" text Senpai. text Is Senpai here? text But where? text I can't see her, nor do I sense her presence. text If she is here, then why isn't she doing anything about him? text In front of me. text Right now, our enemy is in front of me......! bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "You shouldn't ask Ciel something she can't do that much about. text Right now, she isn't in a condition to really show herself in front of others. text Well, in the first place---I don't think you can really see anything right now." text ~ text Another sound. text Something. text I can hear the sound of something tenaciously, almost madly clawing the tatami mats. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ".... Hey, didn't I tell you not to pay attention to that....!? text Look Shiki, the only thing you should see is me. text The only thing you should hear is my voice. text The only existence you should acknowledge is mine. text The only one that lets you live is me......! text Finally, at last, I've met you here, so don't think of anything other than me---!" text ----A sharp sound. text From the hand of the man before me---this vampire called the Serpent, I hear a sickening sound. text And then, I hear a faint, pained gasp. text ~ text ----no, ku--n text I can't quite make it out. text "---Did you really forget Shiki? text .... Was the old man's hypnosis that good or---did you lose your memory after dying once? text Shit, either way, what a waste! text Do you understand!? text These eight years, I've waited these eight years! text I've waited for this instance where I could steal everything from you, the one who killed me! text But what use is it now if you don't remember!?" text "-----" text What is, he saying? text I---killed him? text "That's right! text If you've forgotten, then remember. text The three of us were always together, right? text In the Tohno mansion. text Akiha and you, and I would play in the garden together. text Before I became like this eight years ago that day!" bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_06.png text ~ text ---I, can't remember. text Certainly---it seems like there was another kid with us back then. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_09C.png bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ".... You can't remember? text And we were such good friends too." text He grits his teeth. text His whole body quivers with emotion as if he was brimming with vexation. text "---Geez. text Was I the only one in pain? text That's terrible, Shiki. text I was always locked away by my old man, but I could always sense you. text Haha. text Because I was using your 'life'. text Even though we're not connected by blood, we're connected by our souls." text "That's why you---I wanted you to have a terribly gruesome end." text How unfortunate, he says. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That sound again. text The sound of someone clawing at the tatami mats. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 text ".... What an annoying woman. text I stole this life. text This was mine since eight years ago! text You think I can just give it back to Shiki? text In the first place, I would die without it. text Ciel, are you telling me to die? text How cruel. text Just be quiet and stay dead right there." text ~ text Another piercing sound. text The clawing noise stops. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "----Hmm, where were we? text Ah, that's right. text We were talking about how deep our bonds were. text What I wanted to say is this, Shiki. text I'm your brother. text But you and Akiha seem to have heartlessly forgotten that." text "-----" text My.... Tohno Shiki's, brother......? bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text ".... Well, I'll keep it at that. text Shiki, you've heard from Ciel about me, right? text A reincarnating soul. text A vampire that returns to life after it dies." text His eyes narrow. text His mood turns different from before. text His soft, almost human personality starts to disappear. text "This is my eighteenth reincarnation. text You know about my requirements for the new reincarnating body, right? text A family that carries power within its blood and has influence in society. text There's no need to say what fits those requirements. text During the seventeenth time---my previous self chose the Tohno bloodline. text Choosing the Far East was just a whim. text Maybe I just wanted a change of scenery from my previous incarnations." text "I was killed by the princess and my eighteenth self was reborn as Tohno SHIKI. text I had no complaints about his body. text His intelligence and development advanced rapidly and the weather in this country was comfortable." bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "---But, that was as far as it went. text 'The Serpent'---Well, Roa made a mistake in that the power of the Tohno bloodline was too great. text Akiha and I, we're only half human after all. text The other half is as much a monster as Roa, which those of the Tohno line must resist throughout their lives. text But, some people are weak, which stops them from resisting. text It is the duty of the head of the Tohno household to kill those who succumb to this inversion and are no longer human but---" bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "To sum it up, I lost. text Normally, Roa wouldn't awaken until I become an adult. text But---since you and I are connected, you can understand, right Shiki?" text "Two wills cannot exist in one body. text It's possible if the other personality stems from a person's will, but a completely different will cannot enter. text What happens when it can't? text Simple. text The vessel, the brain, cries out. text Headaches occur. text Suddenly, without reason, without meaning." text "-----" text Head.... aches...., don't tell me--- bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "That's right. text Your headaches have flowed from me to you. text Didn't I say so earlier? text I am using your life. text We are two people using the same life. text So---if I can move like this, then you end up as immobile as a corpse. text What kills a will is another will. text My will to live is stronger than yours." bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text ".... Well, but you are still amazing. text I'm using your strength trying to kill you.... But that's strange, why are you still alive?" text As he tilts his head, he really does look perplexed. text .... I'm the one who wants to tilt my head questioningly. text Why is he using my life, and what in the world is he? text My mind is brimming with questions. text ".... It seems you still don't understand, Shiki. text I told you, the only thing that can kill a will is another will. text In other words, killing the will does not kill the body. text The Roa inside of me was another will besides my own. text Eight years ago that summer day. text Roa killed the will of Tohno SHIKI." text ~ text "----" text Like I said, I'm Tohno Shiki, right? bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04C.png 14 0 text "Yeah, you are Tohno Shiki. text A true impostor who became the eldest son of the Tohno household in place of me, who succumbed to inversion." text "-----" bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "Listen up. text .... I even liked you Shiki. text Me and my old man didn't get along either, and you were a good guy. text We really were good friends. text Of course I loved Akiha too. text But I couldn't allow her to grow more attached to you." text ~ text .... w, wait. text What, what is he saying---- text ".... Yeah, I remember that feeling from that time. text Everything turned crimson and I started to hate everything. text The voices of the birds, the leaves on the treas, everything became bothersome to me, and I destroyed whatever I came across. text "Eight years ago, Shiki. text In that courtyard, Roa killed my will. text Normally, it would have been all over when Roa awoke. text But the Tohno family is special. text As soon as my reason was lost, my body succumbed to inversion. text I guess it's what you call an inversion impulse, but you do what you always thought was taboo. text I guess deep in my heart, I was jealous of you. text In the end, I killed you because you were there." bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "Man, there never was a pleasure greater than that time! text Piercing your chest with this hand and feeling your heart as you coughed up blood. text I thought I was born again! text It felt so wonderful, I stood there wanting to play with your dying body even longer, but I was pushing my luck. text While I was eagerly trying to rip out your heart, someone informed the old man. text That bastard, he rushed over and killed me! text Me, his real son! text Shit. text I guess cruel fathers do exist. text A father like that can't complain when he's killed by his own son, right, Shiki!? text Well in the end--I felt pretty good." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------Blood. text In that courtyard. text The bloody corpse of a child. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 text "--Yes, you finally remember Shiki....! text That's right, I'm the one who killed you! text But you lived through it and took over my place as Tohno Shiki....! text My old man, that bastard---he locked me away like trash in an underground cell after killing me. text Because he couldn't have it known that his eldest son was dead, he took you, his adopted son, and replaced me!" text ~ text I---------was adopted? text ~ bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "Yeah. text The old man used you after your miraculous recovery. text Fortunately for him, we were kids. text We didn't doubt the fact that we were actual brothers---and you were pretty screwed up from that incident. text My old man deceived you and Akiha with a simple lie and made you forget about me, the true Tohno SHIKI!" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ------No one, was there. text ~ text After that accident. text Why was I all alone like that? text In other words, that means--- text "Yes, it's because no one needed you. text Well, in order to protect the image of this family, you were treated as Tohno Shiki. text ---Yeah, but I did need you. text Because thanks to stealing your life, I was able to survive when my old man killed me. text For that, and only that, I thank you, Shiki." text ~ text .... I don't understand. text So why? text Why am I still alive then? text "Who knows. text I'd like to know that myself---but, it really doesn't matter. text Because you're going to die here anyway." text Saying that, text He---Roa stands up slowly. bgload IMA_10.png text "---Your painful death was the goal of this body.... of Tohno SHIKI. text I've gone along with that this long, but it's time to lower the curtain. text Even for me---to have two bodies with one life is not very efficient." text The voice nears. text I'll be killed like this. text .... No, I say I'll die, but maybe I'm already dead. text My arms and legs can't move. text My eyes, my ears, my nose don't work. text ~ text ---There is nothing left. text I don't want to just accept what he says. text ~ text .... But I don't care about anything anymore. text ~ text My eyes that can see "death", because my body is already like a dead body. text In the end, I was just an impostor. text And on that summer day eight years ago, I was already dead---- text ~ text "----Tohno-kun----!" text ~ text .... But, I can hear a voice. text A sobbing voice. text An incredibly sad, almost shouting voice. bgload event/CEL_E09.png music 07.mp3 text ~ text ---Did my eyes get used to the darkness? text Or, did my will force my eyes to open? text I finally grasp what it was this bastard was sitting on while he gave his long speech. text "---Damn, you regenerated again?" text Roa's legs stop. text He turns around toward Senpai. text "Didn't I tell you to stay dead? text You really are an eyesore." text With a piercing sound, text Roa takes one of Senpai's swords and thrusts it into her body. text ~ text "Aug........!" text Her pained voice. text Her nails dig into the tatami mat. text ~ text Clawing, and clawing. text Her nails are almost peeled off, and her breathing is like a combusting engine. text ~ text But still. text ".... Tohno, kun......!" text ~ text Clawing and writhing. text She frantically continues to call out my name as I lie there collapsed like a cut puppet. text ".... Annoying woman. text Didn't I tell you no matter how many times you call out his name, Shiki won't hear you? text Right now, he's just a living corpse. text He can only hear my voice. text .... No, not even my voice. text He only knows my will because of the connection of life between us. text How can you not understand that fact?" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text More piercing sounds. text The swords pierce Senpai's body. text "Ts----!" text Her body twitches in response. text Even still---Senpai continues to call out my name, as if she was a broken record. text ~ text Tohno-kun. text Tohno-kun. text Tohno-kun. text With her pain-filled, sobbing voice. text ~ text "--------" text ~ text I could hear it. text .... I definitely heard it from before. text But I probably didn't listen to half of what she said. text Even as she spit out blood. text She kept calling out to me who was just lying there like a thrown-away, broken doll. text "---An immortal body? text How foolish. text If you had this much power you could have defeated me." text ~ text The sound of stabbing again. text ~ text "But for such a guy you laid down your swords. text I'm disappointed, Elesia. text Thinking a piece of trash like you is actually my daughter makes me sick....!" text ~ text Thrust. text Thrust. text Thrust. text As if he's lost his mind, he keeps stabbing Senpai over and over again. text Her defenseless back. text Her shoulders. text Her legs. text Her throat. text Her bloody arms outstretched towards me. text ~ text Mercilessly stabbing. text ~ text Despite this. text Her lips keep on calling my name. text .... I can't hear it. text I can't hear it anymore. text It's not that my ears are no longer working, but her throat is already dead. text But she still keeps calling out to me. text As if she is wishing I'll be able to move if she continues on like that. text "-----" text ~ text To be honest, text I don't understand why she would go that far. text "-----St--" text ~ text I'm almost going insane. text Watching her be stabbed for my sake makes me almost insane. text "------op." text ~ text But, I don't move. text No matter how frustrated I am, I can't move. text No matter what I do---no matter what I do, this body doesn't move....! bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_09C.png bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T01A.png 14 0 text "--Wonderful. text A simple hatred that is almost lethal. text It was just an instant, but I felt your will directed against me. text You may want to kill me---but this isn't something to be mad about." text ~ text He pulls out a sword. text Senpai's body sinks toward the floor. text Before that can happen, he pulls her up by the hair. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "Look boy, let me teach you something. text No matter how limitless the regenerative ability of a vampire is, it lasts only when they are alive. text Their immortality is only as long as they are alive. text Once they die, their powers of recovery cease immediately. text Vampires are only difficult to kill, not immortal, but---" text Splat. text A black sword springs forth from Senpai's chest. text Her chest breaks apart. text Roa impales her heart from behind. text "Tsaaah......!" text The throat that died moves. text Spewing forth with blood, her body writhes in agony. text "But---the amazing thing about this woman is. text Even if she dies completely, it isn't her but time itself that restores her body. text Do you understand? text After she dies, without anyone's help, even her own, this world itself returns it back to normal in order to rectify a contradiction. text For example---just like this!" text Roa's amused voice lifts in delight, and at the same time. text With a sickening sound, text a black sword springs out from Senpai's forehead------- bgload IMA_13B.png text ~ text Her head. text From behind. text With that thin, sharp sword. text While she was living, her brain was pierced---- text "Hyahahaha, isn't it natural for a pierced brain to bring death!? text Look Shiki, she's flailing about like a fish on a hook!" text ~ text Full of amusement, text Roa loses himself in amusement. text "But look. text Even though the light in her eyes faded, her heart is starting to beat again. text .... Shit, what a fucked up life. text It makes us, the ones living with only one life, look foolish." text ~ text He swings his arm. text As if she really was a piece of trash, Senpai's body slams into the wall. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That was it. sound SE_00.wav 1 text That's enough. text I don't care what happens. text I don't care if I go crazy. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I don't care if people call me a murderer. text I'll sound SE_00.wav 1 text "See, I'm cute compared to her. text This is a monster that comes back from nothing even if you kill every last bit of her, every last cell of her. text Is killing something that doesn't really die really a sin....!?" sound SE_00.wav 1 text Heeheeehee! text A high, ill-sounding laugh. text Roa throws the sword in his hand towards Senpai as if he was playing darts. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text Splud! text That is the signal. text With that, all rational thought splinters away. bgload BG_09C.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "---------" text I stand up. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "Bastard, how can you move---!?" text "-----" sound SE_00.wav 1 text There's no need to say it. text The one with the stronger will uses the life, right? text Then---up until now, text I never thought this strongly about anything before. bgload BG_09C.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 sound SE_00.wav 1 text "This can't be! text Am---am I weaker than you....!?" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text Roa. text I'm going to kill you. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_01.wav -1 bgload BG_11D.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text In the darkness, text My knife crosses against his claws. text His movement is almost blindingly fast. text But, my body follows him. sound SE_01.wav -1 text My arms move as if they belonged to someone else. text My eyes persistently, accurately look at just his "lines". text My entire body burns. text My brain feels like it is on fire. text Just like---when I first saw that golden-haired princess of the vampires, my body is like something else. text "Keh----!" text ~ text Roa springs away. text One of his legs. text His upper right arm. text His left collarbone area. text I have already cut through the "lines" there. text The price is my right arm. text Roa first took my arm holding the knife. text So, if he destroys my remaining left arm, it would mean my loss. text ~ text In this situation, losing means certain death. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T04A.png 14 0 text "---I don't believe it. text A match for me, a vampire. text .... your eyes, they are perhaps more appropriate for me than this body." text "----" text "If you don't realize it, then that's fine. text This story is a boring one not even worth talking about." text With a shuffle, text Roa increases the distance between us. text ".... It's a very old story. text The last of a fool who obsessed over living forever. text Just wondering who it was that actually won that." bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T05A.png 14 0 text "---To live forever. text That was the miracle that Roa dreamed about. text I decided that an everlasting cycle of rebirth is eternity. text But that is no different than a continuation of a single bloodline. text If there is such a thing as a power that Roa, who accepted death, can earn at the end of his reincarnation---instead of the power that steals the lives of others like vampires. text .... I just thought the power you have, the power to see death, was an appropriate end for me." text ~ text His body lowers a bit. text "I just had that ridiculous idea!" bgload BG_11D.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text His arm reaches out. text I slice through it instantaneously. text ~ bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Gah---!" text Roa runs away. bgload BG_11D.png text I follow after him. text His movements are many times faster than mine. text But, that doesn't matter. text Just killing. text I don't care about anything else. text In reality, text I've already killed one of his legs, and his speed is reduced. text As he runs away, text He braces his hand against the wall and glares at me. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 text "Shit! text ---Do you intend to fight yourself, Shiki?" text "------" text "Don't be silent....! text You're me. text I am SHIKI, and you are Shiki. text We are the same type of being. text It doesn't matter if that bastard Roa existed or not. text .... I was originally a creature eating human flesh. text As a child, I had this urge to eat human flesh. text Even though that has changed to drinking blood, if Roa hadn't entered my body, I would've certainly become a human eating monster." text "---But, that's the same for you. text Like I enjoy eating human flesh, you enjoy killing others! text Remember the urge you had when you first saw that woman, the ecstasy of killing with that knife!" text "------" text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The urge I had when I first saw her---- text That was---when I killed Arcueid. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T02A.png 14 0 text "Yeah, that's right. text No matter how much you pretend to be a good person, that's something you can't excuse. text You wanted that woman and did the thing that got you the most excited. text What can you call that other than being a killer? text You and I are the same---we are both abnormal people living in the same place." text "------" text ~ text .... Shut up. text If I hear his voice any longer, I'll go crazy. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T03A.png 14 0 text "Yes, the same. text So why are you trying to kill me? text It's just that Roa entered me! text If Roa entered you instead, our positions would've been reversed....! text But you're going to kill me!? text You're just hurting yourself....!" text Roa screams. text These past eight years. text The monster who made his lair in this city, feeding off the blood of countless people screams. text "---I'm not you. text You're just a killer." text "Idiot, you don't understand, do you? text I thought so too, at first. text That I'm sane. text That even if Roa's will is here, I thought it would be fine. text But, it wasn't. text You're the same. text You, like me, will end up as a killer, Tohno Shiki!" text He laughs. text "Isn't that right? text I know that's inside you too. text You know, that impulse is not something that flows from me to you. text Just admit it, killer. text Your inversion impulse is nothing more than what you wish for....!" text "-----" text ~ text I ready my knife. text I don't want to hear his voice any longer. text I focus my gaze on him. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T03C.png 14 0 text ~ text All that's left is to slice them. text ".... I see. text You're trying to kill me, Shiki." text ~ text He pulls back. text That's his final move--- text ~ text "But, don't you ever wonder which one of us was really killed?" text "----" text Suddenly, text I halt my attack. text "Yes, in the end, both of us died in that place. text So---I might be the one killed by Roa, and you might be the Tohno SHIKI taken over by the Serpent, right?" text "Hey Shiki. text Didn't you ever think about it this way? text That you just have not realized it, but you were already insane a long, long time ago!" text ~ text ~ text --------That, text That can't be true---can it? text "Ha----!" bgload BG_11D.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png sound SE_05.wav 1 text ~ text I get kicked into the wall from behind. sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Gah....!" text What is this? text Being distracted by such stupid words. text My remaining left arm becomes shredded and painted in blood. text I can't move it one bit and my knife clatters to the floor. text And---in front of me, Roa stands with his furious, blood-shot eyes. bgload BG_11D.png setimg ROA_T03C.png 14 0 text "---Idiot, that's not it at all. text I'm Roa. text You had that inverse impulse because you were connected to me subconsciously." text ~ text He grins. text Roa takes a step forward. text ~ text "Bye Shiki. text It's been fun!" text With that, he swings his knife-like claws downward. sound SE_05.wav 1 bgload IMA_12B.png text "------" text There's no pain. text Just the sound of splashing blood. text "You bitch----!" text Roa's voice rings out. text ~ text In front of me, Senpai's body takes the full force of Roa's claws. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "--------" text I can't think of anything. text No, there's no need to think. text ~ text I scoop up my fallen knife with my mouth. text My teeth tighten around the hilt. bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I dash into Roa, almost like I was collapsing into him. text I slice the "line" running diagonal from his shoulder. sound ~ bgload BG_11D.png text ~ text "Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" text ~ text He screeches like some demonic bird. text Running away from Senpai and me, he jumps directly into the window, and falls out. text ~ text The glass shatters and he falls outside. text "I won't let you get away---!" text I run to the window. text "Damn......!" text But of course, I can't jump from the third floor. text Under the moonlit night. text As if he didn't receive a fatal wound by just having his "lines" of death cut, Roa runs away like a beast. text ~ text "---" text .... I can't chase him. text From here, I can't chase him. text But, it seems like there's no need for that. music 09.mp3 bgload IMA_18.png text Under the moonlight, Roa's running figure stops. text There isn't one person outside, but two. text One, the beast-like figure of Roa. text One, the sublime, white figure of the vampire princess. text ~ text ---The fight lasted only an instant. text ~ text Roa screams as he dies and fades to ash. text "-----Ar.... cueid." text She stands there composed and looks up at me, then disappears before my eyes. bgload BG_11D.png text "Hha----Ahh." text .... I'm exhausted. text My body collapses on the floor. text Leaning against the wall, I sit down. text "Ga---" text The knife falls from my mouth. text ~ text From my elbow down, my right arm is shattered, twisted and split. text ~ text Roa's claw marks remain gouged into my left shoulder and my left arm hangs, unmoving. text ~ text I feel like a squid or an octopus with both my arms just hanging there. text ".... Sen.... pai." text I look down the hallway. text I look down to where Senpai had collapsed when she protected me earlier. text ~ text And there, bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Sen---pai, your wounds are okay?" text "Yes. text A wound like this will heal quickly." text I cannot make out her face since it's dark. text But I thought it looked paler than usual. bgload BG_11D.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text "Gah----!" text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text ~ text ~ text Headache. text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text This headache, text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text because I still see these "lines", text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I have this headache. bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... Tohno-kun? text What's wrong?" text "Nothing--it's just---my head, hurts." text I manage to reply as I bear the pain. text ~ text My hands. text If I could move them, I could hold my head and maybe calm down. text But, they don't move an inch. text "---Probably because you saw too much death. text .... Tohno-kun, you were pushing yourself too much. text Trying to defeat Roa by yourself was being reckless." text ".... It's not reckless. text You were the one being reckless. text Why---did you let him do that to you?" text "He just.... caught me off guard...." text "---Idiot, I, heard all of it." text ~ text .... I heard how Senpai threw away her swords to protect me. text ~ text ".... Going through that just to protect me, was stupid." text Going through that, and just calling out my name, there's something wrong. text ".... I suppose. text No matter what I did, you revived by yourself. text I guess I was.. just doing useless things." text "------" text Not---that's not it at all. text ".... But, I heard you." text "Tohno-kun....?" text "Your voice, I know I heard it. text You kept calling my name---so it made me realize that I was still alive." text ~ text So, text what saved me wasn't my desire to kill Roa. text But it was just.. Senpai's voice. music ~ bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text "Ghh----!" text "Tohno-kun---!? text Your wounds, do they hurt? text Please wait, I'll heal them....!" text ".... No, it's not, really my arms...." text ~ text This headache is terrible. text The pain isn't coming from outside, but feels like it is shooting out from inside me. bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text ".... It's a reaction from seeing too much 'death'. text Suddenly overworking your brain like that probably caused too much blood flow." text ".... I, know that, but." text "Look, your power is very dangerous to you, Tohno-kun. text Seeing that which should not be possible to see puts a huge strain on your body, and your blood vessels will not be able to handle the flow of your blood. text Seeing the 'death' of something close to you.... like humans shouldn't be a problem, but seeing the 'death' of things that don't naturally have a 'death' is extremely dangerous." text ".... Yeah, that's okay though Senpai. text Roa.... is now dead. text I don't have to see any more 'death'----" bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_11D.png text "So, I don't have to see them. text .... Senpai, do you know where my glasses are?" bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "------Huh?" text "My glasses.... without them, I see these lines all the time. text If I don't have them, I'll go crazy.... they're probably in the tea ceremony room, so could you please get them for me?" text "Tohno-kun, what are you saying? text Your glasses are definitely----" bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T06B.png 52 0 text ".... I understand. text I'll go get it right away, so please close your eyes. text If you use them much longer, it will be really bad for you." text "---Yeah, I'll do that. text Thanks." text I close my eyelids. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ text After only a few moments, text I can feel Senpai's fingers on my face. text "Here you go, it's all okay now. text Please open your eyes, Tohno-kun." bgload BG_11C.png text "Ah...." text The lines of death are now gone. text My headache disappeared as I closed my eyes---and I can now see Senpai's face clearly. text "Thanks Senpai. text Now it's back to normal." bgload BG_11C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "What are you saying? text There's still some work before you return to normal, so please keep still." text She says that and sits down besides me. bgload BG_11C.png text "---Hmm, these wounds really aren't that bad. text I'll be able to heal them right away, so please hold on just a little longer." text Senpai carefully reaches out and holds my twisted arm. text "Nn----" text There's an almost tickling, warm sensation. text My cold arm begins to warm up again, and the numbed pain returns after that. text "Oww." text "If there's pain, it lets you know you are alive. text Now, let's take care of your left arm." text With a light step, she moves over to my left side and puts her hand on my shoulder. text ".... Amazing, my left arm is already healed!" text "It isn't amazing, this is my normal profession, so it is only natural I can do that." text .... Her normal profession? text Is she a nurse or something? text Well, I don't think a nurse could heal a shattered arm like that in a matter of minutes though. text ".... Hey Senpai." text "--Yes?" text "Senpai, just what kind of person are you? text Come to think of it, I don't really know anything about you, Ciel-senpai." text The fingers over my wounds suddenly stop. text But, it was only a momentary reaction. text "I'm the same as you Tohno-kun. text I also, have not had this body from birth. text I also was close to death.... no, I am someone who died and came back to life. text And it just became a habit for me to come back to life." text Is she joking? text She gives a pained smile. text ".... What do you mean? text If you die, you normally can't come back, right?" text "What I am saying, is that I was not normal." text "Not normal.... like, Arcueid?" text "................" text ~ text She doesn't respond. text Is she done? text Senpai stands up. bgload BG_11C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text "There, all finished. text How is it, can you move?" text "............" text I lift my hands and move them around. text My fingers can move at will, and there is only a little pain. text "Yeah, no problems. text .... Thanks, Senpai. text I'm just always helped by you." text Senpai doesn't answer, she just smiles. text "Then, let's go back. text There's no need to be here any longer." bgload BG_11C.png text Senpai starts to walk away. text .... Picking up my fallen knife, I follow her out of the school. bgload IMA_10.png music 08.mp3 bgload BG_01C.png text .... The two of us walk to the gate under the moonlight. text Senpai doesn't say anything. text Looking at her back, I think reluctantly about things I don't want to consider. text ~ text Roa is gone. text Arcueid is also gone. text Their purpose was to eliminate Roa, so Senpai has no reason to stay here any longer. text "............" text .... This is serious. text I knew it all along---but I never thought this would come so quickly. text ~ text I want Senpai to stay here. text I want her to stay---but it isn't just my problem. text "........" text I steal a glance at Senpai's face. text What, text What does Senpai plan on doing....? text ~ text And then, text Senpai suddenly stops walking. bgload BG_01C.png setimg CEL_T07B.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun." text She looks directly at me with eyes devoid of any emotion. text ".... What is it, Senpai?" text "About what we were talking about before." text "Before---about how you're like Arcueid?" text She nods. text Still staring me in the eye, she starts to speak. text ~ text "Tohno-kun. text If I was a vampire, what would you do?" text "Wha----" text My mind goes blank. text I don't know what she wants to hear. text ~ text Still--- text ~ text ".... Senpai is Senpai. text Even if you are a vampire, that wouldn't change." text Her expression remains the same. text Just for an instant, text I think she smiled sadly. text "I am the same as her. text Just like she is a vampire who has had no experience, I just might be a vampire who has no sense of self." text She speaks as if it was a monologue. text "............" text I'm at a loss for words. text .... I don't know what to say to that. text So, just like before, I can only say what I really feel. text ".... That's fine." text "Eh?" text "I said, that's fine. text Even if you are a vampire, I still like you Senpai." text "Wha----" bgload BG_01C.png text ~ text Senpai stands there in complete amazement. text Realizing what I just said, I blush furiously and look away. text "Anyway! text That's all I want to say. text C'mon, let's go back, Senpai!" text Trying to hide my embarrassment, I pull myself to reality. text ~ text Go back. text Where is Senpai going to return to? text "------" text I suddenly feel terrible. text I'm afraid to look at her face and can't turn around. text "---Tohno-kun." text From behind me, Senpai's voice calls out. text Her quiet, emotionless voice. text ".... What is it?" text I answer without turning. text "You know why I came to this city, right?" text "----Yeah. text Unfortunately, I know. text You came to kill Roa." text ".... Yes. text But, I haven't told you why yet. text I really meant to tell you in the tea ceremony room, but things ended quickly." text ".... That's true. text It was kind of disappointing. text But, wasn't you chasing Roa part of your duty in the Church?" text ".... No. text The place I'm in doesn't really have much work. text Even when there is, it's only a few times a year I get called there. text So this time is my own judgment. text Not because of the orders of the Church, but I came here through my own will." text ".... Your, will?" text "Yes. text I came here only because of my own circumstances. text I want to die as a human, so I've been chasing Roa. text He is the reason my body has become like this." text ~ text .... wants to die. text Wants to die?--- text ".... For that sole reason, I have kept on living like this. text But, that is all over now. text .... These past five years. text Was it a long time? text Was it a short time? text I don't know." text Her emotionless voice stops. bgload BG_01C.png setimg CEL_T01B.png 52 0 text She jumps directly in front of me. text "So I have to thank you, Tohno-kun. text My work here is done now. text All that's left is for me to take responsibility for all my actions." text ".... Senpai, you mean---" text She's going to leave? text "Thank you so much for everything until now. text It has been a long time since I've been this happy. text So, let's finish with a handshake." text Senpai puts out her hand. text I wordlessly accept it. text ~ text A handshake where we only grip our hands tightly. text ~ text "Then this is where we part. text Um, even though I'm not going to be here, please stay friends with Inui-kun. text I wanted to be a student like you and Inui-kun." text "And, and please don't take off your glasses too much. text Strange power has a tendency to attract strange things. text You were fine this time, but I do not know what will happen the next time." text ".... Yeah. text I know, someone taught me that a long time ago. text In the first place, I've only recently began to take them off with everything that has been happening." text "I see. text That is a relief." text ~ text Her fingers pull back. text With the handshake over, she pulls back slightly. text "Then this is farewell. text It would be nice to meet again someday." text "----" bgload BG_01C.png text ~ text I can't reply. text I couldn't even stop her. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33C.png text I return to the mansion. text It's past nine at night. text .... An hour past curfew. text ~ bgload BG_33C.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 text "Ah, Shiki-san. text You have come back late today." text She might have been in the sitting room until now, as Kohaku-san comes out to greet me. text "I'm back. text Sorry about that." text "No, as long as you are back safely it is okay. text I will go make dinner, so please wait in the sitting room." text "Ah---is Akiha there?" text ~ text .... Not because I broke curfew---but after hearing what Roa said, I don't think I can talk to her now. bgload BG_33C.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "No, she is now in her room, so you can be rest assured." text ".... No, that's not it, but.... hey Kohaku-san. text In this house, did you ever hear of me and Akiha having another brother?" text "I don't think so. text Why do you ask, Shiki-san? text Did something happen?" text "---No. text I just heard something about me maybe having a brother, and I wasn't really sure." bgload BG_33C.png setimg KOHA_T05.png 52 0 text "You and Akiha-sama are the only two siblings. text I have worked in this mansion since I was a child, so it can't be a mistake." text She smiles happily. text ~ text "---Eh? text Kohaku-san, you've been working here since back then....!?" bgload BG_33C.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Yes. text We were just apprentices, but Hisui-chan and I would help around the mansion. text It did happen a long time ago, so it is natural that you do not remember." bgload BG_33C.png text Is she getting nostalgic? text She continues to smile as she heads back to the sitting room. text "........" text Just what was he saying? text "---I guess it doesn't matter anymore." text Muttering to myself, I walk towards the sitting room. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png text .... I lie down in bed. text Pulling the sheets over me, I stare blankly at the ceiling. text ~ text ----It's over. text ~ text I still have my wounds and my memories, but it's all over. text Now I can return to my peaceful life as a high school student. text No need to think about killing or being killed anymore. text Just forget. text Forget about everything, and from tomorrow---- text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png bgload BG_40C.png text "------" text .... I can't. text There's no way I can forget. text "Damn----it." text But, I can't do anything about it. text From the beginning, Senpai and I have always lived in different worlds. text "............" text .... Just go to sleep. text I'll be able to take it tomorrow. text I'll sleep now, so I can calm down--- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40D.png text .... I can't sleep. text My chest is still bothering me. text ~ text "...... Oh well." text I choose a book of English sentences to read so I can drift off to sleep. bgload IMA_11.png sound SE_10.wav -1 bgload CMO_11.png text 1976. text I was born as a child of a shopkeeper from a remote countryside village in France. text I looked like my mother, who was oriental, so I grew up feeling a little out of place wherever I went. text ~ text But all the townspeople were great people and would greet me with bright smiles. text To be able to face those smiles, I lived my days honestly and positively. bgload CMO_12.png text Helping my dad, going to school, falling in love like normal. text That was my life and I never doubted my happiness. text ~ text It was truly a very short time until my sixteenth birthday. bgload CMO_13.png text That came suddenly to my body. text ~ text Such as when I would be playing with children. text For no reason, I wanted to snap their necks. text ~ text Such as when I see a poor beggar by the road. text It seemed so funny, I wanted to stab him with a knife. text .... There was no reason for those feelings. text I could not talk to anyone about it, so I started to lock myself away in my room. text My dark passions came forth from within me. text It's not like I had two personalities or someone came inside me. text First of all, I don't believe in such unscientific things. text My feelings are the small destructive passions everyone has. text ~ text Like yelling at your dad after coming to wake you up after you stayed up all night. text ~ text Like feeling angry when you walk along a rainy street and a car passing by splashes you with water. text ~ text Such small feelings I feel for an instant solidify inside of my mind and take over. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's why. text I knew I would do something terrible if I stayed like this. bgload IMA_10.png text I could only lock myself away in my room. text I could only not see anyone and do nothing. text .... That way, I wouldn't hate anyone, and I wouldn't have those feelings. text ~ text ---But, that was a mistake. text Imprisoned in my room, my mind was grinded away, and I eventually passed my limit. text That day. text After I was completely replaced, what I thought about was how thirsty I was. text I took my weakened body out of my room. text My parents ran to me, as I came out the room for the first time in few months. text Greeting my worried parents with a smile, I killed them. text It really was quick. text With my weakened body, I bit into their necks and sucked their blood. text After sucking out their blood and life, I stood back up. text ~ text "---Has it been a hundred years? text This body is very fascinating." text ~ text That was my voice that I had never heard before. text My lips shaping a smile, what used to be me hugged itself. bgload CMO_09.png text ---What kind of coincidence was it? text ~ text Originally, the family I was born into was one that I choose beforehand. text But my previous self was destroyed by the "princess" before I could decide that. text I could only fill the condition that the one I'm reincarnated into has a physical potential, resulting in an imperfect reincarnation. text As a result, I was born into a body with a high potential, but into a normal family without any high social standing. text It will be difficult to take over this town without having people notice. text But, I was not disappointed. text In fact, I was filled with happiness. text Certainly it would take a long time for a normal family to gain power. text Seizing power socially would be difficult with this self. text ~ text But in exchange for that inconvenience. text I found a truly excellent body. text Until now, text I had always tried to balance the body and the family standing. text Consequently, I was never able to find a truly excellent body. text ~ text However----the body this time carries many more Magic Circuits than any of the bodies before----and this body had the same potential as my original. text I cursed my calculating self up until now. text Things like social standing, they could always be set up later. text But the quality of the body is something natural that cannot be added later. text ~ text After my seventeenth reincarnation, I finally realized that truth. bgload IMA_10.png bgload CMO_13.png text My self that finally awoke naturally started to control the people around me like water soaking into the ground. text Not in the wild manner I had done so previously, but rather in a way that didn't spill as much blood. text The reason is horribly cruel. text The reincarnated will called myself cannot exist by itself. text All I can do is tell the will "I want to do that." text ~ text I am the one moving this body, but the method, the process was determined by my mind which has grown along with this body. text In other words---my will is from the body I am reincarnated into, but my consciousness still remains from my original self. text I have my consciousness, and I have my past memories. text As I sleep, I could only dream of nightmares which I would do myself. text I still remember. text The sensation of biting into my parents' throats. text ~ text I took the townspeople who always greeted me, one by one. text as if melting them slowly from their feet, I continued to humiliate and mutilate their souls. text ~ text Within just a month. text I held their lives in my fist and played with them however I wanted to. bgload IMA_01.png text I wanted to go crazy. text I wanted to entrust myself completely to insanity. text But if I did that, I would commit even more sins than before. text ~ text That's why I kept on. text Trying to preserve my sanity, I tried to minimize the damage I did. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text If there was such a thing as a relief.. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text It was that the end to this nightmare arrived quickly. bgload IMA_01.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That white woman came on a night with a crimson moon. text I didn't know. text But I knew who she was. text ~ text After our fight, the white vampire princess killed me. text Since I had already prepared myself for the next reincarnation, I once again reincarnated, leaving my corpse behind. text ~ text The white princess left and my body was taken to the Vatican. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ jump s284.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40A.png music 02.mp3 text @Day 10 text ~ text ~ text "------!" text I wake up with a start and kick off my sheets, sitting up in bed. text ~ text "Wha-----" text I wipe the sweat rolling down my face. text Maybe I saw a bad dream. text I am drenched in sweat. text I don't remember seeing a nightmare. text .... Was it because of that book I read? text I think I saw something a little bad, but I don't remember what it was. text .... Well, a famous doctor did say it is the nature of dreams to fade away, so I shouldn't try so hard to try to remember it. text ~ text ---Knock-knock. text ~ text A polite knock sounds. bgload BG_40A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "--Good morning, Shiki-sama." text "Mm, morning." text I return her greeting and stand up. text Hisui places the uniform in her hand onto the desk and shuffles quietly back towards the door. text "Please head to the dining room once you are finished changing." text "Yeah. text Thanks as always." text After giving an affirmative answer, Hisui exits the room. bgload BG_40A.png text "........ Huh?" text After seeing her face I completely forgot what it was I was thinking about. text ".... Geez. text Was I always this forgetful?" text Tilting my head in curiosity over myself, I change into the uniform. text The knife is on my desk. text The knife from my adopted father that I have always been carrying in my pocket these past few days. text ~ text ---I probably won't have to use that anymore. text ~ text ".... That's right. text They're gone." text Arcueid, Ciel-senpai. text The horde of beasts called Nrvnqsr, and the vampire called Roa. text All of them are no longer here. text "Maybe what I forgot was something about that." text There isn't anything waiting for me at school. text Senpai is gone---so it probably won't be fun anymore. text But, that was how I lived my days up until now. text I only lost something that I gained recently. text Everything I had before then still remains. text -----*sigh* text If I think about it that way, I can manage without Senpai. text I could never forget her, but I could manage. text Fooling myself with that, I open the door. text ~ text Then, text let's go to school like I've always been doing--- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_01A.png text It's seven-fifty. text The gate at the front of the school is crowded with students. text Since it's Saturday, there are bright faces everywhere. text ~ text "............" text I wade through the sea of sunny faces as a cloud of gloom. text No matter what I tell myself, the fact that Senpai is gone weighs heavily on my---- text "------Eh?" text I can't believe my eyes for a moment, but there's no doubt. text Ciel-senpai is walking towards the school. text "Se, Senpai---!?" text I shout her name without even thinking and she turns towards me. bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Oh, Tohno-kun. text Good morning." text She gives me a bow. text "Good morning? text Didn't you go back....!?" bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "No. text I would never go back leaving you here." text She speaks with a brilliant smile. text ~ text Never go back leaving me here? text ~ text Even though there are students all around me, I feel myself blush furiously. text "----Um, that is...." bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes, what is it?" text "Can I, take those words, for what they sound like?" bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, I leave it up to your imagination, Tohno-kun." text She nods and gives a radiant smile. text "--------!" text I can't breathe. text Not because of the pained tension I had felt up until now, but because of the burning happiness that now wells up inside of me. text If no one was around, I'd shout out "Alright!" at the top of my lungs. text "Senpai!" text I grab her hand. text "So, you mean you won't go anywhere, right!? text You'll stay here at school forever, right!?" bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Um, if I stay at school forever, I'll become an old lady. text I am a third-year student, so I have four months left until graduation." text "But, you'll stay here, right? text You won't leave like you said yesterday, right?" bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes. text I'll stay till the end now." text "Alright--!" text I let go of her and manage to stop myself. text I want to run around the ground for many laps. text As if I won a lottery, I'm feeling really high. bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text No, this feels far, far greater than that. text I feel like laughing out loud. text I can't even bear to just stand here and do nothing. bgload BG_01A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text "Tohno-kun, you should hurry or you will be late." text "----Oh. text That's right. text Later Senpai! text See you at break!" bgload BG_01A.png text Waving a hand to Senpai, I go towards the school building. text Smiling to myself, I run as fast as I can to class. bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text ~ text ----First period is over. text I have ten minutes until next class. text "---Alright." text The instant I raise myself to go look for Senpai's classroom, bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "Huh? text Where are you going, Tohno-kun?" text ---Senpai comes here ahead of me. text "Ah, nowhere, I was going to see you. text I always wait for you, so I thought I'd go see you this time." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T02.png 52 0 text "I see. text That makes me very happy, but you don't know my class, right Tohno-kun? text It's third year class B, please remember it." text "Oh really---so you really do take classes. text Well-done, well-done. text I see you do more than just drink tea in the tea ceremony room." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "Yes, I do manage to follow classes--" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T10A.png 52 0 text "Hey, wait a minute Tohno-kun! text You think I'm really like that!?" text "--Uh." text I can't really deny that. text "Ah, sorry. text But Senpai, you said there were no members of the tea ceremony club, but I thought that it might have never existed in the first place." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text Senpai stands there and grows quiet. text ".... Huh? text Don't tell me there really wasn't? text It's just an unused Japanese-style room?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T12.png 52 0 text "---Hmm. text It seems like I do not understand what you're talking about." text Ciel-senpai turns her gaze out the window and stares blankly. text ".... No, that's fine. text No matter what you've done, you're not a bad person. text So I don't think you'll cause anyone trouble, but can your power of suggestion do such a thing?" text "I already told you, I don't know what you mean, so I can't answer that." text "-----" text Still in my seat, I stare up at Ciel-senpai. text ~ text The silence lasts for about a minute. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T09.png 52 0 text ".... You're pretty persistent, Tohno-kun." text "Not really, I was just thinking how blue your eyes were." text "........" text Ciel-senpai gives a sigh as if admitting defeat. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "I said it already, but the power of suggestion isn't that convenient. text Suggestion isn't so much able to change your perceptions of things as it is more like making you look away. text So even if I told you that you really liked curry when you hate it, it would not work." text ".... Really? text So you can't make someone do what they don't want to?" text "Yes. text Well, there's still many ways to make you eat curry, Tohno-kun. text For example, I wouldn't tell you that you really like curry. text Instead, I could tell you that you would die if you didn't eat curry--" text "I get it, I would eat it even if I hate it. text .... I see, then you can do anything with that." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T03.png 52 0 text "No, it is really difficult to set the stage for such a thing as the resistance would be great. text There are many people that are difficult to forcibly use suggestion against, so all I can do is to suggest something like, 'Do not doubt what I say.'" text .... Yeah, Arcueid said something like that too. text "---I see. text By the way, Senpai." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Yes? text What is it?" text "Yeah. text Senpai, you really love curry, don't you?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T05.png 52 0 text ~ text Ciel-senpai just smiles and does not answer. text Her slight expression makes it impossible for me to see if she is denying it or affirming it. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Well, it is about time. text I'll see you again after classes are over, but is your body okay, Tohno-kun? text Your arms are working fine?" text "Yeah, it doesn't even hurt anymore. text I can come to school thanks to you." text I bring my hands together and give her a bow of thanks. text "I see, then how is your headache? text It seemed like it really hurt yesterday." text "My head is okay too. text Besides, if I have my glasses on, there's no problem." text "I see. text Hearing that makes me feel much better." bgload BG_06A.png text Ciel-senpai heads towards the hallway. text She suddenly stops as if she forgot something and turns around. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T07A.png 52 0 text "I forgot to ask. text Tohno-kun, are you feeling well?" text "---Yeah, I'm fine. text Thanks to you, all my troubles have disappeared." bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 52 0 text "That's good. text If anything strange happens, then please do not hesitate to tell me. text Here's my phone number." text "-----Eh?" bgload BG_06A.png text She hands me a slip of paper with her phone number on it and quickly leaves the classroom. text ~ text ".... Her.... phone number?" text I stare down at the paper in surprise. text I'm sure she told me this because she's really worried about last night, but.... text ".... This is lucky, but is it good that things are going this smoothly?" text .... It's pitiful if I say so myself. text Maybe it's because I'm a small town person by nature, but I can't honestly be happy about my good fortune like this. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_06A.png sound SE_02.wav 1 text After homeroom is over, the classroom suddenly erupts into its usual chaos. text It's not quite noon yet. text It's always like this after Saturday class. text The students rushing back home or eating in the classroom before they go to their club activities mix together and create chaos. text ~ text Standing up from my seat, I prepare my things while waiting for Senpai.... and then, text I'm not sure when he even came to school, but Arihiko appears with a suspicious smile on his face. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T05.png 40 0 text "Let's go play, Tohno." text .... Without anything else, he tells me what he wants to do. text ".... You seem pretty direct today. text Did something bad happen to you?" text "Oh, nothing. text I just wanted to hang out with my good friend for no reason." text ~ text .... It's all too suspicious. text "No way. text I bet you were laid off by someone or something like that. text I'm going home with Senpai today, so I don't have time to spare for you." text "Senpai? text You mean Ciel-senpai?" text His eyebrows lift in surprise. text ~ text ".... Yes, but.... Arihiko, you remember about Senpai....!?" text "Whatd'ya mean? text She's who I'm after, how could I forget her?" text Arihiko makes his proclamation as if it was the most natural thing in the world. bgload BG_06A.png text "............" text I see. text Since Ciel-senpai came back to school, everything is back the way it was. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 text "Oh, it's Senpai!" text Arihiko points happily to the door. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text "Thanks for waiting. text Good afternoon, Inui-kun." text Ciel gives a succinct bow. text "Shall we go back now? text Or maybe go to the tea ceremony room?" text "Let's do that. text If we leave now, we have to part at the gate. text I want to talk to you some more, so while we have tea, we can---" text "----!?" text Someone punches me unexpectedly from behind--- bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text "Hey." text "............ It's you, Arihiko?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text "Yeah, it's me. text I'm not one to open my mouth about these things very often, but since that was too much back then, I'll tell you." text Arihiko looks at me and Senpai with sad eyes. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T12.png 116 0 text "?" text Ciel-senpai and I look at each other. text "Um, you two. text It is a Saturday, so why do you use it like that? text There are far more fun places to go to than the tea ceremony room!" text With a greatly exaggerated movement, he points out the window. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text ".... Um, where?" text "Outside the window. text Well, I think he's talking about outside." text I answer Ciel-senpai's question. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 text ~ text And then, text Arihiko whacks me again. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 text "Tohno, are you really trying to make a fool of Senpai!? text Look, it's Saturday. text It's still before noon. text And we're students! text So why can't you come up with an idea such as going into town with all these conditions!?" text "----Mph." text ~ text Idiot. text I've thought about that already. text I did, but--- bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text "?" text I steal a glance at Ciel-senpai. text I get the feeling that rather than roaming rowdily around the city, she would feel more at ease just sitting quietly in a park or something, so I can't ask her that. text If I did ask her to go hang out in town, I think she would probably say no--- bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T04.png 116 0 text "I see. text Then shall the three of us have fun?" text "...... Senpai?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T03.png 116 0 text "Isn't it alright? text I don't have to worry about anything anymore, and I bet it'll be fun to go with the three of us." text "Ah---yeah, if you want to, then I'd be happy." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T04.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T04.png 116 0 text "Yes. text Inui-kun, you're okay with this too, right?" text "-------" text He simply nods up and down. text .... I bet he didn't expect things to turn out this way. bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T04.png 116 0 bgload BG_06A.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text "Then it's decided. text Um, what shall we do for lunch? text Shall we eat at our houses or the three of us together?" text "Hm, we always eat at school, so let's put the money for lunch to play. text Me and Arihiko are pretty poor, right?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T01A.png 116 0 text ".... Uh.... I, could maybe borrow some money from my sister." text ~ text .... It seems Arihiko really wants to go out and eat with Ciel-senpai. text "---How about Senpai? text Is there some place you want to eat?" bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T11.png 116 0 text "No, I don't.... usually eat in front of others.." text "I see. text You eat more than normal, so I bet it'll be expensive." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T10D.png 116 0 text "Th, that's not it! text What are you saying, Tohno-kun!?" text ~ text .... I just recalled the data I collected during our lunches in the tea ceremony room until now, and just gave a personal opinion. bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T03.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T12.png 116 0 text "I agree with Inui-kun. text Let us all go out to eat. text There is a place by the movie theater called Ahnenerbe that I heard has great strawberry pie." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T12.png 116 0 text "Oh, you know your places, Senpai! text The owner of that cafe is a master of Italian cooking!" text ~ text .... Why does Arihiko know so many rumors and useless information? bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 setimg CEL_T10A.png 116 0 text "Then let's meet in front of the movie theater in half an hour. text Is that alright, Tohno-kun?" text "---Um. text You know it takes half an hour to get to my house, Senpai." bgload BG_06A.png setimg ARI_T02.png -24 0 text Senpai already starts to disappear down the hallway. text "Yeah, be late, Tohno. text If you want to, I wouldn't care if you didn't come till tomorrow!" bgload BG_06A.png text Arihiko stands up and dashes out of the classroom. text .... This all worked out rather strangely. text ".... Oh well." text I still get to hang out with Ciel-senpai. text Bag in hand, I also rush back to my place. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Oh? text Shiki-san, you're back early today, aren't you?" text "Yeah, I'm back Kohaku-san. text I'm in a hurry, so see you later!" bgload BG_46A.png bgload BG_46A.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama? text You have returned?" text "I'll be leaving right away, so don't worry about lunch!" bgload BG_40A.png text "Alright, fifteen minutes!" text I set a new record from my school to back here. text Throwing my bag on my desk, I change out of my uniform. text After that, I fly out of my room again. bgload BG_46A.png text From the mansion to the main street is farther than the mansion to the school. text To be honest, it's not a distance I can make in fifteen minutes. text She knew I lived uphill, but she still made that impossible deadline. text ~ text "---Damn, maybe she might be a bit mean." text I grumble as I shoot down the stairs. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Throb. text "------Eh." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Throb. text Suddenly, without warning. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Throb. bgload IMA_11B.png text Everything turns red. text "---Shiki-sama!?" text .... I can hear Hisui's voice. text I hear fast footsteps. text .... Hisui seems to be in a hurry more than usual. text "Shiki-sama, are you hurt!?" text I can hear her voice, but I can't see her. text ~ sound SE_00.wav 1 text -----Throb. text ~ text I just have this headache. text "Calm down Hisui-chan. text Falling down the stairs just means a little bruises here and there, so there is no need to call a doctor. text But his body is very hot. text He may have fell down the stairs due to a fever, so please get his bed ready." text "I understand. text Nee-san, about Akiha-sama...." text "That's true, if it doesn't turn out to be a big deal, we don't have to tell her. text There is some medicine in my room, if you please." text ~ text Hisui disappears with quick footsteps. text I---- bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_33A.png bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png 52 0 sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Shiki-san, are you conscious?" text ".... Kohaku.... san?" text "Yes. text Shiki-san, you took quite a tumble down the stairs. text Fortunately you do not have any serious bruises, but you seem to have a fever. text You seem like you were going somewhere, but please just rest for today." text ~ text Kohaku-san puts her hand on my shoulder and manages to make me stand up. text "Nah--I'm fine, I don't need to rest. text I ran all the way here, so I was just out of breath." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T04.png 52 0 text "That won't do! text How can you say that with such a pale face, looking like you'll throw up? text I was told by your physician to monitor your health closely. text I can't let you take such risks." text "But, I made a promise---" text "If you want to tell them you can't make it, I can go tell them. text If you keep pushing yourself, I'll have to take out my syringes and give you shots." text ~ text .... As if she wants to keep me here, she stands in front of me. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text ---Throb. text ~ text I have a headache. text I--- sound ~ text ~ choice Kohaku-san is in the way.|It's like Kohaku-san says. if selected == 1 jump s285.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s286.scr fi bgload BG_33A.png text ---Even still, I can't break my promise. text ~ bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text "Tss-----!" text I feel like spikes are being driven into my head. text Bearing that, I manage to walk forward. text "You mustn't, Shiki-san! text If you go out like that, we will get in trouble with Akiha-sama!" text Kohaku---san, tries, to get in my way, to stop me from leaving. text "----" text .... I can understand why. text Even if I go out with this headache, I might very well collapse somewhere. text That's why she wants me to stay here. text But I won't listen. text ".... Shut.... up." text Why? text For no reason at all, I thought. text I thought that if I didn't see Senpai now, I'll never see her again normally. text "If you made some sort of promise, I will go and tell them for you, so please go back to your room and--" text "Shut up! text I'm telling you to get out of my way....!" text "Ah----" text I violently push her away and dash towards the door. bgload BG_48A.png text "You shouldn't, Shiki-san....!" text I ignore her voice and resist the urge to puke as I run. text ~ bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22A.png text I just run. text As if chasing down my promise with Senpai, text as if running away from something I can't see, text I propel my body down the street as it is on the verge of collapse. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25A.png bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png text ---The street is full of people. text The hot sunshine. text The saturation of activity is painful to watch. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png text Why do they do this? text Like unthinking insects, ones with intelligence still group up without any theory to solve. bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png text "-------" text .... Everything gets hazy. text Is it because of this nausea? text I feel like I.. am not me. text "------Sen, pai." text I look around me. text Where is----she? bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png text My mind is dizzy and I can't find her. text -----Still can't find her. text With all these people, text I can't find her. text All this randomness. text Nothing. text Feeling like everything is pointless, text a dizziness that.... bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png bgload BG_25A.png setimg CEL_T01C.png 52 0 text "Oh, Tohno-kun. text I'm surprised you actually made it here on time." text "Sen.... pai?" text ~ text ---It's the first time I've seen her in regular clothes. text ~ text ".... Um, I was being a bit mean earlier. text Sorry for making you run here and be exhausted like this." text ~ text ---She gives a quick bow of the head. text "-----" text That's silly. text She shouldn't worry about that. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_25A.png sound ~ text "Oh, Tohno-kun---!?" bgload IMA_11.png text ~ text .... Uck. text I feel sick. text But I'm glad I came. text I got to see Senpai in her normal clothes, so I have to bear this dizziness, and we have to have fun together----- music 01.mp3 bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ----When I wake up, I'm in a bed. text "Huh---?" text Moving my head, I look around me. text This is my room, and it's night outside. text Hisui is here, and she must have been watching over me as I slept. bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Shiki-sama, have you awoken?" text ".... Hisui. text Why am I here?" text My arms and legs don't respond. text Moving just my neck, I look at Hisui. text "Shiki-sama, you collapsed outside. text Your friend from school called here and carried you back to the mansion." text "----Oh. text That means, I" text Pushed aside Kohaku-san like that, and lost consciousness. text ".... I'm an idiot. text I can't possibly face Kohaku-san now." sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text Another headache arrives along with my regret. text .... My body seems to have gotten a little better, but my headache doesn't go away. text ".... Hisui. text What, happened to me?" bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Please relax, Shiki-sama. text It does not seem to be serious. text Nee-san has prepared some medicine, so if you seem to have a headache, please drink it." bgload BG_40C.png text Hisui carries a silver tray with some water and the medicine Kohaku-san prepared. bgload BG_40C.png text But, I don't feel like drinking it right now. text ".... Yeah. text If it gets terrible, I'll drink it. text Please put it over there." jump s287.scr bgload BG_33A.png text ---Certainly, if I went to see Ciel-senpai with this headache, I'd just be a bother. text ~ text ".... That's, right.... I haven't even had a chance to rest from last night. text I guess I pushed myself a little." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T03.png -12 0 text "Then please rest. text Shiki-san, can you walk by yourself?" bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_33A.png text "Ah---no." text It seems impossible right now. bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 text "That's right, oh, Hisui-chan! text Carry Shiki-san to his room." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T07.png 126 0 text "Eh---Nee-san, but---" bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T04.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T07.png 126 0 text "Hisui-chan! text Shiki-san is sick, are you just going to abandon him like that?" text "Ah----" text "I will allow it for today, so take him to his room." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T04.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T21.png 126 0 text ".... Yes. text Sorry for saying such selfish words," bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T21.png 126 0 text "As long as you understand, it's fine. text Did you find the medicine?" bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T01A.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T23.png 126 0 text ".... Um, you had too many medicines, is this the fever medicine?" bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T05.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T23.png 126 0 text "Ahaha, that's used for something else. text Shiki-san is still conscious, so we don't need to use medicine that would stabilize him." bgload BG_33A.png setimg KOHA_T02.png -12 0 setimg HIS_T23.png 126 0 text "It seems his fever is from being too tired, so I'll make some medicine. text Hisui-chan, please take care of the rest." bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T23.png 126 0 text Kohaku-san swiftly disappears towards the west hall---where her room is. bgload BG_33A.png setimg HIS_T20.png 126 0 text "Shiki-sama, I will take you to your room." text With an "excuse me", she lends me her shoulder. bgload BG_33A.png text ~ text Thanks to Hisui's help, I manage to get up the stairs. text On the way, even more than my terribly throbbing headache, Hisui's incredibly embarrassed face burns into my memory. bgload IMA_10.png music 01.mp3 bgload BG_40C.png text ~ text ---In the end, text I lie down in bed, drink the medicine Kohaku-san made, and entrust her to pass on my message to Ciel-senpai who is waiting at the movie theater. text ~ bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "........ Gah." text My headache doesn't stop. text As if in exchange, my body did seem to cool down. jump s287.scr bgload BG_40C.png bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T01.png 62 0 text "Thanks to the goodwill of Makihisa-sama, Nee-san received training in pharmacy. text Until Makihisa-sama passed away, she also was consulted in maintaining his health." text Hisui's face returned to its usual lack of expression and tells me things I didn't even ask about. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "Gh........!" text Sharp pain stabs through my head. text ~ text Even though I'm in this much pain, she seems to be tending me without even batting an eyelash. text ~ text .... Well, that's only to be expected. text I'm the one in pain, not her. text If she acted like she was in pain or had a clouded expression, it would be troublesome. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "Gh----!" text "Shiki-sama, are you still in pain?" text "---Sorry Hisui." text "Yes, what is it?" text "You're an eyesore, so please leave. text I can't sleep with you here." bgload BG_40C.png setimg HIS_T05.png 62 0 text "----I understand, then please excuse me. text If you need anything, please call for me." bgload BG_40C.png text Hisui leaves the room. text ~ text With that, I actually do relax. text My headache also weakens, so maybe I can sleep now. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40C.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text .... text ........ text ............ text ................ text .................... text ........................ text ............................ text Knock-knock. text The door opens. text ~ bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text "---Excuse me, Nii-san. text Are you awake?" text ".... Yeah, I'm up. text You need something, Akiha?" text "No, I heard you were resting because of your anemia, so I just came to see how you were doing." text She looks over at me as I lie in bed. text A soft gaze that tells me she's worried. text ~ text .... To be honest, it's annoying as hell. text "I'm fine. text It's not that bad, that's why I'm resting here by myself. text Go back to your room, Akiha." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T21B.png 40 0 text "---Nii-san, what are you saying? text It's already dinnertime you know. text I came here to tell you that." text .... Dinner....? text Oh, is it that time already? text But I'm not very hungry, and I don't feel like eating anything. text ~ text "I don't have an appetite, so I'll skip dinner. text I'm fine, so go away for today. text I don't feel good." bgload BG_40C.png setimg AKI_T12B.png 40 0 text ".... I understand. text Please get your rest. text But Nii-san, if you are awake, please turn the lights on in your room. text Your eyes will go bad in the dark." text "---I'm fine. text I can relax this way." text "............" bgload BG_40C.png text Even though her eyes tell me she wants to say more, she leaves the room. text "............" text I'm so irritated. text Hisui's reactions, Akiha's worried eyes, they all seem to treat me as something fragile. text ~ text Isn't this like always? text It's not like I'm coughing up blood or sucking up blood, so why can't they just leave me alone? text ~ text ----Grit. text ~ text In the darkness, I hear myself grinding my teeth. text "........" text My nerves are fraying, I know that. text If I stay awake like this, I'll become completely depressed. text I'm not tired, but I have to sleep. sound ~ bgload IMA_10.png music 06.mp3 bgload BG_40C.png bgload BG_46A.png bgload BG_33D.png bgload BG_48D.png bgload BG_32D.png bgload BG_47.png bgload BG_22C.png bgload BG_24C.png bgload BG_25B.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text I go out to the main street. text The date has changed about two minutes ago. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The dead of night on Sunday. text No one is walking the streets. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Did I mistake the time? text If I started walking around an hour earlier, I wouldn't have had to work so hard. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Dragging, walking. text What makes this dragging sound, text isn't my walking, text but something else. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text The time was right. text If I started walking an hour earlier, I never would have been able to walk like this. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Dragging, text With one hand gripping the woman's hair, I continue to walk. text Long hair. text Because she looked like Akiha, I chose this woman. text Not her face, but I liked her hair. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_31B.png text I let go of her hair. text Unconscious, she collapses to the ground. text I did not kill her. text I didn't eat dinner, so I want to make it as appetizing as possible. text I've heard somewhere that the blood of the dead is cold and tastes terrible. text I have no complaints about her unblemished neck. text Gripping my knife in one hand, I draw my mouth closer--- music ~ bgload IMA_10.png text After seeing that dream, I wake up. text "-----!" text I wake up from my sleep and my mind starts to clear. text My throat is horribly parched and my entire body feels excited. text "What---kind of dream...." text was I watching? text I can't believe it. text Leaving at night, knocking a woman I don't know unconscious, and dragging her to an alley. text That's just plain wrong. text Because it was in a dream, it is okay, but I'd have to be crazy to do that in reality. text My panting fills the room. text I have to catch my breath. text Rubbing my eyes, I take a deep breath. text .... After that, I don't think I can go back to sleep. text Turning on the light, I decide to read a book until morning. bgload IMA_10B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text My eyes, gradually, bgload BG_31B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text get used to the dark. bgload BG_31B.png text "-----------Wha...." text I gasp. text This isn't my room. text A back alley. text Knife in hand. text In front of me, text lies an unconscious woman I don't know. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ha-----------" text What, text What am I doing? text ~ text Isn't this a dream? text Isn't this what I dreamt before? sound SE_00.wav 1 text "----------" text It has to be a dream. text Because I've never even wanted to do such a thing before. text Attacking some woman I don't know, text running my knife along the "lines" all over this supple body, text wanting to see the red, red blood coming from the chopped pieces, no way----no way? sound SE_00.wav 1 text Yeah, there's no way I want to do it. text But, for no reason---I'm thinking, that I have to do it. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text Take her apart. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Take her apart. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Take her apart. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Take her apart. sound SE_00.wav 1 text ~ text If I do that, text I can be released, and become something unable to be bound by anyone. text ~ text Come to think of it, text there was someone that said something like that before. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---You're the same. text You, like me, will end up as a killer, Tohno Shiki. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "........ up!" text ~ text ---Just admit it, killer. text Your inversion impulse is nothing more than what you wish for--- text ~ text "Shut.... up!" sound SE_00.wav 1 text But, what is this? text Just what is this? text Why am I doing this? text And even after realizing this, why am I still trying to press my knife against her neck? sound SE_00.wav 1 text If this isn't a dream, and if this is reality, text doesn't that mean I'm crazy, like I thought earlier? sound SE_00.wav 1 text "----Mm." text ~ text Her eyelids flutter. text She starts to open her eyes. text Before that, text I have to chop her apart, or I--- text "Ah." text ~ text My knife moves. text But that's, text ~ text ".... Who are you?" text I can hear her voice. text She suddenly realizes the knife next to her throat. text ~ text "Kya---" text "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_25B.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her scream vanishes into my yelling. text Yelling. text Like a broken siren, I keep yelling as I run. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_22C.png text I breathe rapidly. text My fingers shake. text My mind has gone blank. text But I manage to pull my knife back and run before I slice her. text ~ text But, if she had screamed before me, text ~ text I would have---- text "Ha, ha, haha, hahahahaha......!" text ~ text Scary. text That's scary. text Scarier than any of the things that have happened until now. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_32D.png text Half-laughing, half-panting, I run. text It's following me. text It drapes over my back. text No matter how much I run---I can't escape from my own fear. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_33D.png bgload BG_40D.png text *pant* *pant* *pant* text I fly into my room and try to lock the door. text I clamor about, but I can't get it done. text My fingertips. text My fingertips shake crazily. text It's just sliding a simple metal piece, but I can't do it. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text I'm scared. text If I don't lock the door quickly, it will come in. text Some unknown thing will come in. text "Gh........!" text I have to, lock the door. text I can't let it come in this room. text I can't let it leave this room. text But why? text I don't know. text I don't know, but I continue to try and lock the door wildly. sound ~ text I try all night to lock the door. text But no matter how long I try, I can't even lock the door. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's when it hits me. text I've been crazy all along. bgload IMA_10.png if ciel_regard >= 11 jump s288.scr fi jump s289.scr bgload BG_40E.png music 06.mp3 text @Day 11 text ~ text ~ text It becomes morning and I finally manage to lock the door. text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text My beast-like panting fills the room. text My head hurts. text It seems I dropped my glasses somewhere. text Seeing the "lines" all over my room, I feel nauseous. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I feel so sick, I cut all of them I see. text I feel just a little better. text Only during the instant I cut things apart does my heart feel at ease. text But the more I cut, the thirstier I get. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I know what I'm thirsty for. text I'm thirsty for everything. text Everything I see is pissing me off. text They look miserable. text I can't forgive that they are living meaninglessly even though they have death built in them. text Why don't they die? text They all have an end they can't escape, so why do they still exist like that? text If it will end anyway---where is the meaning in existence? text Everything I see is ghastly. text But if I close my eyes, all I can remember is the sensation of killing. text The sensation of a hard, unbloodied blade, text softly uniting with pulsing flesh. text ~ text There can't be a greater stimulation for a human than that. text A terrible sensation that almost makes me want to bite my tongue off. text It doesn't matter if it is a positive or negative feeling. text Especially in my case. text Because my first was the the best beyond all belief, it's hopeless. text .... Arcueid. text The pleasure I got from severing her body into seventeen pieces still burns in my brain and won't go away. text ~ text Those beautiful body parts. text The appearance of a human, but with a tenacious life that surpasses far beyond that of people. text The enjoyment I had from the killing has faded. text That time, I didn't kill Arcueid, but I must've killed my brain instead. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I want to destroy everything, text kill everything. text I know that's wrong, but I don't think I can hold it in. text My body is filled with excitement; I'm about to go insane. text "Shiki-sama, are you awake?" text "----!" text I can hear Hisui's voice from the other side of the door. text "Shiki-sama, it is not good if you keep the door locked. text If you are awake, please open the door." text "........ Op.... en........?" text Open the door? text Open the door and let Hisui inside? text ---You must be kidding me. text If that happened, I don't know what I would do. text Like this---if I stay alone like this, lying in bed with the curtains shut, I can stave off the desires that threaten to overtake my mind. text That's why, if Hisui comes in here, I'll--- text "---Shut up! text Leave me alone!" text I scream at the door. text ".... Shiki-sama? text Are you not feeling well?" text "I said leave me alone....! text I'm fine, so just leave me alone....!" text If she---came in this room, something I couldn't take back would happen. text ~ text "........" text After a deep silence, I hear her footsteps. text Quietly, she walks away from the door. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text ---Now it's safe. text Thinking that, I calm down just a little. text I should---I should just read a book to unwind. text "H---uh?" text The book that was always beside my pillow isn't there. text The book written in English .... I definitely can't read it, but it was a way to kill time. text I search but I can't find it. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text I can't find it. text I frantically try to remember what the cover looked like. text But I can't. text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text "The book---the book." text Come to think of it, text Why did I even put that book by my pillow? text I don't know. text I don't even remember bringing it here. text I don't know where I brought it from. text In the first place---did that book even exist? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... Really, you may have not realized it. text .... I remember Roa's irksome voice. text That book---those contents. text The book I read when I couldn't sleep. text Was it maybe just a dream of mine dreaming that I was awake and couldn't sleep? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... But you were already insane a long, long time ago....! text Roa said such words. text DREAM---dream. text But, I don't see those kinds of dreams. text In the first place, I don't have that strange knowledge inside of me. text There's no reason for me to have that dream. text That, isn't my dream. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text You may have not realized it. text "----Shut, up." text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text Then what is that? text Since when the hell did I start having dreams that belonged to another person? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text You and I are connected, Shiki. text "----Shut up, you're dead." text You're already dead, you bastard, so stop your incessant calling out. text I'm---different from you. text I'm not a killer. text I'm just confused by all the after-effects. text Since Ciel-senpai came back, I won't allow myself to go mad over something like this. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Yeah, I also thought so at first. text Even if this Roa came in--- sound SE_04.wav 1 text "---I told you to shut up....!" text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant*----- text ~ text .... I breathe heavily. text The sunlight pisses me off. text My throat. text My throat is so dry, I'm about to go insane. text "Shiki-sama....! text What are you doing, Shiki-sama!?" text I hear Hisui's voice across the door. text .... I can't even answer. text Words. text I can't even remember, my words. text ~ text What fills my head, bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text What fills my, head, bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text is just lust. text ~ text I want to violate, violate any female. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png text I start to lust crazily. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40E.png text "Uwaaaa----!" sound SE_09.wav 1 sound SE_09.wav 1 sound SE_09.wav 1 text ~ text My head. text I bang my head against the wall. text Over and over, as if I was trying to split it. text But still---the thought of me slicing apart Hisui doesn't disappear from my brain. text Bam. text Bam. text I hit my head on the wall. text As if she was trying to compete with it, Hisui knocks harder on the door. jump s292.scr bgload BG_40E.png music 06.mp3 text Day 11 text ~ text ~ text It becomes morning and I finally manage to lock the door. text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text My beast-like panting fills the room. text My head hurts. text It seems I dropped my glasses somewhere. text Seeing the "lines" all over my room, I feel nauseous. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I feel so sick, I cut all of them I see. text I feel just a little better. text Only during the instant I cut things apart does my heart feel at ease. text But the more I cut, the thirstier I get. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I know what I'm thirsty for. text I'm thirsty for everything. text Everything I see is pissing me off. text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text I want to destroy everything, text kill everything. text I know that's wrong, but I don't think I can hold it in. text My body is filled with excitement; I'm about to go insane. sound SE_03.wav 1 text "Shiki-sama, are you awake?" text "----!" text I can hear Hisui's voice from the other side of the door. text "Shiki-sama, it is not good if you keep the door locked. text If you are awake, please open the door." text "........ Op.... en........?" text Open the door? text Open the door and let Hisui inside? text ~ text ---You must be kidding me. text If that happened, I don't know what I would do. text Like this---if I stay alone like this, lying in bed with the curtains shut, I can stave off the desires that threaten to overtake my mind. text That's why, if Hisui comes in here, I'll--- text "---Shut up! text Leave me alone!" text I scream at the door. text ".... Shiki-sama? text Are you not feeling well?" text "I said leave me alone....! text I'm fine, so just leave me alone....!" text If she---came in this room, something I couldn't take back would happen. text "........" text After a deep silence, I hear her footsteps. text Quietly, she walks away from the door. text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text ---Now it's safe. text Thinking that, I calm down just a little. text I should---I should just read a book to unwind. text "H---uh?" text The book that was always beside my pillow isn't there. text The book written in English.... I definitely can't read it, but it was a way to kill time. text I search but I can't find it. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text I can't find it. text I frantically try to remember what the cover looked like. text But I can't. text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text "The book---the book." text Come to think of it, text Why did I even put that book by my pillow? text I don't know. text I don't even remember bringing it here. text I don't know where I brought it from. text In the first place---did that book even exist? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text .... Really, you may have not realized it. text .... I remember Roa's irksome voice. text That book---those contents. text The book I read when I couldn't sleep. text Was it maybe just a dream of mine dreaming that I was awake and couldn't sleep? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ".... But you were already insane a long, long time ago....!" text Roa said such words. text DREAM---dream. text But, I don't see those kinds of dreams. text In the first place, I don't have that strange knowledge inside of me. text There's no reason for me to have that dream. text That, isn't my dream. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text You may have not realized it. text "----Shut, up." text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant* text ~ text Then what is that? text Since when the hell did I start having dreams that belonged to another person? text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text You and I are connected, Shiki. text "----Shut up, you're dead." text You're already dead, you bastard, so stop your incessant calling out. text I'm---different from you. text I'm not a killer. text I'm just confused by all the after-effects. text Since Ciel-senpai came back, I won't allow myself to go mad over something like this. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Yeah, I also thought so at first. text Even if this Roa came in--- text "---I told you to shut up....!" sound SE_09.wav 1 text ~ text *pant* *pant* *pant*----- text ~ text .... I breathe heavily. text The sunlight pisses me off. text My throat. text My throat is so dry, I'm about to go insane. text "Shiki-sama....! text What are you doing, Shiki-sama!?" text I hear Hisui's voice across the door. text .... I can't even answer. text Words. text I can't even remember, my words. text "Shiki-sama, please open up, Shiki-sama!" text I hear her voice across the door. text ~ text .... Her voice almost sounds like it was in another language. text So far away. text "Ah-----gh." text .... This isn't good. text I, don't have the confidence to face Hisui like usual. text "Shiki-sama, did something happen, Shiki-sama........!" text She knocks on the door. text ".... Shut.... up...." text I desperately place my hands over my ears.. text " " text .... I can't hear Hisui's voice anymore. text Just like this, text I have to lock myself up in my room so I can't see Hisui, Akiha, or Kohaku-san---- bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40E.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text It's now ten in the morning. text Hisui gave up and went back. text Akiha and Kohaku-san came and took turns knocking but I ignored them. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text Twelve o'clock. text .... I'm hungry. text But, I'm still fine. text I pull the sheets over me and hug my shaking body. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text Two o'clock. text .... I'm dying of thirst. text I've lost all sense of time. text It feels very calm. text But as if I was taking stimulants, my body wants to rage around. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text Four o'clock. text .... More knocking. text A name being called out. text Whose voice is that? text Whose name are they calling? text I can't tell. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text ~ text Five o'clock. text It slowly starts to get dark. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text Six o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Seven o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Eight o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png sound SE_03.wav 1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Someone, comes by. text "Shiki-san, I've brought you dinner. text You haven't had anything since this morning, so you'll collapse you know." text ~ text Kohaku's voice. text She knocks on the door. text ~ text "Geez, if that's how it is, I'll get you to at least eat." text A rattling sound. text Not knocking, but the sound of a lock opening. text "Huhuhu, time to use my secret weapon, the master key!" text "----Ah." text ~ text The lock unlocks. text .... The door opens. text It's too late. text Even if I send her away, she's already come inside. text ~ text ----But still. text I can't even do the action called "eating food". text It will get me too excited, and it will smash the remaining "Tohno Shiki" within me to pieces. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text I breathe hard. text Somehow. text I have to resist it. bgload BG_40F.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, I'm coming in.... wh, what happened?" text Still smiling, she looks in surprise at the room lying in shambles. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text Her cute face devoid of fear. text Her completely unguarded, defenseless figure. text Her red hair----and her delicious looking skin. text "Shiki-san....? text This is strange, how did all of this happen?" text Still smiling, she draws closer to where I lie curled on the bed. bgload BG_40F.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text -----------------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text No. text --------------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text No. text -----------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Stop it. text --------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Shut up. text ------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I don't want to. text --Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "Run---away.." text Using the very last vestiges of my will, I manage to let those words out. bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02.png 52 0 text "Eh? text I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, could you please say it again, Shiki-san?" text But it's working against me. text Concerned, she draws closer to my bed. text To my/TO MY, text body/BODY, text her face/HER FORM, text draws closer/INVITES ME, text in. sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her white fingers touch my shoulder lightly. text Her fingers pulsing with blood. text Her light body warmth. text Small fireworks explode in the back of my head. bgload IMA_10.png text "Kya----!" text I hear a scream. text My hand wraps around her throat. text "Hwa---ha, a, h---" text My breathing is out of control. text What. text Am I. text Trying. text To do? text "Shi.... ki, sa---" text Her voice cuts off. text Not caring, I grip harder. text Grip. text The bones in her neck creak. text "St,o---!" text A small tearing sound. text Her fingers dig into my arm. bgload IMA_13.png text She must be getting frantic, being on the verge of death like that. text Her nails push through my clothes and into the meat of my arm. text "Ah----ch." text Pain. text Well, not as much pain as Kohaku must be feeling. text But blood flows. text It runs down from my arm and onto my hand grasping Kohaku's neck. text "Ha----ha." text Painted deep red. text Her unresisting neck is now running with blood. text I can't really feel her anymore. text Just the fact that she'll die in a few seconds.. text "Haha-----ha." text It seems so funny to me, I start to laugh. text It hasn't even been a minute since I grabbed her neck. text She won't die of suffocation. text But here, by my hand. text "Ha, haa, ha." text For no reason, suddenly. text "Hahaha, ha---ha, ha, ha." text Like a simple appliance. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" text She'll die by having the bones in her neck break. bgload IMA_10.png sound ~ bgload BG_40C.png text In an instant, text like being freed from demonic possession, the heat disappears. text ~ text Before my eyes is the bloodied body of Kohaku-san. text My hand is grasping her neck and any second now----- text ~ text "------!" text I quickly let go. text Without a sound, text ~ text Kohaku-san falls to the floor. text "Uu.... ha, -----" text Kohaku-san breathes painfully with her eyes closed. text "Kohaku----san." text .... She's alive. text Just a little longer. text If I kept going just a little longer, I would have---- text "Uu...., u, u......" text .... She's crying. text Collapsed on the floor, not able to move, she's crying. text Looking down. text Her kimono is covered with white fluid. text ~ text That, is my semen. text I----by doing that, was released from whatever it was inside me? text "-----Ha." text I can't believe it. text While one hand was choking Kohaku-san, my other hand----was reveling in the pleasure of killing something? text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text It, isn't over. text I'm still fully erect, and more than that, I am not satisfied myself. text I'm so thirsty. text I've---done such a terrible thing to Kohaku-san, but it doesn't seem to end. text The truth is, my regret is fading even now as I look at Kohaku-san's neck. text ~ text Her white neck. text Put my teeth at her throat and. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----I want, to suck, her blood. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "----What is this?" text I broke apart. text "What the hell, what am I----" text I broke apart. text Did I break down? text "Why-----" text Outside. text I have to go outside. text If I stay here, I'll kill Kohaku-san. text If I stay in the mansion, I'll kill even Akiha and Hisui. text So before those urges come again, I have to disappear. text "What, am I, doing?" text A place where no one is. text I have to go to a place where no one is or I'll go crazy again----. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---I leave the mansion. text My ragged breath pours out of my dry throat. text ".... A.... haa.... ha.... ah." text How did, this happen? text My mind is going, blank. text ~ text I can't remember. text Such as how to breathe, how to think properly, balancing the movement of my arms and legs, I have to think about it or I can't do them properly. sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ah...., ha...." text .... I don't have any place in mind. text Just, for no reason whatsoever. text I want to see golden moonlight. bgload BG_24D.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text ---The lines won't disappear. text The wavering in my vision worsens. text The night city is shrouded in a white fog, as if it was a city that died thousands of years ago. text ~ text There's no sign of anyone else. text A cocoon that's like a spider's web is everywhere on every building. text It's terribly quiet. text Like a dead city at the bottom of a vast ocean. sound SE_00.wav 1 text In that illusion, I still walk. text Overhead, the large golden moon shines radiantly. text Is it the mercy of the moon? text My headache has disappeared and my head is in a daze. text ~ text Under the moon. text As if under a spell, I continue walking. bgload IMA_10.png text I walk down the dead city blanketed in darkness. text I can feel the knife in my pocket. text .... I can't believe it. text Even without thinking about it, I seemed to have put it there. text ~ text ~ text Probably, text so that at any time, I can kill someone. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text Night hangs over the park. text In the middle of my hazy vision, there is one figure that looks clear. text "------" text For some reason, it seems like the other "me" wanted this. text ~ text The moonlight is strong. text Under the light as bright as the sun. text There, Arcueid stands dressed in white. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "It's been a while. text Isn't it a wonderful moon tonight, Shiki?" text "--Arcueid. text Didn't you go back?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text "No, I haven't fulfilled my objective yet. text I can't go back before then, can I?" text ~ text ---Effortlessly. text Arcueid looks at me with crimson eyes. text "Ts------" text My breathing stops in my throat. text An unnatural pressure, nothing like when I confronted Senpai. text "Arcueid.... What are, you---" text Planning to do. text But I couldn't finish. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_13B.png bgload BG_28B.png text .... My vision wavers. text Inside my head, someone other than me continues to scream. text Almost like a beast howling at the moon. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text ".... Hmm. text You're not running away, so you're prepared?" text Her red eyes stare at me, as if she is looking at a hated enemy. text "A------" text I can't breathe. text My throat doesn't move. text If I do such extraneous movement---she would tear it out at that moment. text "Then I'll kill you, but do you have any last words?" sound SE_00.wav 1 text "---------" text I'm so scared I can't even speak. text But, if I could speak---I want to ask her why she wants to kill me. text "Eh---? text No way, I can't believe it. text You haven't realized it yet?" bgload BG_28B.png text With a giggle, Arcueid takes a step closer. text ~ text The dry sound of her footsteps echoes through the park. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I was also deceived. text I didn't think you were Roa." text Saying that, text she shows just a brief moment of pity. text Then, her eyes light up with pure delight like a happy child. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png music 04.mp3 text Snap. text Something cracks in my head. text It was a definite, most terrible, already nonfunctional, desperate crack. text "Wha------" text My voice leaks out. text What. text What is she saying? bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "So how is it, Shiki? text How does it feel to have Roa inside you?" text The white vampire princess speaks with a kind voice as she stares with hostility. text "I-----I." text I don't know about this Roa guy. text What's inside me is only this inexplicable urge to destroy things. text Like trying to kill Kohaku-san without any reason, and getting pleasure out of seeing it. text That's, all----- text "Oh----" text In other words. text That black, sudden impulse. text That's Roa? text "---No. text That, can't be true." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "You can't play dumb. text In the first place, Roa was made into a Dead Apostle by me. text It's very easy for me to tell where the person is who stole my power." text "----That's, a lie." text Saying that, I fall into despair. text With those words---I can't even deceive myself. text "I don't know why. text There have been seventeen reincarnations before this, but this is the first time this has happened." text She doesn't look like she intends to take another step forward. text .... No, there's no need. text The distance between me and Arcueid is about seven meters. text But even if it was ten times that, Arcueid could chop off my neck instantly. text ~ text This is well within her range. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_28B.png text ---Thump. text A rumbling starts. text Is that my instinctual reaction to life-threatening danger? text Or---is that the ferocity of Roa residing in my brain? text ".... Ar.... cueid." text I put my hand in my pocket. text The hard sensation of my knife gathers up my splintering consciousness. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "It seems you finally admit it, Shiki. text You feel the Roa inside you too, right? text Back then, the instant Roa's reincarnated body was killed, he transmitted himself into you. text I don't understand how it happened." text .... Crimson, eyes. text Being stared at by them, my headache returns again. text Thump, Thump. text Inside my head. text The vampire called Roa, is wanting to emerge. text "-------" text .... It hurts. text Just having Arcueid say his name enrages the memories of this guy in my brain. text ~ text Throb. text Throb. text Thro------b bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_28B.png bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "You're pretty composed. text You're in front of me and not even running away. text I thought you would run away the instant you saw me." text ".... I.. won't do, that. text Why, would I have, to run away?" text Resisting the pain in my head, I reply. text "---Hm? text I'm surprised you can still bluff. text I really thought over half of you was taken over by Roa already---I see, that's how it is." text Her voice sounds happy. text .... I don't know what's making her so happy, but it seems she still has some humanity left in her. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I've changed my mind. text If you do as I say, I won't kill you. text How's that?" text Arcueid looks at me as she says this, happiness coloring her voice. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Another headache. text Inside my head, Roa screams at me not to trust this woman. text ".... What do you mean? text Don't you want to kill Roa? text Then.... there's no way you'll let me go, right?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "Yes, once I decide something, it will be done. text I will get at Roa for sure." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "But Shiki, the Roa inside you is very weak. text He probably can't take away a person's will unless he's born into their body. text He somehow managed to transmit himself to you, but that was all he could do. text The Roa who was just trying to escape couldn't establish control over you. text He is only able to live as your dark side." text ~ text ".... That," text Does that mean Roa's will is almost nothing in me....? text "Arcueid, that---" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "Yes. text There's no need for me to kill you if that's the case. text I'm fine just having the power Roa stole from me working under me." text "----?" text There's no need for me to be killed is what she's saying. text So why did she come to see me? text Why---does she look at me with those serious eyes? text ".... I don't understand. text What are you trying to say, Arcueid?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text "I am telling you to become my servant." text "--------Eh?" bgload BG_28B.png text ---She doesn't seem like she's joking. text When Arcueid and Senpai were fighting, she said it was just a joke. text ".... What? text That wasn't a joke?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "No. text I like you. text So isn't it natural for me to want you by my side rather than to kill you?" text ~ text ----Snap. text ~ text With that line, my headache pounds more than it ever has before. text Roa. text The guy inside my head rages against her words. text .... I don't know if that comes from delight or from deep jealousy. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "If you are willing to become my servant, I will stop Roa from consuming you. text I don't think you even need to think about it, seeing how Roa will consume you like this." text ".... You say it so simply, but how do you intend to stop this Roa inside me?" text "Huh? text The only one who can stop Roa is you, Shiki. text But that method would mean your death. text My method is simply strengthening you. text As long as your will is stronger than Roa's, then it doesn't matter how much he rages in you, right?" bgload BG_28B.png text Something bursts in my head again. text Roa keeps raging. text Don't let her fool you, he rages. text This woman wants to make you her puppet. text .... I don't intend to give in to that impulse. text But, I agree with Roa. text I want to stay as myself. text To become Arcueid's servant to get away from Roa is getting my priorities wrong. text ~ text And, in the first place, text there is Ciel-senpai. text If I go to school tomorrow and talk to her about it, I bet she can come up with a solution to this---. text "........" text Gritting my teeth, I resist the pounding in my head. text I take off my glasses, text and get my knife from my pocket. text I take the blade out and hold it at eye level. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "----Shiki." text "I refuse. text Sorry, but I won't be yours to possess." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I see. text Then, I guess it'll just have to be by force." text ~ text A hard footstep cracks through the air. text ~ text "You killed me once, so I always thought I should pay you back." bgload BG_28B.png text Her white figure rushes forth with a gust of wind. music ~ text ~ text ----In that instant, text the fight begins. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_11.wav 1 bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text Her claws meet my knife. text ~ text Under the golden moon, even if she is my enemy, her figure is still beautiful. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text We repel each other again. text To be honest, I can't even see her movements. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text We repel each other once more. text Arcueid isn't serious at all. text But still, it should be easy for her to rip off my arms and legs. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang. text We repel each other again. text My body moves without thinking. text My arms and legs, this body, with just the intention of not dying, fends off Arcueid's claws by itself. text "Tch-----" text My lips curl in irony. text I don't want to admit it, but it seems my body has become beyond that of a human's. text In the dead of night, it seems Tohno Shiki has become like SHIKI, probably able to easily jump off the third floor of a building and be just fine. text Cl, ang. text But, this is it. text From the very start---I knew I couldn't win against Arcueid. text First of all, I can't see any "lines" on her. text ~ text I have no way of hurting her. text Arcueid said it once. text That during nighttime, there is nothing which can cause her death. text Clang. text She hits my knife. text With just a swing of her arm, I fly through the air. bgload IMA_10.png text "K-----!" text I manage to land on the ground and ready my knife. text No matter how much I look, I can't see any "lines" on her. text "Damn it. text What nonsense you are....!" text ----Yes, I am so right. text In the deep night without the mercy of the sun, text facing the princess of the moon is too reckless. bgload BG_29B.png text "Ha----ah, ha." text My throat is burning. text My heart feels like it'll explode. text I realize that since I saw her tonight, I was under the pressure of her crimson eyes and I haven't been able to breathe well. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Have you realized it yet?" text She isn't even out of breath. text Even though I'm gasping for air and my heart feels like it'll stop, she's completely relaxed. text "Damn----What about you, have you cooled your head----" text Trying to control my breathing, I step back from her little by little. text .... Arcueid isn't fighting me seriously at all. text She doesn't have the pressure like Roa or Nrvnqsr, I never thought I would feel this much difference between us. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh well. text It seems you won't understand until you die once, Shiki." text She gives an impatient sigh. bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid stands directly behind me. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_04.wav 1 text "Gh----!" text I hear a sound from behind my head. text ----There's not even time to blink. text She effortlessly pushes me to the ground. text Her body pushes up against my shoulders. text I'm down. text In an instant, without me knowing what's going on, Arcueid has pinned me down. bgload event/ARK_E04B.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text "------" text Arcueid glares at me without speaking. text Her body weight against my shoulders. text She stops as if hesitating over what to do with me. text "------" text I gasp. text But, it might have been just her silence. text "------" text This close. text Now that we are so close---I may be able to see it. text ------I stare at her body. text ~ text The core of my brain screams in protest. text Completely unlike the pain of my headache before---as if it really were tearing itself apart. text "-------" text But it's no good. text I can't read the "death" from an existence like Arcueid. text Daytime might be different, but at night, she is close to being a perfect life form that doesn't even carry the concept of death. text ".... What do you intend to do with Roa, Arcueid? text You said you wouldn't kill me, but as long as I live, Roa will still be alive." text "I don't care about a diluted Roa. text .... Yes, that's why I could have let you go, Shiki." text "---Oh, you don't have to hold back, go ahead and let me go. text Don't worry about me and go home, back to your daddy." text "But you know, isn't it natural for me to take back my own power? text And more than anything else, I do like you." text ~ text Squeeze. text The body weight on my shoulders becomes even heavier. text "More than killing you and destroying Roa, I want to take you in." text ~ text So, I won't kill you, text her red eyes seem to say. text "I can't believe it, but it seems I really like you. text That's why I'll save you. text I won't suck your blood, and I won't do anything you won't like." text So please listen to what I tell you, her red eyes say. text ---Those are, without a doubt, her true feelings. text But, I can't listen. text She might be not on guard right now as the perfection is fading from her body. text ".... Shiki. text Or do you, hate me?" text Her eyes look straight at me. text I look at her face while being pinned down. text Sincerely. text ---So strongly it might burn my brain. text ".... I don't hate you Arcueid." text "Really?" text She sounds very happy. text ~ text .... My forehead is burning. text As my brain throbs horribly, I definitely--- text ~ text See just one "line" of death. text "Still, I have no intention of becoming your puppet....!" text "-------!" text Her eyes brim over with anger. text But before that, text I slice through the "line" on her neck. bgload IMA_12.png sound ~ bgload BG_29B.png text "Ah-----" text Fresh blood spilling from her neck, Arcueid collapses. text Slipping out from underneath her, I get away. text "Ha----Ah." text I am out of breath. text I'm not hurt, but I can't run in this state. text It's Arcueid, she should be able to heal such a wound and will come to attack me again--- text ~ text "Ar.... cueid?" text She doesn't even move. text Blood flowing over the ground, her white body is covered in vermillion. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----No way. text Did I, kill her? text "Wha---Arcueid, are---" text Stopping my legs that tried to flee, I try to rush towards her body, but gasp. sound SE_00.wav 1 text One arm. text One of her arms on her collapsed figure.... like a spider's leg, stands up on the ground. text ~ text In that instant, text the whole world freezes over. bgload IMA_01.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I Wi l l" text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ~ text .... From her neck spills her blood, and her breath. text Her arm tenses. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Ki ll, Yo u," text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant* *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant* text ~ text .... The vermillion blood continues to flow. text Her body lifts slowly from the ground. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I Wi l l" text ~ text ~ text Heavy, rapid breathing turns into laughter. text ~ text .... Her white body stained in blood. text She raises her face. text I can see her eyes gleaming between her golden hair. text Her eyes are pitch-black. text And in them, text glows a fierce, fiery red. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I will kill you." text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ha. text a. text ahahaha, ha. text ~ text Hahaha, ahahaha, text ~ text Ahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahaha----!!!! bgload IMA_01.png text "Ar---cueid." text Her eyes are looking at nothing. text She tries to lift herself up with one hand, but every time, she collapses back down to the ground. text ~ text She slips on her own pool of blood, and each time, her body gets redder. text Over, and over. text She tries to stand up, slips, and falls. text .... It seems as if she's enjoying that cycle of failure. text ~ text "Ju st, wait." text ~ text "-------" text I can't move. text Her voice, her figure, her will---flows compulsorily into my head. text ~ text My will is flowing, fusing, merging. text The whole world spins around me. text ~ text In the middle of it all, her image dominates. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's right. text I have never felt such shame before. text I have never been so disgraced. text ~ text ---That's, why it's funny. text ~ text I can't even imagine how much pleasure I'll get when I take this anger out on you, Shiki. text ~ text Destroy. text Destroy. text Destroy. text Slowly, completely, gently beyond comparison, cruelly to the point of numbness, I'll violate your life. text ~ text That's right. text ~ text The instant I tear off your limbs, rip open your chest and pull out your intestines, biting into your neck as you ask for mercy, chewing through your eyes and spreading your brains on the ground like butter------! bgload BG_27B.png text "Just wait, I'll kill you soon....!" text Smiling, laughing insanely, Arcueid wallows in a sea of her own blood. text "----" text I can't move. text This isn't good. text Even Roa can't move. text If I stay here, I really will be killed. text I have to escape. text It doesn't matter where, if I don't get away from here quickly, I will get killed. text "Ah, Ah-----" text Wet, dripping sounds. text In the pool of her own blood, Arcueid laughs insanely. text "A ah, ah-----" text The blood spraying from her neck. text Her slashed, fatal wound. text Does it hurt that much? text As if to mitigate the pain, she is chewing through her stomach, her arms, tearing herself apart. text ~ text "AAAAAaAAAAAA!" bgload IMA_10.png text ----I run. text Thoughts of where and how don't even enter my mind. text I am driven by fear, and I run away from this killing chamber. sound ~ bgload BG_01C.png text *pant*---*pant*, *pant*---- text I run to this place without even realizing it. text "Ghaa----ah, ah." text I'm out of breath. text I'm so exhausted I can't take another step. text "Ts---ah, ha, ah." text But my legs keep moving. text I'll be found in this place. text I have to go inside and hide myself until morning or I'll die. text Even while I'm resting like this, I bet she's looking for me--- text ~ text I take off my glasses and cut the lock on the school gate with my knife. text "Ah----kk." text Opening the door, I walk inside the school grounds. bgload BG_02A.png text "Ha........ ah." text I fall to my knees as soon as I get to the school grounds. text I brace myself off the ground using both my hands. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png text ".........." text My whole body is hot. text I have to hurry inside the school building, but my legs won't move. text More than my body, my heart and mind are completely worn out. text This headache that won't stop. text This Roa inside of me. text .... And, the white vampire princess that continued to laugh insanely. text "----Gg." text Gorge rises in my throat. text My mouth tastes bitter. text I haven't eaten anything today, so all I can vomit is my stomach acid. text "Ha----ah." text Still on my knees, I collapse headfirst onto the ground. text "Why.... did it end up, like this?" text Breathing painfully, I give up trying to lift up my face. text .... Even if she finds me, I don't care. text I can't escape anyway. text Away from Arcueid, or from Roa who is inside me. text ~ text Since that's the case---waiting here quietly for the end is easier for me. sound SE_08.wav 1 bgload BG_02A.png text "---?" text It suddenly gets darker. text The sound of footsteps. text I didn't realize it since I was face down, but someone is coming. text ~ text Under the moonlight. text Did that person darken the sky with her shadow? text "Are you trying to repent, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text Ciel-senpai asks in a cold voice. text ~ text "----Senpai?" text .... I lift my head in amazement. text I don't know why she's here. text But, I wanted to rely on something right now, and I lift my face to meet the night air. bgload event/CEL_E06A.png text ~ text "----Eh?" text ~ text ---But this. bgload event/CEL_E06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---This Ciel before me, text she isn't the one that I know. text Her bare arms have the tattoo of a cross on them. text Her cold eyes, as if watching someone she doesn't even know. text .... Senpai bears an uncouthly weapon with an aura of coldness that doesn't suit her. text "-------Ah." text .... I know this. text Inside my brain, I know what weapon this is. text That has to be---what's called the Seventh Holy Scripture, one of the apocrypha that must never be removed from its resting place. text ~ text "Sen---pai?" text "As I expected, you were Roa after all, Tohno-kun." text With her frigid eyes, text Senpai speaks with a voice that is equally cold. text "----" text I start to feel a shiver up my spine. text For no reason. text No, my instincts and my brain work full force to tell me the danger, and I jump back. text ~ text "------" text Still with her mouth shut, she takes a step towards me with that ominous weapon. text .... She has no openings whatsoever. text If I run away hastily, text if I show my back to her, I know that thing will pierce my heart and I will disappear without the opportunity for reincarnation ever again. text ~ text .... Even though I don't even have that knowledge in my memories. text "---Senpai. text Why are you doing this too---?" text ~ music 08.mp3 text "I understand. text Roa is already surfacing, right? text Then it is too late already." text Lightly, text she takes another effortless step forward. text ~ text That figure looks like---- text "---What are you doing, Senpai? text You look like---you're, going to kill me." text "-----" text She doesn't answer. text She just stares at me like she's trying to find out where she can aim to kill me quickly. text "---Sen, pai." text She's serious. text She seriously, plans to kill me. text ~ text ---Creak. text My nerves feel the imminent death before me. text My spine is screaming and the back of my neck is numbing. text ~ text But---more than this fear of death, text I can't believe why this person is saying such things. text "----Why?" text I don't know. text "Senpai, you said you stayed here for my sake." text "------" text With a start, text Ciel-senpai's legs stop. text ~ text She looks at me and grins. text "Your goodness really is a rare treasure. text It is a good thing to trust people, but if you were a little more composed and thought about it clearly, you could have maybe got away." text "Eh---" text "First of all, didn't you ever think about why I came to this school in the first place?" text I didn't do it just because I wanted to, you know." text "------Sen, pai?" text "You knew my goal was to destroy 'The Serpent'---Roa. text Coming here to this school was because I knew Roa's reincarnated host was here. text But since I didn't know for sure, I needed to check things out for a while." text "Wait a minute, what in the world are you---" text What is she babbling about? text I don't know. text I really can't understand what she's talking about. text She ignores my bewilderment and keeps talking. text ".... I told you before, Tohno-kun. text Roa has requirements for the family he decides to reincarnate into. text If you think the other way around, you just have to look for families with those traits. text When you know that, finding him is very simple. text It's easy to find families that have special abilities passed down through their blood once you do a bit of research. text In this city, there is only one family that fits Roa's requirements. text So---I knew from the beginning who Roa was." text "-----Wha--" text That's strange. text If she knew from the beginning, she could have killed him or caught him right then.... text From the beginning? text She knew, who it was....? text "Yes. text Look, don't you realize it now? text You know, Tohno-kun. text I came to this school to catch you from the beginning." text ~ text "--------------" text Wait. text I just want, her to, wait. text "But, a little mistake happened. text .... I was watching you from afar so as not to stimulate Roa inside you, but I concluded that you might not be Roa's new reincarnated host. text But, the eldest son of the Tohno family had to be what Roa reincarnates into. text There is no mistake in that, so what had to be a mistake was you, Tohno-kun." text Ciel-senpai speaks matter-of-factly. text I---can't say anything. text "Looking into it, you were fatally wounded eight years ago and adopted by your relatives. text What happened afterwards was exactly as Tohno SHIKI said two nights ago. text I don't know what happened in the Tohno family eight years ago, but you were killed by that kid called SHIKI. text No, it's more like your life was stolen. text As a result, you became connected to SHIKI who was Roa's host." text A direct voice, without emotion. text I don't know this Ciel-senpai. text Or is this.. text Is this the true Ciel, and the kind person I knew up until now was all just---- text "Up until now, there should have been times where Roa's memory would flow into you through SHIKI. text He is a vampire that manipulated the shapeless thing called a soul. text For Roa, you two who shared one life were a finely crafted double existence. text "That's why---when SHIKI's body was destroyed, Roa didn't need to reincarnate. text He still had a place to run to: you." text Cold. text As if hating her enemy, she detests me. text "But, it's all over now. text I wasn't prepared to finish it so suddenly that one night, but tonight is different. text I really am fortunate in a way. text If Arcueid had destroyed Roa, he probably would have reincarnated again." text .... I can't. text Believe this. text That---that.. text "----That's not, true." text "Go ahead, please keep on denying it and play dumb. text That makes my job easier. text Still---" text ~ text A metallic rattle sounds from the weapon. text ~ text "It doesn't change the fact that I can finish you off easily no matter what you do, Roa." text "-------" text Her laughing voice causes me to finally understand. text .... She isn't lying. text .... Her eyes aren't looking at "me". text .... Her feelings never did have anything to do with "me" from the beginning. text ".... What is this? text Then, then from the very beginning, you always thought of me as Roa? text Senpai. text Being friends with me was all just..........!" text ~ text ---I can't say it. text I can't finish the sentence. text If I do that, I feel like everything will turn into a lie in that instant. text "Of course. text After SHIKI was destroyed, the only reason why I stayed in school was because Roa had not disappeared. text Since Roa is a student here, it's more convenient for me to stay." text ~ text I would never go back while leaving you here. text ~ text Senpai said that with a smile. text That wasn't, for my sake. text She stayed here just to search for the still-living Roa. text That is the only reason why she gave me her phone number. text "----Ha." bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png text Then, that too. text ~ text "Haha---" bgload event/CEL_E02A.png text ~ text And those times, too. text ~ text "Haha----ha." bgload event/CEL_E03A.png text ~ text And when she saved me that one night, too. text ~ text "Ah...... ha, ha." bgload event/CEL_E05B.png text ~ text And, those sad eyes, too. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Haha---ha." text .... That's right, Shiki, this is nothing at all. text These memories---they are nothing at all. text I just thought I loved her. text And that she loved me back. text .... What a joke. text They were all just an illusion made from a play. text ~ text ----All of it. text All of it was a fairy tale made up of lies--- text "---I understand. text But, Senpai. text How did you know Roa was still alive? text How, how did you know Roa reincarnated into this Tohno Shiki?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "Of course I knew. text Because it's about myself." Senpai says something I can't understand. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_02A.png text As if saying there's no need to talk anymore, text Ciel's hands lift up that weapon. text The Seventh Holy Scripture. text The weapon that the reincarnation-denying Church created. text A scriptural canon inscribed with every possible impeachment of reincarnation criticism. text It's an item that is scripture yet an apocrypha. text A weapon, yet a scripture at the same time. text ~ text If I'm hit by that, my soul itself will disperse into nothingness. text "------" text The bayonet rises up. text The tip comes towards me. text But slowly. text If it is Ciel---she should be able to pierce me without me even noticing it ever happened. text "Ah----" text There's no time to think. text ~ text ---Instantly, I fall forward. text I felt from before that if I turned and ran, my heart would be shot from behind. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text "Hya----!" text Her sword flies past my head. text It seems really slow. text I evade her attack, move right beside her, and---- bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_05.wav 1 text "-----!" text The instant I tried to run forward, Senpai's movement changed drastically. text In an instant, with a speed that makes her seem to have literally disappeared, she swings her weapon horizontally. text The rush of the wind fills my ears---and for some reason, I am standing many meters away from her. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-------" text She clicks her tongue and glares at me. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG #FFFFFF,%TYPE_NOWAITDISP.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Ow....!" text My left arm hurts. text "What.... Huh-----!?" text I'm surprised. text From the elbow down, my arm is broken. text Not broken normally, but my lower arm is bent in the shape of a triangle. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "---Sacrificing your arm to save your head? text If you didn't do anything, I would have ended it painlessly for you." text "Wha----" text Even though I didn't notice it, I must have broken my arm defending her attack. text "Aren't you going to pull out your knife?" text She looks at me with a bored expression. text .... She's looking down at me. text She looks down at me as if saying she could kill me at any moment. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG #FFFFFF,%TYPE_NOWAITDISP.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Gg....!" text Pain. text Pain shoots from my arm to my brain. text The blood from my broken arm seems to flow like poison into my nerves. text Sharply. text Just with that, my mind fills with a white blankness. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-----" text She continues to look at me with those cold eyes. text "You---!" text You break my arm, and you still act that way!? text Do you know how much this hurts!? text Making such a fool of me. text Making such a fool of me! text Making such a fool of me------! text "If that's how you're going to be, Senpai----" text ~ text I grip the knife in my pocket. text ~ text "I'm not just going to stand here helplessly----" text ~ text The hard feeling of metal. text ~ text "--and let you kill me." text ~ text With a quick snap, text I take out the blade of my knife. text "---Are you stupid?" bgload BG_02A.png text Instantly, text her body, explodes. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ----No, that's not right. text She crouches down low to the ground---almost like a lizard, and runs up towards me in a flash. text ~ text She closes the distance of six meters in a flash. text She's not in my vision at all. text Her whole body is below my knee-height, and explodes upward from there. text ~ text A thud. text ~ text From right beneath me, her bayonet accurately shoots directly for my throat. bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_04.wav 1 sound SE_09.wav 1 text "Ga----ah!" text I gasp. text Pain, is there pain? text Yes, I can still feel pain. text ~ text "Ha-----ugh." text Conscious, am I conscious? text Alright, I still have that. text ~ text "A, aaaaaa........!" text My body. text My body----is not okay. bgload IMA_13.png text A dripping sound. text It's coming from my left shoulder. text Looking at it, it's already a waterfall of blood, which pours straight down. text Just now. text The bayonet didn't hit my throat, but my left shoulder. bgload BG_02A.png text "A, Aa, Aaaaaaah!" text It hurts. text It hurts so much the word pain doesn't come close to describing it. text ~ text "Haa, aaa, aggggg------!" text But, I'm alive. text Still, I'm alive. text My body. text My body is away from her again. text I smell a whiff of gunpowder from my shoulder. text ~ text "A, Aah, ah." text Just now. text The instant that bayonet pierced me, she must have pulled the trigger. text I was blown away by that, and there's distance between us again. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text ".... To happen twice, that must mean it's not a coincidence. text With that much blood pouring out, not dying from shock must already be a sign that your body has begun to change." text ~ text Ga-chang! text A metallic sound. text The sword on the end of that weapon changes into a new one. text The sword that shot me just now falls---and turns into pages of a book and scatters. text ".... That's.... ridiculous." text But that ridiculous thing is really frightening. text That---just touching me carries a fatal poison. text Death. text I'll die. text Without a doubt, I'll be killed. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png text Will I die? text Is that what I'm scared of? text I don't know. text ~ text "Ah, gg......!" text ~ text My shoulder is burning. text Hot, it's so hot, as if my entire body will burst into flames. text She readies her weapon once more with another metallic clang. text .... Twice. text Withstanding that twice can be nothing but a miracle. text The next time will certainly---- sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text I imagine that bayonet piercing me right in the face. text That's more repulsive than frightening. text ~ text Death is. text No matter how it happens, something useless, dirty, and disgusting. text I like myself---so I don't want that to happen. text Is that why I'm scared? text I don't know. text Come to think of it---I was always able to see "death", but I never thought about "death" at all. text No, that doesn't really matter right now. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text I have to escape. text I don't want to die, so I have to get away. text ~ bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T07C.png 52 0 text "--You won't take off your glasses?" text A simple, plastic voice. text Those words. text I gasp at their meaning. text Because taking them off means I would see Senpai's "lines". text If that happens, I might kill her---- text "Wha--What are you, saying, Senpai....!?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-------" text A chill runs through me. text The air suddenly becomes saturated with a murderous intent. text ".... I can't spend any more time with you. text Please just die already." bgload BG_02A.png text Her figure plunges low again. text ~ text ---She's coming. text ~ text Even though I know she's going to run towards me again, it's hard for me to even see her. text ---I can only think of escaping. text If I don't want to be killed---escape is my only option. text Fortunately, our distance is almost ten meters. text If I run as fast as I can, I can make it to the school building. text Maybe I might be able to do something if I can get into a less open space-----! bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_03C.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_06.wav 1 text ~ text "------" text My back. text Something----pierced, my back. text "Aa----ah." text My body falls forward. text Just a little more. text And it was just a little more before I could enter the school building. text "Kk-----" text I lift myself up with one arm. text What sticks through me is one of those swords that looks like a nail that Senpai was using before. text "Why----you......! text I must be numbed to pain, and I pull out the sword skewering my back from behind. text .... Since it penetrated through me, I got mad and pulled it out from my chest. text "Alright......!" text Now I can escape inside....! text "What do you plan on doing by escaping, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text Before that, text I hear Senpai's voice from behind me. text "You still don't understand? text How fast do you think you just ran here? text Why are you still alive after receiving that fatal wound?" text "St-------" text My mind begins to white out. text Don't let her trick you. text Don't let her trick you. text Hasn't she been deceiving you all along? text Don't listen to her anymore. text If you listen, you'll die. text Ignore her. text Don't accept it. text Even if it is the truth, this body can only reject it--- text "----Stop, it." text "Geez, there's nowhere for you to run to. text You can only fight or be killed. text But if you can't fight, you can only die." text Her footsteps. text With the sound of footsteps, Senpai approaches. text "-------!" text I leap. text My back, my shoulders, my arm are all almost dead, but I leap as if it was nothing. text ~ text ---I can't even believe it myself. text Still breathing wildly and with a speed that matches Senpai, I run into the school building. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11C.png music 09.mp3 text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text I run. text Without thinking, just wanting to escape, I continue running. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text But I'm at my limit. text Is it because I'm out of breath or is it that my wounds won't let me move my arms and legs anymore? text Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. text My breathing becomes more forced. text At the end of the hallway. text Coming onto a wall aimlessly, I fall. text I fall on my back, and try to get back up, and feel foolish for doing so. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant* text Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I lean my back against the wall. text Throwing back my head, I take a big breath of air. text "-----The moon." text Looking up, I can see the moonlight through the window. text Is it because I'm so exhausted? text Everything I look at seems vague, as if everything was covered in a mist. text ~ text Vagueness. text Does that mean it is indefinite? text The same as me. text The same as the person called Tohno Shiki, indefinite. text ".... Ou.... ch...." text My shoulder throbs in pain. text If I was as definite as this pain, maybe this wouldn't have happened? text I'm starting to not understand. text I always thought I was Tohno Shiki. text But that was a different person, and they tell me I'm just an adopted son from somewhere. text Being adopted means I should have memories of before I came to the Tohno mansion, but there's nothing. text I.... really, I only have the memories of Tohno Shiki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_01.png text In the night sky is the solitary moon. text "----" text It's incredibly.. strange. text Why didn't I realize it until now? text Tonight is so--- bgload BG_11C.png text .... In the end, just what was I? text It's stupid not knowing anything about myself and just disappearing like this. text ~ text Everything is so vague, it's stupid. text A world where I can see death. text A vision where I can perceive death. text That day eight years ago. text I was able to meet Sensei and was able to live normally. text I can still declare that it was proper to meet her. text ".... But, Sensei. text I, guess I, was someone, who shouldn't be alive." text .... I should end my life while some part of me can still think that. text But I can't do it. text I can't kill myself. text Even if it is pointless, even if it is a mistake, I want to keep on living. text If I die, everything will become a lie. text I want to keep on living. text No matter how wrong it is, no matter how many things I have to lose, I want to keep on living. text ~ text Only her. text If only I had Ciel-senpai with me. text I wouldn't care what else I had to lose. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_08.wav 1 text I can hear her footsteps. text .... She's coming. text ~ text "............ Can I only fight?" text ~ text Mumbling, I feel a chill. text I can't do such a thing as fight Senpai. text I said that out loud just on a whim. text But, "Slice her apart". text From in my head, from deep inside my brain, as if trying to seep itself into my mind, the same words keep repeating over and over. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text If you want to stay alive, slice her apart. text If you don't want to die, slice her apart. text Slice apart the person who deceived you. text Slice apart the person trying to kill you. text Just do it already---slice apart the person getting in my way. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text SliceSliceSlice SliceSliceSlice, Slice, apart, slice, apart, slice, slice, slice, slice, sliceslicesliceslice slicesliceslice slicesliceslice sliceslice sliceslice sliceslice sliceslice slicesliceslice-----!! text "Shuuuuut Uuuuup!!!!!!" text ~ text ---*pant*, *pant*, *pant*. text ~ text "Shut.... up, you're always....!" text ~ text ---*pant*.... *pant*, *pant*. text ~ text .... My headache thins. text I can't hear that voice anymore. text But, in place of that, text Now, Senpai probably knows where I am because of my scream. text "............" text I grip my knife strongly. text ~ text ---Are you going to fight? text ~ text Have a fight to the death with that person? text ~ text .... I can't think clearly. text My nerves feel numb, as if they were burned off a long time ago. text I fought Arcueid and sliced her neck. text I somehow managed to escape, but Ciel was waiting for me. text "Ha.... haha, ha." text It's a little disappointing. text I never thought it would be like this. text I escape and escape, but a worse situation awaits me. text It's like a joke. text Since when did I---get lost on this hopeless path---- sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_11C.png text "Ah---gg..........!" text The headache runs through me like a knife through my brain. bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ha.......... a, ah------" text I can't breathe properly. text My vision wavers. text .... It looks like I'm really done. text My head starts to rage again. text But still, I don't want to die. text If I don't want to die---there's only one thing to do. text ~ text The footsteps get louder. text Her shadow grows larger. text ~ text ---Aren't you going to take off your glasses? text ~ text Even knowing what it meant, she said that. text In that case. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----Everything. text All of it should turn into illusion. bgload BG_11D.png text I stand up as I strongly grip my knife. text ~ text The footsteps get even louder. text I sense the enemy coming closer. text All the time, someone's voice echoes in my brain. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text "U----" text ~ text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart---- text ~ text "Shut up." text Using my willpower, I force the voice in my head to be quiet. text "This is, what I decided." text Slice---- text "I don't need you to tell me what to do." text her---- text "If you don't want to be killed by Ciel." text apart---- text "Just shut up until it's over, Roa." text ----- text The voice disappears completely. text The footsteps, and her approaching shadow. text ~ text ----Ciel appears before me. bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T15.png 52 0 music 07.mp3 text "---You finally decided to fight." text Her voice seems almost relieved. text "That's good. text Now there is no sin for either of us. text Now that we are both trying to kill each other, our sin will die. text Now there is only punishment for the one who lives." text .... Since we are both trying to kill each other there is no sin? text Her words are part of a world I can't understand. text "I see. text Then is that punishment for the one that's left alive atoneable?" text "Yes. text Something that is atoneable is what we call punishment. text If it is called punishment, there is no reason for it not to be atoneable. text The only thing that does not disappear is the sin. text So---we don't want to carry that burden, do we?" text Saying that, text she takes another step forward. text "--Then, killing you here isn't a sin, Senpai?" text "Yes. text I will kill you, so it is okay for you to kill me, Tohno-kun. text Our conditions are equal." text Another step. text "--------" text That's, not right. text Certainly I am getting killed, so I'm killing her back to protect my own life. text But to say there's no sin---what would happen to Ciel? text From the beginning, she came here with an unrequited will to kill. text ~ text That is--- text "Farewell. text Let us lower the curtain on this ridiculous play." text The last step. bgload BG_11D.png text Her readied bayonet shoots toward my heart. text ~ text Before then, text I lunge forward and aim for the "point" on her right lung. bgload IMA_10.png text ---I didn't think I could kill her. text ~ text It's only natural for her to pierce my heart before I get within knife range. text That's why I was surprised. text I easily dodged her blade and was able to pierce her "point" with ease. text "----Sen, pai." text It looked like she accepted my knife on purpose. text "I made you.. kill.. me." text Her faint, weak voice on the verge of death. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "That was, my, greatest sin." text Sounding like she's crying, she uses her remaining strength to stab me with her bayonet. sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload BG_11C.png text "------Ga, hu." text My blood flow reverses through my lanced heart. text Coughing up blood, I collapse onto the ground. text ~ text Before my eyes, text the body of the one who died slightly ahead of me lies on the floor. text "----How--" text Did you, know? text "----foolish." text Did you know from the beginning---that if there was such a thing as sin, it would only be for you? text "Ha----ah." text The sensation in my limbs fades away. text My consciousness, too. text It will be seconds before I bleed to death. text The instant I was stabbed, text I had a vision of something like an old book, scattering and crumbling away page by page. text ~ text Probably, with that, the thing called Roa was dispersed. text "........" text I can't think. text From the very beginning, she planned to give her life to take mine. text Did she think that was her punishment? text ~ text ---How foolish. text There's no---meaning in that. text ~ text "---Still." text I was sad that she died before she apologized to me. text If she could have apologized to me, then I bet she would have felt some relief.... But, she couldn't even say that. text Since she knew it was something that wasn't atoneable by apology, she didn't apologize to the very end. text ~ text That determination. text It makes me angry that I made her go that far. text "What. text In the end----" text I liked her? text Until the very end. text Feeling sad like this until my own death, she was that dear to me. text "------Tss." text I cough weakly and spit out blood. text It's all over. text Staring dazedly at the moon, with these strange thoughts, I drift off to slee---- music ~ bgload BG_11C.png bgload END.png text ! jump main.scr bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png text Night hangs over the park. text In the middle of my hazy vision, there is one figure that looks clear. text "------" text For some reason, it seems like the other "me" wanted this. text ~ text The moonlight is strong. text Under the light as bright as the sun. text There, Arcueid stands dressed in white. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "It's been a while. text Isn't it a wonderful moon tonight, Shiki?" text "--Arcueid. text Didn't you go back?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text "No, I haven't fulfilled my objective yet. text I can't go back before then, can I?" text ~ text ---Effortlessly. text Arcueid looks at me with crimson eyes. text "Ts------" text My breathing stops in my throat. text An unnatural pressure, nothing like when I confronted Senpai. text "Arcueid.... What are, you---" text Planning to do. text But I couldn't finish. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_13B.png bgload BG_28B.png text .... My vision wavers. text Inside my head, someone other than me continues to scream. text Almost like a beast howling at the moon. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05C.png 36 0 text ".... Hmm. text You're not running away, so you're prepared?" text Her red eyes stare at me, as if she is looking at a hated enemy. text "A------" text I can't breathe. text My throat doesn't move. text If I do such extraneous movement---she would tear it out at that moment. text "Then I'll kill you, but do you have any last words?" sound SE_00.wav 1 text "---------" text I'm so scared I can't even speak. text But, if I could speak---I want to ask her why she wants to kill me. text "Eh---? text No way, I can't believe it. text You haven't realized it yet?" bgload BG_28B.png text With a giggle, Arcueid takes a step closer. text ~ text The dry sound of her footsteps echoes through the park. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I was also deceived. text I didn't think you were Roa." text Saying that, text she shows just a brief moment of pity. text Then, her eyes light up with pure delight like a happy child. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_28B.png music 04.mp3 text Snap. text Something cracks in my head. text It was a definite, most terrible, already nonfunctional, desperate crack. text "Wha------" text My voice leaks out. text What. text What is she saying? bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "So how is it, Shiki? text How does it feel to have Roa inside you?" text The white vampire princess speaks with a kind voice as she stares with hostility. text "I-----I." text I don't know about this Roa guy. text What's inside me is only this inexplicable urge to destroy things. text Like trying to kill Kohaku-san without any reason, and getting pleasure out of seeing it. text That's, all----- text "Oh----" text In other words. text That black, sudden impulse. text That's Roa? text "---No. text That, can't be true." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "You can't play dumb. text In the first place, Roa was made into a Dead Apostle by me. text It's very easy for me to tell where the person is who stole my power." text "----That's, a lie." text Saying that, I fall into despair. text With those words---I can't even deceive myself. text "I don't know why. text There have been seventeen reincarnations before this, but this is the first time this has happened." text She doesn't look like she intends to take another step forward. text .... No, there's no need. text The distance between me and Arcueid is about seven meters. text But even if it was ten times that, Arcueid could chop off my neck instantly. text ~ text This is well within her range. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_28B.png text ---Thump. text A rumbling starts. text Is that my instinctual reaction to life-threatening danger? text Or---is that the ferocity of Roa residing in my brain? text ".... Ar.... cueid." text I put my hand in my pocket. text The hard sensation of my knife gathers up my splintering consciousness. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "It seems you finally admit it, Shiki. text You feel the Roa inside you too, right? text Back then, the instant Roa's reincarnated body was killed, he transmitted himself into you. text I don't understand how it happened." text .... Crimson, eyes. text Being stared at by them, my headache returns again. text Thump, Thump. text Inside my head. text The vampire called Roa, is wanting to emerge. text "-------" text .... It hurts. text Just having Arcueid say his name enrages the memories of this guy in my brain. text ~ text Throb. text Throb. text Thro------b bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_28B.png bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T06.png 36 0 text "You're pretty composed. text You're in front of me and not even running away. text I thought you would run away the instant you saw me." text ".... I.. won't do, that. text Why, would I have, to run away?" text Resisting the pain in my head, I reply. text "---Hm? text I'm surprised you can still bluff. text I really thought over half of you was taken over by Roa already---I see, that's how it is." text Her voice sounds happy. text .... I don't know what's making her so happy, but it seems she still has some humanity left in her. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I've changed my mind. text If you do as I say, I won't kill you. text How's that?" text Arcueid looks at me as she says this, happiness coloring her voice. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_28B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Another headache. text Inside my head, Roa screams at me not to trust this woman. text ".... What do you mean? text Don't you want to kill Roa? text Then.... there's no way you'll let me go, right?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "Yes, once I decide something, it will be done. text I will get at Roa for sure." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "But Shiki, the Roa inside you is very weak. text He probably can't take away a person's will unless he's born into their body. text He somehow managed to transmit himself to you, but that was all he could do. text The Roa who was just trying to escape couldn't establish control over you. text He is only able to live as your dark side." text ~ text ".... That," text Does that mean Roa's will is almost nothing in me....? text "Arcueid, that---" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05A.png 36 0 text "Yes. text There's no need for me to kill you if that's the case. text I'm fine just having the power Roa stole from me working under me." text "----?" text There's no need for me to be killed is what she's saying. text So why did she come to see me? text Why---does she look at me with those serious eyes? text ".... I don't understand. text What are you trying to say, Arcueid?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05B.png 36 0 text "I am telling you to become my servant." text "--------Eh?" bgload BG_28B.png text ---She doesn't seem like she's joking. text When Arcueid and Senpai were fighting, she said it was just a joke. text ".... What? text That wasn't a joke?" bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T05D.png 36 0 text "No. text I like you. text So isn't it natural for me to want you by my side rather than to kill you?" text ~ text ----Snap. text ~ text With that line, my headache pounds more than it ever has before. text Roa. text The guy inside my head rages against her words. text .... I don't know if that comes from delight or from deep jealousy. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T02.png 36 0 text "If you are willing to become my servant, I will stop Roa from consuming you. text I don't think you even need to think about it, seeing how Roa will consume you like this." text ".... You say it so simply, but how do you intend to stop this Roa inside me?" text "Huh? text The only one who can stop Roa is you, Shiki. text But that method would mean your death. text My method is simply strengthening you. text As long as your will is stronger than Roa's, then it doesn't matter how much he rages in you, right?" bgload BG_28B.png text Something bursts in my head again. text Roa keeps raging. text Don't let her fool you, he rages. text This woman wants to make you her puppet. text .... I don't intend to give in to that impulse. text But, I agree with Roa. text I want to stay as myself. text To become Arcueid's servant to get away from Roa is getting my priorities wrong. text ~ text And, in the first place, text there is Ciel-senpai. text If I go to school tomorrow and talk to her about it, I bet she can come up with a solution to this---. text "........" text Gritting my teeth, I resist the pounding in my head. text I take off my glasses, text and get my knife from my pocket. text I take the blade out and hold it at eye level. bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T07.png 36 0 text "----Shiki." text "I refuse. text Sorry, but I won't be yours to possess." bgload BG_28B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "I see. text Then, I guess it'll just have to be by force." text ~ text A hard footstep cracks through the air. text ~ text "You killed me once, so I always thought I should pay you back." bgload BG_28B.png text Her white figure rushes forth with a gust of wind. music ~ text ~ text ----In that instant, text the fight begins. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_11.wav 1 bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text Her claws meet my knife. text ~ text Under the golden moon, even if she is my enemy, her figure is still beautiful. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text We repel each other again. text To be honest, I can't even see her movements. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang! text We repel each other once more. text Arcueid isn't serious at all. text But still, it should be easy for her to rip off my arms and legs. sound SE_11.wav 1 text Clang. text We repel each other again. text My body moves without thinking. text My arms and legs, this body, with just the intention of not dying, fends off Arcueid's claws by itself. text "Tch-----" text My lips curl in irony. text I don't want to admit it, but it seems my body has become beyond that of a human's. text In the dead of night, it seems Tohno Shiki has become like SHIKI, probably able to easily jump off the third floor of a building and be just fine. text Cl, ang. text But, this is it. text From the very start---I knew I couldn't win against Arcueid. text First of all, I can't see any "lines" on her. text ~ text I have no way of hurting her. text Arcueid said it once. text That during nighttime, there is nothing which can cause her death. text Clang. text She hits my knife. text With just a swing of her arm, I fly through the air. bgload IMA_10.png text "K-----!" text I manage to land on the ground and ready my knife. text No matter how much I look, I can't see any "lines" on her. text "Damn it. text What nonsense you are....!" text ----Yes, I am so right. text In the deep night without the mercy of the sun, text facing the princess of the moon is too reckless. bgload BG_29B.png text "Ha----ah, ha." text My throat is burning. text My heart feels like it'll explode. text I realize that since I saw her tonight, I was under the pressure of her crimson eyes and I haven't been able to breathe well. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T01A.png 36 0 text "Have you realized it yet?" text She isn't even out of breath. text Even though I'm gasping for air and my heart feels like it'll stop, she's completely relaxed. text "Damn----What about you, have you cooled your head----" text Trying to control my breathing, I step back from her little by little. text .... Arcueid isn't fighting me seriously at all. text She doesn't have the pressure like Roa or Nrvnqsr, I never thought I would feel this much difference between us. bgload BG_29B.png setimg ARK_T03.png 36 0 text "Oh well. text It seems you won't understand until you die once, Shiki." text She gives an impatient sigh. bgload BG_29B.png text Arcueid stands directly behind me. bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_04.wav 1 text "Gh----!" text I hear a sound from behind my head. text ----There's not even time to blink. text She effortlessly pushes me to the ground. text Her body pushes up against my shoulders. text I'm down. text In an instant, without me knowing what's going on, Arcueid has pinned me down. bgload event/ARK_E04B.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text "------" text Arcueid glares at me without speaking. text Her body weight against my shoulders. text She stops as if hesitating over what to do with me. text "------" text I gasp. text But, it might have been just her silence. text "------" text This close. text Now that we are so close---I may be able to see it. text ------I stare at her body. text ~ text The core of my brain screams in protest. text Completely unlike the pain of my headache before---as if it really were tearing itself apart. text "-------" text But it's no good. text I can't read the "death" from an existence like Arcueid. text Daytime might be different, but at night, she is close to being a perfect life form that doesn't even carry the concept of death. text ".... What do you intend to do with Roa, Arcueid? text You said you wouldn't kill me, but as long as I live, Roa will still be alive." text "I don't care about a diluted Roa. text .... Yes, that's why I could have let you go, Shiki." text "---Oh, you don't have to hold back, go ahead and let me go. text Don't worry about me and go home, back to your daddy." text "But you know, isn't it natural for me to take back my own power? text And more than anything else, I do like you." text ~ text Squeeze. text The body weight on my shoulders becomes even heavier. text "More than killing you and destroying Roa, I want to take you in." text ~ text So, I won't kill you, text her red eyes seem to say. text "I can't believe it, but it seems I really like you. text That's why I'll save you. text I won't suck your blood, and I won't do anything you won't like." text So please listen to what I tell you, her red eyes say. text ---Those are, without a doubt, her true feelings. text But, I can't listen. text She might be not on guard right now as the perfection is fading from her body. text ".... Shiki. text Or do you, hate me?" text Her eyes look straight at me. text I look at her face while being pinned down. text Sincerely. text ---So strongly it might burn my brain. text ".... I don't hate you Arcueid." text "Really?" text She sounds very happy. text ~ text .... My forehead is burning. text As my brain throbs horribly, I definitely--- text ~ text See just one "line" of death. text "Still, I have no intention of becoming your puppet....!" text "-------!" text Her eyes brim over with anger. text But before that, text I slice through the "line" on her neck. bgload IMA_12.png sound ~ bgload BG_29B.png text "Ah-----" text Fresh blood spilling from her neck, Arcueid collapses. text Slipping out from underneath her, I get away. text "Ha----Ah." text I am out of breath. text I'm not hurt, but I can't run in this state. text It's Arcueid, she should be able to heal such a wound and will come to attack me again--- text ~ text "Ar.... cueid?" text She doesn't even move. text Blood flowing over the ground, her white body is covered in vermillion. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----No way. text Did I, kill her? text "Wha---Arcueid, are---" text Stopping my legs that tried to flee, I try to rush towards her body, but gasp. sound SE_00.wav 1 text One arm. text One of her arms on her collapsed figure.... like a spider's leg, stands up on the ground. text ~ text In that instant, text the whole world freezes over. bgload IMA_01.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I Wi l l" text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ~ text .... From her neck spills her blood, and her breath. text Her arm tenses. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "Ki ll, Yo u," text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant* *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant* text ~ text .... The vermillion blood continues to flow. text Her body lifts slowly from the ground. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I Wi l l" text ~ text ~ text Heavy, rapid breathing turns into laughter. text ~ text .... Her white body stained in blood. text She raises her face. text I can see her eyes gleaming between her golden hair. text Her eyes are pitch-black. text And in them, text glows a fierce, fiery red. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "I will kill you." text ~ text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ~ text *pant*. text *pant*. text *pant*. text ha. text a. text ahahaha, ha. text ~ text Hahaha, ahahaha, text ~ text Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah-------!!!! bgload IMA_01.png text "Ar---cueid." text Her eyes are looking at nothing. text She tries to lift herself up with one hand, but every time, she collapses back down to the ground. text ~ text She slips on her own pool of blood, and each time, her body gets redder. text Over, and over. text She tries to stand up, slips, and falls. text .... It seems as if she's enjoying that cycle of failure. text ~ text "Ju st, wait." text ~ text "-------" text I can't move. text Her voice, her figure, her will---flows compulsorily into my head. text ~ text My will is flowing, fusing, merging. text The whole world spins around me. text ~ text In the middle of it all, her image dominates. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text That's right. text I have never felt such shame before. text I have never been so disgraced. text ~ text ---That's, why it's funny. text ~ text I can't even imagine how much pleasure I'll get when I take this anger out on you, Shiki. text ~ text Destroy. text Destroy. text Destroy. text Slowly, completely, gently beyond comparison, cruelly to the point of numbness, I'll violate your life. text ~ text That's right. text ~ text The instant I tear off your limbs, rip open your chest and pull out your intestines, biting into your neck as you ask for mercy, chewing through your eyes and spreading your brains on the ground like butter------! bgload BG_27B.png text "Just wait, I'll kill you soon....!" text Smiling, laughing insanely, Arcueid wallows in a sea of her own blood. text "----" text I can't move. text This isn't good. text Even Roa can't move. text If I stay here, I really will be killed. text I have to escape. text It doesn't matter where, if I don't get away from here quickly, I will get killed. text "Ah, Ah-----" text Wet, dripping sounds. text In the pool of her own blood, Arcueid laughs insanely. text "A ah, ah-----" text The blood spraying from her neck. text Her slashed, fatal wound. text Does it hurt that much? text As if to mitigate the pain, she is chewing through her stomach, her arms, tearing herself apart. text ~ text "AAAAAaAAAAAA!" bgload IMA_10.png text ----I run. text Thoughts of where and how don't even enter my mind. text I am driven by fear, and I run away from this killing chamber. sound ~ bgload BG_01C.png text *pant*---*pant*, *pant*---- text I run to this place without even realizing it. text "Ghaa----ah, ah." text I'm out of breath. text I'm so exhausted I can't take another step. text "Ts---ah, ha, ah." text But my legs keep moving. text I'll be found in this place. text I have to go inside and hide myself until morning or I'll die. text Even while I'm resting like this, I bet she's looking for me--- text ~ text I take off my glasses and cut the lock on the school gate with my knife. text "Ah----kk." text Opening the door, I walk inside the school grounds. bgload BG_02A.png text "Ha........ ah." text I fall to my knees as soon as I get to the school grounds. text I brace myself off the ground using both my hands. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png text ".........." text My whole body is hot. text I have to hurry inside the school building, but my legs won't move. text More than my body, my heart and mind are completely worn out. text This headache that won't stop. text This Roa inside of me. text .... And, the white vampire princess that continued to laugh insanely. text "----Gg." text Gorge rises in my throat. text My mouth tastes bitter. text I haven't eaten anything today, so all I can vomit is my stomach acid. text "Ha----ah." text Still on my knees, I collapse headfirst onto the ground. text "Why.... did it end up, like this?" text Breathing painfully, I give up trying to lift up my face. text .... Even if she finds me, I don't care. text I can't escape anyway. text Away from Arcueid, or from Roa who is inside me. text ~ text Since that's the case---waiting here quietly for the end is easier for me. sound SE_08.wav 1 bgload BG_02A.png text "---?" text It suddenly gets darker. text The sound of footsteps. text I didn't realize it since I was face down, but someone is coming. text ~ text Under the moonlight. text Did that person darken the sky with her shadow? text "Are you trying to repent, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text Ciel-senpai asks in a cold voice. text ~ text "----Senpai?" text .... I lift my head in amazement. text I don't know why she's here. text But, I wanted to rely on something right now, and I lift my face to meet the night air. bgload event/CEL_E06A.png text ~ text "----Eh?" text ~ text ---But this. bgload event/CEL_E06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---This Ciel before me, text she isn't the one that I know. text Her bare arms have the tattoo of a cross on them. text Her cold eyes, as if watching someone she doesn't even know. text .... Senpai bears an uncouthly weapon with an aura of coldness that doesn't suit her. text "-------Ah." text .... I know this. text Inside my brain, I know what weapon this is. text That has to be---what's called the Seventh Holy Scripture, one of the apocrypha that must never be removed from its resting place. text ~ text "Sen---pai?" text "As I expected, you were Roa after all, Tohno-kun." text With her frigid eyes, text Senpai speaks with a voice that is equally cold. text "----" text I start to feel a shiver up my spine. text For no reason. text No, my instincts and my brain work full force to tell me the danger, and I jump back. text ~ text "------" text Still with her mouth shut, she takes a step towards me with that ominous weapon. text .... She has no openings whatsoever. text If I run away hastily, text if I show my back to her, I know that thing will pierce my heart and I will disappear without the opportunity for reincarnation ever again. text ~ text .... Even though I don't even have that knowledge in my memories. text "---Senpai. text Why are you doing this too---?" text ~ music 08.mp3 text "I understand. text Roa is already surfacing, right? text Then it is too late already." text Lightly, text she takes another effortless step forward. text ~ text That figure looks like---- text "---What are you doing, Senpai? text You look like---you're, going to kill me." text "-----" text She doesn't answer. text She just stares at me like she's trying to find out where she can aim to kill me quickly. text "---Sen, pai." text She's serious. text She seriously, plans to kill me. text ~ text ---Creak. text My nerves feel the imminent death before me. text My spine is screaming and the back of my neck is numbing. text ~ text But---more than this fear of death, text I can't believe why this person is saying such things. text "----Why?" text I don't know. text "Senpai, you said you stayed here for my sake." text "------" text With a start, text Ciel-senpai's legs stop. text ~ text She looks at me and grins. text "Your goodness really is a rare treasure. text It is a good thing to trust people, but if you were a little more composed and thought about it clearly, you could have maybe got away." text "Eh---" text "First of all, didn't you ever think about why I came to this school in the first place?" text I didn't do it just because I wanted to, you know." text "------Sen, pai?" text "You knew my goal was to destroy 'The Serpent'---Roa. text Coming here to this school was because I knew Roa's reincarnated host was here. text But since I didn't know for sure, I needed to check things out for a while." text "Wait a minute, what in the world are you---" text What is she babbling about? text I don't know. text I really can't understand what she's talking about. text She ignores my bewilderment and keeps talking. text ".... I told you before, Tohno-kun. text Roa has requirements for the family he decides to reincarnate into. text If you think the other way around, you just have to look for families with those traits. text When you know that, finding him is very simple. text It's easy to find families that have special abilities passed down through their blood once you do a bit of research. text In this city, there is only one family that fits Roa's requirements. text So---I knew from the beginning who Roa was." text "-----Wha--" text That's strange. text If she knew from the beginning, she could have killed him or caught him right then.... text From the beginning? text She knew, who it was....? text "Yes. text Look, don't you realize it now? text You know, Tohno-kun. text I came to this school to catch you from the beginning." text ~ text "--------------" text Wait. text I just want, her to, wait. text "But, a little mistake happened. text .... I was watching you from afar so as not to stimulate Roa inside you, but I concluded that you might not be Roa's new reincarnated host. text But, the eldest son of the Tohno family had to be what Roa reincarnates into. text There is no mistake in that, so what had to be a mistake was you, Tohno-kun." text Ciel-senpai speaks matter-of-factly. text I---can't say anything. text "Looking into it, you were fatally wounded eight years ago and adopted by your relatives. text What happened afterwards was exactly as Tohno SHIKI said two nights ago. text I don't know what happened in the Tohno family eight years ago, but you were killed by that kid called SHIKI. text No, it's more like your life was stolen. text As a result, you became connected to SHIKI who was Roa's host." text A direct voice, without emotion. text I don't know this Ciel-senpai. text Or is this.. text Is this the true Ciel, and the kind person I knew up until now was all just---- text "Up until now, there should have been times where Roa's memory would flow into you through SHIKI. text He is a vampire that manipulated the shapeless thing called a soul. text For Roa, you two who shared one life were a finely crafted double existence. text "That's why---when SHIKI's body was destroyed, Roa didn't need to reincarnate. text He still had a place to run to: you." text Cold. text As if hating her enemy, she detests me. text "But, it's all over now. text I wasn't prepared to finish it so suddenly that one night, but tonight is different. text I really am fortunate in a way. text If Arcueid had destroyed Roa, he probably would have reincarnated again." text .... I can't. text Believe this. text That---that.. text "----That's not, true." text "Go ahead, please keep on denying it and play dumb. text That makes my job easier. text Still---" text ~ text A metallic rattle sounds from the weapon. text ~ text "It doesn't change the fact that I can finish you off easily no matter what you do, Roa." text "-------" text Her laughing voice causes me to finally understand. text .... She isn't lying. text .... Her eyes aren't looking at "me". text .... Her feelings never did have anything to do with "me" from the beginning. text ".... What is this? text Then, then from the very beginning, you always thought of me as Roa? text Senpai. text Being friends with me was all just..........!" text ~ text ---I can't say it. text I can't finish the sentence. text If I do that, I feel like everything will turn into a lie in that instant. text "Of course. text After SHIKI was destroyed, the only reason why I stayed in school was because Roa had not disappeared. text Since Roa is a student here, it's more convenient for me to stay." text ~ text I would never go back while leaving you here. text ~ text Senpai said that with a smile. text That wasn't, for my sake. text She stayed here just to search for the still-living Roa. text That is the only reason why she gave me her phone number. text "----Ha." bgload IMA_11.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png text Then, that too. text ~ text "Haha---" bgload event/CEL_E02A.png text ~ text And those times, too. text ~ text "Haha----ha." bgload event/CEL_E03A.png text ~ text And when she saved me that one night, too. text ~ text "Ah...... ha, ha." bgload event/CEL_E05B.png text ~ text And, those sad eyes, too. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Haha---ha." text .... That's right, Shiki, this is nothing at all. text These memories---they are nothing at all. text I just thought I loved her. text And that she loved me back. text .... What a joke. text They were all just an illusion made from a play. text ~ text ----All of it. text All of it was a fairy tale made up of lies--- text "---I understand. text But, Senpai. text How did you know Roa was still alive? text How, how did you know Roa reincarnated into this Tohno Shiki?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "Of course I knew. text Because it's about myself." Senpai says something I can't understand. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_02A.png text As if saying there's no need to talk anymore, text Ciel's hands lift up that weapon. text The Seventh Holy Scripture. text The weapon that the reincarnation-denying Church created. text A scriptural canon inscribed with every possible impeachment of reincarnation criticism. text It's an item that is scripture yet an apocrypha. text A weapon, yet a scripture at the same time. text ~ text If I'm hit by that, my soul itself will disperse into nothingness. text "------" text The bayonet rises up. text The tip comes towards me. text But slowly. text If it is Ciel---she should be able to pierce me without me even noticing it ever happened. text "Ah----" text There's no time to think. text ~ text ---Instantly, I fall forward. text I felt from before that if I turned and ran, my heart would be shot from behind. text ~ bgload IMA_11.png bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_11.wav 1 text "Hya----!" text Her sword flies past my head. text It seems really slow. text I evade her attack, move right beside her, and---- bgload IMA_14.png sound SE_05.wav 1 text "-----!" text The instant I tried to run forward, Senpai's movement changed drastically. text In an instant, with a speed that makes her seem to have literally disappeared, she swings her weapon horizontally. text The rush of the wind fills my ears---and for some reason, I am standing many meters away from her. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-------" text She clicks her tongue and glares at me. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG #FFFFFF,%TYPE_NOWAITDISP.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Ow....!" text My left arm hurts. text "What.... Huh-----!?" text I'm surprised. text From the elbow down, my arm is broken. text Not broken normally, but my lower arm is bent in the shape of a triangle. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "---Sacrificing your arm to save your head? text If you didn't do anything, I would have ended it painlessly for you." text "Wha----" text Even though I didn't notice it, I must have broken my arm defending her attack. text "Aren't you going to pull out your knife?" text She looks at me with a bored expression. text .... She's looking down at me. text She looks down at me as if saying she could kill me at any moment. bgload BG_02A.png bgload BG #FFFFFF,%TYPE_NOWAITDISP.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Gg....!" text Pain. text Pain shoots from my arm to my brain. text The blood from my broken arm seems to flow like poison into my nerves. text Sharply. text Just with that, my mind fills with a white blankness. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-----" text She continues to look at me with those cold eyes. text "You---!" text You break my arm, and you still act that way!? text Do you know how much this hurts!? text Making such a fool of me. text Making such a fool of me! text Making such a fool of me------! text "If that's how you're going to be, Senpai----" text ~ text I grip the knife in my pocket. text ~ text "I'm not just going to stand here helplessly----" text ~ text The hard feeling of metal. text ~ text "--and let you kill me." text ~ text With a quick snap, text I take out the blade of my knife. text "---Are you stupid?" bgload BG_02A.png text Instantly, text her body, explodes. bgload IMA_10.png text ~ text ----No, that's not right. text She crouches down low to the ground---almost like a lizard, and runs up towards me in a flash. text ~ text She closes the distance of six meters in a flash. text She's not in my vision at all. text Her whole body is below my knee-height, and explodes upward from there. text ~ text A thud. text ~ text From right beneath me, her bayonet accurately shoots directly for my throat. bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_04.wav 1 sound SE_09.wav 1 text "Ga----ah!" text I gasp. text Pain, is there pain? text Yes, I can still feel pain. text ~ text "Ha-----ugh." text Conscious, am I conscious? text Alright, I still have that. text ~ text "A, aaaaaa........!" text My body. text My body----is not okay. bgload IMA_13.png text A dripping sound. text It's coming from my left shoulder. text Looking at it, it's already a waterfall of blood, which pours straight down. text Just now. text The bayonet didn't hit my throat, but my left shoulder. bgload BG_02A.png text "A, Aa, Aaaaaaah!" text It hurts. text It hurts so much the word pain doesn't come close to describing it. text ~ text "Haa, aaa, aggggg------!" text But, I'm alive. text Still, I'm alive. text My body. text My body is away from her again. text I smell a whiff of gunpowder from my shoulder. text ~ text "A, Aah, ah." text Just now. text The instant that bayonet pierced me, she must have pulled the trigger. text I was blown away by that, and there's distance between us again. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text ".... To happen twice, that must mean it's not a coincidence. text With that much blood pouring out, not dying from shock must already be a sign that your body has begun to change." text ~ text Ga-chang! text A metallic sound. text The sword on the end of that weapon changes into a new one. text The sword that shot me just now falls---and turns into pages of a book and scatters. text ".... That's.... ridiculous." text But that ridiculous thing is really frightening. text That---just touching me carries a fatal poison. text Death. text I'll die. text Without a doubt, I'll be killed. sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png text Will I die? text Is that what I'm scared of? text I don't know. text ~ text "Ah, gg......!" text ~ text My shoulder is burning. text Hot, it's so hot, as if my entire body will burst into flames. text She readies her weapon once more with another metallic clang. text .... Twice. text Withstanding that twice can be nothing but a miracle. text The next time will certainly---- sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text I imagine that bayonet piercing me right in the face. text That's more repulsive than frightening. text ~ text Death is. text No matter how it happens, something useless, dirty, and disgusting. text I like myself---so I don't want that to happen. text Is that why I'm scared? text I don't know. text Come to think of it---I was always able to see "death", but I never thought about "death" at all. text No, that doesn't really matter right now. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text I have to escape. text I don't want to die, so I have to get away. text ~ bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T07C.png 52 0 text "--You won't take off your glasses?" text A simple, plastic voice. text Those words. text I gasp at their meaning. text Because taking them off means I would see Senpai's "lines". text If that happens, I might kill her---- text "Wha--What are you, saying, Senpai....!?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "-------" text A chill runs through me. text The air suddenly becomes saturated with a murderous intent. text ".... I can't spend any more time with you. text Please just die already." bgload BG_02A.png text Her figure plunges low again. text ~ text ---She's coming. text ~ text Even though I know she's going to run towards me again, it's hard for me to even see her. text ---I can only think of escaping. text If I don't want to be killed---escape is my only option. text Fortunately, our distance is almost ten meters. text If I run as fast as I can, I can make it to the school building. text Maybe I might be able to do something if I can get into a less open space-----! bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_03C.png sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload IMA_10.png sound SE_06.wav 1 text ~ text "------" text My back. text Something----pierced, my back. text "Aa----ah." text My body falls forward. text Just a little more. text And it was just a little more before I could enter the school building. text "Kk-----" text I lift myself up with one arm. text What sticks through me is one of those swords that looks like a nail that Senpai was using before. text "Why----you......! text I must be numbed to pain, and I pull out the sword skewering my back from behind. text .... Since it penetrated through me, I got mad and pulled it out from my chest. text "Alright......!" text Now I can escape inside....! text "What do you plan on doing by escaping, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text Before that, text I hear Senpai's voice from behind me. text "You still don't understand? text How fast do you think you just ran here? text Why are you still alive after receiving that fatal wound?" text "St-------" text My mind begins to white out. text Don't let her trick you. text Don't let her trick you. text Hasn't she been deceiving you all along? text Don't listen to her anymore. text If you listen, you'll die. text Ignore her. text Don't accept it. text Even if it is the truth, this body can only reject it--- text "----Stop, it." text "Geez, there's nowhere for you to run to. text You can only fight or be killed. text But if you can't fight, you can only die." text Her footsteps. text With the sound of footsteps, Senpai approaches. text "-------!" text I leap. text My back, my shoulders, my arm are all almost dead, but I leap as if it was nothing. text ~ text ---I can't even believe it myself. text Still breathing wildly and with a speed that matches Senpai, I run into the school building. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_11C.png music 09.mp3 text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text I run. text Without thinking, just wanting to escape, I continue running. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, *pant*----- text But I'm at my limit. text Is it because I'm out of breath or is it that my wounds won't let me move my arms and legs anymore? text Whatever it is, it doesn't matter. text My breathing becomes more forced. text At the end of the hallway. text Coming onto a wall aimlessly, I fall. text I fall on my back, and try to get back up, and feel foolish for doing so. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant* text Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I lean my back against the wall. text Throwing back my head, I take a big breath of air. text "-----The moon." text Looking up, I can see the moonlight through the window. text Is it because I'm so exhausted? text Everything I look at seems vague, as if everything was covered in a mist. text ~ text Vagueness. text Does that mean it is indefinite? text The same as me. text The same as the person called Tohno Shiki, indefinite. text ".... Ou.... ch...." text My shoulder throbs in pain. text If I was as definite as this pain, maybe this wouldn't have happened? text I'm starting to not understand. text I always thought I was Tohno Shiki. text But that was a different person, and they tell me I'm just an adopted son from somewhere. text Being adopted means I should have memories of before I came to the Tohno mansion, but there's nothing. text I.... really, I only have the memories of Tohno Shiki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload IMA_01.png text In the night sky is the solitary moon. text "----" text It's incredibly.. strange. text Why didn't I realize it until now? text Tonight is so--- bgload BG_11C.png text .... In the end, just what was I? text It's stupid not knowing anything about myself and just disappearing like this. text ~ text Everything is so vague, it's stupid. text A world where I can see death. text A vision where I can perceive death. text That day eight years ago. text I was able to meet Sensei and was able to live normally. text I can still declare that it was proper to meet her. text ".... But, Sensei. text I, guess I, was someone, who shouldn't be alive." text .... I should end my life while some part of me can still think that. text But I can't do it. text I can't kill myself. text Even if it is pointless, even if it is a mistake, I want to keep on living. text If I die, everything will become a lie. text I want to keep on living. text No matter how wrong it is, no matter how many things I have to lose, I want to keep on living. text ~ text Only her. text If only I had Ciel-senpai with me. text I wouldn't care what else I had to lose. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_08.wav 1 text I can hear her footsteps. text .... She's coming. text ~ text "............ Can I only fight?" text ~ text Mumbling, I feel a chill. text I can't do such a thing as fight Senpai. text I said that out loud just on a whim. text But, "Slice her apart". text From in my head, from deep inside my brain, as if trying to seep itself into my mind, the same words keep repeating over and over. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text If you want to stay alive, slice her apart. text If you don't want to die, slice her apart. text Slice apart the person who deceived you. text Slice apart the person trying to kill you. text Just do it already---slice apart the person getting in my way. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text SliceSliceSliceSliceSliceSlice, Slice, apart, slice, apart, slice, slice, slice, slice, slicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslicesliceslice-----!! text "Shuuuuut Uuuuup!!!!!!" text ~ text ---*pant*, *pant*, *pant*. text ~ text "Shut.... up, you're always....!" text ~ text ---*pant*.... *pant*, *pant*. text ~ text .... My headache thins. text I can't hear that voice anymore. text But, in place of that, text Now, Senpai probably knows where I am because of my scream. text "............" text I grip my knife strongly. text ~ text ---Are you going to fight? text ~ text Have a fight to the death with that person? text ~ text .... I can't think clearly. text My nerves feel numb, as if they were burned off a long time ago. text I fought Arcueid and sliced her neck. text I somehow managed to escape, but Ciel was waiting for me. text "Ha.... haha, ha." text It's a little disappointing. text I never thought it would be like this. text I escape and escape, but a worse situation awaits me. text It's like a joke. text Since when did I---get lost on this hopeless path---- sound SE_00.wav 1 bgload BG_11C.png text "Ah---gg..........!" text The headache runs through me like a knife through my brain. bgload BG_11C.png sound SE_00.wav 1 text "Ha.......... a, ah------" text I can't breathe properly. text My vision wavers. text .... It looks like I'm really done. text My head starts to rage again. text But still, I don't want to die. text If I don't want to die---there's only one thing to do. text ~ text The footsteps get louder. text Her shadow grows larger. text ~ text ---Aren't you going to take off your glasses? text ~ text Even knowing what it meant, she said that. text In that case. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----Everything. text All of it should turn into illusion. bgload BG_11D.png text I stand up as I strongly grip my knife. text ~ text The footsteps get even louder. text I sense the enemy coming closer. text All the time, someone's voice echoes in my brain. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text Slice her apart. text "U----" text ~ text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart text Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart Slice her apart---- text ~ text "Shut up." text Using my willpower, I force the voice in my head to be quiet. text "This is, what I decided." text Slice---- text "I don't need you to tell me what to do." text her---- text "If you don't want to be killed by Ciel." text apart---- text "Just shut up until it's over, Roa." text ----- text The voice disappears completely. text The footsteps, and her approaching shadow. text ~ text ----Ciel appears before me. bgload BG_11D.png setimg CEL_T15.png 52 0 music 07.mp3 text "---You finally decided to fight." text Her voice seems almost relieved. text "That's good. text Now there is no sin for either of us. text Now that we are both trying to kill each other, our sin will die. text Now there is only punishment for the one who lives." text .... Since we are both trying to kill each other there is no sin? text Her words are part of a world I can't understand. text "I see. text Then is that punishment for the one that's left alive atoneable?" text "Yes. text Something that is atoneable is what we call punishment. text If it is called punishment, there is no reason for it not to be atoneable. text The only thing that does not disappear is the sin. text So---we don't want to carry that burden, do we?" text Saying that, text she takes another step forward. text "--Then, killing you here isn't a sin, Senpai?" text "Yes. text I will kill you, so it is okay for you to kill me, Tohno-kun. text Our conditions are equal." text Another step. text "--------" text That's, not right. text Certainly I am getting killed, so I'm killing her back to protect my own life. text But to say there's no sin---what would happen to Ciel? text From the beginning, she came here with an unrequited will to kill. text ~ text That is--- text "Farewell. text Let us lower the curtain on this ridiculous play." text The last step. bgload BG_11D.png text Her readied bayonet shoots toward my heart. text ~ text Before then, text I lunge forward and aim for the "point" on her right lung. bgload IMA_10.png text ---I didn't think I could kill her. text ~ text It's only natural for her to pierce my heart before I get within knife range. text That's why I was surprised. text I easily dodged her blade and was able to pierce her "point" with ease. text "----Sen, pai." text It looked like she accepted my knife on purpose. text "I made you.. kill.. me." text Her faint, weak voice on the verge of death. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text "That was, my, greatest sin." text Sounding like she's crying, she uses her remaining strength to stab me with her bayonet. sound SE_09.wav 1 bgload BG_11C.png text "------Ga, hu." text My blood flow reverses through my lanced heart. text Coughing up blood, I collapse onto the ground. text ~ text Before my eyes, text the body of the one who died slightly ahead of me lies on the floor. text "----How--" text Did you, know? text "----foolish." text Did you know from the beginning---that if there was such a thing as sin, it would only be for you? text "Ha----ah." text The sensation in my limbs fades away. text My consciousness, too. text It will be seconds before I bleed to death. text The instant I was stabbed, text I had a vision of something like an old book, scattering and crumbling away page by page. text ~ text Probably, with that, the thing called Roa was dispersed. text "........" text I can't think. text From the very beginning, she planned to give her life to take mine. text Did she think that was her punishment? text ~ text ---How foolish. text There's no---meaning in that. text ~ text "---Still." text I was sad that she died before she apologized to me. text If she could have apologized to me, then I bet she would have felt some relief.... But, she couldn't even say that. text Since she knew it was something that wasn't atoneable by apology, she didn't apologize to the very end. text ~ text That determination. text It makes me angry that I made her go that far. text "What. text In the end----" text I liked her? text Until the very end. text Feeling sad like this until my own death, she was that dear to me. text "------Tss." text I cough weakly and spit out blood. text It's all over. text Staring dazedly at the moon, with these strange thoughts, I drift off to slee---- music ~ bgload BG_11C.png bgload END.png text ! text Will you take 'Ciel-sensei's lesson'? choice Yes.|No. if selected == 1 jump s523.scr fi if selected == 2 jump main.scr fi bgload IMA_10.png music 03.mp3 bgload BG_50.png text Almost all the seats in the cafeteria are taken. text Because I spaced out in the hallway, empty seats are pretty much non-existent at this point. text ~ text "---Aren't there any empty seats?" text I cast my gaze over the crowded cafeteria. text There shouldn't be any spare seats this late, but I decide to check the tables out anyway. text ".... Ah." text I'm surprised.... no, I'm astounded. text There, plain as day, is a table with not two, not even three, but four unoccupied seats. text There are two students sitting at the table, and it seems like one of them noticed me during my efforts to locate a seat. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T02.png 40 0 text "Yo, Tohno!" text The student vigorously waving his hand is my dear classmate with the dyed orange hair. bgload BG_50.png text "...." text My head hurts. text But there isn't anywhere else to sit, so I have no choice but to return the wave and walk towards the table where my friend is sitting. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text An unexpected person is sitting at the table with him. text "Huh, Ciel-senpai?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 text "Ah, if it isn't Tohno-kun." text We point at each other simultaneously. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yo, Tohno---hey wait.... Senpai, do you know Tohno?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T03.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yes, I've met him once today already. text We bumped into each other with a bang today, didn't we, Tohno-kun?" text "Ah.... yes, sorry about that." text I lower my head in apology. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Not at all. text I'm also sorry for spacing out like that. text You're a serious person, aren't you, Tohno-kun?" text "Serious....? text No, not really." text Smiling, Senpai gives a satisfied nod. text How should I say this.... Senpai has a unique atmosphere around her. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "But it's sure surprising that Tohno-kun and Inui-kun know each other. text Could it be that you two are in the same class?" text "That's right! text Me and Tohno are more than casual acquaintances! text We've been in the same class since our first year, and we've been inseparable best friends since middle school!" text My best friend strikes the table with a bang for emphasis. text .... Is it just me, or is he more hyper than usual? bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T02.png 104 0 text "Come on, best friend, sit down! text If you just keep standing there vacantly, your chikara-udon is going to go stale. text Hurry up and sit down, and let me hear all about how you got to know Senpai." text Arihiko slaps my back cheerfully. text "...." text While I really have no story like Arihiko might be hoping for, there are no other seats available. text Reluctantly, I take a seat next to him. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_50.png text It seems Arihiko is close with Senpai. text In contrast with me, who's only met her a few times, he's able to talk to her quite casually. bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "By the way, Senpai, you said you ran into Tohno, what happened?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yes, I bumped into Tohno-kun between classes. text I wasn't hurt, but Tohno-kun bumped his head." text "Hmm.... I wouldn't have thought Tohno would do something as clumsy as that. text This guy may look spaced out, but he's actually an unbelievably sharp guy. text He doesn't like to depend on others, and he hates causing trouble for others...." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Ah, I also got that impression. text He was only concerned about me when we ran into each other, and he apologized to me just now, too." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "See? text That's the kind of guy he is, so he doesn't make those kind of mistakes. text .... Ah, could it be that your anemia was acting up again?" text Arihiko's voice shows his serious concern for my physical health. text ".... No, it's not that. text I was running to the office to deal with some details for me moving. text That's when I ran into Senpai." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T04.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text Well, I thought you became careless because you're depressed over the move." text Arihiko folds his arms and nods to himself in agreement. text ~ text ----And then, text ~ bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T10A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun, are you changing schools!?" text Senpai exclaims almost hysterically. text "I'm not changing schools, Senpai. text I'm just changing my place of residence, so I filed the paperwork for a change-of-address." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Eh.... So that means you're going to be living alone?" text "No, I'm just going back to my real home. text It's that fancy place on top of the hill. text I still can't quite believe it yet." text "Oh.... Could that possibly be the Tohno-san mansion?" text Senpai asks with some hesitation. text The western-style house on top of the hill is probably seen as something special to the residents of this town. text I haven't been there for eight years, but even in my memories, the Tohno mansion was ridiculously large. text "Yeah, that's right. text I don't think it's the right place for me either, but it's too late now that I'm done moving." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "Hmm.... You don't seem too happy about it." text "It's not a particularly good or bad thing. text I don't really understand it myself." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Well, even if it is your house, it's been eight years, right? text I can understand if you're feeling restless. text It'll probably feel like someone else's house for a while." text "I wonder if that's so.... I haven't gone back yet, so I don't know. text Well, I'm a bit relaxed, since I've always got a refuge at your place." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Hmph. text Listen, you, I'm not impressed with how you come to stay at my house every time something bad happens. text I like your personality trait of not standing out, but I've hated how you're always too reserved for a long time now!" text Arihiko strikes the table with a bang again. text "...." text Well, everything Arihiko said is true, so there's no way to fight back. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text "Inui-kun, does Tohno-kun really stay at your house that often?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T12.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Yeah, he does. text That damn Tohno is too reserved toward his parents and he would come to my place every long vacation. text He's reserved towards them cause they're taking care of him. text That's why he comes over to my place, where we conveniently have an empty room. text Since he looks pretty decent, my sister took a liking to him, and he shamelessly comes to stay with us without paying a cent!" text Arihiko's fist trembles, as if to say 'unforgivable!' bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text ".... Taking care of Tohno-kun?" text "Ah----" text Arihiko clamps a hand over his mouth. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T03.png 104 0 text ".... Sorry. text I should've thought before I spoke." text "It's okay. text You didn't say anything bad." text I continue to eat my chikara-udon without looking at Arihiko. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Really? text Yeah, you're right. text If you complain about that, you'll be in for some punishment." text Arihiko nods to himself in agreement. text His overwhelming optimism is something I am truly envious of. bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T01.png 104 0 text "Tohno-kun, um.... did you not get along with your previous family?" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T07A.png -12 0 setimg ARI_T04.png 104 0 text "No, that's not it. text This guy had no problem with the Arimas. text Oh, the Arimas were the family who took care of him. text They're really nice people, and from what I could see, they're a happy family. text Even so, he refused to be their adopted child, and he escaped to my place every vacation. text Sheesh.... just what were you not satisfied with, anyway?" text "There's nothing I wasn't satisfied with. text It's just that I've received so much from them already, I didn't want to be a further burden on them." bgload BG_50.png text .... Senpai drops her shoulders and falls silent. text It looks like she's sorry for asking about my family situation. text "It's okay, Senpai. text Sorry for making you listen to something so boring." bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T08.png 52 0 text "Eh, not at all. text I'm sorry for asking you something so strange, too." text Senpai forces herself to look cheerful. text The topic might be fine for a long-time friend like Arihiko, but a complex matter like this would only have been troublesome for Senpai. text And to prove my point, Senpai sits there uneasily. text "Listen, Senpai---" bgload BG_50.png setimg CEL_T01A.png 52 0 text "Um, I've finished eating, so I'll be leaving now. text I'm really sorry." bgload BG_50.png text Senpai lowers her head in a quick bow and leaves her seat. text ~ text Only me and Arihiko remain at the table. text ".... Sorry. text You were finally able to eat with just the two of you, but I got in the way." bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T01.png 40 0 text "Don't worry about it. text That was my fault for not paying attention. text I thought it was bad for Senpai, actually." .... *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* text Arihiko slurps away at his udon. text It looks like it's gotten cold while we were talking. text "Well, that was convenient for us, anyway. text I've got something to talk to you about in private, so it was lucky that Senpai left first." text "What's wrong? text Getting all serious all of a sudden. text I'll tell you now, I don't have any money. text From today onwards, I'm going to be living life as a penniless youth." text "It's not that, damn it. text What I want to know is this; what's really going on with you, Tohno?" text "What do you mean?" bgload BG_50.png setimg ARI_T04.png 40 0 text "You've been at the Arimas' since primary school, right? text I don't know why, but it's been eight years already. text Your dad has basically disinherited you. text Why is he calling you back all of a sudden?" text .... I see. text In his own way, he is worried about me. text "He didn't 'disinherit' me. text He just kicked me out of the house for some reason." text "Tohno-kun, if there ever is a house that kicks their child out of their house 'for some reason', that's not a tragedy, it's a comedy. 'Oh, it's party joke!' But it's so boring, it's not funny." text Arihiko spreads his arms and shrugs. text ".... Yeah, I guess you're right. text If you get kicked out of the house, all you can really do is laugh." text "And then he said some cliche line like, 'Never step foot in this house again!' or something, right? text That's what people would call 'disinheritance.' text Come to think of it, I've never heard why you were disinherited." text "...." text .......... Who knows? text That's something I'd like to know, too. text "Well, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." bgload BG_50.png text Grabbing his bowl with both hands, Arihiko drains his cold udon soup. text Lunchtime is short. text Following Arihiko, I decide to quickly eat my own chikara-udon. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ jump s31.scr bgload BG_29B.png text "---I'm sorry, but, I can't have any special feelings for you." text I answer clearly while looking her straight in the eye. bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T09.png 53 0 text "----I.. see." text .... Both Yumizuka's voice and body tremble. text "........" text .... I can't think of anything else to say. text Maybe this makes me a horrible person, but those are my true feelings. text I never had any special feelings for my classmate Yumizuka Satsuki. text I'm only here because what happened on the way home two days ago left such an impression on me, I couldn't just forget about it--- bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T08.png 53 0 text ".... Yeah, I knew that. text I guess that's why things turned out this way. text .... It's okay. text Since you say that, I'll be honest to myself too, Shiki-kun." bgload BG_29B.png if flgP >= 1 jump s312.scr fi jump s313.scr bgload BG_29B.png text "Yumizuka----I.." text I.. can't answer. text Maybe this makes me a horrible person, but those are my true feelings. text I never had any special feelings for my classmate Yumizuka Satsuki. text I'm only here because what happened on the way home two days ago left such an impression on me, I couldn't just forget about it--- bgload BG_29B.png setimg STK_T10.png 53 0 text "I thought so. text You never even knew I existed, so you couldn't have fallen in love with me." if flgP >= 1 jump s312.scr fi jump s313.scr bgload BG_40E.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40E.png text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*---- text ~ text I see. text This impulse. text This impulse that tries to drive me insane while leaving me conscious. text ~ text This is, text This is Roa. text But why? text I was always sane. text Until I came back to this mansion, I really was normal. text ~ text I hear heavy knocking on the door. text But I can't open it. text If I open it, it will be completely over. bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_13.png bgload BG_40E.png text "Ah-----" text I finally understand. text That dream was the memory of the Roa one generation before mine. text Locked up in her room, killing both her parents, ruling over her town as a vampire, the final memories of someone I don't know. text "------" text .... There's no way out. text This is not a problem that can be solved by killing myself. text This is nothing that can be helped. text I understand that previous person's feelings. text Even if I die, the only thing to die would be my will. text Then the will of Roa would take over my body completely. text If that happened---things would get much worse. text ~ text "Ha---haha, ha." text .... In the first place, I don't have the slightest intention of killing myself. text "Shiki-sama, please open up, Shiki-sama!" text I hear her voice from behind the door. text ~ text .... It almost sounds like it was in another language. text So far away. text Just one. text It's just one sheet of wood between us. text ~ text But it seems as far away as the moon and the stars. bgload IMA_10.png music ~ bgload BG_40E.png sound SE_10.wav -1 text It's now ten in the morning. text Hisui gave up and went back. text Akiha and Kohaku-san came and took turns knocking but I ignored them. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text Twelve o'clock. text .... I'm hungry. text But, I'm still fine. text I pull the sheets over me and hug my shaking body. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text Two o'clock. text .... I'm dying of thirst. text I've lost all sense of time. text It feels very calm. text But as if I was taking stimulants, my body wants to rage around. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text Four o'clock. text .... More knocking. text A name being called out. text Whose voice is that? text Whose name are they calling? text I can't tell. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text ~ text Five o'clock. text It slowly starts to get dark. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40E.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text Six o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Seven o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text Eight o'clock. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40F.png sound SE_03.wav 1 text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Someone, comes by. text "Shiki-san, I've brought you dinner. text You haven't had anything since this morning, so you'll collapse you know." text ~ text Kohaku's voice. text She knocks on the door. text ~ text "Geez, if that's how it is, I'll get you to at least eat." text A rattling sound. text Not knocking, but the sound of a lock opening. text "Huhuhu, time to use my secret weapon, the master key!" text "----Ah." text ~ text The lock unlocks. text ~ choice No, I have to turn Kohaku-san away.|I'll just have her leave the food in here. if selected == 1 jump s293.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s294.scr fi bgload BG_40F.png text .... The door opens. text It's too late. text Even if I send her away, she's already come inside. text ~ text ----But still. text I can't do the action called eating food. text It will get me too excited, and it will smash the remaining "Tohno Shiki" within me to pieces. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text I breathe hard. text Somehow. text I have to resist it. bgload BG_40F.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, I'm coming in.... wh, what happened?" text Still smiling, she looks in surprise at the room lying in shambles. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text Her cute face devoid of fear. text Her completely unguarded, defenseless figure. text Her red hair----and her delicious looking skin. text "Shiki-san....? text This is strange, how did all of this happen?" text Still smiling, she draws closer to where I lie curled on the bed. bgload BG_40F.png bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text -----------------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text No. text --------------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text No. text -----------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Stop it. text --------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text Shut up. text ------Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I don't want to. text --Hurry. sound SE_00.wav 1 text I. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "Run---away." text Using the very last vestiges of my will, I manage to let those words out. bgload BG_40C.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Eh? text I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you, could you please say it again, Shiki-san?" text But it's working against me. text Concerned, she draws closer to my bed. text To my/TO MY, text body/BODY, text her face/HER FORM, text draws closer/INVITES ME text in. sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her white fingers touch my shoulder lightly. text Her fingers pulsing with blood. text Her light body warmth. text Small fireworks explode in the back of my head. bgload IMA_10.png text "Kya----!" text I hear a scream. text My hand wraps around her throat. text "Hwa---ha, a, h----" text My breathing is out of control. text What. text am I. text Trying. text To do? text "Shi.... ki, sa---" text Her voice cuts off. text Not caring, I grip harder. text Grip. text The bones in her neck creak. text "St, o---!" text A small tearing sound. text Her fingers dig into my arm. bgload IMA_13.png text She must be getting frantic, being on the verge of death like that. text Her nails push through my clothes and into the meat of my arm. text "A----ch." text Pain. text Well, not as much pain as Kohaku must be feeling. text But blood flows. text It runs down from my arm and onto my hand grasping Kohaku's neck. text "Ha----ha." text Painted deep red. text Her unresisting neck is now running with blood. text I can't really feel her anymore. text Just the fact that she'll die in a few seconds, text "Haha-----ha." text Seems so funny to me, I start to laugh. text It hasn't even been a minute since I grasped her neck. text She won't die of suffocation. text But here, by my hand. text "Ha, haa, ha." text For no reason, suddenly. text "Hahaha, ha---ha, ha, ha." text Like a simple appliance. text "Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!" text She'll die by having the bones in her neck break. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png sound ~ text In an instant, text like being freed from demonic possession, the heat disappears. text ~ text Before my eyes is the bloodied body of Kohaku-san. text My hand is grasping her neck and any second now---- text ~ text "------!" text I quickly let go. text Without a sound, text ~ text Kohaku-san falls to the floor. text "Uu.... ha, ----" text Kohaku-san breathes painfully with her eyes closed. text "Kohaku----san." text .... She's alive. text Just a little longer. text If I kept going just a little longer, I would have---- text "Uu...., u, u......" text .... She's crying. text Collapsed on the floor, not able to move, she's crying. text Looking down. text Her kimono is covered with white fluid. text ~ text That, is my semen. text I----by doing that, was released from whatever it was inside me? text "-----Ha." text I can't believe it. text While one hand was choking Kohaku-san, my other hand----was reveling in the pleasure of killing something? text ~ text ----Thump. text ~ text It, isn't over. text I'm still fully erect, and more than that, I am not satisfied myself. text I'm so thirsty. text I've---done such a terrible thing to Kohaku-san, but it doesn't seem to end. text The truth is, my regret is fading even now as I look at Kohaku-san's neck. text ~ text Her white neck. text Put my teeth at her throat and. text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text -----I want, to suck, her blood. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "----Haha." text I broke apart. text ~ text "Aha, ahaha." text I really broke down. text ~ text I'm done. text No longer---do I have the confidence to stay sane. text "Ahaha, hahaha, ha." text Outside. text I have to go outside. text If I stay here, I'll kill Kohaku-san. text If I stay in the mansion. text I'll kill even Akiha and Hisui. text So before those urges come again, I have to disappear. text "Ahahahahahaha!" text ~ text A place where no one is. text I have to go to a place where no one is or I'll go crazy again---- bgload IMA_10.png jump s295.scr bgload BG_40F.png sound SE_01.wav -1 text ~ text .... The door opens. text It's too late. text Even if I send her away, she's already come inside. text I guess I can at least let her leave the food. text I haven't had anything since breakfast.. so I'm starving. text I'm dying of thirst. text My body is burning up. text I just have to.. text do something about this urge.. or I'll go insane. text ~ text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text I breathe hard. text Hurry. text I have to take it out. bgload BG_40F.png setimg KOHA_T02B.png 52 0 text "Shiki-san, I'm coming in.... wh, what happened?" text Still smiling, she looks in surprise at the room lying in shambles. text .... *pant*.... *pant*.... *pant*.... text ~ text Her cute face devoid of fear. text Her completely unguarded, defenseless figure. text Her red hair----and her delicious looking skin. text ~ text Hurry. text Hurry. text Hurry. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40F.png text "Shiki-san....? text This is strange, how did all of this happen?" text Still smiling, she draws closer to where I lie curled on the bed. text ~ text Her white fingers lightly touch my shoulder. text I can feel her blood singing through this brief, tiny contact. text And her warmth. text Small fireworks explode in the back of my head. text Hurry. text Hurry. text Hurry. text If I don't find a release for this burning inside of me, I'll go crazy. text If I don't get rid of this boiling impulse, I'll lose my mind. text Now. text Now. text Now. text Anyone will do. text So it doesn't show any sign of its original form, I have to destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy, destroy----- bgload IMA_10.png text "Kya..!" text I hear a scream. text My hand wraps around her throat. text "Hwa---ha, a, h---" text My breathing is out of control. text But.. there's no more pain. text Fine. text Right now, I feel fine. text "Shiki-sa.. n---" text Her voice cuts off. text Amazing. text She can still breathe. text I squeeze harder. text "S.. to---!" text I hear a small tearing sound. text Her fingers dig into my arm. bgload IMA_13.png text "Kk---" text Ow. text Her nails are tearing through my clothes. text *pant*---*pant*---*pant* text Amazing. text You're amazing Kohaku--you're so cute. text ~ text Becoming this frantic---your face turning red, tears running down your cheeks, saliva spilling past your lips. text Begging for more like this is just too cute. text "Ha----ha, haha." text I was wrong. text I was so wrong. text "Kohaku.... san." text That's right. text I can't be doing THIS, text to.. Kohaku.. san. text ~ text ---*pant*, *pant*, *pant*......! text ~ text Shut up. text That's not what you want, is it, Shiki? text Treating her like this is definitely wrong. text You can't break a great woman like this so simply. text She still has her arms and legs. text There are plenty of ways for a man to get pleasure from a woman. bgload IMA_10.png text I let go. text Kohaku's limp body crumples to the floor. text She raggedly gasps for air. text "Ha---haha, ha." text Face-down on the floor, her ass stares up at me invitingly. text "Haha, ha." text I press down on her back. text She tries to escape, but I hold her fast. text "P.. please---please stop, Shiki-san!" text With one hand I press on her back, and with the other, I pull up on her hips. text ~ text Lifting her kimono, I bare the lower half of her body. text "----!" text Kohaku tries to pull away. text I don't care. text She can't escape. text I squeeze her naked ass. text It feels soft. text She must be incredibly tense. text Her anus looks like a tightened fist. text Her no longer hidden pink slit is tightly throbbing. text *pant*, *pant*, *pant* text ~ text There's no need to caress her. text I penetrate into her with my erected organ, not caring if I tear through her. bgload event/CEL_H10.png text "Hya....!!" text Kohaku's voice. text Some foreign object is entering her dry passage. text She can't be feeling any pleasure. text There should only exist pain. text "St.. Stop---no, stop it, Shiki-san....!" text ~ text She tries to crawl forward to escape. text But that only makes it worse for her. text Moving her body makes her inner muscles contract. text All she accomplishes is making her tunnel suck me deeper inside. text ~ text My breathing fills the room. text ~ text Deeper. text I thrust in so deep I can almost feel her womb. text "Ah---, n----!" text I can barely hear her voice. text It looks like she's trying to hold her voice in. text Hands clenching painfully against the ground, she does her best to resist crying out. text "A----Ah......!" text I begin to stroke her. text And hear a sound like dripping, dirty water. text The insides of Kohaku that were resisting up until now slowly dampen. text This vague wet sensation, and the definite sensation of her trying to suck me in. text The heat inside of her increases. text ~ text My harsh panting turns to laughter. text ~ text I keep stroking her. text At some point Kohaku started to lift up with her hips. text Just like a dog in heat, I insert, pull out, and insert again. text The rhythm of the wet, sloppy sounds filling the air definitely fits the image of rutting animals. text ~ text "Ah---gg, Shiki-sa.... you mustn't----" She speaks in a stifled voice. text ~ text Haha, hahaha. text ~ text I see. text She's still concerned about Akiha and Hisui? text That's funny. text Even though your body wants this, you're still thinking that clearly, Kohaku? text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, *pant*, ah. text ~ text "---Shiki-san, why are you.... please, stop it....!" text Her entire body is tinged red with lust, even her ass feeling it, and she still calls out that name!? text ~ text Ha, haha, hahahaha, ha. text ~ text I breathe heavily. text Her body feels so.. exceptional. text This sharp burning pleasure isn't coming from my balls, it almost feels like it's coming from deep within me. text Really, this is such a great pleasure. text As if someone is stabbing me from behind, my body lurches forward and my shaft shoots deeper. text Her body, unlike her conscience, frantically joins my movements. text Her wet insides are an insulated space without even a bit of free room. text The more I move, the more she squeezes me. text Her insides squeeze me with different movements, none being the same. text ~ text Ha, haha, ahahahaha. text ~ text There's something wrong with her body. text It's the first time I met a woman I would regret killing. text There's no end to this sensation. text There's no end to the pleasure. text The brimming juices flow all over the floor, my body, and Kohaku's ass. text ~ text Even reaching that opening above her mound. text ~ text Aha, hahahaha. text ~ text A stretching sensation. text I slip a finger into her anus and wiggle it around. text "Hwa, ha---!?" text She cries out for the first time. text Her movement suddenly changes. text ~ text Her body tightens around me. text Hot. text Hot, hot, hot. text Her body feels so good it makes me want to laugh out loud. text I twist my finger. text Stretching her open, I push it further inside. text "N, ah-----!" text She shudders and sobs at the feeling. text Haha, hahaha. text There's something wrong. text There's something wrong. text There's something wrong. text ~ text Burning. text The swirling impulse within gathers noisily in one spot. text "Shi.. ki-sa.... please.. stop.. it." text I wrench myself away from her bottomless depths. text Her flesh slaps noisily together almost in complaint. text I pull back until I can see everything. text A clear fluid spills down. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, hahahaha, ha. text ~ text It's a little quick, but let's end it. text I'm more than prepared. text I thrust my finger in her ass all the way in. text "Ngu----!" text Kohaku's body stiffens at the unpleasant sensation of something foreign invading her body. text That's no hiding the way she acted with my shaft inside of her. text Her insides squeeze me even tighter. text Using all my might, I thrust into her once more. text "--------!" text Kohaku's body convulses. text She moves around to escape the pain. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, haha, ha. text ~ text I don't care. text Suddenly, I let go of everything that I've been holding in for so long. text Releasing it all. text I feel it shooting deep inside of her. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, *pant* text ~ text It's releasing. text The burning impulse inside me is going away. text Kohaku lies squirming on the ground, but what do I care? text With dead eyes, her hips still twitch, making her look really pathetic. text I like watching that. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, *pant* text ~ text I breathe harder. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, *pant* text ~ text Something is.. funny. text ~ text *pant*, *pant*, *pant* text ~ text And I start to laugh. text ~ text ~ text Haa, haha, a, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!! bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_40C.png sound ~ text "Haha, hahahaha, ha." text ~ text A voice. text ~ text "Ha, haha.... ahahaha, ha." text ~ text I wake to the sound of my own laughing voice. text "Ha-----ha." text Kohaku-san lies crumpled on the floor. text Is she unconscious? text She isn't moving. text Only.. sticky white semen is leaking out of her. text ~ text That---is without a doubt.. mine. text I don't know how many times I did it to her. text But releasing the urge inside me stopped me from having to see those "lines" of death. text "Haha, ha." text There's no need to ask what I was doing. text I was still conscious, but I couldn't even stop myself from what I did.. what I did to Kohaku-san--- text "Ha----" text I'm insane. text Too insane to be fixed.. text Just now, I ejaculated so many times and released all the black urges in me, but it still does not stop. text I'm still fully erect, and more than that, I am not satisfied myself. text I'm so thirsty. text I've---done such a terrible thing to Kohaku-san, but it never seems to end. text The truth is.. my regret is already fading as I look at Kohaku-san's neck. text Her white neck. text Put my teeth at her throat and. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_40C.png text "----Haha." text I broke apart. text "Aha, ahaha." text I really broke down. text I'm done. text No longer---do I have the confidence to stay sane. text "Ahaha, ahahahaha." text Outside. text I have to go outside. text If I stay here, I'll kill Kohaku-san. text If I stay in the mansion. text I'll kill even Akiha and Hisui. text So before those urges come again, I have to disappear. text "Ahahahahahaha!" text Quickly. text A place where no one is. text I have to go to a place where no one is or I'll go crazy again---- bgload IMA_10.png setvar flgJ + 1 jump s295.scr bgload BG_47.png text I leave the mansion. text .... What the hell is going on? text Even though there's no one around, I can feel the presence of people. text Buildings. text From the houses around me, I sense people. text *pant*----*pant*------ text ~ text With all these people here, I won't be able to hold back again. text Somewhere---I have to go somewhere without any people around or I'll never be able to calm down. text Where no one is. text Where there's no residences nearby. text ~ text .... Somewhere, where even if I go crazy again, I won't cause anyone any trouble. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text .... *pant*.... *pant*...... text There's no one else in the park. text There's no houses nearby. text .... No one's supposed to be here, but I still can't calm down. text No matter how far away they are, there are houses all around here. text I can see the lights of town in the distance, too. text "It doesn't, exist." text Yeah, it doesn't exist. text There's no place in a city where you can't sense any presence of humans. text There's really no place where I can truly be alone in this civilized city. text "Damn-----it." text All around me. text So many people all around me. text If I walk just a little, I can catch all the prey I want. text ~ bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_27B.png text "Shut---up." text My head hurts. text Even though I finally don't see the "lines" anymore, I'll start to see them again like this. text "----Eh?" text Wait, Shiki. text Isn't this strange? text Because it's not like I was seeing these "lines" because I was excited. text Those "lines" are things I can't help but see when I don't have my glasses on. text So even if I'm calmed down, I would still see them if I don't have my glasses on. text But I have dropped my glasses--- text "----They're.. here." text I bring my fingers to my face and find out my glasses were there all along. text In other words, text Even if I wear the glasses Sensei gave me, I cannot control my eyes anymore. text "Ha---haha." text I am hit with the truth. text Just like Roa said, I just didn't realize that I was already insane. text That night. text Ever since that time when I wanted from the bottom of my heart to kill that bastard who was disgracing Ciel. text ".... Oh.... then, the headache from that time was...." text The headache from when I was fighting Roa. text When I saw those "lines" of death even when I don't remember taking off my glasses, and when I got Ciel-senpai to go find them for me. text ~ text Since that time, I---even when I wore my glasses, regardless of what my intentions, I've been able to see those "lines". text ".... Senpai.... knew." text No, she probably just didn't tell me. text So as not to worry me, she lied to protect my mistaken perceptions. text ".... I see.... Sen.... pai." text She told me to talk to her if anything happened. text I've already memorized her phone number. text "Phone---" text There's a payphone nearby. text But---what am I going to do by calling her? text No one can heal my body. text Even Ciel-senpai can't heal what's inside me. text ~ choice I can't let her see me like this.|But still, I want to hear her voice. if selected == 1 jump s296.scr fi if selected == 2 jump s297.scr fi select `1. || `, *f296, `2. || `, *f297 bgload BG_27B.png text "------" text ~ text .... I can't do it. text I don't want her to see me like this.. like a killer. text No one can save me. text I can't ask anyone for help. text This impulse. text There can only be one way to eliminate this "Roa" inside of me. text Like that previous person I saw in that dream. text I can be killed by that white vampire princess, or---- in order to prevent any more victims from appearing, I can lower the curtain on myself. text "---Kk." text .... No, not yet. text There's still some of me remaining. text I haven't killed anyone yet. text So---there has to still be a way. text I can't end here. text The vampire in this city is gone. text And Senpai is still here. text I became happy, like in a dream. text So---I can't wake from this dream yet. text As long as I live. text As long as there are pieces of me remaining, I have to look for a way to do something about this monster inside of me--- bgload IMA_10.png jump s289a.scr bgload BG_27B.png text But, I want to see her. text I want to hear Ciel-senpai's voice. text The only one who I can talk to, the only one who will listen to me. text If she is there, then I can remain as Tohno Shiki. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_27B.png text "............" text I turn the dial. text After three rings, I hear the receiver pick up and Ciel-senpai's voice. text ~ text "Hello? text Who is it?" text "............" text It's strange. text Her voice seems.. so warm. text "Hello? text Hey, can you hear me?" text Her questioning voice. text I've only been there once, but I can imagine her holding the phone in her room. text "................" text I can't speak. text I don't know what to say. text I knew I shouldn't have called. text I can't get this person involved. text I should--just hang up without saying anything. text "Tohno-kun? text Is that you, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text "Ah----------" text Hearing my name, I suddenly want to cry. text ~ text "...... Yes." text I slip out a response. text "Ah, I knew it was you, Tohno-kun. text Why are you calling this late?" text "............" text I tell myself to stop. text I tell myself to make up some excuse, tell her I'll see her tomorrow and hang up. text But, I can't seem to do that. text "Senpai, I, I think I'm not going to make it." text I speak in a fading voice. text "----Tohno-kun?" text It sounds like her voice froze. text "Tohno-kun, what do you mean? text What's wrong?" text "----I mean, I can't make it. text I tried to resist it. text But, it was useless. text Like he said, it seems like, I'm just a killer." text ~ text And a really bad one, too. text Even now, if I let my guard down, I want to slice my knife through Akiha's or Hisui's throat. text Not just someone off the street, but people close to me--My sanity is about to crumble away, I'm at the point of thinking such things. text ".... What should I do? text I can't kill myself. text I've never been taught how to kill myself." text ".... And, where are you right now?" text "In the park. text I wanted to go where there aren't any people, but there's too many houses nearby. text I'm, going crazy." text ".... I understand. text I'll head to the school so let's meet there. text There's no houses nearby, so won't it be quiet?" text "---That's right---at school, there won't be anyone there." text "Alright? text Please wait at the school grounds." text ~ text The line cuts off. text "-----" text I exit the phone booth. text Senpai---I can see Ciel-senpai. text I don't think anything will change when I see her, but I still want to see her. text ~ text "----Gha, agh." text My body starts to get hot again. text Hoping I won't meet anyone on the way to school, I leave the park with uncertain steps. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_01C.png text The school is dead quiet. text There's no houses nearby, so it's very quiet around here. text ~ text *pant*----*pant*, *pant*--- text I take off my glasses and cut the lock on the school gate with my knife. text "Ah." text .... I can't believe it. text Even without thinking about it, I seemed to have put my knife in my pocket. text ~ text Probably, text so that at any time, I can kill someone. bgload BG_02A.png text "Ha........ ah." text I fall to my knees as soon as I get to the school grounds. text I brace myself off the ground using both my hands. bgload IMA_11B.png bgload BG_02A.png text "................" text My whole body is hot. text But, I don't feel like I am not me anymore. text Probably, text ~ text by violating Kohaku-san, text ~ text the impulse momentarily subsided. text "----Gg." text Gorge rises in my throat. text My mouth tastes bitter. text I haven't eaten anything today, so all I can vomit is my stomach acid. text ~ text "Kohaku---san." text It isn't something forgiven with a mere apology. text So, I can't apologize. text How can I offer my atonement to her from now on? text That conversation so many days ago. text When Ciel-senpai helped me while I was in the depths of despair after I killed Arcueid. text That person---she told me that there weren't people who sinned and people who did not sin, but there are only people who can and who cannot atone for their sins. text ~ text But, what should I do? text My committed sin, the wounded mind, can it be atoned for---- bgload BG_02A.png text "---?" text It suddenly gets darker. text The sound of footsteps. text I didn't realize it since I was face down, but someone is coming. text Under the moonlight. text Did that person darken the sky with her shadow? text "Are you trying to repent, Tohno-kun?" text ~ text Ciel-senpai asks in a cold voice. text ~ text "----Senpai." text .... She, really came. text I want to see her face, so I lift my head like I'm looking up at the night sky. bgload event/CEL_E06A.png text ~ text "----Eh?" text ~ text ---But this. bgload event/CEL_E06B.png text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---This isn't, text the Ciel that I know. sound SE_01.wav -1 text Her bare arms have the tattoo of a cross on them. text Her cold eyes, as if watching someone she doesn't even know. text .... Senpai bears an uncouthly weapon with an aura of coldness that doesn't suit her. text "-------Ah." text .... I know this. text Inside my brain, I know what weapon this is. text That has to be---what's called the Seventh Holy Scripture, one of the apocrypha that must never be removed from its resting place. text ~ text "Sen---pai?" text "As I expected, you were Roa after all, Tohno-kun." text With her frigid eyes, text Senpai speaks with a voice that is equally cold. text "----" text I start to feel a shiver up my spine. text For no reason. text No, my instincts and my brain work full force to tell me the danger, and I jump back. text ~ text "------" text Still with her mouth shut, she takes a step towards me with that ominous weapon. text .... She has no openings whatsoever. text If I run away hastily, text if I show my back to her, I know that thing will pierce my heart and I will disappear without the opportunity for reincarnation ever again. text ~ text .... Even though I don't even have that knowledge in my memories. text "---Why? text I just---" text I just.. wanted to see Senpai again. text ~ text "I understand. text Roa is already surfacing, right? text Then it is too late already." text Lightly, text she takes another effortless step forward. text ~ text That figure looks like---- text "---What are you doing, Senpai? text You look like---you're, going to kill me." text "-----" text She doesn't answer. text She just stares at me like she's trying to find out where she can aim to kill me quickly. text "---Sen, pai." text She's serious. text She seriously, plans to kill me. text ~ text ---Creak. text My nerves feel the imminent death before me. text My spine is screaming and the back of my neck is numbing. text ~ text But---more than this fear of death, text I can't believe why this person is saying such things. text "----Why?" text I don't know. text "Senpai, you said you stayed here for my sake." text "------" text With a start, text Ciel-senpai's legs stop. text ~ text She looks at me and grins. text "Your goodness really is a rare treasure. text It is a good thing to trust people, but if you were a little more composed and thought about it clearly, you could have maybe got away." text "Eh---" text "First of all, didn't you ever think about why I came to this school in the first place? text I didn't do it just because I wanted to, you know." text "------Sen, pai?" text "You knew my goal was to destroy 'The Serpent'---Roa. text Coming here to this school was because I knew Roa's reincarnated host was here. text But since I didn't know for sure, I needed to check things out for a while." sound ~ text "Wait a minute, what in the world are you---" text What is she babbling about? text I don't know. text I really can't understand what she's talking about. text She ignores my bewilderment and keeps talking. music 09.mp3 text ".... I told you before, Tohno-kun. text Roa has requirements for the family he decides to reincarnate into. text If you think the other way around, you just have to look for families with those traits. text When you know that, finding him is very simple. text It's easy to find families that have special abilities passed down through their blood once you do a bit of research. text In this city, there is only one family that fits Roa's requirements. text So---I knew from the beginning who Roa was." text "-----Wha--" text That's strange. text If she knew from the beginning, she could have killed him or caught him right then.... text From the beginning? text She knew, who it was....? text "Yes. text Look, don't you realize it now? text You know, Tohno-kun. text I came to this school to catch you from the beginning." text ~ text "--------------" text Wait. text I just want, her to, wait. text "But, a little mistake happened. text .... I was watching you from afar so as not to stimulate Roa inside you, but I concluded that you might not be Roa's new reincarnated host. text But, the eldest son of the Tohno family had to be what Roa reincarnates into. text There is no mistake in that, so what had to be a mistake was you, Tohno-kun." text Ciel-senpai speaks matter-of-factly. text I---can't say anything. text "Looking into it, you were fatally wounded eight years ago and adopted by your relatives. text What happened afterwards was exactly as Tohno SHIKI said two nights ago. text I don't know what happened in the Tohno family eight years ago, but you were killed by that kid called SHIKI. text No, it's more like your life was stolen. text As a result, you became connected to SHIKI who was Roa's host." text A direct voice, without emotion. text I don't know this Ciel-senpai. text Or is this.. text Is this the true Ciel, and the kind person I knew up until now was all just---- text "Up until now, there should have been times where Roa's memory would flow into you through SHIKI. text He is a vampire that manipulated the shapeless thing called a soul. text For Roa, you two who shared one life were a finely crafted double existence. text "That's why---when SHIKI's body was destroyed, Roa didn't need to reincarnate. text He still had a place to run to: you." text Cold. text As if hating her enemy, she detests me. text "But, it's all over now. text I wasn't prepared to finish it so suddenly that one night, but tonight is different. text I really am fortunate in a way. text If Arcueid had destroyed Roa, he probably would have reincarnated again." text .... I can't. text Believe this. text That---that.. text "----That's not, true." text "Go ahead, please keep on denying it and play dumb. text That makes my job easier. text Still---" text ~ text A metallic rattle sounds from the weapon. text ~ text "It doesn't change the fact that I can finish you off easily no matter what you do, Roa." text "-------" text Her laughing voice causes me to finally understand. text .... She isn't lying. text .... Her eyes aren't looking at "me". text .... Her feelings never did have anything to do with "me" from the beginning. text ".... What is this? text Then, then from the very beginning, you always thought of me as Roa? text Senpai. text Being friends with me was all just..........!" text ~ text ---I can't say it. text I can't finish the sentence. text If I do that, I feel like everything will turn into a lie in that instant. text "Of course. text After SHIKI was destroyed, the only reason why I stayed in school was because Roa had not disappeared. text Since Roa is a student here, it's more convenient for me to stay." text ~ text I would never go back while leaving you here. text ~ text That's what she told me once with a smile. text That wasn't, for my sake. text She stayed here just to search for the still-living Roa. text That is the only reason why she gave me her phone number. text "----Ha." bgload IMA_10.png bgload event/CEL_E01.png text Then, that too. text ~ text "Haha---" text ~ bgload event/CEL_E02A.png text And those times, too. text ~ text "Haha----ha." text ~ bgload event/CEL_E03A.png text And when she saved me that one night, too. text ~ text "Ah...... ha, ha." bgload event/CEL_E05B.png text ~ text And, those sad eyes, too. bgload IMA_10.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Haha---ha." text .... That's right, Shiki, this is nothing at all. text These memories---they are nothing at all. text I just thought I loved her. text And that she loved me back. text .... What a joke. text They were all just an illusion made from a play. text ~ text ----All of it. text All of it was a fairy tale made up of lies--- text "---I understand. text But, Senpai. text How did you know Roa was still alive? text How, how did you know Roa reincarnated into this Tohno Shiki?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T06C.png 52 0 text "Of course I knew. text Because it's about myself." Senpai says something I can't understand. text ".... About yourself....?" bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T15.png 52 0 text "Yes. text The one who sought out the Tohno family and chose it for the next host was me. text .... Well, unless Roa's consciousness awakens, I couldn't tell that it "appeared", so it wasn't that useful of a memory, though." text "Senpai, what---are you saying?" text "What am I saying? text It's an old story. text It's a story from eight years ago, but there was a girl like you who didn't know anything. text She was sixteen years old when that impulse began to stain her. text .... But before that, there was nothing. text She didn't have any special power like you did, Tohno-kun. text She really did live a normal life without knowing anything. text "Helping out her father, going to school. text Terrible at waking up early but always helping with the store in the evening. text She really did think she would carry on her father's work." bgload IMA_11.png bgload CMO_11.png bgload BG_02A.png text "Eh---" text Just now. text Scenery I have never seen before flashes in my head.. yet I feel like I have in fact seen it somewhere. text Her story---feels like it's very similar to that dream I saw. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T15.png 52 0 text "But, her dream wasn't fulfilled. text With her own hands, she destroyed the happiness that was there naturally. text Because she was Roa's reincarnated host." text "Her body had great ability and Roa was pleased. text She tried so hard to resist it just like you, but it was useless. text In the end, she drank the blood of her father and mother and slowly killed the townspeople. text That child, maybe she went crazy then." text "You understand, right, Tohno-kun? text You can't stop it. text "Stop" or "You shouldn't" doesn't even enter your thoughts. text Isn't it strange? text ---Even though you still have your conscious awareness." text "Se---n, pai. text Don't tell me, that story is," text "But that nightmare came to an end soon. text That woman in white came and pierced her heart." text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ~ text ---Yeah, I know. text So the girl died, and Roa reincarnated as Tohno SHIKI. text But, that's. text "But, that girl, she couldn't stay dead." text Quietly. text Almost laughingly, she says this. text "Her dead body was taken to the Church and preserved as a sample of a vampire returning to human form. text .... But, though I don't know what kind of fate it was, her body was a special body, and had an abnormal reviving ability. text One day three years later, even though she shouldn't have, she came back from the dead. text .... It's strange, isn't it? text Even though it was just a discarded shell of Roa's soul, it still came back to life. text "After that, things were.. difficult. text The Church viewed the child as heresy and killed the child, but no matter how many times they killed her, she wouldn't die. bgload BG_02A.png setimg CEL_T07C.png 52 0 text .... I'm sorry, can I complain a bit? text That girl, she underwent an entire month of life only being killed. text Every single day, without even a single moment of rest, she came back to life only to be killed once more. text Every day, all day." music ~ bgload BG_02A.png text "............ What.." text A body that can't die. text Flesh that will return to its original state no matter what happens. text Roa, the vampire reincarnated as Tohno SHIKI, said that about this person. text .... It seemed