Ryūta stood in front of the door, stunned, confused, and above all disappointed, facing the armed welcoming committee.
"So it really was a trap... Why?" he asked, his voice broken.
"Because you pose a threat to Sanae," Nao replied coldly.
"And how exactly?"
"With your stupidity."
The boy's eyes widened at the answer.
"Because I came here...?"
"Yes," the girl said, prompting Ryūta to clench his fists and raise his voice.
"I thought you'd been taken hostage! What was I supposed to do? Just abandon you?"
"Yes, exactly that," the president snapped, then added more calmly, "My life is nothing compared to Sanae's."
Then meet me behind the main building at exactly three this afternoon, and tell me Sanae's life means more to you than your own. If I believe you, I promise to answer every question you have honestly.
As the boy recalled their earlier conversation, suddenly everything became clear.
"So that's what you meant... You never intended to tell me anything, because my life doesn't matter either, right?" he asked, but already knowing the answer, he moved on. "And what about the girl who tried to befriend her before me? Did you kill her too?"
"No. Unlike you, she listened to me and took that pill."
"And where is she now?"
"In America, with her family. One of our people is keeping an eye on them and helping them start a new life."
"I guess that offer doesn't stand for me anymore," Ryūta said with a hint of sarcasm, and for a moment, something like guilt flickered across Nao's face.
"Unfortunately, your situation isn't that simple. You triggered something in Sanae that's made her instinctively attach herself to you. We don't fully understand how it works yet, so we can't control it either. There's a good chance that even if you moved away and we erased both your memories, sooner or later, she'd start looking for you again."
"So that's why she was acting so weird..." the boy muttered to himself, then looked back at the girl. "Just tell me one thing. What would've happened if I hadn't shown up?"
But this time, it wasn't the president who answered.
"Then we would've had to kidnap you. But that wouldn't have been quite to our liking. You know, it's a crime and all that..."
As soon as Ryūta turned his head toward the voice, he recognized its source. It was the same punk who had knocked him out earlier.
Still grinning widely, he scratched his head, but the boy cut in with a dose of reality.
"Just so you know, murder is a crime too..."
"What? Really?" the young man looked back and forth between his companions and their leader, genuinely puzzled.
"Only if we do it outside…," Nao replied. Noticing that Ryūta was starting to lose the thread again, she elaborated. "The Black Tower, as we call it, is a part of the city where most of the usual laws don't apply."
"What do you mean by that?" the boy asked, joining the other clueless one. At that, Daigorō, who was also present, spoke up.
"Have you seen a single cop around here?" he asked, but before Ryūta could answer, he continued. "Exactly. That's because they can't do anything here. This place is a hotbed for all kinds of underworld organizations."
"What does that mean for me?"
Nao took over again.
"It means that the moment you stepped in here, you were declared missing. No one's going to look for you or come to your aid."
"Shinji knows where I am. If I don't check in on time—" the boy started, trying to keep his cool, but the president cut him off.
"By the time he figures out what happened, you'll already be dead. And it'll only be a matter of time before we deal with him too."
"So that's all he means to you... Everything that happened between you was just an act. Do you have any idea how he feels about you?!" Ryūta finally burst out. The girl cast her eyes down.
"There's no room for feelings here," she said. Then her expression hardened again, turning cold as ice. "We've talked enough. I hope you're ready."
With that, Nao looked at Daigorō, who stepped up to the boy with his pistol in hand and pressed it against his head.
"Don't even think about escaping. The door's locked, and even if you got through it, the elevator wouldn't work. Just stay still, and I promise it won't hurt," the president said again, but Ryūta was beyond persuasion.
"Do whatever you want..." he replied, head bowed, resigned to his fate.
The man sighed as he clicked off the safety of his gun.
"Sorry, kid... Wish we'd crossed paths another way."
Hearing the slow creak of the trigger, fear surged through the boy. Eyes shut tight, fists clenched, he braced himself for the end. In a heartbeat, his life flashed before his eyes. Moments that shaped who he'd become, memories of the one person who had ever accepted him, and her smiling face saying:
You can't give up yet! Fight!
"Hime!" the boy gasped, eyes snapping open. Suddenly, everything slowed down.
At the very last second, he jerked his head out of the bullet's path and drove his elbow into Daigorō's gut, catching him completely off guard. Without hesitation, he turned on his enemies, not giving them a chance to react. One by one, the armed men fell until only the president remained standing before him.
But then, doubt crept in.
"Something's not right. Someone's missing. That grinning rat's nowhere to be seen. Damn it... again?!"
As the thought formed, his right eye caught sight of the punk creeping up behind him, knife in hand, ready to stab him in the back. It was a close call, but he managed to grab the man's arm just before the blade reached his throat.
However, it cost him his full attention.
By the time he realized Nao had pulled a gun from somewhere too, it was already too late. The shot rang out, and the bullet hit Ryūta straight in the heart.
The boy didn't even realize what had happened until he got released by the punk and put his hand over the aching spot. His fingers came away warm and wet, stained red. A few moments later, the last of his strength gave out. He collapsed into the girl's arms as she gently eased him to the ground and took his hand in hers.
"Why... am I so cold...? Hime...?" Ryūta's voice trembled, but his connection to the world was slipping fast.
His vision blurred with tears, and then, suddenly, everything went black.
"I'm here. Everything's going to be fine now. It's over," Nao whispered, just before the boy drifted into a deep sleep, a faint smile still lingering on his face.
"There really wasn't another way? He's practically still a child..." Daigorō stepped toward them, still groaning from the blow to his stomach.
"I'm barely a year older than him, and I've been in this much longer," the girl replied, still holding Ryūta's hand.
"True, but your situation was a bit different."
"Yeah. I didn't even have as much of a choice as he did," she added, her gaze falling as she straightened up and gave the order. "Take him."
When the boy opened his eyes, he found himself in his bed. He jumped up instinctively, reaching for his chest.
He found no injuries, and felt no pain, as if he had just dreamed the whole thing.
Still in that belief, he unlocked the door of his apartment and stepped out onto the steps, where he met a scene he never expected.
The streets below were utterly deserted, and the sky above glowed a deep crimson. Hundreds of crows circled over his head, painting a picture straight out of a nightmare.
"What the hell is going on...? Did I die...?" Ryūta muttered in confusion. Then, as he took a step back, he heard a strange, wet squelch.
Looking down, he saw a large pool of red spreading around his feet, and in its reflection, he spotted something else as well.
A little girl with white hair stood behind him. A kitchen knife protruded from her abdomen.
Startled, the boy backed into the railing, though he didn't feel threatened. He didn't know why, not until he took a better look and recognized the still, almost lifeless figure in front of him.
"Mafuyu?"
She was much younger and smaller than in his previous dreams, but he was certain. It was her.
Finally, he gathered all his courage, stepped closer, and leaned down to her.
"Help me, Onii-chan!" The increasingly nightmarish apparition suddenly looked at him, prompting Ryūta to stumble back in panic. Reaching the low railing, he lost his balance and toppled over, plummeting into a deep ravine.
Once again, sheer terror gripped the boy. This time, however, it lasted only a few seconds. As his heartbeat and breathing quickened, he gasped for air and jolted awake.
He found himself in a warmly lit room with modern decor, lying in a large, comfortable bed. Beneath the covers, he wore a white robe, damp with sweat.
It was already late morning, and sunlight streamed in through the glass wall in brilliant shafts, nearly blinding him.
"Finally awake. From the sounds you were making, it must've been a terrible nightmare. Then again, after everything we put you through, I wouldn't say I'm surprised," Nao said from the chair beside Ryūta's bed, wearing a gentle smile that didn't quite match her usual demeanor.
"President… I don't understand anything anymore. I clearly remember you shooting me! What the hell is goi—"
"Shh," the girl interrupted gently, pointing toward the other side of the bed. "Don't wake the sleeping lion."
"Lion...?"
As the boy turned his head, he saw Sanae, curled up on the floor, her head resting on the mattress, softly breathing in her sleep.
"When I told her what happened, she really let me have it. I've never seen her so furious. She must have been worried sick about you," the president explained as she stood. Her tone turned serious, filled with remorse. "I know you have a lot of questions, and I promise to answer every one of them. But first, please accept my sincerest apology. We did awful things to you. I'm sorry."
Nao bowed her head low, nearly bending over horizontally as she pleaded with Ryūta. Not only had he already forgiven her deep down, but he was also beginning to feel a little uncomfortable watching her beg. Even so, he wasn't quite ready to let go of his wounded pride and decided to play the victim just a little longer.
"Then maybe you could start by telling me what the hell that was all about. When you shot me, I thought it was the end. I felt life leaving my body..."
Even though he was safe, the trauma of what he had experienced still clung to him.
"That was the point. Your final trial," said the girl, prompting Ryūta to furrow his brows.
"My trial?" he echoed.
"It had three parts. Two tests and one lesson," the president began. After taking her seat again, she continued, "When I asked you to give up on Sanae, you refused. We had to find out whether that was just selfishness or if you were truly willing to risk your life for her."
"So you staged it, made it seem like you were taken hostage," the boy added.
"Yes. If you hadn't genuinely cared about Sanae, you would've abandoned me. But you came for me, even though we'd clashed more than once before. And for that, I'm grateful."
"What was the second test about?"
"It was designed to measure your mental endurance and resilience. You had already shown you were willing to fight for others, but we needed to know whether you would do the same for yourself or just break under pressure and give up. The best way to test that was to make you believe we had betrayed you."
They sat in silence for about half a minute. Ryūta needed time to process everything he had heard, and Nao respected that. When he finally felt ready, he spoke.
"And the lesson?"
"You can't truly fear death until you understand what it feels like. The bullet that hit you contained red dye and a small syringe. The latter was filled with epinephrine and a potent but delayed-acting hypotensive agent, as well as several other additives. Together, they can simulate the sensation of dying from a gunshot fairly convincingly."
"So it was all just a test..." Ryūta exhaled, a touch of disappointment in his voice. The girl clarified gently, trying to encourage him.
"A test that you mostly passed."
"What do you mean mostly?" the boy asked, getting caught on the word.
"Well, the guns were loaded with blanks, and if you hadn't moved, Daigorō wouldn't have fired either. We never intended to actually hurt you after all. Besides most of our men were holding back. If everyone had gone all in, you wouldn't be alive. But don't let that get to you."
Although she said that, Ryūta was clearly annoyed by how badly he had lost. In the end, however, he swallowed his pride.
"So what happens to me now?"
"You deserve to choose. But there are still only two options. If you're not ready to risk your life, we can't let you stay with Sanae."
"There's one thing I don't understand."
"And what would that be?"
"If she's so important and needs that much protection, why don't you just lock her up in a white room with padded walls?"
The boy's tone was deliberately a little sarcastic, but the curiosity behind his words was genuine. The answer he got, though, was nothing like what he expected.
"Because then we would be doing exactly what our predecessors did to her, and she deserves better than that," the president replied with a bitter smile, her eyes drifting to the girl in question, still lost in her dreams. "So? Anything else you want to know, or have you made your decision?" she asked again, this time with a bit more enthusiasm.
Ryūta didn't respond. Not because he had doubts, but because he needed a moment to gather his thoughts. It had never occurred to him that the cheerful girl he knew hadn't always been that way. And once that realization hit him, he instinctively reached out and gently stroked her head, which woke her up.
"Mmm… What happened?" Sanae rubbed her eyes, then, spotting her classmate, she jumped up. "Ryūta, you're awake! Thank goodness! How do you feel? Does anything hurt? Should I get you something?"
"Relax, I'm fine," the boy said with a smile, though it didn't convince her. She kept staring at him, still worried.
"Sanae, why don't you make him some tea? That might help him feel a bit more refreshed."
The girl's eyes lit up at the idea, but hesitation followed right after.
She was clearly torn between carrying out the order or staying with her friend. In the end, she chose the former.
"Don't do anything to him while I'm gone! I mean, don't do anything to him even after I'm back!" she scolded Nao once again, then headed toward the kitchen. But just before stepping through the doorway, she turned back to the boy.
"Ryūta, if she's up to something again, just shout! I'll come and save you!"
With that, she left the room, and the others nearly burst out laughing.
"So innocent…," began the president.
"…and sincere," continued the boy. Then their eyes met. "Well, looks like there's something we agree on."
"Looks like it," said the girl, rising from her chair. "I'll leave you two alone, then. Your body still needs a bit more time to break down the drugs. Until then, just rest here."
"Wait!" Ryūta called after her. "Where is here, exactly? What is this place?"
"That depends on your decision. No pressure. Take your time and—"
"There's nothing to think about. There never was. I'm staying with Sanae," the boy cut in, prompting Nao to let out a visible sigh of relief.
"I was hoping you'd say that, because we've already moved most of your things and canceled your lease."
"You have what?!"
As soon as Ryūta shouted, Sanae burst into the room, a tea box in her hands.
"Naonon, what did you do this time?!"
"Perfect timing. Sanae, meet your new neighbor. Kagayaki Ryūta is going to be living in this apartment starting today," the president said, then turned back to the boy. "Kagayaki-kun, welcome to the ninety-sixth floor of the Black Tower."
"We're going to be neighbors? Me and Ryūta? I'm so happy!" Sanae was moved to tears as she threw her arms around her friend's neck. "Thank you, Naonon!"
"Hold on! I can't afford this kind of luxury!" the boy protested, though it took about thirty seconds before Nao could answer, having finally caught her breath.
"This is the only way we can let you stay with her. But if you'd rather go back to your old life—"
"Okay, I get it!"
"Good. Don't worry, we'll handle everything. Even the washing machine."
Ryūta didn't get the chance to respond to that last unsolicited remark, as the girl walked out of the room with a faintly mocking smile, leaving the other two alone.
Letting it go, the boy leaned back into his bed and drifted into thought, momentarily forgetting about Sanae, who had clearly misunderstood his intention.
"I'm sorry!" the girl said, making Ryūta look at her in confusion.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"This is all my fault. That you got involved, that you got hurt… Maybe it would've been better if I'd never gone to yo—"
Before she could finish, the boy jumped out of his bed.
"That's not true! If it weren't for you, I would've lost my mind in my own helplessness!"
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been in so much danger," the girl replied, eyes glistening with tears, but Ryūta shook his head.
"As you heard yourself, this was just a test. One that happened because I rushed ahead blindly. I didn't realize I was putting other lives at risk, not just my own, or that there's nothing I can do for Hime right now. I was arrogant and foolish. I'm sorry..."
"It's still my fault. If I had explained everything properly, none of this would've happened."
"Then let's make it right."
"How?" Sanae looked at him with a flicker of hope.
"Let's promise to share everything with each other from now on, so something like this never happens again," the boy said, lifting his pinky.
"Everything?" the girl asked, her voice almost pleading.
"Everything. From our smallest joys and sorrows to our biggest secrets."
Sanae wiped away her tears and followed her friend's lead.
"Alright. And I also promise I'll be the best neighbor you've ever had!"
"Sounds good, but careful! I'll hold you to that."
As they linked their fingers and sealed their vow with bright smiles, Ryūta asked his first question.
"By the way, who put this robe on me?"
Though the girl didn't say a word, the deepening blush on her face gave her away.
"Hmm... I thought we were going to share everything from now on," teased the boy, making his new neighbor avert her gaze in embarrassment.
"From now on! I'm keeping this one to myself."