week 5, saturday

[digestif]

That was quite a performance, Guy-kun.

[ Mizuki comes to visit him in the dungeon afterwards, like they're sure many others have. He's a friend, yes - but so was Zoe, and thus, their expression remains stony. They are, perhaps, a little sad, because he seemed nice enough, and had always been kind to them, and it's likely he's cursed in some way... but their disappointment far outweighs any sadness. ]

Comments

[digestif]

In that case... you botched your hit job. Is that more accurate?

[ a beat. They tap a finger against their lips, thinking. ]

... Did Zoe use her power on you when you came after her? To try and change your mind, or maybe to have you put her out of her misery?

[menially]

[He still can't stop shaking, can't stop the way his facial expression keeps dancing between frustration and distress, a constant battle with himself. It's either heavily emotional... or extremely unnatural.]

...Yes. I didn't... I hadn't wanted her to suffer in the first place. That wasn't the point...!

I think... she knew she was dying. I don't know how she did it, but... one second I was trying to get away, and the next... it was all I could do to just drop what I was doing and try to help her. That's all that matters.

...Mattered. [A correction, with some visible forcing of the word.]

[digestif]

Smart girl.

[ Should they pity him for this display, or scorn him for it? They suppose they'll find out. For not wanting her to suffer, he'd certainly put her through a hell of a lot.

A thought passes through their mind, then - one that gives them some pause. ]

Guy-kun, what was the compensation you were looking for? This wasn't something you'd do cheaply. Even if you've secretly been a cold-blooded killer from the start, you're smart enough not to behave erratically.

[menially]

[He swallows and gives himself a moment. Just like that, his composure is back, though still a little frayed around the edges.]

...It's not something I can share, Mizuki. I'm sorry.

All I can tell you is that it has to do with my wish.

[digestif]

I thought you might say that.

[ would've been too easy and made their choice too simple. Their anger at Zoe's death is still burning at the pit of their stomach; they'll need good reason to go through with the idea they have. ]

Are you afraid to die?

[menially]

[A beat. His wrings at his hands, one wrist against the other palm, a motion for movement's sake.]

...Yes.

[Very. Very very very.]

But I'm not going to beg to be spared. I made my choice knowing that I would die if I was caught. I can't run from that.

[digestif]

I have the power to save you.

[ simply. ]

I'm Beauty's last follower.

[menially]

[...

that's

a lot

He just. Stares at Mizuki, tired, a stony disbelief in how his brows knit together



and then he smiles, sad and apologetic.]

You know what I'm going to say to that, right?

Save someone who deserves to be saved, Mizuki. You're not that stupid.

[digestif]

[ they exhale sharply through their nose, a short, dismissive sigh. ]

Do you think I'm being sentimental, Guy-kun? I'm playing the game.

[ their golden eyes peer through the bars at him. ]

Beauty-kun only has one follower. If he got another one, we might be able to orchestrate something that would get my wish granted. [ ... ] Tell me what you were trying to accomplish.

[menially]

[And there's the Mizuki he recognizes. That gets him to relax a little, actually.]

I told you that I can't do that.

I'm still part of this, too. Even if I'm only an active player for another day... there's too much in play already. If I told you anything, I'd compromise everything I've been working for.

I'm sorry.

[digestif]

[ disappointing. They just take a step back from the door, linking their hands behind their back. ]

What you're working for is worth more than your life and Zoe's life, too? It must be one hell of a prize.

[menially]

[An exhale, slow and steady.]

Yes. It is.

[What statement that's answering, he won't say.]

Hate me if you want, Mizuki. But I've made my move for what I want to accomplish. I'm not happy with what steps I had to take. I regret what suffering had to happen.

But I don't regret going through with it.

[digestif]

I don't hate you. If you want me to be perfectly honest, I don't care enough about you one way or another to put in that much effort.

[ cold, yes... but it's about how they feel right now. The time they spent worrying about him and being friendly with him feels like it was just a waste of time now - all for nothing. ]

And I won't put forth any more effort to save you than this, either. I'll offer one more time: do you want to live?

[menially]

[cool well i guess we're burning that bridge immediately.

up comes the smile, immediate and familiar, customer service friendly.]

Not with those terms.

I appreciate your time.

[digestif]

[ there he goes. They can't tell if he's hurt or not... But they just feel sort of hollow. They really don't care. He killed a 16-year-old girl - a perfectly sweet and innocent one. Whoever the man they knew before might have been, they can't reconcile him with that person. ]

Goodbye, Guy-kun.

[ and there they go... ]

[menially]

Goodbye, Mizuki.

[He just silently watches them leave, only letting the smile drop when their form disappears from the doorway.

It was probably for the better this way. Maybe, at the very least... they could feel some sort of relief when he died.

He hates how conflicted that makes him feel.]