15corpses | (no subject)

(no subject)

FINAL TRIAL

[When the doors open, the killed also find themselves allowed into the Room of Reckoning as well. And - similar to the living - they, too, have a table, with their own names and places and sitting pillows. They, too, receive the note on their phones with a ping.

The dead, however, have something else that the living do not have.

They can see that there is someone sitting on the gold pillow by the stairs.]

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Perhaps just like this. You said it yourself to Kana-san, didn't you? You're better now. Many of us have become stronger people through this experience.

I don't condone the cruelty of how this Game has been run. But knowing what is at stake, why they need us to become stronger so badly...

Well, I was once in a similar situation, with slightly lesser stakes, and I don't believe my students would have thought much more kindly of me if they hadn't known they agreed to it. And I didn't actually kill any of them.

[Yuuri thinks long and hard on that, biting the inside of his lower lip delicately.

But finally, he nods.]

I can see your point. It's such an enormous responsibility, though... not something any of us would want to screw up.

Of course not. But it may be a necessary responsibility unless we can somehow address the root problem.

[Kurama's expression is...not pleased, but thoughtful and accepting the possibility.]

[Once again, Yuuri looks to the man at his side, whose hand he still holds.

As if they're more than just friends and peers.]

If there's a way for Victor and I to work together, if we both qualify to do this, then I'd feel a lot more confident about our world's chances.

Then it's up to the two of you to find a way, right, Katsuki-san?

[It's cute, and it makes Kurama wish he were sitting next to Goro. Maybe he can convince Loewe to switch places?]

They didn't bother making a rule against interfering with executions until Akira and I tried it. Perhaps there's no rule against paired Composers. A duet, if you will.

Anything's possible, as long as the higher ups allow it and we can prove we work well together. Or if we both come back to life and someone better suited becomes our world's Composer.

Either way, I don't want to be separated from Victor again.

I think that kind of hope may be what we need most of all. The belief that anything is possible if we work hard enough.

I understand your feelings, Katsuki-san.

[And hopefully Yuuri will neither notice nor call him on the way his eyes drift first to Goro, then to Akira at the other table. Because... They have a chance to try, the same as Yuuri and Victor.

But Kurama comes from a different world entirely.]

[Oh, Yuuri notices, but he won't call Kurama out on it.

After all, he'd be embarrassed and upset if anyone called him out on his unrequited love, since he and Victor are simply friends....]

I didn't think that kind of hope was possible until now, Kurama-san. Or if it was, it was just blind, something that would wind up costing whoever had it everything. Back when this all started, I said I trusted that no one would be so selfish that they'd commit murder, but... I didn't completely believe what I was saying. I tried to live like I trusted all of you, but I was still scared.

[He gives a small, nervous laugh.]

Dying takes the fear of death out of you, though.

[...Right. Of course they are. Kurama won't say anything if Yuuri doesn't. It's a fair deal.]

You really have grown, Katsuki-san.

[Kurama at least tries to muffle his chuckle behind a hand.] It does. Imagine how little one fears it after dying twice.

[It's not like he remembers the truth, considering the price he paid to continue on in the UG....]

I have? Well, maybe a little, but not as much as everybody seems to think I have. But I'll take it as a compliment?

And I can't imagine dying twice. I hope I don't have to find out what that's like for a long time.

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