Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

To Miko Kutsuki, the life of a pharmacist was perfectly fine.

Not especially engaging, but difficult and challenging enough at times. Not especially interesting, but sometimes captivating enough where Miko was actually interested in the pills and drugs before him. Not a career he was particularly thrilled with, but one he couldn't constantly complain about, either.

It was the path his parents had given him, and after several years of working as a full-time pharmacist of Valerian Pharmaceuticals, Miko couldn't turn their gratuity down. They'd taken him in, after all, and he was their son, as they treated him with kindness and warmth that was akin to parental love from a blissful fairytale.

Miko loved his parents. He was eternally thankful for all they'd done for him, so how could he refuse and turn down the life they'd paved for him? For Miko, there was no other option, and he lacked the strength to fight it. He simply couldn't see himself rejecting the successful life his parents had gifted him on a silver platter.

Most people were jealous of him - Miko knew that. He had no reason to whine or grumble about his current situation. He was part of a wealthy family, the heir to one of the biggest companies in the world, and on top of that, suited out and fawned over by many. He was called a "prince" for a reason, after all, being not just talented in the medicinal field, but proficient in swordfighting and other hobbies to boot.

But deep down, there had always been a lingering sensation that something just wasn't quite right about Miko's life.

It was like a part of his heart was carved out. For as long as he could remember, there was a blank space in his mind, and Miko knew it wasn't just his imagination. His parents didn't have baby photos of him or even when he was a toddler. His birthday had been "picked" for him. Miko knew they weren't his biological parents, but that, of course, didn't answer all of his questions.

Where did he come from? Who was he? Simple but world-defining predicaments like that were ones Miko had never been able to answer.

Nevertheless, he worked hard every day and greeted customers with a polite smile. He'd attend Chiyoko Fukumoto's parties as Valerian's representative, as his parents were often away overseas to work. Miko made acquaintances, dealt with business affairs, and was beloved by all around him. While people called him "heartless" for never engaging in anything romantic, for the most part, Miko was capable, composed and elegant, both in appearance and manners.

Currently, it was no different. 

"Will that be all?" Miko said, closing out his final phone call of the day. The sun had already started to set outside, but Miko worked late for customers who called over the phone, happy to help them as much as he could.

He smiled when he heard the customer's thanks. "It's no problem at all. I'll send the prescription right over, so I'll need a suitable address, if you don't mind..."

The call went smoothly, as expected, and Miko set the company phone down, letting out one final breath. The other employees were long gone, bidding him farewell as they left. Miko took one last look at the shelves of medicines behind him and sorted out a few remaining papers before turning his back on his main workspace once again.

He was just like everyone else when it came to the end of a long day - Miko was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to go home, eat, feed Puddle, who he’d been taking good care of, and relax for the night.

As he switched the lights off and headed towards the door to leave, memories of the past few weeks drifted to the forefront of Miko's mind, and he stiffened, suddenly frozen in place.

He remembered his days in "captivity" in Marmoreal's lounge, and his conversations with Akiko, who he hadn't seen in years. He remembered Ray running into the car with a blood-soaked Mao, unconscious and on the verge of death. He remembered screaming at Ray and the fury in his heart when he realized how even after growing attached to Mao, at his core, Ray hadn't changed at all.

It infuriated and bothered Miko. Deep down, he had a feeling that something more was brewing under the surface. Between his own capture, Mao's moment of sacrifice, and how nothing had truly settled after the second Killing Wonder, Miko knew that nothing was truly over. 

He'd known about Ray and Chiyoko's plans for a long, long time, but his inability to do anything about it was what nagged at Miko the most. He sucked in a breath as he raised an arm to open the door, trying to swat his recent thoughts away. Combined with his questions and insecurities about his own life, the last thing Miko needed was being reminded of his recent worries.

But as Miko touched the door, the cold metal the same as always, there was a sudden, sharp jab to his neck, and it hit.

...

...What?

Miko had no time to process what happened, who had done this to him, or the drug in his system before it was already too late.

His vision darkened, his head throbbed, and his body weakened as Miko fell to the floor, powerless to the drug's effects. By the time his eyes fluttered shut and his consciousness fell under, the possibility of stopping Chiyoko's next grand plan was long gone.

The stage was already set. The show was about to begin. Now that Miko was out, he was powerless, yet another unwilling pawn in another brutal game.

✿

Miko opened his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar, hazy room.

Slowly, he tried to move around and regain control of his own body, but the dizziness and weariness throughout him didn't fade. The room around him was blurry, and yet, at the same time, it was eerily heavenly, painted by a faint glowing light.

It felt like a dream. It felt like he was awake in his own dreams, and yet, it felt all too real at the same time, and-

Miko shook his head. He couldn't move. He was frozen in place, forced to only observe this new space. Slowly, he realized that what was before him was some sort of mural, like he was in a temple or holy room of sorts, and something about it all felt so, so wrong.

Let me out, Miko wanted to scream. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up.

The image in front of him suddenly became more clear, and that was when Miko saw someone else.

A girl, painted and shaped by the light.

It was as if she was some sort of angel dropped down by the heavens. Even though her back was to Miko, he had the sudden urge to move closer, to talk to her, to see her. He tried to move forward, drifting in this unknown dream, but the girl didn't move with him.

Who are you? What am I doing here? What is this place? Question after question danced on the tip of Miko's tongue, and yet, he was still an outsider, unable to influence his own dream. It was as if it was the future, already set in stone, and yet, Miko couldn't stand still.

More than anything, it was the girl that made him want to act. She hadn't moved, her hair slightly flowing because of the faint breeze around the room, and yet, the more he looked at her, the more he wanted to know.

Miko felt his heart pound faster and harder than ever before to the point where it hurt. It hurt and ached and he winced in pain because of his own heart, of all things. He'd never heard the pulse of his heart. He'd never felt like this before, and it was enchanting and disturbing all at once.

What was this place? Who was this girl? What was Miko's role in all of this?

The room around him blurred and warped, and suddenly, the mural in front of him was distorted. Miko couldn't make out what was on it anymore, but that didn't matter. All he cared about was the girl, who seemed to move and breathe at the same time as Miko's heartbeat, as if the two of them had been connected all along, and-

"Who...are you...?"

As the image around him continued to collapse, Miko was finally able to speak, breaking through the illusion, but it was too late.

The girl started to turn around, her blonde hair wrapping around her like the soft touch of feathered wings, but Miko couldn't see her face. Just like everything else, the girl's image collapsed, and new words started pounding in Miko's head, echoing throughout the dream.

Wake up.

His own mind called to him, trying to snap Miko out of the dream - no, the future, the reality, the truth - that he'd been caught in. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up, Miko, wake up. Even though the girl started to slip away, Miko clung to the image of her, as he'd never been pulled to anyone like that before, and he had to know, because maybe this was the answer, maybe this was why he'd-

Wake up. Wake up. Wake up.

Was this what he was meant for? Was that place where he came from? Did that girl have something to do with him? The memories of the dream were falling and falling away like fragmented shards of glass, but Miko didn't want to let them go-

Wake up, Miko.

No, he tried to say, no, I don't want to-

Wake up. 

- But even Miko couldn't ignore his body and mind, and slowly, he felt his consciousness regain itself, the effects of the drug wearing off, and -

Wake up.

...

..

.

.

.

- And the dream was over.

✿

✿

Miko woke up with a sharp gasp.

As he sat up, his body still tingled from the aftereffects of the drug and the dream . His head throbbed with an uncontrollable, unfamiliar pain, and his eyes were heavy as he winced, struggling to re-adjust to being awake.

"What...what the hell ..." Miko muttered, trying to pull himself together. In a daze, he looked around, but his surroundings were anything but normal, and that somehow instantly woke him up.

The floor beneath him was cold and decorated with extravagant, confusing patterns, but the rest of the room looked even crazier. It was like he'd been dropped straight into some sort of nonsense riddle, with strange chairs dotted around the room, oddly patterned walls, and a sparkling chandelier over his head.

"Where am I..." Miko tried to make sense of what happened to him, but the more he thought about it, the more confused and unnerved he got. He remembered trying to leave work, and then he was attacked, and now...

Stay calm. Stay calm. Miko sucked in a breath as the pain in his head finally started to fade. As he looked around again, he realized that the room was somewhat small, and he caught a glimpse of a bright magenta door in front of him. It was a stark contrast to the mostly black-and-white color scheme of everything else around him.

Miko blinked, trying to get rid of the lasting spots that sprinkled in front of his eyes. He was good at staying calm. He was capable, he was smart, and whatever happened to him, it was something he could handle, right?

"Aw, look who finally decided to wake up."

...

...Don't tell me.

"You've got to be kidding me," Miko swore.

All thoughts of staying capable and calm vanished in an instant the second Miko heard his voice. He felt like he'd been hit by a truck and left to die. First literally getting drugged, then a strange dream, then this wacky room, and now...

He could feel him moving, tilting his head with a probably amusing look. Miko sucked in a breath and looked towards the source of the voice, and all his agony and sorrow got much, much worse when he saw just who was with him.

Perched on one of the chairs to the side was none other than Ray Fukumoto, looking as if he already owned the place.

He eyed Miko with a look of intrigue, like he'd been staring at him for quite a while. Miko never truly knew what to do around Ray, and he sucked in a breath. He was disappointed and on edge, especially given their recent argument. Even in the dim lights of the room, his blue eyes were as eerie as always. Nothing about Ray had changed a bit, and that meant Miko had every reason to be distrustful around him.

"You looked like you were sleeping peacefully," Ray said, his words laced with a snarkiness Miko hated , "my dear Queenie."

Miko rolled his eyes at the nickname. "I see you've made yourself far too comfortable. Of course you'd love a room as messed-up and confusing as this..."

"There was a puzzle in here, actually," Ray explained, "but I already solved it. What brilliance, what genius, I know! So yes, I suppose you're right in saying I've already gotten well-accustomed to this room...although it's a little too small for my liking, even though the chairs are certainly fun!"

"And you didn't leave me behind?" That got a chuckle out of Miko. "Wow. That's up there on the few good deeds you've ever done, isn't it?"

"You wound me," Ray said, sarcasm dripping from his words as he hopped down from the chair. "Even I'm not so stupid as to leave a room by myself in this clearly illogical place, don't you think?"

Miko scoffed in frustration, annoyed that Ray did have a point. He quickly stood up and walked away from him, trying to keep his distance. Knowing the bottles of poison that were literally wrapped around Ray's leg was just one reason to stay as far away from him as possible.

He folded his arms, keeping his back turned. "Were you knocked out, too?"

"Are you curious?" Miko could feel Ray's stupid smile widening. "Curious as to how someone got the upper hand on me, of all people? Shocking, I know, especially considering that it was in the middle of this large event, focused around this new line of mine that you'd only dream of ever wearing, Queenie-"

"Answer the damn question."

Ray sighed, used to Miko's persistence. "Fine, fine. Yes, I was knocked out, but miraculously woke up before you. Is that what you wanted? Am I going to see a smile of joy and relief break out on your pretty face?"

Miko turned over his shoulder to glare at Ray, who was grinning from ear-to-ear like a pesky child. "Me smiling because of you is the last thing you'll ever see, especially with what's happened recently."

That got Ray silent. The memories of their recent argument dawned on him, too, and Miko didn't miss the flash of guilt in his eyes. Seeing Ray weakened was something he always relished in, especially because getting the upper hand on him was already a difficult task to begin with.

"Whatever." Miko broke the silence and took a step towards the brightly-colored door. "If you're done gloating about how you're more accustomed to poisons and that's why you woke up earlier, then let's go."

But as he moved to leave the room, considering Ray had unlocked the door for him, Miko froze, a realization suddenly hitting him.

Seeing Ray made so much sense. Too much sense, in fact, given what he'd done in the past, and Miko knew he'd been thrown right into one of his schemes. A mysterious room, getting knocked out, and unusual decorations fit right in line with everything Miko knew about Ray's sins.

The past two Killing Wonders were largely because of him, and if Miko was caught in a strange situation akin to the start of those games, there could only be one reason why - and that reason was standing right behind him.

Everything was because of Ray.

Miko remembered his words during their argument. He shut his eyes as the memories of the deaths Ray caused - Yui's death, of all things - came back one by one. He remembered the blood staining Mao's clothes and Ray's heavy silence. He remembered it all.

You don't care.

Now was no different, and Miko knew it. Miko knew Ray better than anyone else, whether he liked it or not, and now that he was in a situation just like the Killing Wonders, just like those horrific games that ripped people's lives apart, he felt his mind boil with anger.

"...What are you planning?"

Miko's words were cold as he turned around, staring Ray down with an icy gaze. The toxicologist tilted his head, his smile unfading, but the glint in his eyes shifted. He perfectly read Miko's thoughts and emotions, but Miko refused to let him dodge yet another question.

"This is your doing, isn't it?" Miko snapped, cutting right to the chase. 

Ray chuckled, as if their situation was little more than another joke. " Please, Queenie, you can't be serious-"

Miko lunged forward and cut him off.

He'd had enough. Something in him snapped. The exhaustion, weariness, and frustration from the past few weeks crumbled, and in a moment of fury, Miko dashed forward and fiercely grabbed Ray's thin flower collar, tugging him forward with a harsh pull.

Ray was childish. Too childish. Too annoying, irritating, and horrible, and Miko was tired of it. This unusual situation was the final straw, and it hurt to know that the answer to why he'd been drugged and thrown into an unfamiliar room was right beneath his fingertips.

He wanted answers. Miko had always wanted answers but never had the chance to get them, but now, he was seizing the only chance he had. He had better physical strength than Ray, after all, and he watched the other boy's eyes widen in surprise - and fear.

"Don't lie," Miko demanded, his voice low and controlling, laced with the grief he'd been carrying for years. "You're behind this. This is another damn game of yours, so let me out of here and tell me the truth !"

"G-Geez, Queenie..."

Ray clawed at Miko's hands, trying to get him to let go. It was as if he cared more about the trinket around his neck than his own life, but even in a more dire moment, he, too, refused to back down.

"I'm telling the truth ," Ray hissed, his smile gone as his words grew more firm and absolute. "It's like I told you earlier, I woke up and there was a puzzle...this place is unfamiliar to me, too, you know. It's not like the other games, it's a place even I don't know about, it's far stranger than anything else..."

"I don't believe you," Miko said, tightening his grip on the collar. He ignored the scratch of Ray's nails, keeping his eyes trained on the toxicologist and hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'd finally break.

But Ray's gaze narrowed as he repeated, "Do you remember what I just said? I didn't want to leave alone. I was trapped here with you, of all people, and yet, I still didn't leave alone. Doesn't...that say something about what this situation is like to me?"

Miko's grip faltered. Once again, Ray made a fair and logical point. He was aware of Ray's bitterness towards him, after all. His ever-present smile always faded whenever it was just him and Miko alone, and his true, more distasteful personality was the side of Ray that Miko was far more familiar with.

"It's my word or nothing," said Ray, his eyes shining brighter as he met Miko's gaze. "Will you take it, Queenie?"

Hesitation surged through Miko's mind, and with a sigh, he let Ray go, earning a sigh of relief from him.

He knew Ray was right, as much as he hated to admit it. No matter how strange the situation was or how obvious the answer still seemed in his head, Miko couldn't explore this new location alone.

Ray could be an invaluable ally to others, and for once, Miko had to use Ray's smarts and witty personality to his advantage. He watched Ray fidget with the flower collar around his neck before he raised an eyebrow, trying to taunt Miko into making the first move.

"Well?" Just like that, his smile was back as if nothing had happened. "Lead the way."

" You -"

Miko rolled his eyes, too fed up to argue. Ray happily walked up to his side with a small skip in his step, like a child once more. It was then that Miko saw the flowers decorating the lower part of his cloak - a new addition to his outfit.

The air between them suddenly felt lighter because of that small realization. "...Is that new? The flowers, I mean."

Ray glanced down at his outfit, and the smile on his face became a tiny bit more natural. "I didn't realize you'd memorized every detail of my outfit. What, want me to spin around to grant you a full-body view?"

"Never mind." What had gotten into him? Small changes were unusual for Ray, but in the end, it was foolish for Miko to ask. He turned around to face the magenta door once again, and a wave of nervousness washed over him.

Calm down, Miko.

It was just a door. The room they were in was wacky and confusing, sure, but it wasn't dangerous. Whatever awaited them was something Miko and Ray could handle, and as much as it pained him to admit, if they worked together, the two of them were an effective duo.

With one final deep breath, Miko extended a gloved hand, turned the handle, and opened the door.

✿

What awaited them was just as strange and off-putting as the room Miko woke up in.

A strange, green-tinted light came from above as the room spiraled up and up, making the entire place feel like some sort of hole. The walls were varying shades of blue, the floor beneath them was shiny due to its marble surface, and Miko barely made out small designs patterned on the surfaces surrounding them. Several more brightly-colored doors were dotted around the wall's edges, and Miko stared back up, lost and entranced by the mystical light.

"Huh." Even Ray froze, a little surprised. "It's kinda pretty, don't you think...?"

Miko looked down to see Ray pacing around, examining some of the finer details on the walls. Leave it to him to enjoy something this...creepy. With a click of his tongue, he tried walking up to some of the other doors, but much to his dismay, they were locked.

"Even the room we came from locked behind us," Miko grumbled, tugging on the magenta door. "But what kind of place is this? That light doesn't seem real, and everything here is unbelievable..."

"Don't you like it?" Ray said, leaning over Miko's shoulder with a sly, annoying grin. "Come on, Queenie, even you have to think that this is somewhat exciting. Look, our voices even echo a little! 

Miko ignored him. One of the doors had to work, and the more he walked around, the more unnerved and nervous he felt. The room was slowly losing its original magic and was quickly becoming something far more sinister, like an illusion that slowly captivated and trapped whoever walked into it.

He was about to ask Ray, of all people, if he had any ideas, when suddenly-

...Creeeeaaaaaaak.

- The largest door in the room, the one on the opposite side of the magenta door that Miko and Ray came from, slowly opened, and a girl stepped out.

Her hair was a striking red, akin to that of a strawberry, and her outfit was a perfect blend of cute and professional, combining shades of green and pink. The ribbon in her hair bounced as she moved, like a rabbit of sorts.

Both Miko and her jumped, surprised to see one another. Miko was at a loss for words, his heart fluttering at the sight of someone else. Someone who came from another room. Another place. There was more to this mystery, and that small bit of optimism was enough to give Miko a bit of hope.

Before he or Ray could speak, however, the girl beat them to it.

"Ah. Took you two long enough. Right on time, in fact - that must be the last door that was opened, then. Ugh, I thought I'd be waiting forever," she muttered.

The girl tugged at the watch attached to her skirt, and Miko's eyes widened when she pulled it up, revealing a long chain attached to it. The watch was fully functional as the girl pressed the top of it, all while walking towards the two of them.

"Ooh, fancy," Ray said, not nervous or scared in the slightest. "I take it you've explored beyond this pretty place, then. Did you also wake up in one of these rooms around us?"

A small smirk spread across the girl's face. "That's exactly right. And thankfully I came back to check if the magenta door had been opened yet, because otherwise, I'm sure you two would be stuck in here for far too long, wouldn't you?"

Miko blinked, stunned by the girl's more presumptuous attitude. Ray, on the other hand, giggled. Of course he'd be amused by someone seemingly as intelligent and quick-witted as him. All Miko could do was silently pray that this new arrival wasn't as aggravating as him.

"But, well, thank me later," the girl said, still holding onto her watch. "You two still seem rather level-headed, which is good - I wouldn't want to calm you down. Yes, I'm in the same predicament as you, with getting knocked out and whatnot. And there's more of us. Eleven total, counting the both of you. A bigger group is better, even though working with others peeves me sometimes, but I suppose there's nothing to be done."

The more she talked, the more she started to ramble, and Miko felt his head spin. He cleared his throat and quickly interjected, "It's...nice for you to come back and find us. If you don't mind, though, could we perhaps learn each other's names? If we're all in a similar situation, getting to know each other would benefit all of us."

"Awww, aren't you as kind as always, Queenie," Ray spat. He cheerfully extended a hand as the girl's gaze fell on him. Suddenly, Miko knew exactly what Ray was doing, and as expected, it only took her a few moments to recognize who he was.

"You're...!"

Ray grinned, basking in his glory. "The famous model, Ray Fukumoto, yes. Though maybe it's my intuition or genius speaking, but...I feel like here, I'd be better suited to introduce myself as Ray Fukumoto, the Ultimate Toxicologist."

Miko had never hated Ray more than he did at that very moment.

There were a lot of things he disliked about Ray Fukumoto, to put it mildly, but one of the characteristics at the top of the list was his fame. Ray was well-known as a model all around the world, and unsurprisingly, he charmed people everywhere he went, using that fame to his advantage. 

Now, it was no different. Even though they'd been drugged, locked in a room, and now in the strangest places Miko had ever seen, his career as a model never failed him. Miko watched the girl's more cold demeanor shift into something more open, and her original caution completely fell.

"I know you. Of course I know you. I'd be a fool not to know a fashion icon like you," the girl exclaimed. "But I didn't know you were an Ultimate as well...you're right, though. Being an Ultimate is the one similarity that I, as well as everyone else I've met here, share in common. A toxicologist, of all things..."

"Don't let it scare you. Think of it as a hobby that, well, made me even better than before," Ray said, giving her a small wink. "It's nice to meet you, though. Ooh, did you say there are other Ultimates here? Like you?"

The girl's smile shifted into more of a confident grin as the spotlight fell on her. "To think that the famous Ray Fukumoto is also adept with poisons...interesting. Very, very interesting. But I've talked about you for far too long."

She clicked the top of her pocket watch again as her tone grew serious and explanatory. "I suppose I should be more practical. As you implied, yes, from what I've learned, the eleven of us here are all Ultimates. Including you, right?"

Her gaze fell back on Miko, and he froze.

Ah.

Miko, despite being the heir to one of the most successful pharmaceutical companies in the world, was not an Ultimate. 

"Pffft." Next to him, Ray clamped a hand over his mouth to muffle a laugh, much to Miko's dismay.

Of course he'd pick on the fact that among a group of Ultimates, Miko was undoubtedly an outsider. Still, he'd never let being around talented people bother him before, and now was no different. Before he could let Ray take advantage of his apparent confusion, Miko swiftly spoke. 

If Ray could charm others, so could he. If Ray could immediately get along with this new girl, so could he. Miko knew just as many people at Chiyoko's parties as Ray did, and even though he lacked a title, he made up for it with kindness and grace that Ray could only dream of having. Ray could use his fame to easily make friends, sure, but Miko made friends in an authentic and natural way, and that was far more important to him.

"I...am not an Ultimate. Hearing that makes me nervous, I'll admit, but that doesn't change the fact that I woke up in a strange room like you. Ray can confirm this," Miko said, collected and calm as always. He watched the girl's eyes widen in surprise, but she didn't look angry or suspicious - instead, her face softened with a small amount of sympathy.

He extended a gloved hand with a gentle smile of his own. "My name is Miko. It's a pleasure to meet you, and I hope we can get along."

"Hm."

The girl hummed in amusement as she carefully took and shook Miko's hand. Slowly, her initial hostility and biting confidence were fading, and her smile grew more natural. Miko's words had won her over, and out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw Ray roll his eyes.

"Do you two know each other, then?" the girl asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "If I'm remembering correctly, Ray used a fun little nickname for you, Miko-"

"Hey, Queenie, she remembered my fun nickname for you," Ray teased, lightly elbowing Miko's side. "You're correct once again. If you like the nickname, I'm happy to use it all the time. I'm sure our little prince here will appreciate it, won't he?"

"Stop that," Miko snapped, trying not to let his distaste for Ray influence his genuine attempt to befriend the girl. "...Anyways. Would you mind introducing yourself? If you're an Ultimate as well, then I'd love to hear about your work."

Her smile widened in genuine excitement, and the pride that she initially possessed quickly returned.

"If you insist, then...I suppose now is the perfect time to introduce myself," she said. "I'm Sora Hayami, the esteemed Ultimate Watchmaker of Marmoreal's 102nd class."

"A watchmaker! How fun," Ray exclaimed. "I'm not surprised, given the watch on your hip. You made that yourself, right?"

"Of course I did. It's important to keep the time, after all. Being late can be one of a person's greatest weaknesses - and one of my biggest dislikes," Sora explained. "Before you ask, yes, I'm already a student at Marmoreal, just like everyone else here."

"Ah." She stole the question right from Miko's mouth, and he looked over at Ray. He was an exception, after all, granted his talent by Chiyoko, who surely had no problem goading Marmoreal into making it official.

One glance from Sora was enough for her to figure out that truth in an instant, the cogwheels in her brain constantly turning and shining with brilliance. She had a reason to be confident. Not only was she an Ultimate, but she was an established one, and Miko couldn't deny that he was a little intimidated, struggling to ignore his own talentless self.

"We were all chosen because of Marmoreal's annual trip. Every year, three members of each of Marmoreal's classes are chosen to go on a trip overseas to strengthen our talents," Sora continued. "It's a prestigious opportunity. It's one I couldn't pass up, but, well, I suppose our trip has been ruined now that we're in this confusing place."

She folded her arms, grumbling under her breath. "To think that I wasted hours away on that application. If only I'd known it would lead to this...w hatever. Whatever! It's fine. I got into the trip, they loved my statements, Marmoreal will do something about this, and everything I worked hard for won't be lost. I won't lose. Just like always."

"I...see." Miko looked down to think, trying to make sense of what he'd heard. He couldn't help but feel bad for her.

"But enough about that. What I'm really wondering," said Sora, "is why you two are here."

Miko flinched. It wasn't a surprising question, but it was one he didn't know the answer to, which he figured Sora wouldn't take well. Ray, on the other hand, folded his arms with a glint of intrigue in his eyes, still unfazed.

"You're an Ultimate, Ray, but you're not one of Marmoreal's Ultimates. Both of you don't belong to a class, and both of you didn't apply for the yearly trip," Sora continued. "So why, why, why would you be thrown into this? It's illogical to me, to say the least..."

Miko opened his mouth to speak and express his own confusion, but Ray cut him off with a small hum of agreement.

"It's illogical to me, too, Sora," he said. Miko almost punched him right then and there. He knew exactly what Ray was doing, smoothly making his friendship with Sora more and more evident, but he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.

Ray's face grew more serious as he said, "Why are me and Queenie here? I'll admit that this trip of Marmoreal's must be another private thing of theirs. My mother doesn't know anything about Marmoreal despite previously graduating from there. Me being targeted makes more sense than Queenie, but even so...it's quite a curious predicament, isn't it?"

For once, Miko didn't completely disagree with Ray. Why was he, of all people, dragged into a situation with other Ultimates?

It was just like the Killing Wonders. Everything so far was just like the horrible games Chiyoko had carried out before, but Miko had no choice but to trust in Ray's earlier words. Even beyond that, however, something was different about this game.

Something felt far more sinister than the past two Killing Wonders, and it made Miko uneasy. It reminded him of the questions he had about his own life, and he felt his stomach clench up with sickening anxiety. 

"If you two are confused, then...I suppose there's nothing more to it. Another mystery to add to the list," Sora said, still disappointed. "It frustrates me when I'm faced with a problem I can't solve..."

"Okay, that's enough of muttering about why we're here. Cheer up!"

Miko looked up to see Ray reach forward and take Sora's hand, suddenly just as chipper as usual.

"You said there were other Ultimates here, though. Right?" He tilted his head with his signature smile. "Soooo, why don't we meet them? Me and Queenie will come with you. We still need to see what else awaits us, and I'd love for you to accompany us, Sora."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"

"Really," Ray repeated. "You've spent far too much time here already, haven't you? Come on, let's go! Tell me all about the fancy stuff you make - I love pretty things, did you know? I'll happily buy something of yours once we get out of here."

"Do I get a say in coming with you?" Miko murmured. 

"Aw, you're hilarious," Ray said, shooting Miko an eerily bright grin. "You already know the answer, don't you, Queenie? Don't get left behind now. I wouldn't complain if you were left alone to wither away here, but alas, being the kind soul that I am, I want you to follow us."

Sora raised an eyebrow, both entertained and confused as she led the way to the door she came from. "What are you two, exactly?"

"Great question," Miko grumbled, sucking in a sharp breath as he trailed behind Ray and Sora. He tried to regain his composure. He tried to be kind to everyone he met, as he enjoyed meeting and befriending new people, but of course, everything was ruined when Ray was around.

"It's a question that puzzles Queenie, which are the types of questions I enjoy the most," Ray cheekily replied.

Miko let out a fake chuckle of his own. "Oh, it certainly puzzles me almost as much as it irritates me..."

"Tell me more about modeling," Sora asked, starting a more lighthearted conversation. "I suppose I'm still in awe that I'm truly meeting a celebrity, let alone one that's also an Ultimate, but it's not the most shocking thing I've ever done."

Ray grinned, happy to indulge. "When we get out of here, give me a call. You're a dear friend now, Sora, so I'm happy to sneak you some clothes from this new line I'm collaborating with - just don't tell them, okay?"

"Really?" It was the happiest Miko had ever seen Sora, and she looked like an excited little girl. It would've been charming if it was because of anyone but Ray.

"I'm sure there are better things you can give her," Miko said. "Clothes that look good on you aren't likely to be something anyone else would like to wear, if we're being honest."

Much to Miko's dismay, however, Ray quickly turned the conversation back against him. "Hm? What do you think I look good in, Queenie?"

That got another giggle out of Sora, and Miko folded his arms, trying not to let his annoyance show. He was grateful that she saw their interactions as nothing more than entertaining bickering, but to him, trying to start a conversation while Ray was around was practically pointless.

All he could do was set his sights on what awaited him. As Sora opened the door leading out of the room that reminded Miko of a rabbit hole, he tried to forget about the questions that continued to plague his thoughts.

Why am I here?

What is this place?

Who am I?

Who are you, Miko?

Miko felt like he was trapped in a never-ending riddle, cursed to be forever haunted by questions that governed his entire existence. The new world he'd woken up in was shaped by strange scenery and even weirder circumstances. Even though Ray swore he had nothing to do with it, Miko couldn't deny that something still felt terribly, horribly wrong about the story unfolding before him.

✿

Chapter Text

The door shut behind Miko with a quiet slam, leaving him with an entirely new area to take in. 

It was just as mystical as the rabbit hole and the room he’d woken up in. In front of him was a long path that stretched on and on with no end in sight, but what dominated the room were the tall, lanky dark trees surrounding Miko on all sides. It was like an indoor forest - and an eerie, unusual one at that, given the curvy trunks of the trees, the dim blue lighting, and multicolored plants.

“Woah.” Ray was, unsurprisingly, fascinated by yet another strange area. 

Behind them, the door perfectly blended into a tiny wall, and Miko barely caught sight of splitting passageways among the trees that likely led to other rooms. The forest was a central hallway of sorts, with the trees twisting and turning at all times, making for an easy way to get lost.

“Come on. Don’t get lost now,” Sora said, as if she’d read Miko’s mind. She led the way, having already traversed through the forest before, and Ray happily skipped behind her, grazing his fingertips over the bushes with a wide-eyed gaze.

Miko silently walked behind both of them, focusing on his surroundings. Just like before, it felt like he’d been whisked into an entirely different world, and while it was certainly fascinating and oddly beautiful, it creeped him out, too. There were slight crunches under his feet from the leaves scattered about, and Miko had the odd feeling that he was being watched, like he was nothing more than a character in a story for an audience. A tingling feeling of nervousness and caution spread throughout his body, and he swallowed, trying to stay alert.

“You two were hidden away at the very back of this forest. It connects all of the rooms I’ve found in this place,” Sora explained, wasting no time and getting straight to the point. “And before you ask, I wanted to explore. Thankfully, despite how weird everything is here, nothing’s dangerous at all.”

“How courageous,” said Ray. 

Sora smirked. “I wouldn’t call it courage, per se. I didn’t volunteer - I’ve met most of the other Ultimates on their own in small groups. All of us haven’t spoken as a full group yet.”

She paused, taking a moment to think. “I suppose my exploration was driven by…initiative, with a bit of curiosity. There’s always time to do something, after all, and I didn’t want to spend it wasting around and waiting for something to happen.”

“Waiting for something?” Miko asked, confused by her choice of words.

“We’re all here for a reason,” Sora said. “That much is clear, based on the fact that most of us are Ultimates, united by a rare characteristic. Someone gathered us here for a specific purpose. The main question now is when they’ll act, is it not?”

Once again, Miko was immediately reminded of the Killing Wonders, and he glanced over at Ray, who didn’t flinch in the slightest. He knew Marmoreal covered up the Killing Wonders expertly, but even so, it couldn’t be a coincidence. Ray’s word was all he had, but Miko knew better than anyone else how little that ultimately meant.

“Exactly what I was thinking,” Ray commented, matching Sora’s confidence with ease. “Everything keeps getting curiouser and curiouser, doesn’t it?”

As he said that, he glanced over at Miko with a widened smile, his eyes shining brighter in the darker forest, and oh. Oh, how I despise you. Miko knew Ray was thinking the exact same thing as him - his earlier plea about not being involved in their current situation. He sucked in a sharp breath, resisting the urge to grab Ray by the collar again right then and there. 

Before Miko could so much as get a word of his own in, however, a new voice quickly cut through the silence.

“Curiouser and curiouser indeed.”

Miko jumped at the sound, and he immediately looked over to see someone emerging from one of the split paths ahead, hidden behind the bushes and having listened into the whole conversation. His eyes twinkled with a level of brilliance that matched Ray’s, and he folded his arms with a grin of his own, a mixture of casual and off-putting. Miko took a step back, unsure of what to think of the new blue-haired arrival, but he was distracted by Sora’s reaction, which was far less pleasant.

“Really?” Sora raised an eyebrow, her voice laced with scorn and disappointment. She sighed and pressed two fingers to her temple, already far more exhausted than before. “ Really, Aspen, you had to just be waiting in the damn bushes-”

“Aw, don’t make it sound like that, Sora,” the new arrival teased. “It was just a mere coincidence, really! Won’t you believe me? I’d never go purposely searching for you, after all.”

“Cut it out,” Sora snapped. “Just my luck that the first Ultimate I ran into with these new arrivals had to be you… what a pleasant start.”

“A pleasant start instead,” said the boy, tilting his head as his smile widened. “Don’t you think this forest perfectly compliments my hair? Or maybe I could go mushroom hunting - wanna finally come along for once? Accept my offer of a unique date you’d get from no one else?”

“I said, cut it out with whatever you’re trying-”

“Oh, you’re such a bother sometimes.” 

The boy let out a sigh of disappointment, unamused by Sora’s protests. His gaze swiftly slid over to Miko and Ray, who’d stayed silent - Miko out of sheer surprise, and Ray simply because he was entertained by the sudden bickering. Figures.

“How about we focus on your new friends here?” the boy exclaimed. “They seem like a lovely duo. Fun outfits from both of them, so let’s see, who to start with…”

Miko cringed at the use of “lovely” to describe him and Ray. Before he could voice his thoughts, however, the boy stepped up to him, extending a hand as his rings sparkled in the dim light. 

“It’s the right thing to introduce myself before Sora here tries to sully my name,” the boy said with a chuckle. “I’m Aspen Kobayashi, Class 102’s Ultimate Mycologist. Pleasure to meet you.”

“It’s…nice to meet you,” Miko said, shaking Aspen’s hand with a firm grip and a small smile of his own. “My name’s Miko. I take it you’re a classmate of Sora’s?”

“Correct, correct. Is she bothering you? Oh, Sora, never change. How could anyone hate you?” Aspen said, looking Miko over one more time before moving to Ray. 

Upon seeing the model, however, his eyes widened in surprise. Miko mentally prepared himself for yet another ordeal of someone recognizing Ray and the toxicologist then basking in the praise, but he tried to keep his spirits up. Aspen was already confusing, to say the least, and Sora completely ignoring Aspen’s remarks didn’t make the situation any easier to understand.

“Are you who I think you are?” Aspen asked, taking Ray’s hand and turning it over in his own. “My, my, it’s certainly interesting to see you of all people here, hm, Ray Fukumoto?”

Ray giggled, unbothered by Aspen’s unusual greeting. “Aw, you flatter me! No, never mind - why am I surprised? Fame’s a powerful tool to use in situations like these, isn’t it?”

Miko felt Ray’s gaze pass over and mock him once again, and he bit the inside of his lip, forcing himself to stay as calm as he possibly could.

“That’s enough ,” said Sora, stepping in and practically swatting Aspen’s hand away. “Yes, yes, that’s the famous Ray Fukumoto! And guess what, Aspen - he’s going to give me something from the lines he’s modeled when we get out of here, and maybe, we’ll even model together! I’ll make you wish you looked as good as the two of us will.”

Aspen winced in pain, a look of disappointment spreading across his face as he murmured, “Well, I’m sure Ray will look good, but you…”

“You-!”

Ray held back a giggle as Miko cleared his throat, trying to diffuse some of the tension between them. The situation had suddenly escalated far beyond his control, and it was all because of Aspen, who Miko was beginning to understand why Sora apparently disliked.

“You’re a…mycologist, right?” Miko asked, attempting to start a more lighthearted conversation - and one that he could actually contribute to, no less. “That’s the study of mushrooms, if I remember correctly…”

Aspen’s face lit up in delight. “Ooh, not many people know that! Yes, you’re right, Miko. Surprising, isn’t it? Though, I suppose what I’m wearing now isn’t surprising, but in the past, well…me? An expert biologist? Sounds like something from some sort of parallel dimension, I know.”

“I don’t think it’s crazy at all. If Marmoreal scouted you, then, well, you’re nothing short of remarkable,” Miko said, swiftly burying a small white lie. It was strange to think that someone as outgoing as Aspen was actually an accomplished mushroom scientist, of all things, but that was the least of Miko’s concerns. 

Thankfully, Aspen beamed at the compliment. “How kind of you. See, Sora, you could learn a thing or two from your new friend here.”

“What’s the deal with you two, actually?” Ray said. Miko let out a small sigh - of course Ray had to return to the more gossip-y question at hand. Still, he couldn’t deny that he was curious. 

“We’re great friends,” Aspen said, clearly sarcastic and dramatically blinking his eyelashes. 

“You’re a horrible liar,” Sora muttered. “...But I suppose that’s to be expected. I’ll actually answer Ray’s question, as I’m sure you’re curious too, Miko.”

There she goes again, reading my mind. Sora’s intelligence was becoming more and more apparent, and it was oddly scary and helpful at the same time.

Sora folded her arms, looking away from Aspen as she explained, “We’ve known each other since middle school. We were classmates then, and as fate would have it, we became classmates again at Marmoreal. Ever since I’ve known him, he’s been nothing but loud and insufferable …”

“Oh, please, Sora. You left out some crucial details, hello?” Aspen exclaimed. “You claim I’m the outlandish one, but then you go and say something that makes it sound like we’re mortal enemies…”

“Ugh, fine. We’re not friends. I don’t hate him. We’re rivals of sorts. Something in the middle, but he never fails to piss me off,” Sora summarized, lightly shoving a pleading Aspen away. “Happy, Ass- pen?”

“Happy.” Surprisingly, Aspen didn’t bite back with a rebuttal. “Say, Sora, since you’re here, I actually had something to ask you, believe it or not…”

Miko watched Sora’s voice lower to its usual level as she and Aspen, for the first time, fell into a reasonable discussion. The similarities between Aspen and Ray were still on his mind, because how could he not see Ray in everything that confused him, and Miko glanced over at him.

“You befriended him quickly.”

Ray looked over at the sound of Miko’s voice and scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Why are you surprised, Queenie? Are you jealous?”

“As if.” A thought bubbled up in the front of Miko’s mind. Whether it was to spite Ray or to satiate his own curiosity, Miko didn’t know, but regardless, he commented, “It’s just that…I’ve never seen you this open before.”

Ray raised an eyebrow. “Queenie, there’s a reason I’m popular. It’s more than just my pretty face or my brilliant mind, it’s-”

“I’ve never seen you make friends, Ray,” Miko said. “These people aren’t wealthy investors or Chiyoko’s friends, after all. They’re people more similar to us, and I’ve never seen you befriend anyone like that before. That’s what’s so surprising to me.”

Ray blinked. Miko didn’t miss how he flinched and briefly looked away, and for once, he didn’t have a quippy response at the ready. He was silent. 

Miko didn’t mind it, of course. He always appreciated Ray’s silence, especially when it was because of him. The eagerness and energy Ray had when meeting Sora and Aspen wasn’t all an act, after all, and out of the corner of his eye, Miko caught a glimpse of a hint of sorrow in Ray’s expression.

The silence between them unfortunately didn’t last long. Just when Miko turned his attention back to Sora and Aspen, Ray spoke.

“You’re being nice as always, aren’t you, Queenie?”

Miko felt his spirits flatten, and he let out a disappointed sigh, his quiet moment of peace now horribly disturbed. He looked back over to see Ray’s smile back on his face as if his brief moment of weakness never happened. Miko’s words meant nothing to him in the end, and Ray was quick to try and gain the upper hand over him, just like always.

“Of course I’m being nice,” Miko said, somewhat confused by Ray’s words. “Don’t be foolish. It’s the right thing to do to be nice to others, especially in a situation like this.”

“Oh, I’m aware,” Ray hummed. “Always so kind around everyone, always the perfect darling prince… I have to say, it’s impressive. Even when you’re an outlier in a group of Ultimates, you’re faring for yourself remarkably well, aren’t you?”

Miko folded his arms, unamused. “What are you getting at?”

“I’m just enjoying this. This side of you, the usual you,” Ray said, moving closer to Miko, “but one that’s very, very different from how you are when you get so emotional .”

This time, Miko was the one who flinched, but he didn’t move away. He didn’t miss the way Ray’s gaze seemed to brighten, and suddenly, the forest felt much, much smaller, as if it was bending to Ray’s will. The atmosphere was tight and restrictive, and yet, Miko knew he couldn’t let his sudden nervousness show, for Ray would prey on it like a cunning snake waiting to strike.

“You’re kind around everyone else, but around me, you’re far different, aren’t you?” Ray said. “I just think it’s so, so curious how much you feel because of me. You’ve always been so emotional, Queenie, and, well…”

“Well what?” Miko muttered.

Ray’s smile briefly faded as he looked Miko up-and-down, as if he was assessing him. Seeing if his remarks were enough to rile Miko up. Seeing if they were enough to get him emotional and angry and show weakness of his own in front of Sora and Aspen. It was a game that Miko felt like he’d played countless times, but now that he was in this strange situation, everything felt completely different from what he knew.

“Just…” Ray’s grin returned, his words were more deceptive than anything he’d said so far. “I wonder, I wonder. In a dire situation like this with me, will you still be the same noble person you’ve always been, Queenie?”

Miko looked away, tearing his gaze from Ray and his stupid smile. He stared down at the ground and briefly squeezed his eyes shut, ignoring the sudden pain in his head. 

Will you still be the same person?

Will you still be you, Miko?

The questions surrounding his entire life and purpose came back to the forefront of Miko’s mind, and he tried to distract himself. Now wasn’t the time. Why, of all times, did everything he’d ever doubted about himself have to come back to haunt him? 

What was this place? What was this game? Ray was right - Miko’s greatest weakness was how emotional he was. He felt everything, from the greatest of blessings to the deepest of sorrows, but he’d never let Ray use it against him. He wouldn’t let his feelings get in the way of creating good relationships with others, no matter what.

He looked up and back at Sora and Aspen, who thankfully seemed to be done with their conversation. It didn’t matter what Ray thought or what he wanted to do - Miko wouldn’t let him. For now, that was what he reassured himself. It was as simple as that.

“We’re done here. I answered your question, so we’re leaving now!” Sora snapped, raising her voice once again. Aspen had gotten on her nerves, and Sora had lost all her patience, a faint tint of red rising in her cheeks. 

Before Miko could ask what happened, Sora tugged on both his and Ray’s sleeves, practically dragging them down the path opposite from the one Aspen was on. The mycologist didn’t seem too bothered, thankfully, giving the trio a playful wave.

“What were you two talking about?” Miko asked.

Sora huffed, both exhausted yet somewhat relieved, as if all her worries about encountering Aspen again were suddenly gone.

“He asked me about the layout of this place,” she explained. “But then that turned into practically interrogating me about why I left, about why I did this and this and this and just… ugh! I can’t stand him!”

Out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw Ray giggle. How ironic, he thought, because I think the exact same about you.

✿

The path Sora whisked them down turned out to lead to a far more pleasant area. The gloomy lighting of the forest transformed into a warm beam of sunlight that perfectly illuminated a large mansion of sorts. The house itself was a pastel pink color, and out front was a large garden decorated by variously-sized flowers, making for another unusual sight. Still, it was the most appealing location Miko had seen so far, and it was a more normal, welcoming break from the outlandish places he’d been whirled through. 

“This place is the mansion,” Sora explained. “I have to admit, it’s the prettiest place here, so get your hopes up now - you won’t really be seeing anything better or more normal. But don’t spend too much time looking!”

She led them to the flower garden, which upon closer inspection, was bigger than Miko initially thought. Some of the flowers were taller than him, which was unnerving, to say the least, but the tinier ones were at least somewhat charming.

“Back again? Wooow, you really weren’t kidding when you said you’d - oh.”

A new voice distracted Miko from the garden, and he quickly looked over to see a girl approaching them. Her outfit was decorated in soft yellows, purples, and flowers that perfectly complemented the scenery around them, and she smoothed out her skirt, formal and presentable. 

But what really caught Miko’s eye was the fact that he recognized her. He let out a small gasp - he was used to meeting successful people before, sure, but not Ultimates. Not people around his age, especially in a strange situation like the present.

“You’re…” He wouldn’t give Ray the chance to ruin this introduction for him. “You’re Ako Kiyoha, aren’t you? The famous flutist, and-”

Just the mention of her name alone was enough to make the girl - Ako - perk up. She’d been somewhat exhausted before, as if she was already bored, but all of a sudden, her eyes lit with a spark that Miko had seen on the news several times.

“The world-famous performer in the flesh, I know! Known for making her flute performances dazzling and engaging, and not to mention incredibly talented, too. Isn’t it just so amazing? Haha, it’s always nice to meet a fan!” Ako chirped. 

Her cheery disposition was one Miko was familiar with. He was a fan of classical music, but the subtle switch in Ako’s personality caught him off-guard more than anything else.

As soon as it started, though, Ako deflated once more, like a balloon that had just popped, and she folded her arms with a sigh. 

“...That’s what you wanted to hear, isn’t it? Well, I’m not performing right now, so honestly? It’s kind of a drag. Sorry, sorry,” she muttered. 

She looked over at Ray and Sora, who’d been stunned into silence. The sight alone was amusing enough for Miko, even if her personality was confusing, to say the least.

“Are you unfamiliar with me? What a shame. What a disappointment,” Ako murmured, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “As your little companion here said, I’m the famous performer and accomplished Ultimate Flutist, Ako Kiyoha.”

“You introduced yourself to me earlier, Ako,” Sora snapped, already fed up. “This is what I meant when I said some of you gave me a headache!”

Ako rolled her eyes, disgust and annoyance dripping from her words as she spoke. “I really don’t care, okay? If you have a problem with me, that’s your own problem to deal with.”

“What-” Sora’s face turned a slight red as she got more and more aggravated by the second. “That makes no sense, you-”

“Ohhh, I know who you are now,” Ray interrupted, looking at Ako with a smile that was a little too friendly. “You are famous! I’ve definitely heard one of your performances. But to think that someone so cheerful is like this when offstage…”

Ako looked at him like he was a bug meant to be shooed away, which only complicated Miko’s opinion of her even more. On one hand, she was certainly a handful, and he could see why Sora didn’t get along with her, but on the other hand, she was at least realistic. She was a breath of fresh air compared to everyone else Miko met, no matter how two-faced she was.

“Like I said earlier. If you have a problem with me, then the problem’s you,” Ako stated, acting as if her words were definite facts. “I recognize you, too. Famous model and all, aren’t you? Ha. How fun. But does your talent match what you’re known for? I don’t think so.”

Ray was silent for a moment, but unfortunately, he wasn’t offended - instead, he seemed even more amused by Ako than before. 

“It actually doesn’t! You’re exactly right. You were right - pretty, sassy, accomplished, and fun to talk to,” Ray exclaimed. “But you are getting on Sora’s nerves, and technically, she was my friend first, sooo…”

“Since when was being your friend a competition?” Miko grumbled. 

“Weren’t you happy that I was befriending everyone we’ve met, Queenie?” Ray asked, turning Miko’s words against him. “Don’t be so hypocritical. It doesn’t suit you at all!”

Miko shot him a glare. “Stop that.”

“You’re quite annoying, aren’t you?” Ako said, turning away from Ray to give Miko a brief look of sorrow. “You, on the other hand…I kinda feel bad for you. You knew him before all of this, right? Geez, that’s…pfft. Just imagining it, oh god…”

Miko jumped, somewhat embarrassed. For someone to not immediately join Ray’s ever-growing fanclub was certainly appreciated, albeit strange, given how Ako acted. 

“You’re exactly right about that,” Miko said, doing his best to muster up a small, graceful smile in response. “But I can deal with Ray, so don’t worry about me.”

Sora let out a loud, forced chuckle, practically at her wit’s end yet again. “You, of all people, Ako, can’t be talking about Ray as if he’s the annoying one. Only the second time I’ve ever talked to you, and clearly, you’ve gotten even worse. We’re wasting our time, so-”

“Oh, Sora, you’re back!”

Miko turned around at the sound of a new, softer voice, but as soon as he saw who approached them, he felt as if his breath had been stolen away in an instant.

Just her voice alone was light and airy, like a choir from the heavens, but that was nothing compared to her appearance. Long, silky blonde hair swirled around her as if it was a halo, and she was adorned in a white lacy dress, her smile making the garden feel much brighter and far more welcoming than before.

Even Ray was silent. Even he was at a loss for words as this new girl stepped closer, her smile never fading as she looked at Miko and Ray. Her eyes were the clearest shade of blue, but something about them was different, unusual, and suddenly, a wave of anxiety and numbness washed over Miko.

This was the girl from his dream.

This was the girl he’d seen in the dream before he’d woken up. She was the one in front of the mural, with her back turned, with light pouring down on her like an angel from above. She was beautiful. She was breathtakingly beautiful in an ethereal way, so much to the point where it felt wrong.

Miko’s blood ran cold. His body went numb. A sudden, throbbing pain returned to his head, and he swallowed, trying not to stumble. All he could do was stare. All he could do was look at this girl, this girl who he’d seen before, who he’d wanted to talk to before, and question after question flooded in Miko’s head, overwhelming his thoughts.

His hands were shaking. He could barely stand. He could barely breathe. She was in the dream, the one that felt like the closest thing to answering his questions about his own life, and now, she was here. She was right in front of Miko, and it felt like he’d been entirely separated from what was going on, too swept up in his own shock and confusion.

“Kanon.”

It was Sora’s voice that snapped Miko out of his trance. By the time he looked around, there was already a conversation going, and he caught the last of Ako’s words.

“Why wouldn’t she have stayed behind with me?” Ako asked. “We both like this garden. Everywhere else is too…weird. Besides, weren’t you the one who declared to everyone that you were exploring and wasting no time at all? How’s that treating you, Sora?”

Sora opened her mouth to respond, but a chuckle from the new girl - Kanon - distracted her. Every time Kanon spoke, everyone listened. Everything she did, people watched. It wasn’t just Miko - everyone was drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and it was a strange mixture of intoxicating and terrifying all at once.

Her smile softened as she let out a small giggle as twinkling as a wind chime. “Come on, Ako, it’s okay! Loosen up, won’t you? It’s going to be okay, trust me - Sora’s capable. See, she brought us new people to meet!”

Ako sighed. Even she couldn’t resist Kanon’s words of encouragement, although the two of them already seemed to be well acquainted. Miko watched Ako drop her exhausted attitude around Kanon, and in return, Kanon was supporting her, giving her a small squeeze to her shoulder as she spoke. 

“Ako and I are best friends. We’re both in Marmoreal’s 103rd class,” Kanon explained, doing a small bow and placing a gentle hand on her heart. The more she talked, the more Miko felt like he was slowly being soothed to sleep, but he couldn’t look away from her. The memories of the dream flashed in his head over and over, and Kanon’s overwhelming kindness didn’t help. As she spoke, the ribbons on her dress fluttered around, and it felt like the world itself had brightened just for her. 

“My name is Kanon Shirayuki, the Ultimate Wedding Planner,” she said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both, and I hope we can get along!”

“You and Ako are best friends?” Even Ray looked surprised. “Huh. That’s an unusual duo…but nice to meet you as well. I’m Ray Fukumoto, the Ultimate Toxicologist.”

Kanon’s eyes widened in surprise. “Oh, I thought I’d seen you somewhere! I suppose that explains why Ako looks a bit more down than usual…”

“I do not,” Ako said, but Miko saw the tiny smile on her face as she playfully batted Kanon’s arm. “Do you recognize him, Kanon? Do you like his stuff?”

“It’s a little embarrassing, but…I’m not that familiar with you, Ray,” Kanon sheepishly said. “But don’t worry! Tell me all you can about modeling, and I’ll do my best to listen, I promise.”

“Kind as ever, I see,” Sora commented. “If only your best friend were as lovely as you, Kanon…”

Ako blatantly ignored Sora’s remark, and she turned to look at Kanon once more. “Anyway, were you still looking around the mansion? Did you find anything useful? Please say you found something useful.”

Kanon shook her head. “Sorry to disappoint you, but no. Aside from the rooms that were the same as before, with the fancy decorations that you adored for some reason-”

“They were pretty, okay? You know I like pretty things.”

“I know, I know. I’m just teasing,” said Kanon, playfully nudging Ako back. “But nothing new was in the mansion. If you want to stay here, though, I’ll stay with you.”

“Really?” Ako gave her a somewhat suspicious look. “Kanon, I can tell when you’re antsy. You want to explore, don’t you?”

“I…” Kanon stared down at the ground, unable to argue against the girl who knew her best. “...Okay, fine. But you’re my best friend, Ako. I’ll go wherever you go.”

“Aw. How cute!” Ray chimed in, clapping his hands in delight as if he was watching a children’s show. “That mansion you were talking about - if the rooms are pretty, I really wanna go there now.”

Hearing Ray’s voice snapped Ako out of the pleasant moment she’d shared with Kanon. “Oh, I’ll make it easy for you. Nothing in there will suit you. What a shame, I know, but there’s nothing to be done at all…”

Unsurprisingly, Ray retorted with a quick remark of his own, and Miko, trying to stay on Ako’s good side, hurriedly thought of something to say. If anyone could shut Ray down, it was him, and unlike Ray, he could argue with poise, grace, and actual dignity.

But just as he was about to speak, Miko felt a slight tap on his arm, and he jumped at the sight of Kanon. She’d walked up to him, her smile still there with a more curious look in her eyes.

“Sorry to have scared you, but I don’t think I got your name,” she politely said. 

Sora was right. Even around a stranger, Kanon was as kind as ever, as if the two of them were already best friends. Yet, Miko’s hands were still shaking. Even though Kanon didn’t notice his nervousness, the pounding in his head and the eerie ringing in his ears hadn’t stopped. The more he looked at Kanon, with the way her hair softly illuminated her face, her perfectly laced outfit, and eyes as gentle as an angel’s wings, the more Miko felt like he was falling further away from reality and into a dream he’d never escape from.

Who are you?

That was the question that lingered on the tip of his tongue. More than anything, Miko wanted to know if Kanon knew. Did she know about the dreams? About their current situation? About him?

Instead, Miko swallowed down the lump in his throat, concealed any nervousness in his voice, and said, “I’m Miko - Miko Kutsuki. I’m not an Ultimate, so I’m not exactly sure why I’m here, but…it’s a pleasure to meet you nonetheless, Kanon.”

“Likewise!” Kanon thankfully didn’t pick up on any of his fears. The moment he talked to her, Miko felt his confusion and anxiety slip away, but something still felt wrong. It was as if there was a hidden, missing piece to their conversation, and its absence nagged Miko more than anything else.

“But…” Kanon briefly looked away, lost in thought. “You’re right. You not being an Ultimate, yet still being here in a situation surrounded by them…that is odd, isn’t it? I’m sorry you had to end up in such a place, Miko. It’s giving me a bit of a headache, if I’m being honest.”

“Oh, don’t get me started,” Miko sighed. “The garden’s actually a pleasant place to be, but you wanted to explore, right?”

Kanon nodded. Instead of responding, though, she paused for a moment, her gentle smile frozen in place. Miko felt her gaze pass over him, and unlike before, he stiffened. He couldn’t let his nervousness show. He couldn’t let her know that he’d seen her in a dream, of all things. He didn’t want Kanon, of all people, to see how terrified, mystified, and confused he was about her. 

But strangely, Kanon’s smile softened. It was a smile meant for Miko and Miko alone, and she quietly asked, “...You’re afraid, aren’t you?”

Miko felt his mind shut down. 

Kanon’s smile was radiant, but there was a delicate, natural touch to it, too. She meant well, and there was genuine concern and care in her words. With one question, Kanon had broken all of his previous affirmations down, making her way into the depths of Miko’s thoughts. 

Yes. Yes, he was afraid. He was afraid of her, but it wasn’t just that. He was terrified - terrified of the situation around him, of this Wonderland he’d been thrown into, of Ray being here, of all people, and of the sickening feeling lying deep in his stomach.

“I…” Maybe Miko could tell her. Maybe he could tell her how afraid he was to feel, no matter the situation. The world around him felt smaller somehow, and it felt like he and Kanon were perfectly breathing and thinking together, connected for longer than he’d initially believed. 

Kanon placed a hand on her heart again as she said, “It’s okay to be afraid here, Miko. The truth is…I’m terrified, too. I’ve been trying to figure out how I feel, but it’s really quite simple - I’m scared, and I have every reason to be. You have every reason to be scared.”

“You’re…right.” Of course she was right. Miko nodded, his head somewhat fuzzy as if he was trapped in a trance. “I’m scared, too, but…”

“But it’ll be okay,” Kanon said, and just like everything else that slipped from her lips, it was undoubtedly true. It was exactly what Miko needed to hear, as if she was perfectly peering into his very soul.

Who are you? The question was still there, and the more he talked to Kanon, the more he wanted to know. She  was quite literally plucked from his dreams, and her ability to seamlessly read his thoughts only intensified his wonders.

“I’ll look out for you. It’s okay to be afraid, Miko. You’re someone who struggles with showing your true feelings, right? Maybe because of their intensity,” Kanon said, reaching forward and gently taking Miko’s hand in hers. “But it’s all right, I promise. I’ll do whatever I can to help, okay? That’s always been my vow to myself, whether it be with wedding clients or my own friends - I always try to help and understand their hearts.”

She let out a giggle, squeezing Miko’s hand as she did so, and her touch was surprisingly warm. “It’s corny, I know, but it’s the truth. Even though we’ve just met, Miko…you’re someone who I want to help. I just know it. I can understand your fears. I can understand you .”

Kanon’s promise felt like an angel’s embrace, and Miko smiled back. She was right. Something about Kanon, about the pull between them, about whoever she was - it was all special, and she knew it, too.

When she let go of his hand and stepped back, it was like letting go of a precious diamond. Still, Miko felt far more calm than before, and he needed it, especially given who he was exploring with.

“Queenie, are you done?”

Speak of the devil. With a sigh, Miko looked over to see Ray, arms folded and somewhat impatient. Even Kanon looked a little sheepish. 

“You don’t have to rush me. I was talking to others and making friends, just like you’ve been doing,” said Miko. “Come on, let’s go to the mansion. Ako, Kanon, I’ll see you both around - it was nice to meet you both.”

“You’re not so bad compared to your little skinny hotshot,” Ako murmured.

“Ako, don’t be mean! Come on, we should go explore ourselves - you were the one who pointed out how antsy I seemed!” Kanon exclaimed. 

That got a grin of pride from her best friend. Miko watched Kanon loop her arm through Ako’s and wave goodbye before picking up Ako’s arm and waving it too, much to her best friend’s dismay. 

✿

“Geez, what took you so long? We’ve wasted too much time around,” Sora scolded, opening the door of the mansion for Ray and Miko to step through. “Anyways, come on - look around here. Ray, you might like it. Upstairs, there are a bunch of pretty bedrooms, but don’t get distracted!”

The mansion itself was decorated in a variety of soft pinks and blues, similar to its exterior. It was like a dollhouse of sorts, but the different-sized empty picture frames, numerous clocks, and eye-straining carpet made it far less soothing than the garden outside. Still, it wasn’t the worst thing Miko had seen, especially compared to the other rooms in the “Wonderland” he’d been trapped in.

“Ooh, that’s right. The pretty bedrooms that’ll most definitely fit me more than Ako,” Ray said. “If it’s my ideal bedroom, it’ll have a waffle maker, a giant bathtub, and, most importantly, a marble vanity.”

Miko wasn’t surprised, but he raised a suspicious eyebrow nonetheless. “A marble vanity, of all things? What are you, some kind of god?”

“Maybe.” Ray grinned, childish as ever. “Why do you ask? Would you pray to me, dear Queenie? Worship me with a beautiful room, listen to all my greatest wishes, and-”

“Kanon? Are you seriously back again ?”

The sound of heels and a brand-new voice (thankfully) cut Ray off, and he stopped, halfway up the stairs to the second floor. Sora, surprisingly, didn’t look as annoyed as she did around Ako, and was quick to respond. 

“It’s me, Reina. It’s Sora,” she said. Just like that, the clicks stopped, and Miko turned around to see the new arrival standing right behind him at the foot of the stairs, her face frozen and her mannerisms rather stiff. Her outfit was classy and coordinated, and she folded her arms as she gazed over Miko and Ray with a brisk expression.

“Ah…I’m Miko. It’s nice to meet you,” Miko said, quick to make the jump on a new introduction. He extended a gloved hand for the girl to take. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Ray practically dangling over the balcony, unamused by this girl’s more cautious personality.

Still, she took Miko’s hand and gave it a firm, simple shake. When she pulled it away, the girl ran her fingers through her hair, and stated, “Reina Hagimoto. I’m the Ultimate Chessmaster.”

“Chess?” That got Miko’s attention. He wasn’t the best at the game, but it was one he certainly enjoyed. “That’s…this might sound embarrassing, but that’s very cool.”

Cool to describe a talent someone had dedicated their entire life to was albeit a little casual for Miko’s tastes. Thankfully, Reina didn’t seem to mind - instead, her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, Miko swore he saw the faintest hint of a grin.

“Reina, despite being a class younger than me, is one of the Ultimates I’ve had my eye on the most,” Sora explained. “See, chess is fun to play, but boring to watch. But Reina’s matches are really, really thrilling. It’s always embarrassing for her opponent, and watching someone get easily beaten by a more capable foe is, well…it’s like a work of art.”

“It’s simple,” Reina said, taking the complement as if it was nothing. “A merciless strategy is the one that wins. That’s all there is to it.”

Oh. Miko would beg to disagree, but he chose to stay silent. Reina was better at chess than him, after all. Whatever her strategy was, it clearly paid off.

“Right, right. A great approach to any skill in general, if I do say so myself!” Sora said, nodding in agreement. Miko had nearly forgotten how confident, eccentric, brash she really was, from her peculiarities about time to her more boastful moments.

“Aw, that applies to everything except what Queenie does,” Ray exclaimed. “Hey, hey, have you ever been brutal or mean to anyone in the medical field besides me, Queenie?”

The mention of his own profession felt like a forgotten memory, especially after getting swept up in an entirely different world. Miko could feel Ray’s smile behind him, and after shooting him a glare, he said, “Of course not. You know I take my job as a pharmacist kindly and seriously, Ray.”

“A pharmacist?” That got Sora’s attention. 

“I’m…the heir to Valerian Pharmaceuticals,” Miko said, somewhat flustered now that all the attention was on him. His own profession wasn’t a bad thing. Wasn’t it something to be proud of? Wasn’t it a future he was satisfied with?

In front of him, Reina’s eyes widened with surprise, and Sora let out a small gasp, giving Miko an annoyed look. “Well, why didn’t you say that earlier?”

“Because…” The more Miko talked about himself, the more he was reminded of his own life and feelings, and somehow, none of it sat right with him now more than ever. “Because I’m not an Ultimate like the rest of you, and-”

“Ugh, who cares?” Sora spat. “You’re accomplished. You’re successful. You’re clearly somewhat wealthy, based on that fancy outfit you’ve been waltzing around in. You’re the heir to a worldwide name! That means almost as much as an Ultimate title, if I do say so myself.”

Behind him, Miko heard Ray let out a chuckle of amusement. “Look at that, Queenie. Isn’t Sora just so kind?”

For once, Miko couldn’t disagree. Sora’s words were genuine and passionate, and she flipped her hair over her shoulder, clearly unbothered. Ray was right - maybe Sora wasn’t the nicest person, sure, maybe she was odd and loud, but she was kind, and that meant something to Miko.

“Actually, going back to the new arrival here…” Ray, bored of the conversation focusing too long on his oh-so-beloved Queenie, turned his attention back to Reina. “Why were you looking for Kanon?”

To Miko’s surprise, Reina hesitated. Her gaze briefly drifted towards the ground, and it was full of an unexpected sorrow, akin to a longing for someone that no longer existed at all.

But her behavior was nothing compared to how taken aback he was when Reina answered, “Because she’s my sister .”

…

Miko was, unsurprisingly, caught off-guard.

Besides the lack of resemblance between Reina and Kanon, there was nothing about them that painted them as sisters, and suddenly, he felt a tug at his chest. Ray’s eyes widened in fascination, and Sora cleared her throat, breaking the awkward and heavy silence that had fallen.

“It’s true,” Sora said, jumping to Reina’s defence. “They’re adopted sisters. Reina and Kanon were both known as the two ‘queens’ of their high school who ruled in vastly different ways, and-”

“And we’re both in the same class at Marmoreal, and we were both selected for the annual trip, only for it to be ruined. Hence, why we’re both here,” Reina explained. “Is that enough to wipe those confused looks from your faces, or do you need more unnecessary justifications?”

“No, it’s…” Miko scrambled to pull himself together, intimidated by Reina’s cold words. “I apologize if I came off as rude. We actually just ran into Kanon - she’s outside the mansion with Ako, but I believe they’re planning on leaving soon.”

Reina exhaled, noticeably more relieved. “I see. She kept coming in here and interrupting my own investigation, so for her to be out of my hair is far more satisfactory…”

“Why’d you say it like that?” Ray asked, wanting to learn more as if he was a child eager for gossip. “You make it sound like your own sister is some sort of nuisance. You’re siblings. Don’t you, well, love each other?”

That’s rich, coming from you, Miko thought. Knowing Ray’s own familial relationships, he almost laughed at his hypocrisy, but nevertheless, chose to remain silent.

Surprisingly, though, Reina wasn’t offended, slowly letting her initial guard down the more she talked. “...That’s quite a cute way to put it, I suppose. But no, Kanon’s not a nuisance, just…”

She smoothed out her hair and outfit, and her hesitation was quickly masked by more words of confidence. “As we’ve both gotten older, we’ve found more nuisances in each other. Having your own family and someone who knows you best in an unusual situation such as this isn’t the strength you might believe it to be, if that makes any sense.”

“I get that,” Sora said, nodding in agreement. “Ugh, if my little brother were here, I’m sure things would be far less pleasant than they already are…”

“Enough about me,” said Reina. “You all haven’t seen the upper floor of this mansion, have you? I’d suggest taking a look around instead of continuing our conversation. You’ve all gotten to know me far more than most.”

“Really?” Ray raised an eyebrow at that, but was more than happy to jump back and race up the stairs. “Okayyy, let’s go, then! Sora, Queenie, you’re too slow!”

“ Slow? You’re far too fast, you need to slow down!” Sora scolded, quickly hurrying up the stairs behind Ray. Miko, however, felt like there was a new hole in his heart, all because of Reina’s words. The more she talked about Kanon and the more she claimed how normal things were between the two of them, the more Miko wanted to learn about Reina herself.

“Aren’t you following?” Reina asked, gesturing to the stairs. Miko swallowed, trying to think of a good parting statement. He was good at creating amicable relationships with others, but strangely, the tension between him and Reina didn’t fade.

He turned to go up the stairs without a word, and he heard Reina’s heels click away in the distance. That’s that, then. Reina didn’t seem fazed by him, nor did she seem to particularly dislike him, but the emptiness in her words and the mysteries that surrounded her kept nagging at Miko.

Just go.

With one final sigh, Miko headed up the stairs. Whatever worries he had about his initial introduction with Reina had to be put behind him, and instead, he held onto his curiosity and caution as his exploration continued. 

✿

Chapter Text

Sora was right about what awaited them on the second floor of the mansion. A hallway of nearly identical bedrooms lined the walls, and inside, they were brightly-colored, like the carpet on the first floor, but they were surprisingly beautiful, too. There was a coiled telephone on the wall, mirrors of various shapes depending on the room, and what looked to be actually soft and comfortable bedding, much to Miko’s shock. He briefly peeked into each one, and aside from color differences, they were all nearly identical.

“You were right, Sora! They were pretty,” said Ray. The three of them walked down the second path leading away from the topsy-turvy forest, but Ray’s eyes still glimmered with fascination and joy.

Sora grinned, proud to have impressed a famous model, much to Miko’s dismay. “They’re very much your style, aren’t they? Minus a waffle maker, but that’s a rather impractical thing to have in a bedroom, given all the potential fire hazards and lack of proper silverware and toppings…”

“Even Queenie liked them,” Ray teased, lightly elbowing Miko. “Didn’t you?”

Miko stiffened. Unfortunately, yes, Ray was right. Despite the bright colors and unusual decorations, he couldn’t deny that the rooms of the mansion had their own unique charm to them. But there was no way he could let Ray know that - agreeing with Ray was always a hassle, to say the least.

“I’m not surprised you enjoyed them,” Miko dryly commented, trying his best to seem as disinterested as possible. “Like Sora said, the rooms matched your style, with the…weird decorations and all.”

“I didn’t know you were such a fashion expert,” Ray said. “But if you’re trying to compliment me, I’m sure you can think of something more interesting and original to compare me to, no?”

“I’m not -” Miko sucked in a sharp breath. “Comparing you to what we just saw is an obvious thing to do, and it’s more of an insult to you than anything else, since I…didn’t like the rooms at all.”

“Really? You seemed quite eager to peek into all of them.”

“That was for exploration purposes, Ray. The actual rooms were eye-straining and irritating, just like you-”

“Spare me the dramatics, Queenie, and stop being such a downer-”

“Oh my god! Do you two ever get along?” Sora snapped, swiftly cutting through Miko and Ray’s argument. She walked in front of them and flipped her hair over her shoulder, hastily trying to reach their destination. 

Miko’s face reddened with embarrassment, and he hurried after Sora without another word. Part of him wanted to bluntly tell Sora that no, they didn’t get along so she could hopefully mentally prepare for future interactions, but he ultimately decided against it. Talking with Ray always made Miko feel more foolish than ever, to put it simply, and he took a deep breath before following Sora down the path.

✿

What awaited Miko next was yet another extravagant building. This time, it was long and curled up at the corners, like an upside-down table of sorts. Normally, it would’ve been the most out-of-place building Miko had ever seen, but that meant it fit right in with everything else in the “Wonderland”.

“This is the dining hall,” Sora explained, taking charge as usual. “It’s this large room, far bigger than there are people here, but whatever. There’s quite the impressive kitchen behind the dining hall, though - it’s full of unusual food, but it’s not bad at all.”

“A place to eat?” That got Miko’s attention, as did the realization that he hadn’t eaten in a while. He felt his stomach lightly growl, and the mere thought of food was slowly becoming more intriguing.

Sora pulled out her pocket watch again, growing more antsy by the second. “We’ve already wasted so much time thanks to your bickering earlier! Come on, come on, we need to hurry so we can spend an equal amount of time on each place and make this the most efficient exploration you’ve ever seen and -”

BAM!

- In her haste and failure to keep her eyes off of the ticking seconds on her watch, Sora ran into someone, dropping to the floor with a startled cry.

As Miko bent down to help Sora up, his gaze moved to the stranger she’d crashed into, who seemed just as disgruntled and pained as Sora. He’d emerged from one of the sides of the building and brushed his cheek off with a click of his tongue, simply staring down at Sora like she’d cursed his entire family. His inability to even help Sora off the ground combined with his clearly bitter personality already struck Miko as odd and irritating, to say the least. 

What is this guy’s deal…?

It was Ray who broke the awkward silence, but even he didn’t seem as amused as usual. “No apology or anything, huh?”

“You-” The boy ran a hand through his hair, still frustrated. “Listen, Sora was the one who wasn’t fucking paying attention. Why the hell are you back here? Are you seriously this place’s new tour guide?”

“She’s showing us around,” Miko said, trying not to let his own annoyance show. “We haven’t seen this part of this strange Wonderland yet, so if you’d like, you can help speed up the search and-”

“Are you seriously still being rude, Ringo?” Sora snapped, now standing up and more than eager to bite back. “Listen, I wasn’t looking, but I’m the one doing good things here, so Ray’s right - hurry up and apologize, you-”

“Fine, fine!” The stranger - Ringo - put his arms up in defeat, muttering a string of curses under his breath. “I’m sorry, whatever, whatever. Geez, I was doing my best to forget how fucking quick and aggressive you were, dammit…”

His apology did little to simmer the tensions in the air, much to Miko’s dismay. Sora wasn’t convinced, Ray was now entertained, and it fell on Miko to turn the conversation into a normal, far more pleasant one. It reminded him of negotiations and awkward situations at parties he often attended, and he felt like a lost little boy all over again, requiring the support of his parents.

It’s fine. Miko extended a hand and did his best to smile, pushing down his concerns that if one collision was enough to cause this much drama, he worried what far greater conflicts would lead to.

“We’re sorry, too,” said Miko, lacing his words with grace and elegance. “My name is Miko. I’d love to just learn your name and talent, if you don’t mind - it’ll make our exploration much quicker, and it would be great to know another face here.”

To his surprise, Ray quickly agreed. “Queenie’s right. Look at him, so quick to forge good relationships with others…I’m a little jealous.”

“What are you-” Ray’s words alone were enough to confuse Miko, and it only made his growing headache even worse. It didn’t take him long to realize what Ray was doing and how he was trying to upstage him, and all Miko could do was sigh again and hope that “Ringo” didn’t take the bait. 

Ray’s smile widened, and for a moment, even Miko was fooled - he was pretty, even if it was all deceiving. The stranger cleared his throat, more intimidated than before because of Ray, and Miko prepared himself for yet another round of trying and failing to get to know someone new, all because of, well, Ray. As always.

But instead, the stranger took Miko’s hand and shook it, hiding his gaze. A faint red tainted his cheeks, and he looked somewhat flustered as he said, “...Ringo Tachibana. I’m the Ultimate Saucier, and…sorry again. About earlier.”

Miko continued to be more and more surprised, especially because this time, Ringo seemed genuinely remorseful, albeit embarrassed about it. It was somewhat amusing and charming, and his own smile softened. “It’s nice to meet you, Ringo.”

“Sure, okay, I get it,” Ringo said, letting go of his hand. Before Miko could get another word in, Ringo leaned in and quickly muttered. “...The guy behind you, with that weird-ass smile. Is he always…like that? Because if so, it’s batshit annoying and I don’t like it.”

“I heard that,” Ray said, raising an eyebrow. Even though his grin didn’t fade, Miko could sense his disappointment, and his opinion on Ringo was slowly shifting towards being more positive. 

Ringo, however, didn’t back down, and he folded his arms, rolled his eyes, and practically spat, “I know what you’re trying to do. People like you who put themselves first before anyone else piss me off, okay?”

That got a chuckle out of Ray, albeit an empty one, and he didn’t try to defend himself. There was no point, after all - Ray was smart enough to know that. As much as Miko hated it, Ringo wouldn’t truly get the upper hand over Ray, but his distasteful feelings towards him were much appreciated in his eyes.

“Think whatever you want,” Ray said. “I won’t stop you, and I’m not keen on doing so, since you yourself were so rude to the lovely Sora over here.”

Ringo scoffed. “I already fucking apologized, you-”

“Were you also invited on Marmoreal’s annual trip, Ringo?” Miko asked, trying to start a calmer and more normal conversation. He ignored his now-abundant headache and tried to focus on Ringo instead of Ray, who was still unfazed and acted as if he owned the whole world.

“He was,” said Sora, quick to provide another one of her “genius” explanations. “Ringo’s part of Class 104, Marmoreal’s second-most recent class. Though what happened to Class 105 is still, well…up in the air, to say the least.”

Class 105. Miko stiffened at the mention of Mao’s class, and for once, so did Ray. They both knew the truth, but they also both knew that mentioning a killing game of all things wasn’t the right thing to do at the time. Miko remembered Ray’s earlier promise, and he bit the inside of his lip, forcing himself to believe those words for just a little longer.

“I forgot how much of a smartass you were,” said Ringo, shooting yet another glare at Sora, which she was more than happy to reciprocate. “But you’re right. I make sauces and condiments for food, like a specialized chef of sorts…it’s pretty easy to understand. Does that answer your damn question?”

Miko sighed, disappointed that Ringo had gone back to being more rude and hostile, but nevertheless, it was intriguing. The fact that they were still standing outside of the dining hall and hadn’t gotten food only made hearing about Ringo’s talent more fascinating than before, although it was somewhat inconvenient. Still, any talent in Miko’s eyes was impressive, even though he felt more and more like a bit of an outsider with every new Ultimate he met.

What do I want to do?

The feeling of being lost, like a wanderer who didn’t belong, settled back into Miko’s chest, and he swallowed, ignoring the heaviness in his head and the pounding sensation of blood rushing in his ears.

“The other two are in there,” said Ringo, nudging his head back towards the dining hall. “But there was too much noise, which isn’t surprising at all given who was causing it, so I left.”

“Ah.” For once, Sora didn’t reply with a biting remark of her own, and she instantly understood, as if this so-called “noise” had permanently tainted the conversation.“Well! Look at the time - no time like the present. Miko, Ray, we’ve spent enough time here already, and more than enough time talking to apple-boy Ringo.”

Ringo’s face, ironically enough, turned as red as an apple. He rolled his eyes, giving them a short raise of his hand as a way of saying goodbye. “There you go, back to being all pissed at me. I said I was sorry, but whatever. Whatever! What-fucking-ever.”

“Well, come up with a better apology next time!” Sora shouted, all while leading the way towards the door of the dining hall. Miko shut his eyes as he reluctantly followed, his head still throbbing over the confusing and hotheaded interaction he’d just experienced. 

✿

Unsurprisingly, the inside of the so-called dining hall turned out to be just as strange and topsy-turvy as everything else Miko had seen. Bright lights twinkled around the walls, and the entire room sparkled with intrigue and magic. Chairs lined the ceiling and surrounded mushroom and plant-shaped tables on the sides, but there was a long table down the center of the room, making it more of a banquet hall than a casual eatery. It was both intimidating and fascinating, and it only tightened the coil of worry in Miko’s gut even more.

“This is the inside of the dining hall,” Sora explained, gesturing to the grand table in the center. “As you can see, it’s another room meant to give us all a headache, but I can’t deny that it’s…a little exciting. I mean, who would put all those chairs up there? Seems like quite the tedious task…”

“I think it’s to keep up the aesthetic,” said Ray, sitting down in one of the swiveling stools to the side. “After all, are we really that surprised? Look, they’re dangling up there, but they’re not falling at all. It’s like they’re levitating, aw!”

Miko folded his arms, unfazed by Ray’s childish excitement and wonder. “Didn’t Ringo say the rest of Class 104 was in here? I don’t see anyone as far as I can tell.”

Sora pointed to yet another extravagant door in the back of the room shaped like a wafer cookie. “Maybe they’re back there in the slightly more normal kitchen. I say normal, but the eggs are square-shaped and the flour’s blue, but it at least looks normal, so that counts for something.”

“Ooh, we can get something to eat!” Ray exclaimed, practically leaping out of his spinning stool. “Let’s see, if I were to get anything in the kitchen right now…”

“You’d look for the waffles, wouldn't you?”

…

Before Miko could blink, speak, or do so much as even react, the new arrival moved.

Ray couldn’t do anything. Neither could Sora. She was faster, moving before they had the chance to acknowledge her words. A brief flash appeared and disappeared behind Ray, and suddenly, in an instant, the stool he’d just sat in -

- Was in her hands instead.

She snatched it. She took it with a twirl, a little pep in her step, and a small chuckle. That was when Miko got the chance to notice her. That was when he saw the strangest person he’d ever met, without a doubt. Brightly-colored clothes, a tiny hat, patterns swirling around her body, and one eye always closed in a wink - there was all that and more. When she winked with her right eye, revealing her coral-colored left one, and then switched to revealing her other purple eye, Miko felt dizzy, like he was on a spinning teacup ride.

The girl perched on the chair in yet another swift movement, and she smiled, her grin as bright and wacky as the room they were in. She tilted her head as another giggle escaped her lips, and for the first time, even Ray was at a complete loss for words.

“You’d look for the waffles. Those are your favorite food.” said the girl. To her, it wasn’t even a question - it was a fact. A fact she already knew. A fact she’d read. “You’re a little embarrassed that you’re hungry, aren’t you? Aww, don’t be! It’s totally normal, promise, promise! Let your stomach rumble, let your desire for food show, and don’t hold anything back!”

Before Ray could respond, the girl moved again, spinning around and turning to face Miko, who froze under her gaze. It was like he was being watched by an observer of sorts, and he could feel her eyes crawling under his skin, examining and reading his very mind and thoughts just like she’d done to Ray, of all people.

For the first time since waking up, Miko was truly terrified, but another energetic laugh from the girl broke through his thoughts. She tilted her head as the stool slightly spun, as if it was now an extension of her body.

“Your turn,” she said, eyeing Miko with a look of intrigue. “You’re hungry, too. But that’s just so boring ! Boring, boring, boring, don’t you think? And you’re uneasy, and worried, all that fun stuff. Hmm, but if I juuust keep looking for something to learn more and more and more about you…”

“Matsuri, cut it out!”

Thankfully, Sora interrupted the girl before she could go any further. “You’re freaking them out,” she snapped. “At least introduce yourself first! You’re wasting our time here.”

Surprisingly, the girl - Matsuri - didn’t put up much of a fight, and shrugged with a big smile. “Okay! You’re probably right - super super duper duper sorry for that! But come on, you can’t deny it was fun. It’s like one big riddle when you’re waiting to see if others can read what you think, don’t you think? If others can see and hear what you think, do you think you yourself really know what you think? What do you think?”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Miko said, his head spinning in circles yet again. He tried to ignore the girl’s words and spiral of riddles, despite the fact that her energy now seemed quite harmless. “Sora’s right - would you mind introducing yourself? Are you a member of Class 104?”

“Ooh. Did you meet Ringo? I know you did,” said the girl. “Whatever he told you, he’s probably right. He is right, actually! We are in the same class! Aw, silly me, I’m speaking in too many circles for me to count yet again…that makes one, two, three circles this time, right?”

“ Matsuri .”

“Why so serious, Sora?” Nevertheless, the girl stuck out her tongue, still energetic despite Sora’s complaints. “Anyway, hi! My name is Matsuri Igarashi! Marmoreal’s one and only Ultimate Mentalist, too. Did I say that, or did I forget? Make sure you don’t forget, okay? Forgetting is the antithesis of remembering, and remembering is always a price to bear when forgetting comes as the cost. Isn’t that just so funny?”

A mentalist. That eased Miko’s nerves a small amount, knowing that her talent was the reason for her uncanny perception. Still, it didn’t change the fact that Matsuri was certainly strange, but Miko did his best to smile, trying to keep his mind and spirits up.

He extended a hand, as per usual. “I’m Miko. Sora’s showing me around here, and it’s been a big help in getting to know everyone else - you included, of course. It’s nice to meet you, Matsuri.”

Matsuri eagerly took his hand and shook it several times, which didn’t surprise Miko in the slightest. The more he was simply around her, the more he slowly understood how she acted, like a puzzle he was gradually working to solve.

“Hi, hi, hello, how do you do! You’re such a polite one, aren’t you?” Matsuri chirped. “Name me three things that a raven can write, go!”

Miko raised an eyebrow, but before he even had a chance to think or process Matsuri’s request, she’d spun around and looked at Ray. Her gaze sharpened, and she sucked in a breath. Even though her smile didn’t fade, something was far more serious about her, and she leaned forward as if she was trying to examine him.

“You…” Matsuri’s smile widened. “I know you.”

For a moment, Miko’s heart sank with dread. Of course Matsuri knew Ray. He was famous, he was well-liked, and he was an accomplished model, so it was no surprise. Miko sucked in a breath, mentally preparing for yet another introduction of recognition and praise for Ray - and nothing for him, of course.

But instead, Matsuri said, “You’re Chiyoko Fukumoto’s precious little son, aren’t you?”

…

Chiyoko Fukumoto.

Miko stiffened. The air in the room instantly grew more intense at the mention of Chiyoko - the woman behind the nefarious games. Ray’s mother was someone Miko feared and had a whole array of feelings about, but he’d rarely heard her name outside of her private parties.

For someone else to know who Ray was and his connection to her wasn’t surprising, but it still caught everyone off-guard, Miko included. Sora’s eyes widened in realization, but Ray, on the other hand, didn’t flinch. His gaze didn’t leave Matsuri’s, and the sparkle of intrigue in his eyes brightened as he rose to match her clever, unusual words.

“What about it?” Ray asked, his smile unfading. “Wooow, I’ve never had anyone mention that about me before anything else…I must say, Matsuri, you’re such a fun person yourself!”

Matsuri leaned forward with her head in her hands, tilting her head back-and-forth like she was stuck in a nursery rhyme. She switched which of her eyes was open every few beats, and all of her mannerisms were like a well-practiced trick that Miko couldn’t look away from, no matter how unnatural they became.

“I’m glad,” she said, her voice slightly lower than before. “I wouldn’t want to leave you without a remarkable first impression, after all! I’d want you to remember me, as any performer does. Don’t you agree, Little Yoko?”

Little Yoko. The nickname rolled off of Matsuri’s tongue so easily, and out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw Ray flinch for the first time.

Before he could speak, Matsuri spun around again and used the momentum to stand up on the stool. Every action of hers was quick and unbelievable, just like a true magician, and combined with her words, it was impossible for Miko to ever forget her. He felt his head continue to spin, and the more he was simply around Matsuri, the more questions he had, especially about her unusual words to Ray.

“Matsuri’s…an unusual one,” Sora said, breaking through the heavy silence with some much-needed reasoning. “She’s a mentalist. That’s a type of magician that focuses on tricks dealing with the mind. It’s impressive, of course, but…”

“But whaaat?” Matsuri leaned forward again, perching on one leg with her wide smile. “Aw, Sora, you’re making it sound like I’m some sort of magical mind-reader! You’re being soooo logistical yet again, and that’s no fun, and no fun is what drains the world of life, you know? Hey, did you know that? I bet you didn’t.”

Sora folded her arms, too defeated and drained to respond. Ray, on the other hand, sat on the table and dangled his legs, and Miko could practically see the gears turning in his own head.

“Matsuri.” Ray spoke more hesitantly than before, as if he was now in a war of words with her. “I just find it curious how you mention my mother first, of all things-”

Ray’s voice was immediately drowned out by the sound of a door opening. Specifically, the kitchen door in the back swung open, and Miko darted around, startled by the noise. Instead, though, there was no one there, as if they’d disappeared in an instant, but the moment of silence was replaced by the quick patter of footsteps. 

“Oh. Right.” Sora ran a hand through her hair, somewhat disappointed with herself. “I forgot that Ringo said both of them were here. Come to think of it, that’s actually a relief. Having both of them instead of just Matsuri is, well…”

“Who’s there?” Miko asked, glancing around to no avail. Even though the stranger was getting closer and closer, the tiny lights combined with Miko’s existing headache made him feel like he was trying to locate a needle in a haystack. Even Ray had gone silent, confused by the newcomer’s silence, and the atmosphere in the room had gone back to being heavy with tension.

It was only Matsuri who was unfazed, and she closed her eyes as she let out an airy laugh. “You’re all getting so nervous over nothing! Though, to be fair, that’s understandable.”

She opened her eyes and looked around as she bounced from one foot to the other. “When I heard your footsteps, Daisuke, seriously, I thought I was at death’s door at first! As quiet as a mouse, as fierce as a warrior…you’re making such an impression, wow! You’re so spooky!”

“...Stop.”

The voice was closer than Miko expected, and he jumped when he saw the new stranger at Matsuri’s side. His outfit was elegant and decorated in shades of purple, but his demeanor didn’t match his somewhat intimidating entrance. Instead, he just seemed weary and exhausted, barely acknowledging Miko and Ray’s presence.

“You were getting too loud out here,” the stranger drawled, letting out a brief yawn in between his words. “So stop it…it’s been too long of a day.”

Ray tried to jump in, already more than interested in the lazy stranger’s behavior. “Ohhh, you must be-”

“Don’t be silly!” Matsuri exclaimed, eager to cut Ray off. “At least introduce yourself! Look, look, Sora’s acting as a tour guide now, isn’t that so cool? Tour guides are always as bright as the sun, and always getting burnt in it, but I suppose there’s no sun here. Say, is there such a thing as an artificial light that works like the sun that isn’t as obnoxious as a tanning bed, oooor…”

“Daisuke Hikawa ,” said the stranger, bringing the conversation back to reality. “You’re right about whatever you were going to say…I’m part of Class 104. Ultimate Fencer. That’s it…”

“A fencer?’

That immediately got Miko’s attention, and suddenly, he felt more like an awkward fanboy than someone meeting a potential acquaintance. He’d heard about Daisuke, after all, but he swallowed, trying to maintain his composure. Don’t mess up. Don’t mess up, Miko, it’s just like meeting anyone else…

“I’m…a fan. Of fencing, I mean,” Miko explained, grateful that he was able to conceal the shakiness in his voice. “I’m a big swordfighter myself, but fencing has always been something that’s captured my attention, so to meet you is a real honor.”

For a moment, Daisuke looked as if he was about to perk up at the promise of a fan. Instead, though, he sank down as he shook his head, even more deflated than before. 

“...It’s nothing,” he said. “I really almost forgot about being a fencer, if anything, so…don’t think about it. Spare us both the trouble.”

Miko felt his spirits flatten. From the table, however, Ray let out a chuckle, already more than happy. This time, he was the one to lean forward and pry, his eyes practically flickering like the lights around him.

“Aw. That’s so sad, Queenie,” said Ray. “Anyway, Sora mentioned that she was glad both of you were here, like you come in a cute little two-piece set. What’s that all about?”

“It means that we know each other. We’ve known each other for years,” Daisuke flatly said, straight to the point. “Even before Marmoreal, we knew each other, and now we’re here…”

“Yep, yep! Suri and Suke, genius and talent and all the rest!” said Matsuri. She slung an arm around Daisuke, who closed his eyes, ready to doze off. Miko couldn’t fathom how two entirely different people such as them could be friends, let alone for years, but at the same time, he wasn’t surprised. He’d seen more strange interactions and objects in the past few hours than he’d ever witnessed before. 

Daisuke opened his eyes and looked back at Miko, who froze. Is he mad at me? Instead, though, he briefly raised an arm - was that a wave? - and gave Miko a quick nod.

“Sorry if I…seemed rude,” Daisuke droned. “It’s just been a long, long day cooped up in this place…”

“You two were here the first time I came around,” Sora said, tapping her foot and impatient as ever. “Aren’t you going to leave? Ugh, no wonder Ringo got tired of you, as much as I’m annoyed with him…”

“It’s convenient here,” Daisuke replied, “because there’s food, and it’s an easy place for a nap, and I just don’t feel like going anywhere else…”

Miko already predicted how Sora was going to respond to Daisuke’s apathy, so he took it upon himself to interject. “Do you two have any ideas about what’s going on, then? Regarding the trip being turned into this, and myself and Ray getting swept up into this…”

“Miko, it’s not that difficult to figure out. If I didn’t know any better, which I don’t, but that’s okay, I’d say I know where we were,” Matsuri said, twirling around and placing a gloved hand on his shoulder. Her smile still hadn’t faded, and Miko flinched at her touch. 

“Don’t say we’re in Wonderland again, Matsuri,” Daisuke scolded, finally showing an ounce of anger. “You said that earlier, and it’s starting to piss me off, too…”

“But we are, Daisuke! We really are,” Matsuri cheered. She started jumping from stool to stool like some kind of mystical being, and despite their brief wobbling and spinning, Matsuri didn’t hesitate. She continued to move around, and she tossed her hat and cheered as she said, this time more firmly, “We’re in Wonderland. Nothing’s ever going to be the same for us ever again.”

And for the first time, Matsuri made sense. She was right and she knew it and so did everyone else, Miko included. Everything had been moving upside-down and all around ever since he'd been woken up by Ray, and he felt the same way as Matsuri - that nothing would ever be the same. That his life was about to forever change, and strangely enough, Miko was somewhat excited.

He needed a purpose. He needed a change - a reason. It was what he’d craved since he was a child, since he remembered being swept up into the arms of his adoptive parents for no reason at all, and maybe, just maybe, the “Wonderland” he was in would give him exactly what he desired.

The silence was broken by yet another yawn from Daisuke, who didn’t seem eager to chat. “...Just leave her be. It’s good to have her here, honestly…”

He turned his gaze back towards Miko, and this time, it wasn’t as intense. Surprisingly, Miko was able to relax for what felt like the first time in a while, even if the person in front of him was on the verge of taking a nap.

“If you like fencing or swordfighting or whatever…hold onto that,” Daisuke murmured. “It’s good for you, and maybe I can teach you a thing or two if I ever feel like it or…something.”

Miko perked up at the sound of that. “I will. Thank you, Daisuke.”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough!” Sora shouted. She checked her watch, and as expected, her eyes widened as if she’d had a heart attack. “Come on, we need to go! How has the exploration taken this long? I suppose the introductions aren't a bad thing, but…still. Thank you for your precious time, Daisuke!”

Daisuke rolled his eyes, and Matsuri was still in her own little world, blind to their departure. Sora looked over at Miko, who begrudgingly followed her, and Ray, who was already off the table and more than happy to leave Matsuri behind. 

“Appreciate your understanding. Me, doing all the work to form introductions and new friendships. Sounds corny when you say it out loud,” Sora sighed, hurrying to leave the dining hall. Still, Miko caught sight of a small, genuine smile, and Daisuke’s offer and promise of a genuine friendship didn’t leave his mind. 

✿

The final path branching out from the large forest was far longer than the other two. Combined with Sora’s increased worry, Miko felt like he was on the edge of his feet, having to constantly quicken his pace and keep up.

“What’s up with you, Sora?” Ray asked, a spark of genuine concern in his voice. “You seem more antsy than before. The dining hall wasn’t that bad. I was just thinking of another way to talk to Matsuri, too, especially after she gave me that fun little nickname!”

“Pffft.” Thankfully, that got a laugh from Sora, who visibly relaxed, and in turn, that calmed Miko’s thoughts, too. 

“But actually. Are you okay?” Ray repeated. Miko could only nod in agreement. He still wasn’t used to Ray being concerned. It was strange, like needles poking his skin all over, and it was a sensation he couldn’t fully comprehend nor describe.

Sora gave them both a smile, albeit a weaker and far less confident one than usual. “It’s just…it’s been a while. We’ve met everyone except for the one person I wanted you guys to meet the most. Where the hell did she even go ? Ugh, she hates getting off track even more than I do sometimes…”

“The one person?” Miko tilted his head, curious.

“My best friend,” Sora stated, sharp and to the point and oh. My best friend. Miko tensed up, suddenly far more sympathetic and just as concerned. “She was at the dining hall last because she got hungry, so I was hoping she was still there, but…”

She shook her head and stared at her watch one last time. Every one of Sora’s movements was far more precise than before, and with one final sigh, she stepped forward and beckoned for Miko and Ray to follow. The nervousness in her eyes was gone, and what replaced it was a flicker of determination that Miko was slowly beginning to admire. 

“Come on. We’re here,” Sora said, quickening her pace as she stepped beyond the trees. Miko sucked in a breath before he walked in after her, anxious to see what laid beyond the final path.

He expected another building. He expected something wacky or incomprehensible, but when Miko saw what laid before him, he was at a complete loss for words. 

The final path was home to a large tree that stood in the center of a smaller circular area. It basked in a light that gave it a heavenly, ethereal glow, and it looked both artificial and breathtakingly real. Its leaves were various shades of deep purple, and each branch was a different length, making for a sight that kept Miko’s eyes moving all over the place. It was both the most normal and the most beautiful thing he’d seen thus far, and Miko froze, unable to take his eyes off of the magnificent tree.

It was Sora’s voice that snapped him out of his brief trance. “This is the Tree of Trickery,” Sora explained, wasting no time as per usual. “I know, I know, stare all you want at it, but it’s just a tree at the end of the day. Now, if I could just find…”

“Sora! Hey, you’re here!”

A cheerful voice broke through the oppressive atmosphere of the room, and Miko’s head darted up to see someone sitting on one of the branches. The first thing he noticed was her eager smile that perfectly complimented her bright orange-and-yellow outfit, as if she was the sun itself. She stuck out among the darker leaves and colors of the tree, and out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw the happiness and relief in Sora’s face, too.

“Why are you all the way up there ?” Sora scolded, putting her hands on her hips. “Come on, Kokoharu, get down here! I thought you weren’t good at climbing trees!”

“I’m not!” said the stranger - Sora’s best friend, apparently. “This tree’s just really easy to climb, but, umm…it’s hard to get down now that I’m actually looking down. Haha…?? I might need some help…”

Sora sighed and shook her head in disappointment. Miko, on the other hand, could only watch the stranger attempt - and fail - to climb off of the tree, eventually resorting to slowly but surely scooting off the branch and down the trunk.

“I made it! I made it, okay, I’m finally down…that was scary. I didn’t realize how high it was until, well, I had to get down, ” said the girl, now out of breath and much more grumpy than before. “But I did it! I did it, and it’s done, and I’m here on the ground and not in danger of falling. Yay!”

In an instant, her sour mood was replaced by a bounce in her step and another natural smile. Even Ray was stunned, but not in a bad way - Miko had never seen him so taken aback. He wondered if this was the person that would get Ray to crack. Memories of the friend he’d once had in Ray briefly drifted back, and for a moment, he longed to see that person again.

“Seriously, Kokoharu, do you ever think sometimes?” said Sora. Despite her harsh words, though, there was a lighthearted tone to her voice. She, too, was different around this girl, who giggled in turn. Every action between the two of them was like its own little spark of light, illuminated by beautiful friendship and emotion.

The girl’s attention turned to Miko and Ray, and this time, she was the surprised one. Miko expected her to be like most of the other Ultimates he’d met and bask in Ray’s glory, but instead, her gaze lingered on him instead.

He felt his chest swell with something new, as if a string was being pulled between them with every passing second. The more she looked at him, the more Miko didn’t want to look away. There was a tingling feeling in the back of his head that was numbing yet addicting, as if the girl in front of him was an ancient, buried memory. 

Who are you?

The very question that haunted his life came back in that moment, but for the first time, it didn’t hurt. As he looked at the girl before him, Miko felt at home. It was different from when he met Kanon. He felt warm and safe and comforted, and it was surprising and brand-new, but it was real. He didn’t want to look away. This connection was like a pocketful of light, and Miko just knew that he didn’t want to let go of this person - someone who he felt inexplicably connected to.

“You…” The girl swallowed, and her smile returned as she softly said, “I’ve been looking for you.”

Before Miko could ask what she meant, her voice returned to being as light and bubbly as it was before. As she talked, she fidgeted with the clips on her bangs, one of which resembled a strawberry - and Sora at that.

“I’ve been looking for you because of Sora! She left me to go check on the last door that wasn’t opened, which you two must’ve woken up in,” the girl clarified. “And a long time passed, so then I wandered around because I got bored, but I guess that irritated her, haha…”

“It’s fine,” Sora replied, the smallest of smiles flickering over her lips. “You did really like this tree when we first came here, so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“How did being a tour guide go?” the stranger chirped. “Knowing you, you probably gave both of them super in-depth explanations of everything, right? Look at you, using your head full of knowledge for good as always.”

“Pffft.” That got a chuckle from Ray, much to Sora’s dismay. “You’re so right, though! Sora was amazing. Practically the best guide I could’ve ever asked for, especially given how weird everything is here. Super impressive, right?”

The girl eagerly nodded. “Yep, yep! That’s what’s so cool about Sora here - she’s super adaptable. Always flexible, always ready, pretty and smart, the list just goes on and on…”

“Okay, that’s enough, Kokoharu. Get to introducing yourself, please. No more wasting time,” Sora insisted, her face pink out of embarrassment. Miko never expected to see her shying away from praise, but everything was different about Sora when she was around her best friend, as if her outer confidence had been peeled away for her and her alone. 

The stranger looked a little defeated. “Sorry, I forgot about you and time and I hate when things get off schedule too and I know how you feel and-”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s you, Kokoharu, so I can’t be that mad,” Sora interrupted, cutting off her friend’s worries. Instead of pulling out her watch and repeating that time was being wasted, Sora smiled and gently squeezed her friend’s hand. 

“An introduction. Okay, got it.” The girl sucked in a breath and waved again, somehow both nervous yet casual. “Hi! I’m Koharu Hasumi. I’m Sora’s best friend and classmate in Class 102 as the Ultimate Chronologist, and it’s super, super great to meet you!”

Koharu. That explained Sora’s nickname for her - Kokoharu - which had certainly surprised Miko at first. He didn’t take Sora to be a nickname person, but around Koharu, everything he knew about Sora was slowly being proven wrong.

“I’m Miko - Miko Kutsuki. It’s great to meet you too, Koharu,” he said, meeting her gaze once again. The initial connection that sparked between them hadn’t faded, and his smile came naturally, as if Koharu’s own was contagious. 

Immediately after he spoke, Koharu reached forward and happily shook his hand, the warmth of her touch seeping through Miko’s glove. “Kutsuki…wait, like that big medicine company? No way! That’s your family?”

Miko paused. Koharu was the first person who’d immediately recognized him since he woke up, but strangely, he found that he didn’t mind the feeling. His family name was well-known, after all, and it dawned on him that he’d never introduced himself with it. 

Why didn’t I share it more?

The answer was obvious. It was a truth Miko had always grappled with. No matter how grateful he was to his adoptive parents, deep down, Miko knew the name “Kutsuki” wasn’t really his, and that never failed to sting and hurt him every time he remembered.

“Wow, Queenie. I’ll admit, it’s nice to see you getting some recognition for your oh-so- amazing pharmaceutical skills. Isn’t it so fun to be famous?”

Just like that, Ray’s voice broke through the conversation and never failed to sour Miko’s mood. Miko looked over to see him smugly smiling, and much to his dismay, Sora and Koharu seemed just as amused and entertained, as if the whole world was his stage to use.

“Kokoharu, you won’t believe this,” said Sora, gesturing to Ray. “This is Ray Fukumoto - the famous model, remember? I know, I know, isn’t it crazy that he’s here and that we both have the chance to meet him?”

“A model?” Now, it was Koharu who was a little flustered. “Um, I don’t know celebrities that well, sorry! But that’s awesome! That’s super awesome and it’s great to meet you, Ray!”

“Aw, don’t worry about it. You get to know me now to make up for it. That’s more than a lot of my fans can say, don’t you think?” Ray said. He took Koharu’s hand and lightly squeezed it just like Sora had. It was as if they were best friends already.

It irritated Miko even more, who gave Ray a questioning stare. “Why don’t you remind everyone of what your true Ultimate talent is?”

“Toxicology. But that’s besides the point,” Ray said, covering up all suspicions with yet another smile. “Want a tip? You’re not very good at hiding your jealousy, Queenie.” 

“If you seriously believe that I’m jealous because of your talent related to poisons, then maybe you’re not the genius you present and brag about being,” Miko sharply countered, folding his arms and standing his ground. “Stick to just modeling. Your pretty face without the witty and false comments would be far more beneficial.”

Instead of backing down, though, much to Miko’s dismay, Ray’s smile widened. “There you go calling me pretty again. God, Queenie, every time I look at you, you’re staring. Again, like I’ve been saying, be more subtle, okay? Your feelings are always written all over your face. What a mess, really!”

“Ray, I swear -”

“What, Queenie, what? Do you even know how to calm down?”

“Around you, that’s basically impossible and you damn well know it-”

“Shut up, shut up, both of you!” Sora yelled. “You’re both well-off and accomplished! You’re both lovely people who I’ve enjoyed exploring with, okay? Do you always need to waste so much time and energy with these pointless arguments?”

Koharu, on the other hand, looked more entertained than anything. “Hey, Sora, you didn’t mention that these two had history. Wait, have they-”

“Don’t finish that sentence, Kokoharu.” Sora placed a hand over Koharu’s mouth, but once again, failed to hide her smile. It was as if simply interacting with her dear friend was enough to make her the best version of herself she could be, and to Miko, that was something hadn’t witnessed or experienced for himself in years. 

Koharu pried her friend’s hand off and quickly said, “Come on, you know exactly what I was going to say! Have they…you know? Just answer, Sora, you’ve been around them longer than me and you’re a genius, what do you think-”

“Fine, fine! Yes, okay? Yes, I think they have,” Sora hissed. A giggle escaped her lips, and her second attempt at getting Koharu to stop talking was an utter failure. Koharu couldn’t hide a laugh of her own, and soon, the two girls were laughing together over something Miko didn’t understand. 

They’re laughing about me, aren’t they? He felt heat start to crawl up his face, and his cheeks flushed a slight pink. Something about me and Ray, dammit…

“Sooo, Koharu, Koharu, Koharu. Sora said you two were best friends,” said Ray, striking up a brand-new conversation, “which is super fun and fitting, obviously.”

Koharu’s face lit up at the mention of their friendship. “Yeah! Umm, let’s see…we’re both in Class 102. I said that, right? But we met there and everything and ever since then, we’ve been best friends! As for how we actually met and became friends, I still don’t know…you sometimes have those friendships where you don’t remember how they started, right? It’s like that! But I think that makes ours all the more special.”

“It is special, ramble aside,” said Sora, simplifying Koharu’s words. “And we are best friends. The absolute best, if we’re being really serious.”

“Mhm, mhm.” Koharu nodded along, her face now stone-cold. “The best of the best.”

“The real best.”

“The best best best friends ever.”

All Miko could do was watch the girls share smiles and laughs meant for just the two of them, as if they’d known each other for several lifetimes. The way Koharu acted and let loose around Sora was heartwarming and fascinating to him, especially since Sora seemed to reciprocate in full, much to his surprise. Even Ray didn’t have anything snarky or sassy to add, and shockingly, he looked somewhat confused. 

Friends. Miko remembered his earlier comment to Ray about how he’d never seen the model make real, natural friends that knew him inside and out. He bit the inside of his lip, trying to push all thoughts about Ray’s own lack of true human connection aside. All it did was bring up bitter, painful remnants of the past.

“But that’s that. It’s everything you probably expected,” said Koharu, suddenly awkward and nervous again. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger as her gaze darted all around, and Miko still was stunned by how quickly her mood shifted at the drop of a hat. 

He opened his mouth to say something. Deep down, Miko wanted to be as close to Koharu and experience what she was like around Sora. He wanted a friend like her. He wanted a connection with her, and the numbing feeling of meeting a long-lost relative came back yet again, nagging at him more than it had before. 

But just as he did, Miko was cut off by a loud, melancholic noise that made him jump.

Ding-dong, ping-pong…

…An intercom?

Sora, Koharu, and even Ray were taken aback by the sudden sound. Sure enough, there was a small, flower-shaped intercom high up on the greenery surrounding the tree. Before Miko could inspect or examine it, however, the crackling of the speaker and the chime disappeared and made way for another, far more disturbing sound.

“Everyone…is present. Good.” The sound was robotic, choppy, and disoriented, and it sent a shiver down Miko’s spine. “All…participants. Everyone. All eleven…make your way back to the entryway of the forest. The circle of doors. Where…you all started. Go now to receive your answers. Go. Go. Go! I’m very…excited. Super, super excited!”

…

As soon as it started, it was gone. The intercom was quiet. The voice jumped between being clear yet unnatural to eerily energetic, and Miko turned around to face the others, horrified and lost all over again. If the strange locations weren’t enough, the new creepy artificial voice was the nail in the coffin that solidified all his fears.

“It told us to go back to the circle of doors where we came from,” Miko said, trying to sort out his thoughts. He swallowed down the lump in his throat. Stay calm. Stay calm. “And it knows we’re all here. Whoever just spoke knows that there’s exactly eleven of us.”

Sora nodded, quick to spring into action. “We need to go. Miko’s right - whatever the hell just talked has all the answers. It’s a long way back, so-”

“Wait, wait, wait! How do we even trust that weird voice?” Koharu argued, her brows knitting together with fear. “Everything here’s been unfamiliar and…and scary, so how can we just blindly follow its instructions?”

“Kokoharu.” Sora tried to calm her friend down, but the anxiety and fear in Koharu’s eyes continued to build up. “Listen to me, please. We have no other choice but to go-”

“Sora’s right.”

It was Ray who broke through. His voice was calm and collected, and the smile on his face was gone, but the twinkle in his eye was brighter than ever. He folded his arms and turned his attention to Koharu, and strangely, she seemed to calm down upon seeing his confidence. 

It was different from the confidence he had while doing a photoshoot or talking to a group of people. It was different from the over-the-top energy Miko was used to. In that moment, Ray was unusually different, as if he was sincerely trying to help, and what surprised him the most was that it worked.

Ray’s earlier insistence that he had nothing to do with their current situation crept back into Miko’s mind, and he sucked in a sharp breath. Part of him wanted to believe in those words. Ray was right back then, after all - Miko had no choice but to trust in them. But when Ray kept acting like this, kept acting different and calculated as if he knew everything, all Miko could think of was just how sinister and twisted the toxicologist truly was. Still, the newfound softness in his voice took Miko aback. 

“All we can do is trust in those words,” Ray said. “We’ve explored everywhere there is. We’ve met everyone who’s supposedly on the trip, haven’t we? The only thing to do is find out why we’re here - and those instructions are the first step to doing so.”

Trust in those words. There it was again - trusting in people’s words just like he’d trusted in Ray. The word “trust” wasn’t one Miko used often, and now, he hesitated to agree even though he knew there wasn’t a choice. Ray was right. The only choice was to follow what the voice said and move back to where they’d first woken up.

Koharu sighed. She knew that Ray was right, and his support, albeit unusual and direct, helped calm her nerves. “Let’s go, then. Sora, lead the way - we’ve got no time to waste, right?”

Sora grinned, happy to lead the charge, and Koharu trailed behind her, slowly loosening up. As Miko tried to move, however, his steps felt heavier than usual, and he paused to look back at the great towering Tree of Trickery, its dark leaves oddly beautiful in the faint light.

So much had happened in just a few short hours, and Miko closed his eyes, trying to collect his thoughts. Strange places, new meetings, and flurries of questions clouded his mind, from Kanon to Koharu to Ray, of all people. Miko tried to stay strong. He had to stay strong and capable, for that was all he knew how to do, despite how terrified and hesitant he truly felt. His feelings, emotions, and heart had always guided him, and now was no different.

“Queenie?”

It was Ray who jolted him back to reality, much to Miko’s dismay. He turned around to see Ray behind Sora and Koharu, giving him a look of annoyance to follow. As much as Miko wanted to refuse, he knew he couldn’t. All he could do was hope that his new friends would be far more reliable and trustworthy than Ray, and it was that spark of belief that gave him the final push to move.

“I’m right behind you,” Miko begrudgingly muttered, leaving the tree behind as he stepped back into the forest. He let his focus drift back to the present moment instead of his own inner thoughts. Deep down, though, no matter what he did, the rage of conflict and confusion in the back of his brain refused to truly settle.

Chapter Text

Much to Sora's dismay, the four of them ended up being the last ones present at the circle of doors due to the distance. The brightly-colored doors dotting the edge of the spiraled room were all-too-familiar by now, and no less unnerving and strange than before.

Sora was nearly out of breath, and she clicked her tongue in disappointment as she put her watch away. "Dammit, are you kidding me? How did everyone else beat us here? Whatever, it's not like me to throw a fuss - or lose to begin with."

"Took you long enough."

Unsurprisingly, Aspen was the first to approach them, as if Sora's very presence was enough to pull him close like a magnet. "I thought you'd never show. You hurt my poor old heart, Sora - I was so dearly worried about you!"

"Cut it out," Sora snapped. "Stop playing dumb. It looks disgusting on you."

"Well, hello to you too." Aspen let out a light, amusing chuckle, still unfazed and playful as when Miko first met him. His gaze glossed over Miko and Ray once more before he smiled. "...And hello, Koharu! Glad to see you're okay as well."

"Oh, hi, Aspen! Um, you too, I guess?" Koharu did her best to wave, but Miko could sense how uncomfortable she was. For a moment, he wondered how she felt about the drama and relationship between Sora and Aspen, embarrassed that he felt like Ray for being interested in said gossip. 

Ray himself looked more fascinated by his surroundings than the people, much to Miko's surprise. He'd immediately found the intercom in the room, which was tucked away in a secluded spot on the wall, and was staring it down as if his very will could get the voice to spark to life again.

"What's he so serious about?" Ako asked, strolling up to Miko's side. "I never thought he'd be the cautious type. Well, whatever, not like I really care about what someone as obnoxious as him is like..."

Miko couldn't deny that Ako's presence and dislike of Ray was certainly welcome amidst all his stress. "...I can't say." He'd always been good at seeing through Ray's actions straight to their intent, but this time, he was stuck, as if the toxicologist was a stranger all over again.

Ako shrugged, uncaring nonetheless. Before she could make yet another comment, though, a far more energetic voice cut her off, deflating her spirits yet again.

"Hey, hey, hi, honeybee!" Matsuri chirped, practically bouncing across the room. "Ooh, I didn't know you were friends with Miko! Wait, the more I think about it, the more I see it. It just makes sense, that's so fun! Usually puzzling things are far more exciting, but making friends in un-puzzling and sensical ways is much, much better than anything else."

"Honeybee?" Miko held back a chuckle. "Don't tell me that's-"

"Matsuri." Ako groaned, but she hid her embarrassment behind an eye-roll and a refusal to even look at the mentalist. "Is this amusing enough for you? Or would you like it even more if I matched your energy? 'Everyone, I've missed you so much! Welcome back to another performance where I make even more friends!'"

"I see you're just as mean as before, like a honeybee! Wait, but honeybees don't actually sting, do they? Hmmm..." Matsuri put her finger to her chin, while Miko felt himself getting dizzier and dizzier the more she spoke in circles.

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

Before Miko could interject, the speaker chimed to life yet again, and the group fell into a heavy, bated silence. Miko heard brief murmurs and whispers among friends of what was going to happen, and the feeling that something was terribly, terribly wrong sparked to life once more.

The room suddenly dimmed, and Miko whirled around to see a spotlight shining on the center of the floor. All of a sudden, there was a short puff of smoke that started to trail upwards, matching the spiral pattern on the ceiling. When it faded, all eyes were trained on what the spotlight illuminated, and Miko's eyes widened in shock. What now stood on a mini-stage in the center of the room...

...Was a rabbit.

"Everyone is here and has...followed instructions. Perfect."

It was the same voice as the one that crackled over the intercom earlier, and just like before, it made Miko jump. The rabbit in front of them, the thing in front of them, was moving and talking as if it was alive.

But something was wrong about it. Its movements were unnatural and jarring, similar to that of a zombie. Its limbs were held together by brightly-colored wires and parts, and Miko noticed how its black-and-white pieces weren't quite identical, as if its body was taken from two different sources.

"What the fuck?" Ringo's voice was the first to pierce through the eerie quiet. "It's moving? Hey, what the hell is that thing, and why is it dancing and smiling? This has to be some kind of sick joke!"

"It's...a robot," Sora observed, but even she was taken aback. "But it's not a fully-completed one..."

"Aww, it's black-and-white! How cute! And it's a bunny, too. Like something straight from a wacky old story," said Matsuri, fascinated by the machine. "Just what kind of situation have we gotten ourselves into, hm?"

Miko watched the robot twitch and move, its beady eyes passing over everyone one by one. He swallowed, trying to ignore the sensation of being analyzed, but the robot's very presence was enough to make him nervous.

"Miss...or Mister? Dear robot," said Kanon, stepping forward with the same kind look in her eyes, "will you please give us the answers you promised over the intercom?"

Answers. Miko had nearly forgotten about the robot's earlier words and intended purpose, but that didn't make him feel any better about it. He tried to ignore the new rapid pounding of his heart and his mind screaming at him to do something, to stop something. 

The robot froze upon hearing Kanon's words, and did a small little jump of joy. "Oh! You remembered. How brilliant. How wonderful. Now...we can proceed. To the answers that you all have been...waiting for."

It - she? - did a little curtsy. "My name...is Monohenka. The broken rabbit. The repaired rabbit. Hello. As for your answers, here they are. I...am the host of this game, the final and one and only and extreme Killing Wonder."

...

Killing Wonder.

Those were the two worst words Miko could've possibly heard.

It was true. His fears were warranted and true. Something terrible was happening yet again, and the world around him seemed to fade into slow-motion. It couldn't be real, could it? No, it all made sense - a Wonderland, getting knocked out, other Ultimates, a rabbit to guide them, and now, a game for their lives.

No one else knew. Miko wished he was as naive as them. He felt sick to his stomach as he watched from afar, as if the distance between him and the rest of the Ultimates continued to grow. He felt like throwing up. He wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, he couldn't believe it, why why why-

"Killing Wonder?" Even Reina looked somewhat nervous. "If you make it sound like some sort of game, then-"

"Those weren't answers at all," Daisuke scoffed. "You didn't even explain what this 'Killing Wonder' is, but I'm not sure if any of us even want to know at this point..."

"Fess up already," Ringo shouted, the most vocal of all. "Tell us what the hell this Killing Wonder is, and why we're here! What happened to the trip? Why are we in fucking Wonderland? I'm losing my mind over here..."

Cries and questions of confusion and outrage popped up one after another, and all Miko could do was watch. He was powerless to stop it, after all. Memories of hearing about the past Killing Wonders came back again and again, and the more he thought about the past, the more it hurt, the more he couldn't watch as Monohenka opened her mouth again, her smile far too cruel, and said-

"It's very simple," she explained, wasting no time in cutting straight to the point, uncaring of everyone's feelings. "It's a killing game. It'll continue until I'm satisfied. Until we are all satisfied with the outcome. Until we can see just who is worthy to survive."

That was all it took to shatter any hope Miko had of ever escaping. 

The world stopped for a moment. The silence in the air was suffocating and heavy, and Miko watched as one by one, everyone around him took in the news - the truth. The truth that they were going to die. The truth that they were trapped in a brutal game in a place that made no sense, surrounded by strangers who would deceive them without a second thought.

Unsurprisingly, the Ultimates around him started to break.

Koharu was the first to cry, too sensitive and caring to handle such a horrific game. For the first time, Sora couldn't comfort her, as she was just as shaken. Even the confident Aspen was at a loss for words, his smile gone. 

Ako's gaze was trained on the ground, but Miko saw the slight tremor in her body. Reina, too, was afraid - even someone as coldhearted as her wasn't immune to the dangers of the Killing Wonder. Kanon, who was the first to step forward, was now looking around in shock, scrambling to think of something to say.

Matsuri was calm. Her smile had fallen, but she simply folded her arms and observed, as if everyone else was a performer for her to view. Ringo looked as if he'd just been hit by a bus, completely frozen in place, and Daisuke, too, was struggling to hide his fear.

Miko wasn't like them. Miko wasn't an Ultimate, nor was he as strong. He felt his heart and will shatter with every passing second. The more he saw the Ultimates crumble under the news, the more powerless he felt, too. 

But what hurt the most was that Miko knew. He should've known from the very beginning. His gaze darted around to the final Ultimate in the room - the one who Miko never should've trusted. The one who was a dead giveaway for the Killing Wonder.

The second Miko laid eyes on Ray Fukumoto, something snapped within him.

Ray had always been behind it. Ray was brilliant, after all, and Miko knew about his past deeds. He knew all about every single life that Ray's games had taken, and above all else, behind his pretty face and genius mind, Miko knew just how cruel Ray was.

Miko felt the sound of blood rushing in his ears. His mouth went dry, and his hands shook, unable to control himself. Ray was behind it. Ray had to be. There was no other answer. If there was a Killing Wonder, it was Ray's doing, and now was no different. Whatever plan he was up to, Miko had to stop it. That was what made him different. That was what he could do that none of the other Ultimates could, and all logical thought and reasoning in Miko's head slowly shut down.

He remembered how angry he'd been. He remembered how much he'd mourned the lives of past Ultimates who'd fallen because of the Killing Wonders. He remembered seeing Mao hurt because of Ray's own actions, and all his frustration and hatred for Ray was what drove Miko to move forward.

Without thinking, he moved.

Before Monohenka or anyone could stop him, Miko lunged straight at Ray. Fueled by nothing but pure disgust and animosity, he shoved Ray to the ground using all his might. He was no longer the gentle prince everyone loved - in that moment, Miko wanted nothing more than to see Ray just as hurt as he'd been.

He ignored Ray's cry of surprise. "Queenie, you-"

"Shut up."

Miko's voice was low and laced with wrath. He'd never been so worked-up, so passionate, so terrible before, but he didn't care. Miko was driven by pure emotion, and flashbacks of Ray's past actions came to mind over and over again, each one only intensifying his rage. He raised a fist and swung it straight into Ray's face, practically spitting his next words.

"You're behind this, aren't you?" Miko yelled. "Say it. This Killing Wonder, us being here, this robot - it's all you, isn't it? This is your doing. You're forcing us into this killing game, and you're going to watch as we take each other's lives, but I won't let it happen."

"Stop it, Queenie," Ray hissed, scratching Miko's arm as he desperately tried to fight back. "You're wrong-"

"SAY IT!" Miko screamed, punching Ray yet again. The world around him didn't matter. All Miko could remember was the past and all the pain Ray had caused him, and he remembered Yui's body.

Yui, who was the first victim of the Killing Wonders. Yui, who was dead because of Ray. Ray. Ray. Everything was because of Ray, and Miko was sick of it. He ignored the sting caused by Ray's scratching and moved to punch him again, eager to see the toxicologist in pain-

"You're getting all worked up again, aren't you?"

...

Ray's words were calm.

He'd stopped panicking. Despite the blood trickling from his nose and his now-swollen eyes, he'd changed his plan. He met Miko's gaze with a sharp one of his own, his blue eyes piercing through Miko's rage. Even though his voice was far weaker than usual, it was enough to make Miko stop.

Miko hesitated, and that hesitation was what made Ray speak yet again, this time low and quiet for just Miko to hear.

"I told you, Queenie," he said. "When you're around me, you let your emotions show, don't you? Here, it's hurting you. Everyone's watching, you know. What are they going to think of what you've just done?"

"I don't care," Miko argued. All he wanted to do was hurt the cause of his suffering, but this time, Ray's grip on his arm tightened.

"Don't you get it? I'm not behind this," Ray insisted. Even in a position where Miko could easily beat him, he repeated the same words from earlier. They crawled back into Miko's head, and he flinched. The convincing and honest tone of his voice was something Miko couldn't ignore, and Ray knew it.

Ray tugged on Miko's arm, bringing him further down to his level, and he smiled. "It's my word or nothing, Queenie, just like before. Everything's different about this game than the others, don't you see? I'm just like you. I'm just like everyone."

"You're lying," Miko hissed. "Stop lying, I won't let you carry out a game like this again, do you hear me-"

"We," said Ray, his grip still firm on Miko's arm, "are in this game together, Miko. And I am not the one behind it. Your own feelings are clouding your judgment and your thoughts. Open your eyes and see that I'm not lying."

The use of his real name was what made Miko pause.

Ray's words were like that of a siren's. Even after so many years of betrayal and hurt, they managed to crawl their way into Miko's mind, twisting his prior thoughts. The years they'd spent together as true friends were so deeply etched into Miko's being, and now, they were coming back to haunt him.

He felt hot tears welling up in his eyes. Part of him wanted to hit Ray even harder as revenge. Revenge for everything he'd done, both to him and other people and Yui, but at the same time, Miko couldn't help but search for the friend he'd once known.

Why? he wanted to ask. Why? Why? Why? He wanted to know the truth - the real truth. Was Ray behind it? Was he not? That single speck of doubt was what caused Miko to shut down yet again, all because of his own foolish emotions associated with the past.

Ignoring Ray's firm touch, Miko moved and punched him yet again.

The third time, Ray didn't cry out. The third time wasn't driven by anger or the desire to see him in pain - instead, it was powered by a far more somber feeling. Miko felt tears trickle down his cheeks as Ray's nose and mouth continued to bleed, and his vision started to blur.

The past was mixing with the present, and it was messy and destructive and filled with raw emotion that Miko couldn't control. He raised his fist yet again, Ray's hold on his shoulder now gone, and thought of the past Killing Wonders and all the people that died because of Ray and Yui Yui Yui-

"Stop it!"

- When someone else tugged on his arm, pulling him back.

Koharu's voice snapped Miko back to reality. He looked over his shoulder to see the chronologist tightly gripping his arm, breathing heavily with tears of her own streaming down her face, and that was what made him stop.

Slowly, his vision cleared and his thoughts became more clear. Miko turned around to see the rest of the Ultimates in complete silence, having witnessed the whole scene. Embarrassment and disappointment slowly overtook him, and Miko tried to say something, anything, but it was too late.

Beneath him, Ray licked a drop of blood off his lips as he slowly got up, his eyes never leaving Miko. His expression was full of confusion, hurt, and fascination, and despite the upper hand he'd had on Miko, there was a flicker of fear in his face, too. They were both scared and scarred by each other - it was what defined their relationship.

Ray was right. Miko's feelings had gotten the better of him, and it was for the worst. He felt everyone's looks of shame and disgust, and in that moment, all he could think of was how no matter what, he'd never be like them.

He wasn't talented. He was still searching for a purpose, his life governed by questions and contradictions that always hurt him in the end. Miko swallowed and fixed his gloves, trying to steady his breathing. 

"I..." His voice cracked. His usual calm and composed appearance was completely broken. "Everyone, I-"

"...How exciting."

Monohenka interrupted him before he could finish, her movements still disoriented. "But...now is not the time. It is time for you all to receive your Monocards. Everyone has...calmed down. It is the perfect time. Here."

She pulled back the curtain to reveal a container full of phone-like devices, each enclosed by a different card. Slowly, using her little feet, Monohenka handed everyone a device - a Monocard - and Miko hesitantly took the Queen of Hearts one given to him.

He looked over at Koharu, who had the Jack of Clubs. Despite her pale face, tear-struck eyes, and shaken manner, she did her best to give Miko a smile, much to his surprise.

"Your Monocards are important. Please do not lose them," Monohenka flatly explained. "On it...are the rules. A map. And more. Please look now."

Miko looked down at the blank device and tapped it. Much to his surprise, it flickered to life with his name. Everyone grew quiet, and Miko took the time to look at the map and rules, both clad in the same shades of blue as Monohenka's outfit.

✿

RULES OF THE FINAL KILLING WONDER

Participants who violate these rules will be punished accordingly. Monohenka may add new rules at any given notice.

1. Participants must remain in the grounds of Wonderland. Adventuring outside the perimeter is strictly forbidden, even though it's impossible to leave in the first place.

2. Nighttime is from 11pm to 8am. 

3. With minimal restrictions, you are free to explore the currently available parts of Wonderland. Let your curious minds roam free.

4. Violence against Monohenka and destruction of Wonderland property, including Monocards, is not allowed.

5. Anyone who kills a fellow participant will become the "blackened".

6. After a body has been discovered, a class trial will follow after a brief investigation period. Every participant is required to attend if they are physically able to do so.

7. If the "blackened" is correctly exposed and voted on during the class trial, they alone will be executed.

8. If the "blackened" is incorrectly voted on and successfully gets away with their crime, they alone will win the Killing Wonder and be permitted to escape, while all other participants will face execution instead.

9. If there is a tied vote during the class trial, the harsher possible outcome will occur for all participants. Please do your best not to bring the trial to a tie, as it's quite unfavorable for everyone.

10. Each individual "blackened" may only kill a maximum of two participants between trials.

11. If two different murders by two different "blackeneds" occur in the same time period between trials, then only the victim who was chronologically murdered first will be considered the true "blackened", regardless if said victim's body was discovered first or not.

12. The Body Discovery Announcement will always play whenever three or more students, excluding the "blackened", discover a body, and will alert everyone else in Wonderland of the body's location.

13. Monohenka will never directly commit or interfere in a murder. Hosts have standards, too.

14. The Killing Wonder will continue for as long as needed.

✿

Blackened. Trials. Execution.

It was exactly like what Miko had heard. It was more than just a bad rumor or a theory being proven true. All Miko could do was blankly stare at the rules as the facts slowly, slowly sunk in. He was in a Killing Wonder. He was in a game for his life. I might die. It was terrifying to everyone, even him - and Ultimates.

"Execution...?" Ako shoved her Monocard away, shaking her head in disbelief. "Oh my god..."

"This is fucking insane," Ringo muttered, voicing everyone's thoughts. "This is insane, this is all fucked-up, this is some sort of bad dream, wake up, dammit, wake up...!"

"Some of these rules are...unclear," Reina said, unsurprisingly one of the calmer ones among the group. "'As long as needed?' That's rather vague."

Aspen let out a defeated chuckle, both intimidated and confused by Reina's hollow words. "That's what you focus on? Damn, guess I'm counting myself out already..."

Miko felt his palms sweat beneath his gloves, and combined with his stinging knuckles from punching, it was an uncomfortable sensation. Even when he tore his eyes away from the screen, the rules flashed brightly in his head, as if the letters were right in front of him. Execution. No matter what happened, no matter if he killed or cowered in fear or chose to believe in others, the fear of death was now fully present in Miko's life. The thought of dying with no answers, with no true connections, without being truly happy - was what terrified Miko the most.

"There's...just no way. Are we...are we all really going to die here?" Koharu muttered. She was still by Miko's side, but the despair and agony in her face was abundantly clear. Seeing someone as sunny and cheerful as her shaken up only made Miko feel even more hopeless.

By the time Monohenka disappeared, her coldhearted, broken laughter was already echoing around the room. The silence that fell over the group felt like a suffocating chokehold, and Miko - strong, capable, reliable Miko - felt utterly powerless.

The Killing Wonder had begun, and no matter how much Miko thought he knew, no matter how much he wanted to stop it, it was already too late.

✿

Minutes passed. Long, drawn-out minutes felt like centuries, and it took the sound of someone's footsteps to jostle everyone out of their empty states.

It was Reina who moved first, her thin heels clicking on the ground as she walked back towards the forest. Her back was turned to everyone, and Miko still felt numb, unable to do anything but watch her go. 

"Reina!"

Kanon rushed forward, and in that moment, Miko suddenly remembered their relationship. They're sisters. Kanon's face was full of worry, but even then, the softness and kindness in her expression hadn't faded, either.

"Reina, where are you going?" Kanon cried. "Please, stay behind, I wanted to talk to everyone and-"

"Stop it, Kanon," Reina snapped, ignoring her sister's pleas. Her words were as sharp and harsh as Miko expected them to be, but it didn't stop them from hurting nonetheless. For the first time, even Kanon looked afraid.

The chessmaster turned back around, but not before casting one final glance towards Kanon and the rest of the group. "It's late," she said, her voice far more quiet. "We should all get some rest. It'll clear our minds and bodies for tomorrow. Goodnight."

...

Reina was right. Once she left, it didn't take long for the others to follow.

Exhaustion and dread washed over Miko's body, but he couldn't ignore how no one cast him a second glance before heading off to sleep, either. Matsuri was the first to happily skip away with Daisuke in tow, followed by Koharu, Ako, and Ringo, and even the energetic Aspen seemed eager to sleep. 

Even Sora, who Miko had spent some of the most time with, seemed hesitant to speak. It wasn't just because of the Killing Wonder - it was because of Miko's own behavior before, and it stung. Still, she gave him a nod before leaving, and Miko swallowed before turning to look at Ray.

The toxicologist had stood up, but there was an ugly bruise already forming on his cheek. His usual smile was gone, and he froze under Miko's gaze. For a moment, a spark of anger ignited in Miko's chest again, but it was quickly quelled. He was too tired to care, and he remembered how painful it was for him, too, his eyes still weary from his earlier tears. 

Instead, Miko turned his attention to Kanon. If there was one person he wanted to mend relations with, Kanon was up there. She looked more discouraged than ever, but thankfully, none of her sadness was directed at Miko. 

"Kanon." Miko extended a hand, trying to think of how to cheer her up. Reina's words, although brief, were powerful enough to wear even her own sister down. "I'm sorry about-"

"It's okay, Miko."

Kanon cut him off with a small but pleasant smile, and for a moment, Miko was convinced. Even when down, her beauty and grace never failed her, and Miko flinched, taken aback. 

"Reina's right. We should all get some sleep, and that includes both of us," she said. "So please get some good rest, okay? I'll see you in the morning, and I hope we'll be in better spirits then."

With that, she turned and left, following behind the rest of the group. Now alone, Miko stared up at the spiral ceiling, more lost and defeated than ever. The heavy silence from earlier was gone, replaced by something eerily peaceful. Miko closed his eyes, trying to push his worries about the Killing Wonder aside.

He tried to ignore the strange places he'd seen, the unusual Ultimates he'd met, and the fear of letting himself get betrayed and killed. Deep down, the longing in his chest for answers hadn't faded, and somehow, that was the only shred of hope he had to cling to.

His desire for a purpose in the world was all Miko had ever known. It was so ingrained into his very being that it was the one thing he could hold onto. As he opened his eyes and stared at the light above him, the many questions in his head slowly turned into aspirations and goals for him to figure out.

Somehow, Miko knew that if he was going to answer all his questions, whether they were about his current situation or his very existence, it would happen here. Here, in the Killing Wonder, a place where he didn't belong. Here, all of the unknowns in Miko's life would be answered, and he took a deep breath, making one final promise to himself. 

Find them, Miko.

Find every answer. Find everything you need to know.

Change your own life with your own two hands.

As Miko left the rabbit hole behind and set off for the mansion to sleep, he felt more energized. The numbness in his body hadn't faded, but at the same time, the sound of his heartbeat was more prevalent than ever before.

✿

The door shut behind Daisuke as he leaned up against the wall, desperately trying not to fall asleep right then and there. Even with Matsuri in the room, he was still exhausted and weary, and struggled to grapple with the deadly game now weighing heavy on his mind.

He looked over at Matsuri, who lay on her bed mindlessly twiddling with a card. Daisuke raised an eyebrow. Even after years of knowing her, he never failed to be occasionally surprised by her actions.

"Where did you get that?" Daisuke asked.

Matsuri cracked open one eye, purple and sparkling with fascination as if nothing had ever changed. "The card? I had it. Don't you know that? And even if I didn't, I got it somewhere. I can always make them appear, even from other places, right?"

"No, you can't..."

"You know me too well. Just pretend to be surprised, okay? I won't give you the answer," said Matsuri, her usual smile as big as ever. "I came up with a new trick. Knowing you and your knowing me when it comes to knowing us, though, I figured I wouldn't share it. Makes it more exciting, am I right?"

Daisuke sighed. "...What did you want this time? Tell me so I can leave..."

Matsuri paused. The air between the two of them was different, after all, and to her, it had been different for years. Still, Daisuke was her best friend. Daisuke was her only friend, and that was something she always had up her sleeve.

"You already know what I want. You already know what I'm thinking, don't you?" Matsuri asked. It was true, after all. No matter how much time passed, Daisuke always knew her. He was always the one person who knew her behind the theatrics, and now, it was more important that he knew than ever before.

Across the room, Daisuke froze. Matsuri's grin widened. "Aren't you ready, Daisuke?"

The fencer froze. Not a lot of things made him wince, but Matsuri's words and their hidden meanings were one of the few that did. He reached for the door, ignoring how in just an instant, he was no longer exhausted and instead more on edge than before.

"...I'm going to bed," he flatly said, turning away from Matsuri's face. Just like always, he knew exactly what Matsuri meant and what she wanted, but the more he spoke with his supposed friend, the more his own wants gradually grew more different than hers.

✿

"Reina, I know you're in there!"

...

Silence.

Kanon lowered her arm. The cramping throughout her entire body and the hoarseness in her voice was too much to ignore, no matter how much it hurt her to give up. Reina was either ignoring her or already asleep, and knowing her, Kanon was willing to bet it was the first.

She bit the inside of her lip, pushing the tears welling up in her eyes away. They'd known each other for years, and yet, Reina's coldhearted attitude always stung. Now, more than ever, Kanon didn't want the intimidating Ultimate Chessmaster or their school's esteemed student council president - she just wanted her sister. She wanted her friend. She needed the girl she'd once known inside and out to help her through the Killing Wonder.

Kanon took a deep breath. There was no time for tears. Reina was right earlier, and she needed rest. She tried to remember her own words to Miko, and Kanon felt somewhat ashamed of herself. Even after everyone else had picked a room and went to bed, she was still up, desperately trying to reach her sister instead of taking her own advice. Kanon never liked feeling hypocritical, and now was no different.

She turned away from Reina's door. There were still plenty of rooms open, and all Kanon had to do was pick one. It was that easy, wasn't it? She just had to leave her sister behind. In a brutal game like the Killing Wonder, logically speaking, Kanon couldn't afford to care.

But as she wiped her eyes, the sound of footsteps to the side startled Kanon, and she looked over to see someone stopped in the middle of the stairs. 

...

Ringo.

Ringo paused. Kanon had been crying, after all, and it was easy to see that. Instead of leaving in a panic, though, Kanon's mind shut down, and she stood frozen in the middle of the hallway.

For a moment, she prepared for the worst. It was Ringo, after all, and although Kanon wanted to see the best in everyone, she didn't think someone as foul-mouthed and rude as him was capable of keeping a secret. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn't move. Ringo's gaze slowly passed over her, but instead of yelling, his face seemed to soften with concern.

"Are you..." He cleared his throat, and that's when Kanon realized he was just as flustered as she was. "Are you...are you okay? You just looked like you were..."

And maybe it was the true, undeniable concern in his words or the way Kanon felt as if a huge weight had just been lifted off her shoulder, but she smiled. It wasn't the same angelic smile she presented to most - it was a smaller but more delicate smile that she didn't need to think about.

Still, she forced herself to give an answer that seemed the most likely to make Ringo happy. "I'll be okay," Kanon said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Normally, that would do the job.

But Ringo didn't move. "Kanon, right? Listen, sorry if this sounds rude, but I saw you. I heard you crying, dammit, and just..."

"Just what?" Kanon felt her heart skip a beat out of nervousness. Why did Ringo see her? Why wasn't he convinced? It was as if her beauty and smile weren't enough, and without it, Kanon didn't know what to do, unused to her sadness being recognized.

"Just..." Ringo sucked in a breath. "If you...if you ever want to talk, then I'm here. Okay? That's all."

That was all he said before he stepped to the side and entered his own room, leaving Kanon alone in the hallway yet again. Somehow, though, the urge to cry over her failure to talk to Reina was completely gone. She stared down at the ground and let her smile fall, slowly processing Ringo's words.

Talk.

Was she that unused to being listened to? 

Kanon felt as if she'd been struck by a bus. She felt like a small girl all over again, like when she'd been presented with a shred of kindness for the first time. It was so, so strange, but at the same time, Kanon couldn't forget about Ringo's genuine offer, no matter how short the moment actually was.

✿

Several hours passed before Ray made the call.

He knew the walls were soundproof, of course, but it didn't hurt to be careful - or, as he liked to put it, extra smart. After all, the more he flattered himself, the easier it got for him, and the Killing Wonder was no different. It felt surreal to be in a game of his own, and Ray tried to focus on the dramatics and the power instead of, well, the other parts. The scarier parts.

The phones in all the bedrooms in the mansion didn't work. Except for one. One blue phone in a room at the end of the hall that Ray so conveniently picked as his own. He tangled the cord around his finger as he pressed the phone to his ear, and thankfully, it didn't take long for him to hear a voice.

"Helloooo?" Ray grinned as he flopped back onto his bed. "Yay, it worked! Ugh, thank god you're still awake, Mao. Do you know how long it's been?"

He heard a sigh of disappointment on the other end. "We tested these phones yesterday, Ray. Why did you insist on using this instead of, I don't know, texting on your Monocard? This was much more annoying, geez..."

"Because it's fun? Dial five fives to call the mastermind, isn't that cute? Come on, Mao, loosen up," said Ray. "Do you like the new bruise I have? I know you're worried about my pretty face, I know, but with some concealer, it'll be gone by tomorrow, so don't you worry."

"Are you serious..." Ray couldn't hold in a giggle as Mao groaned yet again - he couldn't help it. He dangled off the bed and continued to play with the cord, relishing in his brief moment of fun before all the serious questions.

He ran a hand through his hair before asking, "Okay, I'm done. But actually, how are you? How are things on your end?"

There was a pause before Mao responded, seemingly collecting her thoughts. "No issues here. How did Monohenka work? Her programming got a little off-track at times, but it was fine after a few moments. There weren't any major issues, were there?"

Ray shook his head. "Nope. Honestly, the more she broke down, the better. She needs to be super creepy, and it worked well. Besides, we did the best we could, right?"

"It was your idea in the first place to make another robot out of the broken parts of the previous ones," Mao exclaimed. "But you're right. We did the best we could've, considering neither of us know a thing about programming."

"I know, right? What a miracle. Yasuko's notes sucked," Ray whined. 

"What about you?" Mao asked. "...I saw what happened on camera, you know. You don't need to joke about that bruise. You knew it was risky bringing Miko in here, right? I'm honestly lucky he didn't expose you right then and there."

Ray flinched at the memory. "I'm...surprised, too."

"You know he has every reason to beat you up, Ray."

"Do you really have to take his side? Him, of all people?" he asked. Deep down, though, Ray knew Mao was right, as much as it peeved him. "I mean, I guess I totally definitely am the mastermind, but that's besides the point, right?"

"There's nothing I can do about Miko, okay?" Mao reminded him. "I'm leaving this to you. I'm trusting you."

Trust. Ray couldn't help but smile - a true, real one, not like the fake shiny one he put on for everyone - at that word. "I know. I won't let you down, okay, Miss Mastermind? We are partners, after all, so dragging you down with me would be such a pain."

"You seem more tired than usual," Mao pointed out, and Ray could practically see her smirk. "Aww, are you worn out? I didn't expect that from someone who was so excited about the possibility of having a waffle maker in your room. Did you say that just to throw Miko off-guard?"

Ray giggled. "Duh, that was the point! See, you know me far too well."

"You trying to actually get along with others is...weird," said Mao. "Seeing you being genuinely nice to people doesn't suit you at all."

"You wound me." This time, Ray was the one to sigh, and he felt himself growing more exhausted by the second. "But fine, yes, even I need my beauty sleep. It has been a long day, after all, soooo...call you tomorrow? Same time, past midnight?"

"Deal."

"Goodnight, Mao," Ray said, sitting up and resigning himself to the fact that he'd be on his own for yet another day. "...You get some sleep too. And you have all the supplies you need, right? Chocolate, water, entertainment if you ever get unbelievably bored which I doubt will ever happen but still-"

Mao cut him off with a chuckle. "I'm fine, okay? Shut up and hang up already. Goodnight to you too, Ray."

...

Ray hung up, and just like that, Mao was alone in the silence of the security room yet again.

She rubbed her eyes as she stood up from her chair and stretched. All of her limbs were sore from sitting and staring at cameras all day, but surprisingly, it went by fast and was far smoother than she expected. Still, the rapid pounding of her heart from controlling Monohenka and just managing the game was more than enough to tire her out.

As she headed back to her room, Mao caught a glimpse of the envelope. 

At first, she hadn't thought much of it. She'd been a little startled and confused, sure, but it was an envelope. Maybe her or Ray had misplaced something. Whatever the case, Mao remembered putting her doubts aside and just opening it, only to be struck with the horrifying realization that it was dangerous.

Earlier, she'd received a letter, and it was a letter that should not have made its way into the Killing Wonder.

Dear Little Miss Alice -

Have you enjoyed this brand-new game?

How does it feel to be the mastermind of the event that destroyed your life?

Don't worry. You're not alone. You're watching me, just as I've got my eyes on you.

Stay alert. I'll meet you soon.

I'm watching you.

It reminded Mao of when she first met Ray. It reminded her of when it felt like his eyes were on her at all times, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. The feeling of being watched, of being observed, of being under someone's control - it wasn't one she was keen on re-experiencing.

But what scared Mao the most was how the letter got there. Who had written it? It had to be someone in the very game she was running behind the scenes, but the thought of someone getting the upper hand on her, the mastermind, was a terrifying one.

She stared back up at the cameras. Everyone, including Ray, was asleep, meaning Mao was safe to go to bed. The security room was locked. No one could reach her, right? She was going to be fine.

Mao caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the cameras, and she took a deep breath. With her headband, new outfit, and a charging rabbit robot by her side, she was in the very position of power she once feared. She swallowed down the guilt rising in her throat and shut her eyes, blinking away images of her past classmates and the rockstar that tugged at her heart every day. 

What did she have to be afraid of?

The game had begun, and Mao was in control. Memories of Yasuko and her arrogance briefly came to mind, but Mao pushed them down. She had her own reasons for accepting Ray's plea to be the mastermind, and she stood by her decision. Even if it hurt seeing everyone's faces of fear when they learned about the game, Mao had to move forward, just like she always had. She'd changed, and this final Killing Wonder was her game to run as the Ace.

✿

PROLOGUE: Preface of Perilous Beginnings

END

Remaining Participants: 11

To be continued.

✿

Chapter Text

The match that always stuck out in Reina's mind was one of her earliest.

It was back before she was an internationally-acclaimed chessmaster. It was back when she was still playing matches with strangers in a nearby park, trying to find someone who could actually beat her. It was when she merely sought to develop her skills in something that she saw as an avid hobby, not a profession. That day, it was growing late in the evening, and just as Reina started to pack up her belongings after yet another win, the voice stopped her.

"May I play you?"

Reina looked up to see a fairly unassuming girl. She stared back down at the sign she'd put up explaining what she was doing - "Play chess against me. Looking to find a worthy opponent." Simple, straightforward, and to the point. The girl in front of her looked rather intrigued, just like everyone else, and Reina sat back down. The day wasn't over yet, after all.

"Your move," Reina said, gesturing to her opponent after she'd set the pieces back up. She rather liked playing the black pieces, as she had a fair few tricks up her sleeve to catch her rivals off-guard with the seemingly inferior position.

Reina thought this girl would be no different. As she expected, she moved a pawn forward. Reina followed with one of her own. The match continued just as she thought, but surprisingly, it was a rather drawn-out one.

Eventually, when the sun was long gone and the board was nearly empty, Reina claimed the win with nothing but her own king. It was an exhilarating game that kept Reina on the edge of her seat, but when all was said and done, she exhaled, relieved for yet another win.

"Good game."

Her opponent reached across the table with an outstretched hand, and Reina firmly shook it. Despite her loss, the girl didn't seem bothered in the slightest, instead carrying herself with an unexpected grace.

"Thanks for the match," said the stranger, turning around with one last smile. "You're quite the talented player, aren't you?"

Reina froze. What was going on? Despite her weariness, she nodded, unsure of how to respond. Most of her opponents either left calmly or swore at her before storming off, upset that someone so young could best them.

But this girl was neither, even though she'd lost in one of the longest matches of Reina's life. She wasn't spiteful or bitter in the slightest; instead, she was more intrigued than anything. Reina wasn't used to attention. She wasn't sure if she even liked it, as that was more of Kanon's thing, but at that moment, she couldn't deny that it felt nice to be noticed.

"I am," Reina curtly said. "Are you a chess player yourself?"

The girl chuckled, her laugh as light as a pixie's. "I haven't played in quite a while, actually, so that was so much fun! There aren't many things that I'd describe myself as good as, but maybe, just maybe...we'll see. Maybe I'll get back into the game again."

Her smile softened, and there was a twinkle in the stranger's eyes that shone as bright as the moon. "Thank you again. You're quite the interesting person, you know that? I hope you have a wonderful night."

...

And just like that, she was gone, leaving Reina in bewildered silence.

✿

A few days passed before Reina found the time to play at the park again.

The entire time, she hadn't forgotten about the girl. She was unable to sleep that night, tossing and turning because of her smile, her kindness, and her sheer brilliance. She was so, so close to beating Reina, and truthfully, Reina was tired. She was growing bored of all the winning, itching for the chance to find an opponent who could help take her chess skills to the next level. It was the first time Reina truly considered pursuing her supposed hobby as a serious art.

Reina played a few quick matches that day. Her strategy was always the same - simply outmaneuvering the opponent. It wasn't anything serious. It wasn't anything merciless or deadly, like she'd later develop. The more she played, the more exhausted Reina grew, and the more her mind drifted back to the stranger.

"There you are! I was wondering when you'd be back here."

Reina jumped at the all-too-familiar voice. Sure enough, the girl was in front of her, elegant and pulled straight from Reina's memories. Reina stiffened, trying not to let her surprise show, even as question after question kept popping into her head.

"You're...you're back," Reina said, swallowing and regaining her composure. "No offense, but why are you back?"

That got another chuckle from the stranger, who sat down across from Reina just as she had before. "One game's far too little, don't you think? Especially when playing against someone like you."

"What does that mean?" Reina asked, her heart pounding with nervousness and curiosity. She wanted to know more. More. More. Who was this girl, and why did it feel like she was one of the pieces Reina needed in her life full of questions?

The stranger leaned forward, resting her head in her hands. "You seem like someone who's been searching your whole life for answers. Even now, you want to understand more, don't you? Not just about chess, but about something else."

Reina's eyes widened in shock. How...? How had this stranger, in a mere instant, understood everything about Reina's circumstances? There was more to her behind the sparkle in her eyes and her deceptively sweet smile, and for the first time, Reina was slightly terrified of her opponent.

"I'm somewhat similar, believe it or not," the girl explained. "I'm searching for something, too. It's not easy at all, right? It's scary and difficult to find the answers you want, but...I think we can help each other. What do you say?"

"Help each other?" Reina tried to move her gaze away from the stranger and down to the board, but she couldn't. "...Again, what do you mean?"

"It's simple," said the girl. "I want to play more matches with you. I'll come back and play chess with you over and over until I win. That's all I need. I think it'll help both of us, and it'll become a memory neither of us can ever forget."

I want to play you until I win.

Reina felt her heartbeat slowly fizzle out, and her fingers tingled. She'd never received an offer like this, but the girl was right. An opponent who could best her was just one of many things Reina was searching for. It was too good. How could Reina decline such an opportunity? She'd be a fool to do so, even if logically, it was a rash and impulsive decision to make.

She'd never had an opponent come back. The very determination the stranger showed was an unknown force of sorts, and one that would possibly propel her to victory. Reina's mind buzzed with an unusual excitement, and with one final deep breath, she nodded and took the girl's hand yet again.

"Deal," she said, gesturing back to the pieces. "Your move."

Chapter Text

When Miko woke up the morning after the Killing Wonder began to a dreadful greeting by Monohenka, his head still drummed with pain.

Unlike yesterday when it felt like he was living in a terrible nightmare, it all felt real. As Miko looked around the strange room, he was reminded that it wasn't a dream. The Wonderland he'd woken up in, the Ultimates he was surrounded by, and the horrible rabbit robot were all terribly real, and his life was at stake.

He sucked in a sharp breath. Snap out of it. Miko desperately tried to shove all of the questions and worries crowded around his head, but that didn't make the pain go away. Still, he forced himself to get up nonetheless, as it was all he could do.

He had to face each day with a determined mind. His knuckles still stung from his moment of rage, and for a split second, Miko regretted all of it. The anger, the tears, the fury - all of it. He wanted to take it all back, but what was done was done. There was no changing the past, and Miko knew that better than most. 

"Dammit." Miko swore as he stepped towards the door, trying to forget about the horrified and confused looks from those around him. He'd done so well in trying to forge friendships, but now, he wouldn't be surprised if some of them were already on the brink of ruin.

Still, he had to try. Miko had to move forward no matter what - to prove to himself that he was strong, to defeat the very game that had ruined the lives of many, and to figure out what the hell was going on with Ray, among other things.

Carefully, Miko opened his door and stepped out into the mansion hallway, ignoring the shakiness of his hands and the anxiety building up in his chest.

✿

✿

The smell of spices and seasoning reached Miko's nose as soon as he entered the tea-room-slash-dining-hall, and out of both curiosity and hunger, he opened the kitchen door to see none other than Ringo. 

Surprisingly, Miko relaxed. Ringo wasn't quite normal, but neither was anyone else, and he was refreshingly realistic compared to many of the other Ultimates. Miko couldn't forget about the saucier's immediate dislike of Ray, either.

"Oh." Ringo muttered something under his breath before going back to making whatever he was doing in a small triangular pan on the stove. "It's you. And here I thought everyone would sleep in and ignore that shitty alarm..."

"What are you making?" Miko asked, intrigued. He hoped to start a civil conversation instead of a battle of swear words, like the one that occurred when he and Ringo first met. (Although that was partially Sora's fault, too, but that was besides the point.)

Ringo tilted the pan up with a somewhat annoyed expression. "A breakfast for me? This early in the morning, what-fucking-else would I be making? It's not that hard to figure out."

Well, excuse me. Miko folded his arms and ignored the slight messiness of Ringo's hair. For poking at everyone else potentially sleeping in, you don't seem too keen to be up right now.

"It...smells nice," Miko said, unsure of how to break the awkward silence. Part of him was tempted to ask for some, but he knew better than to try. "Do you cook often? Besides, well, your talent and all."

"I mean, yeah. Why wouldn't I?" Ringo spat. "It's easy to learn how to make basic things like eggs and rice and crepes and all that. People who whine and complain about not knowing how to cook anything just need to get off their asses."

Miko let out a nervous cough, trying not to let a poor excuse of his own for being a mediocre chef slip out. "Are you making eggs for everyone, then? That would be quite helpful, but-"

"No." Ringo flat-out glared at him as he slid the perfectly-made omelette onto one plate for him and him alone. "Everyone else can do their own damn work. That includes you, okay? Don't think I can't see that stupid stare you're giving me. I'm not making you anything."

"I wasn't-"

"Everyone tries. Don't even bother. I know you were going to weasel your way up to eventually asking," said Ringo, jabbing his fork at Miko as if it were a weapon. "People are all the fucking same."

"Ah...okay. I get it." Miko took a shaky step back, trying to lie to himself and swear that no, he wouldn't even think about asking Ringo for food. He felt his cheeks flush a slight pink, embarrassed and still terribly hungry.

"...Geez."

After just one bite, Ringo turned back around, this time with a stare full of more confusion than anything else, much to Miko's surprise. The hostility and usual biting anger in his face seemed to fade, and the room didn't feel quite as horribly stagnant.

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me eating like a dumbass?" Ringo asked. 

"I'm not going to leave," Miko said. It was the truth, after all. He wanted to make conversation. He wanted to make friends. Maybe it was a stupid course of action in a killing game, but in that moment with Ringo, he followed his feelings more than anything else. "I just wanted to talk to you. Is that so bad?"

"I thought you were one of the more sensible ones, but right now, you're making no fucking sense," Ringo groaned. "especially after that shit you pulled yesterday. What kind of person even are you?"

Miko winced. Ringo made complete sense, but it still stung. The truth was that some of the Ultimates would be repulsed and confused by his actions yesterday, and Miko couldn't blame them in the slightest. That's not me. That's what he wanted to say, but he knew it wouldn't be enough. Still, he had to try. Miko always had to try, and his attempts to befriend everyone, including Ringo, were genuine. 

"I shouldn't have...I didn't mean to do that," Miko sighed. "It happened. I don't have an excuse for it, and I know you don't want any excuses, Ringo. But I do want to talk to you. I mean that more than anything else, honest."

Ringo pressed his lips together, unusually silent. Deep down, Miko wanted to think that Ringo believed him, especially given how he didn't like Ray, either. There was a hidden sincerity in Ringo's eyes that Miko desperately held onto. 

Before he could say anything, however, the sounds of commotion beyond the kitchen door caught both Miko and Ringo's attention.

Miko jumped at the noise. In just a few minutes, everyone else had seemingly poured into the dining hall, and now, the momentary peace he'd shared with Ringo in the kitchen shattered. 

The door suddenly burst open to reveal Kanon, which only further intensified Miko's nervousness. Despite the flicker of distress in her face, she was still as elegant as ever, like a ray of heaven flooding through the gates.

It was Ringo's behavior that surprised Miko the most. Instead of reacting with yet another outburst, at the sight of Kanon, he was strangely more calm than before as he asked, "...What the fuck is going on out there?"

"Oh...Ringo." Kanon paused, taking her hand off of the door. It took her a few moments to even notice Miko. "Ah, and Miko, too! Good morning! I hope you slept well, I wish I could greet you in better fashion, but...there's already some arguing going on and, well, I wanted to escape it for just a little while."

"Arguing?" Without thinking, Miko's immediate concern got the better of him, and he opened the door once again with the hope of quelling the conflict.

Much to his dismay, the sight in the dining hall had immediately quieted down. All Miko saw was an angry Sora storming out through the exit, and the heavy silence that followed her leave was deafening.

The source of Sora's annoyance was all too clear. Aspen, who was seated on a stool and looking as if a movie had just unfolded before him, shrugged as he crossed his legs. "I don't know what she's getting so upset about again. It's too early in the morning for her to be yelling, don't you think? My, my, what a bother."

"You literally provoked her," Reina flatly said.

"Mmm, no, I didn't!" Aspen giggled, his usual smug smile as prominent as ever. "See, that's the funny thing - the lovely Sora's so quick to always inflate herself at the cost of putting others down. Hypocritical and egotistical, don't you think? But it does add to her charm at the same time, so that's why I can't bring myself to hate it."

Ako rolled her eyes. "Aaaand there's the pot calling the kettle black..."

"Ooh, did someone mention a teapot?" Matsuri, who was completely out of it, practically bounced over to Ako's side. "Aww, my precious honeybee, I can always count on you to think of me when the thinking requires some thought!"

If that wasn't enough, Daisuke had already fallen back asleep at a table in the back of the room, leaving Miko to watch in stunned silence. He felt his head start to spin all over again, and his goal of befriending all the strange Ultimates around him slowly began to slip through the cracks of his mind.

Ringo's irritation and grumpiness at talking to the rest of the group made a tad bit more sense. Nevertheless, Miko tried to focus on Sora more than anything, as he knew that at least she could be kind. 

"Hey, come on, you guys! Sora ran off because of you!"

...

Ah. Thankfully, there was still Koharu, who shook her head in dismay and disappointment. 

"It wasn't because of all of us," said Ako, gesturing over to Aspen, who was as snug as a caterpillar. "It was just him. You won't get anywhere if you try to sully my name, got it?"

"Okay, okay, whatever, I don't care!" Koharu frantically waved her arms around, failing to lighten the mood as she stuck her tongue out at Aspen. "I'm going to go find Sora! And then maybe we can all eat together or...something. Something nice, okay? So don't move! Nobody move!"

"I'm coming with you," said Miko, making his decision right then and there. The memories of his and Koharu's first meeting came back one after the other, and they were some of the ones Miko clung to the most. They had a connection. They had something that reminded Miko of family and belonging and home - all words that he felt like he didn't truly understand.

Koharu paused, but her surprise didn't last long. In an instant, she moved forward and practically latched onto Miko's arm, tugging him along while waving goodbye with her other hand. 

"Then we're going!" Koharu declared, moving towards the exit just as fast, if not (or maybe) a tad bit slower, than Sora. "Me and Miko, off to find my best friend, and nothing can stop us now, no arguments, no sleeping people, no lack of food, no nothing...!"

✿

Thankfully, it didn't take Koharu long to let go of Miko's arm. Her grip was surprisingly firm, and Miko rubbed the side of his arm, hoping it wouldn't leave a small bruise. Did she really want me to go with her that badly...?

At the same time, though, it was warm. Being around Koharu felt like being around a fragment of the sun itself, and Miko couldn't ignore how fuzzy his head felt, as if he was being enveloped in a tight embrace.

They fell at an even pace as they made their way towards the large forest, and thankfully, the silence between them didn't last long. It was the chipper Koharu who started a conversation, and much to Miko's dismay, there was a look of amusement slowly spreading across her face.

"You and Ray, huh?"

The mere mention of Ray's name was enough to deflate Miko's spirits, and he struggled not to let his disgust show. "What about him?"

"Just...the two of you. I mean, you punched him yesterday - that has to mean something, right?" said Koharu. "Sora mentioned that you two knew each other, and...I get that you don't like him. I get that you don't like each other, but for both of you to be here..."

Miko sighed, unsurprised by Koharu's questions. It made sense that she was hesitant and nervous around him, but it didn't change the fact that he wanted to befriend her. Her, specifically, over most of the other Ultimates, but now, that chance was gone.

"I know," Miko confessed, "that it wasn't right of me to do. Ray and I, our relationship has been bitter for a long, long time, and-"

"No, no, it's not that! Stop it!" Koharu interrupted. "I'm not - Miko, I'm not mad at you! Or scared of you, or anything like that at all!"

...What?

Just like that, the preconceived notions and beliefs Miko had shattered. He stopped in his tracks, taken aback by Koharu's words and her energy and her kindness and everything. Everything about her made her a friend Miko wanted to cling to.

Humans were governed by emotion, and the fear in everyone's eyes yesterday was abundantly clear. Miko remembered how yesterday, even Koharu looked afraid of him, but today, that fear was nowhere to be seen, as if her belief in him was magically stronger than the worst of possibilities. 

How is that possible if, logically, we're still strangers?

It didn't make sense, but to Miko, it didn't need to. The mere possibility of friendship was enough for him, and for the first time since waking up, he didn't feel scared in the slightest. For the first time, everything felt like it might be okay.

Koharu stopped walking when he did. When she turned to face him, she was smiling, and the light burning within her was unfading and painfully bright. 

"I said I get it, didn't I?" she said. "Well, okay, um...no, that's not right. I don't get it get it. I don't understand how you feel about Ray to cause something like that, and I'm sure I'll never fully understand how he feels about you, either. It's probably bad, but..."

She sucked in a breath, trying to calm herself down. Seeing Koharu's own nervousness about making a friend show helped Miko relax, if anything. 

"But...I still want to know you. You're a good person! I can just...tell," Koharu explained. "And yeah, maybe punching Ray wasn't a good thing to do, but you're okay now, aren't you? And you tried apologizing! That means something, okay, Miko? And that's why...that's why I still want to try. I still want to be your friend, even if you're ashamed of your own actions and emotions - which you really shouldn't be, like I said."

She extended a hand out, and when she looked into Miko's eyes, her gaze was firm and unwavering. Her smile was replaced by an expression of sheer determination, and Miko had no choice but to accept it. 

"What's...the hand for?" he asked, a little overwhelmed by Koharu's admittedly sudden support.

"For you to shake," Koharu exclaimed. "like, um, a pact! Or a deal or promise or something. Just something fun, okay? Something to say that we'll try and be friends, or that I'm not mad at you at all. Something to show that we care about each other, even if it's just a little bit."

Despite the silliness and impulsivity of the gesture, Miko shook Koharu's hand nonetheless, her grip just as warm as before. To him, it was more a sign of hope than anything else - a sign that hopefully, they'd move from strangers to good friends, despite the circumstances.

Thank you.

The words nearly escaped his lips, but Miko kept them to himself. He instead chose to save them for the inevitable future when he and Koharu were close.

Much to Miko's dismay, however, Koharu didn't let go of his hand. Before he could ask why their handshake was so prolonged or why the twinkle in her eye was slowly getting more and more mischievous-

- She pulled Miko a little closer, and her voice was akin to that of a nosy toddler as she asked, "Okay, now that that's done and we're all fun and happy again...you and Ray."

"What about me and Ray?" Miko murmured, trying to quicken his pace and continue their search. Koharu let go of his arm, but she didn't leave his side, her smile turning more prominent and childish by the second.

"You know." She let out a small whistle, trying to play off her itching curiosity as an innocent gesture. The more Miko walked with her and caught sight of her cheeky grin, the more a hole of shame opened up in his chest.

He coughed again, desperately hoping that some chance miracle could change the subject to something far more pleasant. "No, I don't."

"I think you do."

"Hm, did the artificial lighting change? The forest leaves look a tad bit more pleasant today-"

"Stop avoiding the question, Miko!" Koharu said, lightly bumping his shoulder. "You know, don't you? Maybe I'm being nosy, sure, but you can tell me, please? Please? Pleaaaase tell me the deal between you and Ray."

"There is no deal," Miko muttered. "You're being idiotic, as much as I hate to say it."

Koharu pouted, unamused. "But Sora asked you yesterday, too. See? I'm not the only one who wants to know what kind of history the two of you have."

"Wha-?" Somehow, the particular use of "history" was what made Miko more annoyed than anything else, and calming his spirits was proving to be more and more difficult. "...You're telling me Sora wants to know this, too?"

"Mhm." Koharu eagerly nodded. "Don't you remember what she asked you? Or, well, what she asked me when I first met you two. I thought it was a totally weird question at the time, but looking back on it..."

Oh god. 

Miko knew denial wouldn't save him much longer, and he felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment and anger. While being around Koharu and being able to bring up nasty topics such as Ray around her wasn't bad, it didn't mean he was free from getting flustered.

"I'll ask it again, since she didn't ask you directly. But...I'll be super brave and ask you," Koharu said, pausing to take a deep breath. Miko winced, mentally preparing himself for a question that a grade-schooler obsessed with a celebrity's life would ask.

Despite Koharu's apparent bravery, when she spoke, her words were far quieter like that of a mouse. "Have you...you and Ray. Have you, you know..."

"Have we what?" Miko was growing tired of Koharu's antics, waiting for when she'd move on to a much more normal and sensible topic. Still, he couldn't help but indulge her, and the warmth of her handshake still lingered even beneath his gloves.

"You know." Koharu stared up at him as if her question was the most obvious thing in the world. "Have you, even if it wasn't out of, like, good feelings or something like that, done..."

...It was worse than I could've ever imagined.

"No." Miko's response was short and direct as he stormed forward, hoping the redness on his face would calm down at any moment. "We're done. Talk about something else, Koharu, or I'm going ahead and continuing this search myself."

"Wait, no, come back, Miko! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I couldn't help it-! Okay, ummm, what's your favorite color? Food? Really, I didn't mean to offend you!"

In truth, Miko wasn't that offended once he calmed down. Talking with Koharu proved to be a far easier and better endeavor than thinking about Ray, the Killing Wonder, and the other possible unpleasant factors surrounding him.

"So...your favorite food is strawberries," said Miko, trying to commit the recently-received list of Koharu's "favorites" to memory. "And your favorite time of year is October, because you love Halloween, and you like bunnies."

"Three-for-three. Look at you! A true friend already," Koharu exclaimed. "And, um...you like cranberries, right? Bit of a weird choice, but I don't judge. And your birthday's in February, so you like winter but you don't really have a preference...did I get that right?"

Birthday. Hm. The word "birthday" was another one that didn't sit quite right with Miko, but he ignored it for now and nodded, happy to see Koharu's smile brighten. Even though their pace had significantly slowed, the time he spent with someone was more valuable than anything else.

As they reached the end of the path to the mansion, though, the pleasant mood was unfortunately ruined at the sound of a chipper voice.

"Aw, hi there! Wow, isn't the forest just so lively today?"

...Ray. Miko sighed, both unsurprised and still disappointed. "Hello to you too, Ray." Facing the person he'd punched yesterday and had disliked for years was one thing, but to be interrupted by him was another.

Ray popped up over Miko's shoulder and swiftly cut in front of him and Koharu, rolling his eyes at Miko's distaste. "I was greeting Koharu, actually."

"Oh, hi, Ray!" Koharu, energetic as ever, happily waved, but there was a nervous shakiness back in her voice. Whether it's from seeing a stranger-slash-celebrity or someone she was talking about earlier, I'm not quite sure...

Miko eyed Ray's cheek, which was just as clear and pristine as always. As if yesterday never happened. "Nice concealer work, hm?"

"Compliment me later, Queenie." Ray hooked his arm around Koharu's as he matched her pace. "Anyway, what are you two doing? A little cute bug by the name of Aspen told me there was a search going on."

"That's...kinda ironic," said Koharu, "because we're looking for Sora, actually. Aspen made her upset, so I wanted to find her. The mansion seems like the most reasonable place she would go to, right?"

"We briefly looked around the tree of trickery," Miko said. "If she's not there or in the dining hall, she has to be here. Koharu, do you know which room is Sora's? Maybe you could try talking to her first, given that you two are best friends."

"Aw, cute. How could anyone forget about your friendship? Your positivity is what we all need to keep our spirits up, Koharu," Ray commented. 

Miko expected Koharu to fall for his compliments hook, line, and sinker. He was used to it, after all. Much to his surprise, Koharu hooked her other arm around Miko's, trying to bring him back into the conversation.

"Thanks! But, uh...you don't need to compliment me all the time, Ray. You know that you can befriend someone without always flattering them, right?" Koharu said, tugging on Ray's arm to get his attention. "It's more natural that way. Not like I'm the number-one expert or anything, but...okay. Okay, what I'm trying to say is that you don't need to compliment me to make me like you!"

It was yet another simple but new piece of advice. Even Miko was caught off-guard, and he looked over to see Ray hesitate, a response not immediately on the tip of his tongue. 

His smile wasn't as obnoxiously big as usual, but instead, there was a certain rare softness to it that Miko caught a glimpse of. "I'd say you're actually really good at giving advice, but you told me not to give compliments, so fine, fine. I concede. But hey, Koharu - you're like a little wonder girl, you know that?"

Koharu giggled. "Wonder girl? That kinda sounds like a book title, don't you think?"

Ray's gaze briefly flickered down to Koharu's pocket. Before Miko could do the same, he asked, "Say, Koharu..."

"Huh?" Koharu blinked before adding a small skip into her step. "Why are you stopping now? Come on, come on, we need to go! The wonder girl and her two companions go to search for her dear best friend..."

For the first time in a while, Miko couldn't blame Ray's surprise about Koharu's energy - in fact, he emphasized with it. As Koharu pulled them both towards the mansion to search, the fuzziness in Miko's head hadn't died down, even with Ray around.

✿

The rest of the day passed by in an unexpected blur, much to Miko's relief. After finding Sora in the mansion, trying (and failing) to scold Aspen for teasing her, shaking Ray off, and making some meals for himself, Miko was exhausted, to say the least.

The artificial sun had already set by the time he made his way back to the mansion, ready for an early night's rest. Even though the sky above him was fake, Miko couldn't help but admire the beauty of the stars. Slowly but surely, yesterday's events and his actions were disappearing from everyone's minds.

I'm not mad at you. Miko remembered Koharu's words more than anything else. If she can believe in me, everyone else can, too. Right?

...

...Even me.

Belief was a strange thing to Miko, amidst many other concepts. He'd believed in his parents when they did their best for him. He'd believed in Mao when she was hurt and recovering. In the past, he even believed in Ray, searching for the goodness inside him for years. 

He believed in Yui, even when she'd been gone for those very same years. The one person Miko had never fully believed in was himself. With all the unknowns floating around and so many questions in his life, how could he fully believe in himself if he didn't know who that person was? 

It made him stop in his tracks. For a few moments, he stood and looked up at the stars, unsure of when or how to tear himself away. His eyes locked on the fake moon above him, like anchoring himself to a comforting presence. Miko felt as if he was a boat lost at sea, drifting down the waves until someone, anyone, something - caught him. He felt lost, but it was oddly peaceful. The little steps are what matter the most, right?

"...How long have you been standing there?"

...

Miko jumped at the sound of Reina's voice.

She stood behind him with her arms crossed and a curious look in her eyes, her face as stern as ever. Instead of embarrassment, though, Miko felt more nervous than anything else. It was Reina, after all. Reina, whose presence alone was enough to intimidate him.

But when it was just the two of them, surrounded by nothing else but the garden and silence, how could Miko be afraid? 

"Not long," he said, answering with the simple truth. "Just...it's a little pretty, so I stopped. Was the moon out yesterday?"

Reina shook her head, taking a step closer. "I didn't look. I went straight to bed. If it's fake, crafted by human hands instead of the world, then...it gets rid of the point of looking up."

"That's...one way to put it," Miko replied, trying not to let his confusion show. Even when talking about something entirely non-strategical, like the moon, Reina's cutthroat, logical approach never disappeared.

The chessmaster tilted her head. "You look...displeased. Tell me then, Miko. Why does the moon fascinate you?"

Miko's eyes widened, caught off-guard by Reina's inquiry. "Why are you asking? I mean, I'd be happy to tell you, just-"

"Curiosity." Reina's gaze briefly flickered to the ground, but her question still stood. "Your mindset, it's just...like my sister's. That's all. Even when she perplexes or annoys me with her way of thinking, I can't help but want to understand it. Is that so wrong?"

My sister.

Miko flinched at the mention of Kanon. The girl from my dreams. He noticed how Reina's voice softened when talking about her, but he couldn't forget about their dismissive relationship. One moment, they cared, and the next, neither one wanted anything to do with the other. 

To be compared to Kanon was one thing. To be compared to Kanon by Reina was another, but Miko swallowed his thoughts down and focused on giving Reina an answer. 

"I suppose..." He stared back up at the moon, taking in its presence, no matter how man-made it was in Wonderland. "Throughout my entire life, as far as I can remember, the moon has always been a constant, and a beautiful one at that. Some of my biggest childhood memories are related to the moon, like looking at it with an old friend. She...said I reminded her of the moon, actually. I suppose that adds to why I have a certain fondness to it, if that makes sense."

He looked over at Reina, nervous about what she'd think. Surprisingly, she'd looked up at the moon while he'd been talking, lost in thought. The tranquility of the moment stuck in Miko's mind, and somehow, he doubted he'd be able to spend it with anyone but Reina.

"You...really do think like her," Reina said, breaking the silence. "My sister. Kanon, I mean. You two...you have that same emotional view of the world that I can't fully understand, no matter how hard I've tried."

She looked back at Miko, her expression a tad bit softer than before. "But I can't shake the feeling that we share many things in common as well, Miko."

"Really?" Miko blinked, stunned by her assumption. "I mean, not that that's a bad thing at all, but-"

"You've thought about it too, haven't you?" Reina asked. "Our similarities when it comes to the many questions in our lives...that's something I've noticed. You don't have an Ultimate talent, yet you're here. That can't be the only question you have about yourself right now, can it?"

It was as if she'd scanned Miko's brain inside and out. He was at a loss for words, scrambling to think of something to say, but Reina's words had left him speechless. How could he respond to that? To a stranger, to someone as logical and precise as Reina, saying that after just comparing Miko to her sister?

She wasn't wrong. Miko couldn't deny that. "The questions in our lives...you're not wrong, Reina. There's so many questions I have about myself, my life, everything around me, but...how? How did you know that?"

And why is that similar to you? To what you've experienced?

What have you experienced, Reina?

"I..." Reina paused. Suddenly, she was the one who looked flustered, and her gaze dropped to the ground again as if she'd made a mistake. "I don't know. Call it an assumption, I suppose. It's unusual for me to assume things without reason, but..."

"But you weren't wrong," said Miko, finishing her thought. "About me. About us sharing something in common."

It was the truth. If Reina had so many unknowns governing her life, too, then how could Miko ignore her? Even if she was a stranger or someone to be scared of, he couldn't turn her away.

"Reina." Saying her name out loud felt like a weight being released off of Miko's shoulders. "If you're also searching for answers...then I'd like to offer my help in any way I can. It may be presumptuous of me, but-"

"It's not."

For the first time, Reina looked up and met Miko's gaze, and there was a hint of sincerity buried deep within her eyes. It was a tender expression, as if it was a speck of gold buried underneath the dirt for ages.

"It's not presumptuous," said Reina, "to ask. No one ever has."

Miko took a step back, stunned by her words. No one? Suddenly, the once-powerful chessmaster looked, for a brief moment, like a small girl. Someone who just needed an ear, a person, a friend to confide in.

Slowly, Reina was becoming more than just a stranger. To Miko, she was becoming more and more of an enigma, but one he wanted to uncover. It was like she was the first step he needed to take in order to uncover the answers to his own life, as if her solutions and his were loosely intertwined.

"No one's ever asked to help you? Not even Kanon?" Miko said.

The mention of her sister yet again made Reina flinch, and she gripped her sleeve as she tore her eyes away from Miko's yet again. "...She's my sister. I'll always care for her. I'll always care about her. What she does with that has never been any of my business."

She stepped forward, now turning her back on him as her shoulders sagged in regret. "But...think about my words. Sleep would be best for both of us now. I'll see you in the morning, Miko."

Don't go. 

The words almost carelessly slipped from Miko's throat, but instead, he swallowed and watched as the distance between him and Reina continued to grow. Still, he couldn't leave their conversation like that. He couldn't forget about Reina's offer or the loneliness buried deep within her words.

"Goodnight, Reina," Miko said, powerless and unable to stop her from walking away.

He expected her to leave it at that. He expected Reina to turn away for good and later take back her choice to confide in Miko, no matter how brief it was. Miko wouldn't have been surprised, only disappointed.

But instead, Reina paused, looking over her shoulder with one final tender gaze. The same questions that Miko had been chasing his whole life were enveloped in her face, and the same confusion that Miko emphasized with was all too present in Reina.

She was right. Miko was similar to both her and Kanon, and it felt like a wrench tearing at his heart, pulling him in two different directions. 

Reina sighed, and for a moment, a flicker of a smile passed over her face. It was as if she was proving Miko wrong, telling him that she didn't regret her choice, her words, or her sincerity, even if her cold demeanor would come back once more in the morning.

"Goodnight to you too, Miko," Reina curtly said. 

Just for a second, Miko was happy to talk to her, too. The answers we both seek are getting closer and closer, aren't they? Strangely, deep down, Miko had a feeling that the answers Reina was searching for weren't quite different from his own.

✿

Chapter Text

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

"Good morning...everyone. It is now time...to wake up. Eight in the morning. However, please...come to the rabbit hole. Where you all woke up. First. Yesterday. Come there. It's...important. Do not eat. Or go back...to sleep. Go there now. That...is an order. A request. From me. Thank you. Thank you. Sincerely...Monohenka. Goodbye."

✿

The intercom shut off, and Miko, still drowsy after a long night's rest, flopped back into his bed.

Hearing Monohenka's choppy voice first thing in the morning was already exhausting enough, but for her to request his - and everyone's - presence only made Miko feel even more tired than usual. With a sigh, he forced himself to sit up again, tugging at his one annoying strand of hair that never seemed to calm down.

As Miko braided his hair and splashed water onto his face, Monohenka's odd request continued to stick in the forefront of his mind. What does she want with us already? She was a robot, yes, and programmed to carry out the horrible Killing Wonder, but for a split second, Miko felt strangely bad for her, especially given her glitchy and incomplete nature.

His thoughts eventually drifted back to yesterday night and his conversation with Reina, and Miko froze. Reina also braided her hair. Reina also took the effort to look as crisp and pristine as possible. Those similarities combined with her words lingered in his head.

You've thought about it too, haven't you? Our similarities when it comes to the many questions in our lives.

She was right. The thing about Reina was that she was always right, and it scared Miko more than anything else.

No, I need to focus. Miko snapped himself out of his brief trance and focused on getting ready, more so because he didn't want Monohenka to be more insufferable and creepy than she already was if he was late.

✿

Unsurprisingly, Miko was one of the first to arrive at the rabbit hole. The spiral above him into an artificial light source was just as captivating and mysterious as it was the first time, and Miko couldn't help but stop and stare.

The one person there before him was, as expected, Sora. The speed that the watchmaker worked at never failed to impress Miko, and Sora didn't seem tired in the slightest. "Glad to see someone else here cares about being efficient."

"Good morning, Sora," Miko said. Yesterday, she didn't seem to be scared of him, but today, there was no Koharu for Miko to fall back on. Still, out of all the Ultimates, Sora was someone Miko knew he could trust, and he hoped that was enough.

Sora raised an eyebrow. "You seem awfully stiff. Did you even sleep last night? And there's bags under your eyes, too...geez, that's not a good look at all."

"What?" Miko immediately rubbed his eyes, trying to knock some sense into himself. "I'm sure it's not a big deal, I suppose I didn't check enough when I got ready-"

"I'm just kidding," Sora chuckled, a grin spreading across her face. "Consider that a way of showing my gratitude for being almost as timely and precise as me. Seriously, are people that slow these days?"

"Oh." Miko instantly relaxed. Typical Sora, I suppose. The joke, while a tad cruel, made him feel better. He couldn't forget about Sora's true kindness, especially when she found out about his lack of an Ultimate talent, and slowly, the trust between them was gradually rebuilding itself.

Before he could respond, however, the sound of more footsteps cut through the air. Miko looked up to see none other than Ako and Kanon, who were already engaged in conversation and dressed in their usual intricate outfits.

Kanon, friendly as always, happily waved. "Good morning, you two! Did you sleep well? I'll admit that this announcement scared me, but...we're here now, and that's what's important, right?"

"You say that as if I didn't have to wake you up," Ako muttered, checking her nails. "Well, it's no bother. But if this robot keeps making these foolish requests with the thought of controlling our actions, then..."

"Are you seriously saying you're going to defy her?" Sora snapped. "Listen, I know you want to pretend to be all high-and-mighty, but there's a difference between that and being downright idiotic! Think somewhat rationally here!"

"Are you saying you don't have the nerve to stand up for yourself?" Ako countered. "I didn't think of you as a coward, Sora. I suppose I was right in saying that our individual successes speak for who's the better one between the two of us, then."

"Why, you-!"

"Stop it, stop it, both of you!" said Kanon, stepping in between the two before Sora's rage got the better of her. "Fine, yes, Ako, you had to wake me up, and I'm very grateful for that. If not for you, then I certainly would've overslept, haha..."

A hint of a smile flickered over Ako's face. "You're lucky to have me."

"I know. That's what best friends are for!" Kanon exclaimed, squeezing Ako's arm as a sign of thanks. Thankfully, her very presence and calming words seemed to be enough to calm Sora down, much to Miko's relief.

It didn't take long for everyone else to filter into the rabbit hole. What surprised Miko the most was that Koharu and Ray walked in together, but she still took the time to say hello. Daisuke was practically on the verge of falling asleep again, Sora avoided Aspen despite his protests, Ringo was as grumpy as ever, and Matsuri was bouncing off the walls. Even Reina seemed a bit overwhelmed with the sudden turn of events.

"Are we starting yet?" Daisuke asked, having pulled up a chair to sit on. "It's too early for this, geez...and I know no one else wants to be here, either..."

"Daisuke's so right," Aspen agreed, much to the fencer's dismay. "Hey, Monohenka, where are you at? Ugh, and to think I actually rushed to get here, too. Okay, on a scale from one to ten, is my hair better or worse than usual?"

Sora rolled her eyes. "No one cares, Ass-pen..."

"I think it looks even better than usual, so a ten in the right direction," said Ray, shooting Aspen a cheerful wink. "Besides, I trust our time isn't being wasted. Now that we're all here, it should be any minute now! How exciting, right?"

"You're being too loud," Daisuke murmured. "It's shaping up to be a long day already..."

"Even I'm a little worried," said Koharu, inching a little closer to Miko. "Um, what could Monohenka possibly want with us anyway? None of us broke any rules, right? Right, guys...?"

As soon as silence filled the room once more, however, the lights shut off, plunging everyone into near-total darkness. A few screams of terror popped up, but Miko swallowed his nervousness down. Everyone knew what was coming, and flashbacks of the robot's first entrance came to mind.

Soon after, the lights flickered back on again to reveal Monohenka, standing on her little podium once more. Her half-smile was as eerie as always, and her movements were jarring and sporadic, as if even whatever was running her wasn't fully in control.

"Good...morning, everyone," Monohenka greeted, doing her best to wave. "I hope...you all slept well. Very well. Sorry...for startling you. Please accept my...sincerest apologies. I am very, very...sorry."

"AAH! Why do you always scare me?!" Koharu screamed. She immediately clung to Sora's arm out of fear, and out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw Sora begrudgingly hold her tighter.

"Can you just get to the point..." Daisuke sighed, perhaps the most eager to leave out of everyone. 

Monohenka tilted her head, still unnaturally stiff. "...As you request. Yes. It's important to be...timely. Timely, timely. Time to announce, then...that I have an event. Like I said earlier, this is...a request. From me to you."

A request?

That got Miko's full attention, as it did for everyone else. Suddenly, all eyes were on Monohenka. She briefly stared into space, as if everyone's new silence caused her to stop for a moment, too.

"It's...a simple request. Not difficult at all," Monohenka flatly explained. "All I need you to do is...search. I have placed something important around here, but...I fail to remember where it is. So...I call on you all to find it."

As expected, murmurs of confusion and hushed whispers gradually filled the room. Miko himself was confused. Monohenka's instructions were vague, but at the same time, he knew there wouldn't be much else to get out of her.

"What the fuck?" Ringo was, unsurprisingly, one of the most vocal when it came to his complaints. "Why are you making us run around and do your shitty work?"

"Also, what's the important thing you've mentioned?" said Aspen. "You can at least be a little more clear about that, especially if you're suddenly demanding us to perform such a tedious search."

Daisuke tugged his hat further down over his head. "This sounds pointless to me, especially because a piece of junk like you is the one making the request..."

Monohenka barely flinched, unbothered by everyone's protests. "I...apologize. But...please. Please, look. All I can promise is that it will be...valuable. Important. For both of us. So...please. This is all I ask of you...you talented Ultimates. I...am sorry in advance. Please. Please. Please, search..."

Her head twitched again, and in the blink of an eye, she was gone once more, leaving everyone in a frustrated state of surprise.

Miko folded his arms, trying to gather his thoughts. For once, Monohenka seemed sincere, despite her robotic nature, and he couldn't ignore that. He'd never been one to ignore the feelings of others, no matter how much he despised them. He was a person of the heart, after all, even if he was occasionally seen as "heartless".

The one exception to Miko's principle was the first to speak up.

"So, what should we do?" Ray asked. Even he wasn't as chipper as always. "I mean, do we really have to listen to her?"

"She didn't mention that we'd get punished for not looking," Aspen pointed out. 

Sora sighed, reluctant to agree with her rival. "Not that I'm saying you're right, but...yes, Monohenka could've been more efficient with this. The timeliness of this announcement is another thing - if she really wanted our help, why ask us so suddenly?"

"But...shouldn't we at least try?" said Kanon, the first to actually speak up in Monohenka's favor. Her words were just as sincere as Miko's initial thoughts. "It doesn't hurt to search. Monohenka mentioned that it'll be important to us as well."

Koharu nodded. "Kanon's right! There's no harm in trying - I feel kinda bad, don't you think? She seemed really down."

"She's a robot," Daisuke muttered.

"But she felt bad, I could tell! Just...I could tell," Koharu repeated, struggling to think of a coherent argument. "Look, okay, maybe that doesn't make sense, but, um...Kanon's right. Like she said, I think we should at least try. Or, well, some of us could try? Maybe?"

"It does sound like it'll be exciting," Matsuri chirped. "A fun little scavenger hunt to start off the day! Ooh, the more I think about it, the more excited I get. What kind of prize will await us? What kind of prize could be both important to us and to our rowdy robotic friend?"

Ako rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't describe that thing as 'rowdy'...but I suppose it doesn't hurt to try, like Kanon said."

Kanon smiled, thrilled by everyone agreeing with her. Miko couldn't deny that her ability to swiftly take hold and change the conversation for the better was admirable, but more than anything else, he couldn't stop thinking about the dream.

"If we're going, it would be safer to travel in pairs, especially if we're doing an extensive search," Kanon suggested. "And if anyone finds anything, we can communicate using our Monocards. Does that work?"

"But we don't have to search," said Daisuke, "so...I'm leaving. Good luck to you all..."

"I'm out, too," Ringo bluntly said, but not before shooting a glance at Kanon. It was as if he was worried about her reaction more than anything else, which stuck in Miko's head even after he left the room.

"Waiiiit, but if Daisuke left, then..." Matsuri was quick to latch onto Ako's arm as she switched which of her eyes was open, much to the flutist's dismay. "I'll go with the little honeybee here, yay!"

Ako scowled, but nevertheless, she didn't pull away. "I told you to stop calling me that. And I wanted to go with Kanon, too."

"Then I'm going with Koharu!" Ray declared, looping his arm through hers. "Weren't we still talking about all my accomplishments? If you're a little confused, don't worry, wonder girl - I'm happy to keep talking about fashion."

"Oh, um, okay! Talk about inflating your ego, haha," said Koharu. Despite her agreement, Miko noticed the brief nervous glance she gave him. Part of him wondered if she'd taken his advice about Ray, or if she was still slightly intimidated by him. No matter how friendly and sunny she was, at heart, she was always still a tad bit awkward. 

"Well, Sora?" Aspen extended a hand. "Come on, put all your grief aside and be practical with me. You know how efficient we are if we work together, right?"

Sora groaned. "Ugh, you really are such an ass, but fine, fine, you're right...but just this once, okay? You owe me after this, you hear me?"

Miko internally sighed in relief when Ray partnered up with someone, even if he was a tad bit worried for Koharu. He cast a glance around the room as more and more pairs started to trickle out. The only people left to partner up with are...

He froze.

...Kanon and Reina.

Miko's mind raced with fear over having to choose between the sisters. He remembered his conversation with Reina, and how, even for just a short moment, he felt connected to her. But at the same time, there was also Kanon. Beautiful, angelic, kind Kanon - the girl pulled straight from his dreams. Both sisters were the closest links Miko had to answering some of his questions, and it felt like he was stuck on a thin bridge, unable to choose which side he should run to.

Before he could make the dreadful decision, however, Reina spoke up for him and said, "I'll go alone, then."

"What?" Kanon immediately reached out to stop her sister. "No, Reina, don't be stupid! Come on, we'll go in a group of three. It's safest that way, and besides, I don't want you to-"

"I said," Reina repeated, her voice much sharper than before, "that I'm going alone, Kanon. Just...let me search alone. I need some time, that's all."

She left no room for arguments. Kanon was powerless and unable to stop her sister as the click of her heels echoed along the floor, marking her departure. A heavy silence hung behind her as Miko and Kanon stood alone in the rabbit hole, automatically partners for Monohenka's search.

"Well, then."

Kanon turned towards Miko, and just like that, a graceful smile was back on her face. Miko's mind instantly went back to the recurring memory of that one dream. Who are you? Who are you, Kanon? It was as if she was always too good to be true, like a deity pulled straight from the heavens. It was eerie, enchanting, and magical, and whatever happened, whoever Kanon really was, Miko knew he couldn't let her go, just like her sister.

"Are you ready, Miko?" Kanon asked, not disappointed in the slightest. Miko couldn't help but wonder if she knew, too. It was as if there was a string of deja vu connecting both of them, and all Miko had to do was clear away the haze.

✿

The two of them decided to go search the interior of the mansion. As they walked there, however, Miko couldn't ignore how he felt strangely at peace yet incredibly nervous at the same time. Being by Kanon's side was already slightly scary, but deep down, Miko also felt safe and protected, like he was wrapped under a pair of soft wings.

"How are you doing, Miko?" Kanon asked, quick to strike up a conversation. "I didn't see you around much yesterday, aside from briefly popping into the kitchen. What's on your mind?"

"I'm...doing all right, for the most part," Miko said. He was being honest. He couldn't hide anything from Kanon, after all, and he doubted anyone could. "I suppose I'm still overwhelmed and tired, especially considering the nature of this game, but I've done my best not to think about it."

Kanon nodded. "I completely understand. Denial's sometimes the best way to go, isn't it?"

"Ah...I wouldn't call it denial, per se," said Miko. He felt guilty for even correcting Kanon. "It's just...my mind's been drifting to other things. Making friends, how to adjust to life here...maybe it is denial, but maybe it's better to think of it as focusing on more imminent things."

"Isn't this game an imminent threat, though?" Kanon replied. "Not to sound like I'm saying you're wrong or anything, of course. Just...the thought that someone here could die, really die, hasn't been something I can easily forget about."

"That's..." Miko bit the inside of his lip. This is a killing game. The Killing Wonder. Thinking about the brutal nature of the game was different for him, as he knew about the past ones. He knew things that Kanon didn't. He knew so much, and yet, when trapped in a Wonderland, Miko felt as if he now knew too little.

Kanon briefly stared down at the ground, and for a moment, Miko wanted to apologize. If she was hurt, he had to help her. If she was sad, Miko had to cheer her up. It felt only natural, despite the fact that Kanon was practically still a stranger.

"I'm sorry about my sister, by the way," said Kanon, swiftly changing the conversation. "You've probably figured this out, but...stuff like that isn't unusual for her. Although she seemed far more harsh than usual, I'm trying not to think too much into it."

"It's not unusual?" Miko asked. He wanted to know more, especially given that after his conversation with Reina last night, he expected her to be in slightly better spirits.

Kanon let out a heavy sigh. "It's not, unfortunately. Reina and I...recently, we've always been like that. I'll always care for her, but I can't help but question if she feels the same. We're family. Aren't we supposed to care for each other, no matter what happens between us?"

Miko opened his mouth to respond, but the words didn't come. After all, he didn't know what to say, especially when it came to a topic such as family.

He felt Kanon's eyes on him again, as if she sensed his discomfort and the inner workings of his heart. Miko met her gaze, which was laced with its usual true sympathy. Even when talking about something slightly personal, Kanon never failed to care.

"Apologies if I upset you," she said. She didn't pry. She didn't need to, after all. With every conversation, more and more of Miko's heart was laid bare for her to read. "Come to think of it, actually...you and Reina share some things in common, don't you?"

"We...do?" Miko blinked, stunned by his own question rather than Kanon's words. Reina said so herself, after all, so why was he so surprised? 

Kanon chuckled, the sound as light as a windchime. "Yes. I mean, you have similar hairstyles, don't you? If you really think about it, it's kind of amusing. And you have similar fashion senses, too - Reina always likes to look fancy, just like you."

"Aren't you a fancy person yourself?" Miko countered, motioning to Kanon's frilly and intricate dress.

"Touche." Her smile softened, and her eyes glimmered with fondness. "Besides just appearances, though, you and my sister really do share a lot in common. Those no-nonsense personalities, although you are much kinder than she is-"

"...Thank you."

"-But also your search for answers. Your sense of wonder," said Kanon, "is very much like my sister's. You're both ambitious when it comes to finding the truth. To finding solutions to unknowns. To finding a purpose."

Miko felt his heart skip a beat, as if it was about to burst out of his chest.

It wasn't because he was happy that Kanon seemed to know him. It wasn't because he was happy to be compared to Reina again. Instead, it was for the complete opposite: out of fear.

How had both Reina and Kanon managed to perfectly read him in one mere conversation? 

Unlike with Reina, Miko had to ask. Unlike with Reina, he didn't have the upper hand in this conversation, but he had to know. First, Kanon appeared in his dreams. Then, she'd read his fears about the Killing Wonder, and now, she was peering into his mind all over again as if they'd met before.

"How...do you know that, Kanon?" Miko asked, trying not to let his nervousness show. "The first time we met, you sensed how afraid I was. And now, with us talking again, how...did you know that there are so many questions surrounding my life?"

Part of him wanted to take Kanon by surprise. For a second, her eyes widened and her smile fell, but in a blink, she was back to being calm. Her shoulder briefly brushed against Miko's, and despite it being a feather-light touch, the contact made his skin tingle for far too long.

"Call it intuition if you'd like," said Kanon. "To be honest, I'm...not sure how I knew. I've always been good at reading the hearts and feelings of others, but when it comes to you, Miko..."

Her gaze faltered, and for a moment, Miko expected her to be angry. He expected her to be disappointed, or furious, or anything negative. But even when Kanon's smile reappeared, her voice was far more somber and serious.

"I've...never been able to read anyone as well as you," she confessed. "We just met, and yet...I know. I know you, and I understand you to an extent. I want to know the answers to all of your questions, too, and...I wish I could help you, Miko. More than anything else, I want to help, because I'm confused, too. I don't know why I know you this well already, or how, but I'm glad I do."

She exhaled and stepped forward, and for a brief moment, Miko wished she could take her words back. He'd never been more confused yet intrigued. He'd never been more fascinated by someone, and when she stood in front of him, she looked just like she did in his dream.

"That's the truth," said Kanon, turning over her shoulder and taking Miko's hand to pull him forward with her. "The truth is that I don't know, either, but I think the two of us were meant to meet, even if it's in a terrible place like this one."

She squeezed his hand tighter, and Miko didn't want to let go. "Will you find the answers you seek, Miko? I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you find the truths that you've always been looking for."

...

As they walked towards the mansion, Miko couldn't bring himself to say anything back.

Kanon's answer was vague, but at the same time, it was the truth. Now, she had so many questions about her own life, just like Miko and Reina did, and in a way, it made him feel even more comforted around her.

"Let's split up," said Kanon. "Do you want to take the top floor? I'll search down here around the lounge."

Just like always, Miko couldn't disagree. As he left Kanon behind and headed upstairs to the bedrooms, he looked down to see his hand shaking. He felt numb all over, and the faint sound of blood rushing in his ears wouldn't disappear.

It was all because of Kanon. Whether he was around Reina or Kanon, the more time Miko spent in the Killing Wonder, the more questions he had instead of answers.

✿

To say that Miko felt uncomfortable looking in everyone's rooms was an understatement. Why, oh why, did Kanon send me up here? He eventually resolved himself to only do a basic sweep of everyone's rooms and put his discomfort aside, and with a sigh, he opened the door to the closest room to the stairs.

Funnily enough, each room was already somewhat personalized, as if it had been chosen by its respective Ultimate before everyone even woke up. Ako's had a yellow color scheme and several hidden music notes, Daisuke's was the smallest but comfiest, and Matsuri's already looked like a trainwreck. Were those roller skates by her bed...?

He thought about Kanon's search. There was the lounge area below him as well as a small storage closet with supplies such as towels and cleaning materials, which Miko admittedly hadn't explored. He hadn't even seen the full lower floor of the mansion, but that was besides the point.

There were a few empty rooms at the end of the second floor that Miko searched more thoroughly. At least half an hour passed before he finally finished, but to him, it felt like an eternity. Much to his dismay, most of them didn't yield much, instead simply having the same decor as the other bedrooms. Miko found a few stray blank pieces of paper or a lost teacup here and there, but it wasn't anything terribly unusual or exciting.

It wasn't until he searched under the bed of an unoccupied room that Miko found something.

What looked like another unassuming piece of paper turned out to have writing on it. The edges of the page were somewhat frayed, and the writing, while slightly difficult to read due to how small it was, was detailed and beautiful.

For a moment, Miko sat in stunned silence holding the paper. The silence of the empty room was heavy and imposing around him, like the very world around him was slowing down all for one single page. The side of it was ripped, as if it had been torn from a book. Miko felt like the scrap would crumble beneath his fingertips, and already, some specks of dust dotted his gloves. 

Was this what Monohenka wanted us to find? There was no doubt about it - even if it wasn't exactly what Monohenka needed, the paper in Miko's hands was undoubtedly important, and he had no choice but to read it.

Without another second to waste, he took a deep breath and started to read.

✿

Page 3

The first was a book, given by the never-changing world.

She wrote her tales down in said book, which was empty when she received it. All her stories, all her hopes, all her dreams, all her sorrows...all of them were written and sealed away, left for the world to carry into the hands of another. As long as it remains, her story will never truly disappear, as the book is the same as the world it came from: eternal.

The second was a key, used to access the world again.

The entrance to the never-changing world is the one aspect that changes. From tree to tree, the entrance moves, making it impossible to find without the use of the key. Where is it now, I wonder? 

The third was a recipe for the chemicals she specialized in.

She was a chemist, after all - and a genius one at that. The recipe from the other world is unlike any other, and it's believed to create a concoction that has varying unknown effects. What they are, I might possibly never see. This was the relic she was the most protective over.

These three relics are the answer to finding her again. These relics, along with us five, will access the never-changing world again - I'm sure of it. I know, deep down. As I am the last one alive, unable to fulfill her wishes, I leave it to the hands of the future to decide what to do with her legacy.

✿

Even when Miko finished reading, he couldn't put the paper down.

With any other piece of information, his first instinct would've been to ask questions. He would've followed his heart and pursued every unknown as much as he could, but this was the one exception.

Because Miko knew exactly what the paper was talking about - or, more specifically, who. There was one name that immediately stuck in his head, and one that had torn away at his very existence for years.

Alice.

Arisu Haraguchi.

He knew about Chiyoko's connection and obsession with her. He'd known about Alice for years, and yet, there were still so many mysteries surrounding both her existence and Chiyoko's end goals. 

But to see something related to her in his very hands was an entirely different matter. Now, it felt as if Miko himself was inserted into Alice's tale, weaved into a narrative against his control.

He shut his eyes and tried to calm down, ignoring the growing worries in his head. Stay calm, Miko. The paper was still relatively vague, after all. There was room for interpretation, and maybe, if all went well, it could actually benefit him in the end. Maybe it could be used against Alice instead of giving Miko more frustrating information about a girl who was more than just a mere memory.

With shaky legs, he stood up. I have to tell Kanon. He had to find Kanon and everyone else. Koharu could help. Sora was smart - she could figure something out. And then there was Ray, whose intentions were still unclear and who Miko could never fully trust. If this game really is related to Alice, then...was he telling the truth or not?

"Kanon!" Miko called out as he raced down the stairs. "I found something in one of the empty bedrooms, you need to take a look..."

Thankfully, Kanon was quick to rush over and take the paper from Miko's hands to read for herself. She was unbothered by the dust or the fragile state of the sheet, and she read quickly and calmly, but she was even more confused than him.

"What...is this?" Kanon asked. There was a buried shakiness in her voice that unnerved Miko even more than before. "Three relics...needed to bring someone back? Normally, I'd believe it to be some kind of cruel joke, but..."

"It's not," said Miko, biting the inside of his lip. "At least...I don't think it is. For it to be intentionally placed there, in a place we wouldn't find unless prompted to...it must be what Monohenka wanted us to find."

Kanon folded her arms, her usual smile gone. "Miko, you sound so sure of this."

"What?" Miko shook his head. "No, it's...just how I feel. My intuition."

He wanted to tell her the truth. Moments earlier, he knew he couldn't hide anything from Kanon, but this was different. This was Alice, and that one name alone was what separated him from the rest of the Ultimates, titles excluded. 

They couldn't know. They couldn't suspect him again. It hurt to follow his head instead of his heart, and Miko's chest stung as he prayed that Kanon wouldn't notice his lie.

Kanon paused, but she spoke again before Miko could see if she believed him or not. "We should tell everyone about this first before we do anything else. We need to go over it together before we ask Monohenka for everything, as this paper is extremely vague."

"Then let's go," said Miko, quick to spring into action. "I'll message everyone as we walk. Let's all meet back in the dining hall."

"Got it. I'll follow your lead, then."

There was no time to waste. After Kanon carefully tucked the paper in her dress pocket, Miko ran for the door. Now, his mind began to fill with one question after another, but the rush and fear of dealing with something related to Alice propelled him to keep moving forward.

He placed a hand on the mansion's doorknob and quickly yanked it open. In an instant, Miko was running through the garden, reaching in his pocket to find his Monocard and gather everyone and figure out what the hell was going on and-

"AAAAAHHHH!"

- The footsteps behind him stopped.

...

Miko whirled around to see Kanon frozen and still by the entrance of the mansion.

Her entire body was shaking. Tears fell down her face, and her mouth now hung open in a silent scream. She wrapped her arms around herself and suddenly fell to her knees, her eyes trained on the sight in front of her.

The once-angelic Kanon had been reduced to a sobbing mess in seconds, and it was a disturbing, chilling sight that sent a shiver down Miko's spine. It was enough to send him into a panic, too, and without thinking, Miko acted. He ran to her side, hoping to comfort her, what happened, what was wrong, what could possibly have happened to affect the perfect Kanon like this, no, no, no, Kanon-

But then he saw it.

...

It.

All it took was Miko to look over at the garden for him to understand what had devastated Kanon to a point of no return.

In that very second, everything in his mind crumbled. All his questions, all his hopes, all his fears, all his worries - they were reduced to nothing when he saw what lay before him in the garden.

✿

It felt like just yesterday when Miko met everyone for the first time.

So little time had passed. So little time, and yet, it was already too late. By the time Miko saw Kanon's reaction and looked over, it was already too late. He'd been powerless to stop the Killing Wonder, and now, he was powerless to stop its first victim. Next to him, Kanon's repeated screams over her sister failed to pierce through his thoughts, despite how shrill and terrifying they were.

And when Miko laid eyes on the dead body of Reina Hagimoto, the Ultimate Chessmaster, Miko knew that he, too, would never be the same after the killing game.

✿

Chapter Text

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

"Attention, everyone. A body...has been discovered in the garden. Make...your way there. Now. Quickly."

✿

By the time Miko's screams of terror stopped, everyone else had already arrived.

He couldn't tear his eyes away from it. It. Reina. Reina. Just yesterday, they were talking. Just yesterday, they had started to form a connection - a real, genuine, connection that Miko couldn't forget about, despite the many questions that came about. Reina was smart. Reina was capable, calculating, and far too intelligent for the Killing Wonder, and that was what confused and scared Miko more than anything else.

She was gone. She was dead.

The sharp scent of blood flooded his senses and burned itself into his mind. He couldn't look away from it - her. Whether it was the bright red staining her chest, the way her face was now permanently frozen, or the cold and clammy touch of her skin, Miko couldn't look away.

Reina was dead, and as Miko fell to his knees and let tears of horror stream down his cheeks, he felt powerless. All the energy from his body slowly drained, as if it was pouring out like the blood under Reina's corpse.

Next to him, Kanon was shaking. She'd gone completely silent, having simply wrapped her arms around her trembling self. Miko couldn't even begin to imagine how much pain she was in right now. Her sister was dead right in front of her, and she'd gone into a state of hopelessness, forever scarred and changed.

Unsurprisingly, screams of fear popped up one after the other as more and more people ran over and saw the body.

"AAAAHHHH!" Koharu was the loudest, and she clapped a hand over her mouth in shock. "NOOOO! No, no, no, Reina, no...!"

"She's...!" Sora took a step back, her footing uneasy. "She's really...really..."

"She's...gone." Even Daisuke had been snapped out of his usually blank state, and he shut his eyes in agony. "Dammit..."

Ako shook her head, already in full denial. She'd known Reina longer than most, after all, and seeing someone who was once an everyday classmate now cold and dead was a jarring sight. "There's no way, there's no way, stop it, stop it, stop it..."

Miko stopped paying attention to everyone's reactions, still unable to tear his gaze away from Reina. The brief memories and many questions he had about her wouldn't go away, which only made the moment all the more painful.

Reina's dead.

Reina's dead, and we all have to find her killer.

He knew the rules. He knew the rules of the Killing Wonder and what happened, and the Ultimates around him knew, too. After a few minutes, the silence in the air was suffocating and sharp, and the looming threat of execution and more death dawned on everyone's spirits.

Miko looked over to see Ako holding Kanon in a tight hug, desperately trying to calm her down. Even Aspen and Matsuri had gone silent, Ringo had stopped swearing out of anger and fear, and Ray was quiet, now sitting on the ground with his eyes off the crime scene.

"I...see you all have processed...the scene. That...is good. Adequate processing time...complete."

No one flinched at the sound of Monohenka's cold voice, even when she appeared right in front of them. She tilted her head as if she was confused by everyone's obvious sadness, but her program ran nonetheless.

"You all...know what to do, I trust," Monohenka recapped. "Investigate. And find...the killer. Or else...all of you will join her. It's not...that difficult to understand. Right? Right? I...am rooting for all of you. Please know that. Even if I...cannot help you much..."

"Go away," Ako spat, clutching Kanon tighter in her arms. "Just leave us alone, okay? We already know what you want us to do in this stupid, fucked-up game, so just...leave."

No matter how bitter he was, Miko knew Ako was right. There were tears in her eyes, too, but she still stuck by Kanon's side. Sora was the next one to speak up, and Miko remembered just how much of a genius the watchmaker was. This was the time to put her mind in action.

...

Without another word, Monohenka left, much to Ako's relief. The momentary silence that followed, however, was quickly broken.

"Let's go," said Sora, taking a step closer to the body. "Monohenka...she's right, as much as I hate to admit it. We know what to do. So come on, everyone. We're running out of time already."

"You say that, but..." Koharu looked uneasy, despite her best friend's reassurance. "Investigating a dead body isn't that easy, Sora...!"

"I'm not saying it's going to be easy," Sora sighed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But it's what has to be done. Logically speaking, if we sit here, we're all going to die. Do you all really want that? Because I don't, and I know you don't either, Koharu."

Miko sucked in a breath. His legs were still numb and shaky, but he forced himself to stand anyway. Sora was right. I don't want to die, he thought, repeating that single phrase over and over again.

I don't want to die.

I don't want to die.

He hadn't answered any of his questions, after all.

"I...can do my best to help," said Miko, vaguely aware of the sound of his own voice. The more he talked, the more he drew himself back to reality. He had to focus on the task at hand, and while temporary, a mere purpose and a goal was enough for him to keep moving.

He ignored the dryness in his throat, as if all of his senses were forever tainted by Reina's death. "Sora's right. We need to investigate. Look, Monohenka's already gone, and...I doubt she'll give us hours."

"Ooh, can you perform an autopsy or something?" Matsuri chirped, already quickly returning to her normal self. "That'll be a huuuge help. Take some weight off of our shoulders, no matter how mean that sounds! But a great riddle calls for great help. I can't even solve this one right now!"

"I...can't," said Miko, as much as it pained him to admit. "I'm a pharmacist, not a doctor. I know about helping to save others if needed, but when it comes to examining, well...corpses, I'm not trained in the slightest."

"It's fine, it's fine!" Sora exclaimed, trying to put some energy in her words and movements. "Everyone, stand up! Spread out! We need to do as much as we can in such a small amount of time, okay? It's what...it's what Reina would've wanted!"

The mention of Reina's name was what made Kanon's eyes widen, snapping her out of her trance. "Reina, she..."

"Fine, I guess you're right," Ako admitted, gently brushing the top of Kanon's head. "Kanon and I, we'll...we'll stay behind. I need to look after her. That was her sister, after all, and..."

"Ako..." Kanon squeezed Ako's hand, and while her gaze hadn't moved off of Reina's body, the small gesture alone sparked a bit of hope in Miko's heart.

"I'll stay, too," said Koharu, taking a deep breath. "I...can't bring myself to leave, even if I didn't know Reina that well..."

Sora nodded, giving her best friend's arm a brief pat. "...Thank you, Kokoharu. Everyone else, let's move, okay? Stay with other people if you can, but we need to investigate as much as we can, you hear me?"

Miko turned his attention back to Reina's corpse, doing his best to summon as much of his strength as he possibly could. For Reina. Sora was right - Miko had no choice but to move forward, no matter how much it hurt him to do so without someone who was close to being his friend.

✿

Investigation: Begin.

✿

Before he could begin, the shrill sound of a Monocard notification ran through the air. Startled, Miko hastily pulled his device out to see a message from Monohenka that contained some sort of file. 

"This...is my help" the text read, much to Miko's dismay. As much as he hated to accept help from the robot, he reluctantly opened said file, trying to keep his head clear and mind focused on finding the truth.

Monohenka File #1

The victim was Reina Hagimoto, the Ultimate Chessmaster. The body was discovered in the flower garden right outside the mansion. The estimated time of death is around 10:00 AM. The cause of death was a single stab through the chest with a sharp object. No traces of any poison or chemicals were detected.

10:00 AM.

Miko froze. That was recently. The group split up to search shortly after nine, and now, it was just about eleven. The realization that Reina died a mere hour ago washed over Miko and sent a shiver down his spine.

Thankfully, the cause of death seemed to be self-explanatory and matched up with Reina's only visible wound. The time of death, however, shook Miko to his core, and he pocketed his Monocard again after a slight twitch in his hands.

More than that one part, though, the file felt like another slap to the face. It was confirmation and physical proof from Monohenka that Reina was really gone, and no matter how real or how close Reina's body was, the pain of that truth never disappeared.

Miko forced himself to take another deep breath. Ignore your feelings. Ignore your heart. It was always easier said than done for him.

Monohenka File #1 has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

The most obvious part of Reina's corpse was the wound in her chest, which perfectly replicated what the file said. Miko didn't know much about wounds or injuries, as that wasn't his job, but nevertheless, he took a closer look.

Sure enough, the blood was fresh, and Miko pinched his nose, cringing at the stench. The sting of iron was enough to give him a headache, and that combined with Reina's slightly painful expression made for a difficult sight. Agony, pain, and distress were likely all swirled together in her eyes, and Miko thought about what she felt like before her death.

Was she afraid? Was she surprised? Was she relieved? He'd never know, and more questions joined the ranks of his mind.

Still, like the file, there wasn't anything abnormal about her. Her skin was cold. She was long gone, and next to her sat a knife, decorated with a flower. Just like the ones from the kitchen.

He paused.

The kitchen?

If there was anyone who'd know about what was in the kitchen, it would be Ringo. Miko internally prepared himself to talk to the saucier regardless of how bitter his mood was. 

This is all for Reina, he reminded himself. No matter how much he said it, however, it wouldn't bring Reina back. His willpower and everyone else's wouldn't save her now, and all they could do was carry her memory going forward.

The most Miko could do was remember her, and in that moment, he swore that he would. Even if it was impossible, even if years passed after her death, Miko wouldn't forget. Even if they hadn't known each other long, how could Miko forget Reina, especially when they started forming something? Something close to a real human connection, regardless of answers or questions. It was a connection ultimately formed from the heart - or so Miko liked to believe. 

Miko couldn't forget anything like that. He refused. As he stepped away from Reina's body and the knife on the grass, he shut his eyes, muttering a silent prayer and word of thanks to Reina. She was another mere memory now, but she'd be one Miko clung to for the rest of his life.

Reina's Stab Wound has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

Kitchen Knife has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

Before Miko could leave the scene, however, there was one more thing that caught his eye.

He moved to the edge of the grass, closer to where the garden ended and the main path to the mansion began. For a moment, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, but no. There was an important clue left there - two clues, in fact.

The first was the more obvious and much bigger one. Sitting by the path to the mansion was a large white cloth, and Miko carefully reached out to touch it with his fingers. Scattered on the cloth were bloodstains, and that was the deciding factor. The cloth was involved in the crime.

"Ooh, did you come to look at that, too? The tablecloth, I mean."

Miko jumped at the sound of Aspen's voice. Unsurprisingly, the mycologist wasn't doing much, instead looking around in the plants and avoiding the mere sight of Reina's body. Still, him standing at the outskirts of the garden made for a good excuse that he was being "helpful", in true Aspen fashion.

"It's a tablecloth?" Miko tilted his head, intrigued. "So...would it be from the storage room, then? The one in the mansion."

"Wow, that exists? Sounds exciting. Much more exciting than these plants here, at least," Aspen sighed. "They're artificially colored, get that? That's so harmful and lame. What's Monohenka's deal, anyway? Wonder who wrote that file for her. So many questions, am I right? Oh, Miko, Miko, you're a bit of a wonderwart yourself, aren't you?"

"Why...aren't you investigating?" Miko asked, politely pushing Aspen's arm away. "Sora said you rivaled her intelligence, both in middle school and now at Marmoreal. Whatever you find surely will help us in the trial."

Aspen rolled his eyes. "Don't scold me like she does, geez. I'll help in the trial or whatever, okay? I don't need the evidence. I just need to piece things together, and we're good. Got it?"

"That doesn't make any sense-"

"I don't have to try, unlike her," Aspen said with a wink. "She studied for hours and hours for one test while I just...knew. Well, sometimes. If it was a subject I liked, which wasn't that many, it would be easy."

He paused to think for a moment. "I suppose...Sora's much better with solid facts, while I'm much more popular and funny and amazing than her in everything else, including more loose material. Things come much more naturally to me. Does that make sense? Praise my intelligence more than hers, will you?"

"I'm sure you're both smart," Miko dryly responded. Truthfully, he had more faith in Sora's capabilities than Aspen's, and he watched the other boy leave with a sulk, murmuring "you're no fun, Miko" under his breath.

For a moment, Miko felt a little bad. He didn't want to offend Aspen, who actually seemed somewhat kind, no matter how situational said kindness was. At the same time, though, in such a tense situation, he was irritated at Aspen's inability to cooperate.

Whatever. Miko kept his mind focused on Reina and her legacy, and just like that, all thoughts of Aspen's confusing words briefly faded from his mind. The real question is...why would a tablecloth, of all things, be out here?

Bloodstained Tablecloth has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

The other, far less noticeable piece of evidence was right next to the tablecloth.

Miko bent down to take a closer look. At first glance, it looked like a faint bloodstain leading away from Reina's body and towards the trail back to the main path. Upon further inspection, though, Miko's eyes widened at the sight of footprints.

They were extremely hard to see, and all Miko could make out were small, square-shaped indents. Who wears shoes like these...? No matter how long he stared at them, his mind was still blank, unable to piece together a solid conclusion.

Nevertheless, he wrote them down anyway, hoping that Sora could come to his rescue eventually.

Faint Footprint Trail has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

✿

Miko couldn't leave the garden without checking in on Kanon again.

She'd gone motionless in Ako's arms, having simply collapsed into her friend. If her eyes weren't open and her breathing hadn't returned to being steady, Miko would've feared that she was dead, too. Her face was deathly pale, as if it had been tinted blue, and her eyes were still firmly trained on her sister's body. Being around her felt several degrees colder than the rest of the scene, and while she was more relaxed than before, Kanon's hands hadn't stopped shaking.

It was a disturbing sight, almost as petrifying as Reina herself. To see the usually open, kindhearted, and angelic Kanon reduced to a desperate mess broke Miko's heart, too, and the worst part was that he knew there was no way to fully repair her, unlike a broken doll.

Miko bent down to Ako's side, hoping he could at least help her. "Ako, how..."

"Is she doing?" Ako frowned, still just as disheartened as before. "There's...not much I can do, Miko. Reina was her sister, after all. No matter how many disagreements they had, no matter the history behind them...she lost someone precious to her. Even as her best friend, I..."

"I know." Miko sighed, unsurprised but still disappointed. He wanted to help, but deep down, he knew he didn't understand. His own supposed family was yet another mystery in his life, after all.

"Just..." Ako's gaze flickered to Reina's body, and she winced. "It's all because of that stupid search, isn't it? All of...all of this. We don't even know what Monohenka wanted from us, did she? It's pointless now."

"That may be true, but..." Miko paused. He didn't expect the confident Ako, of all people, to talk so negatively, but given the situation, it wasn't that abnormal. With a dead classmate in front of her and a shaking best friend in her arms, Miko couldn't expect Ako to be her usual brash self.

Ako looked up at him, her eyes still glassy from her earlier tears of shock. "If Monohenka expects us to start searching the moment this trial is over, she's a fool. Granted, she already was one, but...nevermind."

"No, you're right," said Miko, a little relieved to see the usual Ako shine through. What he found in the empty bedroom wasn't important, and Miko reminded himself of his promise to Reina, both as motivation to himself and as a friend to her.

A sniffle from Kanon distracted him from his thoughts, and both him and Ako jumped. Kanon had started to softly cry again, and Miko watched Ako gently brush a strand of hair from her face, squeezing her hand to try and calm her down.

"They...were really close, weren't they?" Miko asked. He'd seen Reina and Kanon disagree, but at the same time, he didn't know them like they knew each other. Ako bit the inside of her lip, and after a moment of hesitation, she nodded.

"Kanon is Reina's adopted sister, but they've basically been together their whole lives," Ako quietly explained. "The Hagimoto family...they were a wealthy, successful one. Not as successful as me, but you get the point. Kanon was in good hands the moment they took her in."

She looked down at Kanon, still firmly in her arms. "...But as time goes on, you fight with those around you. It's not surprising, especially given the circumstances and how skilled each of them were."

"Circumstances?"

"Just..." Ako's face grew oddly serious. "Have you ever heard the story of the little angel?"

Miko tilted his head, curious. "I...can't say I have."

"Nevermind, then." Ako shook her head, already exhausted. "Just...Miko, I'm counting on you, okay? Especially since I'm not leaving Kanon's side. Reina was close to Kanon, yes, but she was my classmate, too. For both of our sakes, please."

Miko sucked in a breath. Ako's plea was genuine, and to see someone usually so prideful now dependent on his help only made him more determined. He nodded without hesitation.

"I promise," Miko firmly said.

Ako did her best to smile, despite the weak spark of hope in her eyes. Before she could thank him, however, Kanon suddenly stirred in her arms, and without warning, she reached forward and took Miko's hand in hers.

The touch startled him. Her hands were slightly cold, even through his gloves, but they were oddly soft, too. Without thinking, Miko squeezed it, hoping to provide her a moment of comfort. Even when she was shaking, even when she was afraid, even when someone dear to her was gone, Kanon's beauty never faded.

"Miko." Her voice was still soft, despite how much quieter she was. It was like the sound of a windchime that was slightly off-key; lovely, but haunting at the same time. "...Please. For Reina. For me."

Miko couldn't break their gaze, and he nodded once again, ignoring the biting tears at the corners of his eyes. "I promise, Kanon. I promise."

Kanon exhaled, and for a moment, she stopped shaking, instead holding Miko's hands in hers. It felt like the world itself briefly slowed down, leaving no sound but their two heartbeats, connected even in a tragic time.

"Thank you," she said.

And no matter what, Miko promised to himself at that very moment that he'd work to solve Reina's murder for another reason - for Kanon. Because even if she was the girl in his dreams, even if she was terrifying in her own ways, and even if she held the answers to more of Miko's questions than he could possibly imagine, he trusted her. He believed in her, whether he wanted to or not, and deep down, Miko knew she was a good person.

It was a decision made by his heart, and it was a decision he'd live by for as long as he possibly could.

Monohenka's Search has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

✿

Thankfully, Miko managed to track down Ringo without much effort. The saucier hadn't strayed too far from the garden, and when Miko found him, he was still in shock. It was expected, but at the same time, seeing someone usually so outgoing and hot-boiled as Ringo reduced to silence stunned him.

Still, Miko had to ask about the knife. If he needed to live up to his promise to Ako and Kanon, he had no choice. 

"Ringo." Miko extended a hand and gently tapped the other boy's shoulder. "Wait just a moment, if you don't mind."

"What the- oh." Ringo folded his arms, slightly embarrassed. "Listen, whatever the hell you want with me, it's-"

"I'll be quick," said Miko. "It's a brief question about the kitchen, for the sake of the investigation."

The mention of the kitchen got Ringo's attention, and he let out a heavy sigh, unable to argue any further. "...Fine. Since it's you and not someone as annoying as Sora or her little academic boy-toy, go."

"Ah...thanks?" Miko cleared his throat, a little confused. "I'm not sure if you noticed, but there was a kitchen knife at the crime scene. I was wondering if you knew anything about it, such as if it was ever taken."

"A knife? Geez." Ringo scowled, but thankfully, he cut straight to the point. "I...did notice that one of them was gone this morning. While you all were searching, I went to the kitchen to make a damn meal, and there was one gone."

"During the search?" Miko put a hand to his chin, trying to think. "Do you know what time it was gone at, perhaps?"

"I'm not a fucking clock," Ringo spat. In an instant, though, Miko could tell he felt a little bad. "...But, um, I was in the kitchen when Monohenka's dumbass announcement went off. I noticed it right before then. Happy?"

Miko nodded. Right before the body discovery announcement, then. "Happy. Thank you, Ringo - this is much appreciated."

"You're awfully determined," said Ringo, shooting Miko a mix of a dirty stare and a "can-I-know-more" look of curiosity. "I'd expect Sora or her sunshine-and-rainbows best friend Koharu to be running around like headless chickens, but you?"

"It's..." Miko paused. His reasoning suddenly felt rather corny, especially in front of Ringo, but that was the least of his worries. "It's for Reina's sake. And...Kanon's, too. We need to find the killer, Ringo, despite how afraid we all are."

At the mention of Kanon, Ringo froze. Suddenly, he was somewhat more attentive, and Miko swore he saw a flicker of concern in his face. His cheeks were tinted a slight pink, and seeing Ringo worried was a surprisingly heartwarming sight.

"Is she...doing okay?" Ringo sheepishly asked. "...Kanon, I mean."

Miko bit the inside of his lip, trying to hide his smile. Somehow, knowing that Ringo, of all people, cared about Kanon was sweet. It was simple but charming, and the more he talked to Ringo, the more Miko realized just how good of a person he was, too.

"She's a little better. Bit by bit, she'll get better," Miko said, trying to convince himself. "We'll all do our best to help her, and...Reina would want her to do her best, too, both in the trial and going forward."

"That's...good," said Ringo, "or whatever. Whatever. It's...normal to worry a little, okay? So don't give me that look. It's just how I am, and if that's a big surprise to you or whatever, so-fucking-what."

"It's, um..." Miko scrambled to say something that would both make Ringo happy while also not completely lying to him. "...You mentioned you were in the kitchen towards the end of the search, right? Do you know where Daisuke went."

Ringo scoffed. "Daisuke and I aren't close friends or any shit like that. He probably went to take a damn nap during that mess. Ask him yourself if you want."

"...Sure." Miko wasn't surprised, per se, but he expected Ringo to at least tolerate Daisuke. Maybe the two of them were even friends in his wildest dreams. "I know Matsuri and Ako went to the kitchen as well, so they likely left by the time you arrived..."

"We crossed paths briefly, actually. Wasn't what I wanted, but they weren't holding a knife, since I know you're gonna ask," Ringo explained. "Are you done? Any more damn questions for me?"

Miko shook his head. "No, that's all. Thank you again for your help, Ringo. Are you...are you doing okay right now? Given the situation and all, it's okay if you're-"

"Look, Miko, it's a dead body. Someone fucking died, okay?" Ringo snapped, running a hand through his hair. "And I get you're a good person. You're nice and all, okay, I damn well get that, but still. How are you not destroyed right now?!"

...

Miko expected to be upset. He expected to be hurt.

Surprisingly, though, he barely flinched. Ringo's question was understandable, after all, and it was one that Miko suddenly posed to himself. Why am I not scared? Moments ago, he was terrified, unable to look away from Reina's body, but now, he was his usual, capable, perfect princely self.

Because it gives me a purpose, he wanted to say. The answer was unexpected, as if it sparked from the deepest parts of his heart, but it was one he immediately clung to. Because it'll help me let other people change me for the better. Let me change. Let me do something that feels right in this world.

Instead, Miko held his answer back and kept his mouth shut. It was a foolish thought, and he couldn't worry about his own selfish conflicts. He exhaled, his breathing shaky, and tried to focus on the investigation again.

"I'll see you at the trial, Ringo," said Miko, trying not to look at his face. "Thank you again."

He didn't want to see if Ringo felt bad or was still angry or if he'd turned away altogether. It was a rare case where Miko didn't want to know the answer, given that said answer would only feel like a stab to the heart no matter what.

Ringo's Account has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

Searching Locations has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

✿

"Miko, Miko!"

Miko whirled around to see a flash of Koharu running straight at him, and she was quick to lunge onto his arm like a cat. Her eyes were full of worry, but at the same time, she was as active as ever, matching his determination.

"There you are! I was wondering if you were done looking around," she said. "Did you find anything important?"

"Ah...hello, Koharu." Miko tried not to seem stiff and awkward around her, especially given how easily they warmed up to each other. "Nothing that you wouldn't have seen already. How are you doing? With all of this, and the investigation, and the upcoming trial, it's..."

"I'll...be okay," said Koharu, lowering her head. Her usual natural smile disappeared, and she gripped one of her sweater sleeves, clearly uncomfortable. "...Well, no. How can I not be absolutely terrified, Miko?"

Her mood always switched like the flick of a light. Still, Miko understood. He remembered Ringo's earlier frustrating outburst, and with someone like Koharu, who expressed her feelings so naturally, he felt somewhat ashamed for having strength that others didn't.

"But it's okay! Really, it'll all be fine," Koharu exclaimed, folding her arms as if she was hugging herself. "I'm not the best with this kind of thing, especially since Sora's a lot smarter than me. But I just wanted to check in and say hi to you, too."

"Well..." Miko paused. He'd forgotten to ask Sora and Aspen about where they'd searched, and now that Koharu was here, it was a chance to learn even more. "Actually, I had a question - and it's something only you can answer."

"Oh. Really?" Koharu perked up, and Miko felt a burst of fuzziness in his chest. Don't compare yourself, he wanted to say. Sora wouldn't want you to do that. I don't want you to do that.

He tried to focus on the investigation and his question, especially since Koharu looked like she was already on the edge of her seat. "You were partners with Ray during the search, correct? Where did you two go?"

"Ooh. Asking about Ray so easily, huh?" Koharu asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

"Not like that," Miko muttered.

"I know, I know, I couldn't help it! Especially since both of you are great!" said Koharu. "I don't like having to choose. I mean, you're my friend, and Ray, well...nevermind. We went to the tree of trickery area the whole time, since we were more chatting instead of actually looking, haha..."

"That's...unsurprising," said Miko, "but thank you."

A possible friendship between Koharu and Ray should've irritated him. Maybe Miko would've been a little jealous. But surprisingly, he didn't feel anything at all, as if Koharu and Ray were destined to connect.

He meant what he said to Ray, after all. You don't have any friends. Maybe Koharu would be good for him, just as she'd been a good presence in Miko's life, too. The two of them connected like puzzle pieces, and he couldn't deny that it was as heartwarming as it was frustrating.

"He talked to me about a lot of fancy model-y stuff I didn't really get," Koharu shared. "But it was kinda cool! Although it was hard to pay attention to, but...he was really nice, Miko. I mean it. And it didn't seem forced at all, you know?"

"It...didn't?" Miko tried not to let his discomfort show. "I mean, well, I suppose that's expected, given how he does want to make others like him..."

"No, no, not like that, either! It all felt really natural. We talked about books we liked, too - and food! He loves strawberries and other berries and berry-ish things, too! So, um, we talked about that for a while," Koharu rambled. "But don't think too much about it, okay? I can tell you're already stressed."

"I am, I'll admit," Miko said, a tad bit embarrassed. He tried to erase all thoughts about Ray and Koharu's budding friendship and hone in on the investigation. Still, to think that Koharu sensed some good in him, despite also believing my warnings...

Searching Locations has been updated in your Monocard.

"I can get why you're stressed. I mean, who wouldn't be, right?" said Koharu, her voice slightly lower and quieter than before. "Reina, she's...she's gone. And more than that, it's just...it's confusing, too."

"Confusing? Like investigating? I suppose that makes sense, given that none of us are expert detectives, but-"

Koharu shook her head, quick to cut Miko off as the concerned look in her eyes grew. "Not that. Well, yes that, but something else. Doesn't this all feel weird to you, Miko?"

...

...Weird?

"That's...not the word I would use, no," said Miko, now somewhat curious. "What do you mean?"

Koharu paused for a moment, trying to get her thoughts out. Miko had never seen her so serious about something. "Just...why? We've barely been here. We've barely known each other. All of this, it's just...why would someone do this? We have literally no reason to kill each other."

"That's..." Miko froze. "That's...a good point."

"It's like...this isn't real. Like this won't matter," Koharu rambled. "Like Reina's supposed to be alive with us, like this was a hasty plan...it doesn't make any sense. Everything about this case feels off."

Miko sucked in a breath. It felt as if his brain had been scrubbed clean, replaced by nothing but Koharu's remark. She wasn't wrong, and the realization that everything about Reina's death did indeed feel oddly rushed only made him worry more.

Like this won't matter.

He couldn't stop thinking about Koharu's words, turning them over and over in his head. Who would have a motive? Who would have a reason? She was right about it all - they barely knew each other, the game had just started, and Reina was alive two hours ago.

"Sorry if I worried you even more," Koharu said. "I just...had to get that out there, and you're someone I trust a lot, Miko."

"It's okay." Miko did his best to smile, proud of earning Koharu's trust. "Whatever happens, Koharu, it's going to be okay. I'm determined to solve this case, and I know everyone else is, too."

"I know." Koharu put on a shaky smile, but Miko noticed how she picked at her nails. "I know. I'll believe in you, okay? I'll do whatever I can to help, no matter how scared I am. It's...really going to be okay."

Circumstances of the Case has been added to the Truth Bullets section of your Monocard.

✿

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

Koharu jumped at the sound of Monohenka's voice coming through the intercoms.

"Attention, everyone. It...is time. Please make your way...to the rabbit hole. For the trial. Please hurry," Monohenka flatly explained. "It...also serves as an elevator...for the trial room. Quite functional. That...is all."

✿

It's already time.

It felt too quick, just like Koharu described. Miko did his best to steady his breathing and contain his nerves, but he couldn't ignore how worried he was, too. Still, he tried to keep a brave face on, especially in front of Koharu.

"We should go," said Koharu. "But...Miko, you shouldn't be afraid to be worried, okay? I'm scared, but...we have to rely on each other in this game. To not do that at all is just foolish, I think..."

"I know." Miko couldn't hide it, and he took a deep forward, desperately trying to calm down. "Let's go. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can avenge Reina and the sooner we can find the truth for her sake."

Koharu trailed behind him as Miko briskly walked back to the rabbit hole, keeping his gaze trained on the ground. His thoughts were a jumbled mess, his emotions were all over the place, and he was briefly reminded of Ray's words, no matter how teasing they were.

You're emotional. Now, more than ever, it was hard for Miko to stay calm. How could he when Reina was dead? When she'd been ripped away from him and everyone else in an instant? When she'd been murdered?

It wasn't just for her sake. It was for Kanon's, too. It was for Ako and Koharu and everyone's sake, including Miko's own. How could he stay calm when the situation was that serious? When the lives of people he cared about were on the line?

Miko never understood. People always described him as heartless and occasionally aloof, but it didn't make sense. He tried to focus on the logical clues and what he had to work with, but his mind kept drifting back to the feelings of himself and those around him.

In addition to that, Koharu was right, and the nagging feeling that something was wrong about Reina's entire death kept tearing away at him. It was rushed, quick, and illogical. It felt pointless, but at the same time, it was everything. Everyone's lives were at stake, but it felt like a trivial issue, and that guilt tugged at Miko's mind.

By the time he reached the rabbit hole, Miko's mind was already well exhausted. Still, he drew in a careful breath as he rubbed his hands on his pants, trying to stop the rapid sweating of his palms.

It didn't take long for everyone to show up. The silence in the room was deafening, and even the more vocal Ultimates like Sora and Ray managed to keep their mouths shut. Miko looked up to briefly meet Ray's gaze, and surprisingly, the toxicologist wasn't smiling.

He looked content. Stoic, even. He wasn't worried or angry or distraught - instead, his face was eerily blank as he was lost in thought. Miko couldn't help but stare, amazed by such a sight.

If even Ray was the slightest bit worried, that didn't bode well. As much as Miko despised him, he couldn't deny that in a setting full of lies, facts, and betrayal, Ray's help would be invaluable if he chose to give it.

If. That was always the kicker. Still, Miko hoped that for once, Ray would cooperate. He thought back to how Koharu described him, but chose not to believe in her words, as much as it hurt.

Whenever he believed in Ray, it always turned out to be a mistake. Miko couldn't take that chance anymore. Not with Ray, who'd broken him over and over again.

The ground beneath his feet suddenly trembled, and without warning, the rabbit hole's platform started to descend. The artificial light above Miko's head quickly faded, and he looked around the group as they all traveled down, down, down.

...

Then, there was a small ding!, and the doors slid open.

✿

The trial room looked as if it was taken straight from a palace. 

The walls were a deep blue, and decor shaped like all four suits - heart, diamond, club, and spade - surrounded the dark wooden podiums. Miko felt as if he was up for execution, and it was fitting that such an ominous room was the setting where he'd fight for his life.

A tall, black-and-white portrait of Reina stood at one of the spots, with her face crossed over by two pawns. It was a chilling sight, and Miko averted his gaze, preferring not to remember the loss of someone like her.

Monohenka was already sitting atop a grand throne in the middle of the room, and there were some hushed murmurs and whispers of nervousness as everyone quickly stood at their spots. Much to his dismay, Miko knew that Reina's portrait was to his right, and no matter how much he avoided it, he still saw it out of the corner of his eye. It was a constant reminder that she was truly gone.

To his left was Ringo, who had his arms folded and a frown on his face. Miko couldn't blame him yet again, and he ignored the brief pang of guilt in his chest as he turned towards the middle to face everyone.

This is it.

Miko was no genius. He wasn't even an Ultimate like everyone around him, and yet, he was still capable. He'd investigated as much as he could, and now, he was more determined than anyone to find the truth - not just because of his life, but because of what his heart was telling him.

He was afraid. He'd never been more afraid, and yet, Miko still pressed on. There was nothing more for him to do. He was guided by his promises to Reina and Kanon, his words to Ako, and a temporary purpose, and that was all he needed.

If I have no heart, then why do I feel as much as I do?

It felt as if Reina's absence only made all of Miko's questions and wonders stronger, and he felt her presence next to him, even if she was dead. She'd been the one to challenge his ways of thinking. She'd been the one to challenge the uncertainty looming over his life. She'd been the closest to helping him.

Now, she'd been murdered, and it was up to Miko to find the truth.

He summoned all his strength and took one final deep breath as he left the trial for Monohenka to guide them. Miko felt his hands finally stop sweating, the blood rushing in his ears stopped, and the looks of all his classmates etched themselves into his skin.

Let's begin, he thought. For Reina, Kanon, and everyone's sake, not just my own.

✿

TRUTH BULLETS

• Monohenka File #1

The victim was Reina Hagimoto, the Ultimate Chessmaster. The body was discovered in the flower garden right outside the mansion. The estimated time of death is around 10:00 AM. The cause of death was a single stab through the chest with a sharp object. No traces of any poison or chemicals were detected.

• Reina's Stab Wound

Reina was cleanly stabbed in the chest once. The blood from her wound is still fresh, marking her recent time of death.

• Kitchen Knife

A simple knife from the kitchen, decorated with a flower and covered in blood. Likely the weapon used to kill Reina.

• Bloodstained Tablecloth

A large white tablecloth stained with blood, likely taken from the storage room on the first floor of the mansion.

• Faint Footprint Trail

A faint trail of bloody footprints leading from Reina's body to the edge of the crime scene. The footsteps in question appear to be small squares, and are unable to be specifically identified or attributed to anyone.

• Monohenka's Search

The morning of the murder, Monohenka requested everyone to search the Wonderland for something important to both them and her. The search was cut off by the discovery of Reina's body around 11AM.

• Ringo's Account

Ringo went to the kitchen towards the end of the search and shortly before the body discovery announcement. According to him, one of the kitchen knives was already gone by the time he showed up, and Matsuri and Ako were not the ones who took it.

• Searching Locations

During the search, Ringo, Daisuke, and Reina were on their own, Miko & Kanon searched the mansion, Matsuri & Ako searched the dining hall, and Koharu & Ray searched the tree of trickery. Sora & Aspen's exact locations are still unknown.

• Circumstances of the Case

The entirety of Reina's murder feels somewhat rushed, due to everyone meeting each other two days ago and no prominent motive being presented.

✿

Chapter Text

"Now, then. Let's...begin. With an explanation of. Of the Class Trial."

Monohenka twitched in her seat, as erratic as ever. Despite that, however, even she seemed more serious, as if she was aware of the trial's dire stakes. 

"During the trial, you...will present your arguments. Arguments...about who you believe the blackened is. The blackened," she explained. "When you are...ready to vote, if...you are correct, then...only the blackened. Is punished. But...but if you are wrong...they will live. The rest of you will...die. Perish."

She paused. "...Someone will die. At least one...person will be executed. Let the trial...officially begin. Starting now. Now."

...

"We obviously know where to start, don't we, everyone?" said Sora, immediately jumping right into the logistics of the trial. She briefly checked her watch and let out a sigh of relief, despite the fact that only five minutes had passed.

Sora flipped her hair over her shoulder, the most confident of everyone. "The search was the important part of this whole situation. If we start there and break down what happened during that time bit by bit, then-"

"Can you slow down, for fuck's sake?!" Ringo snapped, already pissed off. "Give us room to breathe, dammit!"

"You're being too loud," Daisuke muttered. "Way to lower the stress of this already-totally-not-stressful situation..."

"Reina's dead," said Ako, still clearly hurt. "...If we rush into things without clearly thinking, that's going to result in all our deaths. Aren't you smart enough to see that? Nevermind, I shouldn't have expected anything out of you, Sora..."

The immediate arguments and cries of outrage at her words took Sora aback, and surprisingly, she didn't retort right away. Miko saw the fear and shock in her eyes, as she wasn't used to being disagreed with so immediately and harshly. The dangers of the trial only hurt her more.

The trial had barely started, and it felt like everyone was at each other's throats. Miko scrambled to think of a way to calm everyone down, but it was too late. A moment later, more and more voices joined the fray.

"I must say, this is a fun little scene we have here," Aspen commented. "Seeing Sora already getting so much totally unnecessary hate...my, my, it's certainly an unfamiliar sight! I'm a little intrigued, even. Hey, Sora, how does it feel?"

"Wait, wait, stop, everyone! Um, we just started, and I can tell that Sora's a little hurt, and..." Koharu's voice quickly died out, as she was too scared to speak. "Um, what do I do, what should I do..."

Ray put a painted nail to his lips, as if he was watching some sort of scandalous show instead. "What a start, hm? And to think that Sora, who we all already know is incredibly smart, brought up a good point...but if you all have other priorities, that's fine, too! I won't be the one to complain."

"A genius on one hand, an audience of anger on the other! Pick them both up, and...oops, there's no balance at all," Matsuri exclaimed. "And if we add the little grandmaster's whole, whoooole murderous-whatever-plan...what a headache we have already!"

The more Miko listened to everyone, the more his head started to spin. Say something. If no one else could bring the trial to a somewhat harmonious start, it had to be him. He was experienced at this. He could calm people down, couldn't he? He couldn't doubt himself and his capabilities now, no matter how small they seemed compared to the Ultimates around him.

Miko took a deep breath. "Everyone, stop. We all need to listen to Sora!"

Whether it was because of his experience or his determination, Miko didn't know. Nevertheless, his command was enough to briefly grab everyone's attention, and all eyes were on him, some annoyed and some ashamed.

"She brought up a good starting point," Miko continued, eager to end the trial as swiftly and effectively as possible. "The search. We know that Reina was killed during that search, so focusing on what exactly happened this morning is the key to figuring out the culprit."

Sora nodded, grateful. "Exactly. Look at you, Miko - I didn't see you being the assertive type in a court-like situation."

"Court-like?" Miko was somewhat confused. "I mean, I'm not a lawyer of any kind, but-"

"Let's not waste any time, everyone. The search. Now." The more Sora talked, the more fearless she became, naturally adapting to the stressful environment as if it was nothing. Stress is probably usual for her, given her hours of studying and rigorous work, I suppose.

"Well, um...we can start by recapping what happened, maybe," said Koharu, trying to match up to her best friend's contributions. "I went with Ray, Sora went with Aspen..."

Sora rolled her eyes. "Kokoharu, we can leave out that part."

"I'm hurt," Aspen dramatically pouted.

"No one asked," said Sora. "Anyways. Miko went with Kanon, Matsuri was with Ako, and Reina went alone. Ringo and Daisuke sat the search out, presumably also going off on their own."

"Woahhh, excellent memory! Like something straight out of a watchmaker's head - wait, that's also you!" Matsuri cheered. "But I also remembered. Isn't that funny? I think everyone else here remembered, too, so it's a group remembering! Group remembering tomorrow at the rabbit hole!"

Ako sighed, already weary. "...The important part of that is that Reina went alone during the search, didn't she?"

"She volunteered to go alone. Insisted on it, actually," Ray pointed out. "Did anyone else find that strange or at least somewhat interesting?"

"Don't you wish you could read the minds of corpses, Little Yoko?" said Matsuri, leaning forward to stare at Ray with one eye still closed. "I can. Well, maybe sometimes possibly occasionally! But not today. Haha!"

Daisuke tugged at his hat. "If Reina went alone, then it's no wonder she, well...you all know. She was alone during the entire search, probably..."

"You and Ringo were also alone, though," Aspen said. "What did you two do? I doubt we'll be able to find solid alibis for you both, especially around Reina's approximate time of death."

"...I was taking a nap. It was too early in the morning," Daisuke muttered. "If you want to suspect me, sure. No one can back me up, but I just went to hide in the tree of trickery and fell asleep."

"Wait, you were there?!" Koharu yelled. "Oh god, then that totally explains the occasional rustling we heard, Ray! I knew I should've been more brave and climbed up the whole tree again, dammit..."

Ray smiled. "You thought it was a ghost, didn't you? Heyyy-yyy, Koharu, ghosts are real here! With wacky robots and extravagant rooms, I wouldn't be surprised at all to run into a haunted spirit in the middle of the night, don't you say?"

"Ringo, where were you during the search?" Miko interrupted, trying to steer the trial back on track. 

Ringo grumbled under his breath, but he was smart enough to know that not answering at all was even worse. "I went to the kitchen towards the end. Before that, I just...wandered around, okay? I know it's not anything, dammit, but I'm not lying, so get off my ass."

"He's right about the kitchen part," said Ako. "I saw him go in as I was leaving-"

"- With me!" Matsuri finished.

"I was getting to that. Do you really think I'd want to imply that I was ever alone during the search, too?"

Sora thought for a moment before she spoke up yet again. "Vague descriptions like that won't help us. Obviously, you two are the most suspicious as of now, but given the location of Reina's body, the method of murder, and many other clues, we can't make any definite assumptions yet."

"So we should focus on the actual clues instead of pinpointing anyone specific," Koharu summarized. "Let me think..."

Miko was slightly jealous of Sora's approach. Although she was afraid, she was still confident, and with a mind like hers, he hoped the trial would be much smoother than expected. Still, with this group, I need to learn how to lower my expectations, as much as it hurts me to say...

✿

NONSTOP DEBATE

START!

(Truth Bullets: Monohenka File #1, Kitchen Knife, Ringo's Account)

"During the search, Ray and I went to the tree of trickery," Koharu explained. "While we were there, it's very possible that Daisuke was, too. I didn't climb all the way up the tree, but at the top, there was a lot of rustling."

Daisuke murmured in agreement. "...Koharu's right. I was at the tree of trickery. I fell asleep, sorry, my apologies, what else do you want me to say..."

"What about Ringo, then?" Aspen asked, intrigued to learn as much as he could. "I was so unbelievably bored listening to the recap, so...can we try that again? Maybe with more energy?"

"Fuck, you people are annoying," Ringo angrily muttered. "I already told you, I wandered around for most of it, okay? How was I supposed to know that there would be a damn murder? And then, at the end, I went to the kitchen. Happy? Did you get that? Were your ears wide and open to listening?"

Matsuri excitedly clapped her hands. "Oooh, right, right! Ringo did go there! Honeybee and I saw him leaving, remember? Never forget what we said, as forgetting is the enemy of progression."

"That would be wise if it made actual sense," said Ako. "But yes, Ringo's telling the truth about the kitchen part."

"If it's just your word on a small part of the search, it's not enough evidence," Sora countered. "If there's nothing else that lines up with Ringo's story, then I'm afraid he's hard to believe, especially if you two are the ones backing him up."

Ako scoffed, not falling for Sora's bait. "A low blow for no reason, and during a life-or-death trial, no less. Who are you trying to intimidate, Sora?"

"Guys, guys, cut it out!" Koharu yelled, trying to quell Sora and Ako's unnecessary tension. Miko himself didn't know how or why the two of them always ended up butting hands, but in a way, he understood. They're similar in several aspects, so it makes sense that they'd clash...

...No, now's not the time. Think back to what everyone said...

ARGUE - nothing else that lines up with Ringo's story  with  Kitchen Knife

"No, that's wrong!"

✿

"While Ringo's story can't be fully proven if he was alone for most of the search, there's a piece of evidence that solidifies his credibility," Miko said, trying to reel the trial back in. "The fact that the murder weapon was a kitchen knife helps him, too."

"Queenie, what?" Ray was both confused and disappointed, and no matter how much Miko tried, he couldn't shut down his taunts. "How does the murder weapon help Ringo rather than hurt him?"

Miko paused, but the answer was clear. Even if it was short, a moment of victory over Ray was always a welcome one. "Because during the investigation, he told me all about how he saw its absence during the search. Ringo also told me how Matsuri and Ako couldn't have taken the knife, as he didn't see it on them. Why would Ringo tell me all this if he was the true killer? It just seems...odd."

"I get where you're coming from," said Sora, "and while it isn't concrete evidence, per se, you're right in saying that it does help Ringo's case."

"Thank you, geez," Ringo groaned. "That damn knife was gone when I got there or whatever the hell Miko said, okay? I'm not lying."

"Then when exactly did the knife disappear?" Koharu asked. "If we can figure that out, then that might help us a lot..."

Miko nodded. "Koharu's right. When did the missing knife disappear, exactly..."

✿

When was the knife taken from the kitchen for the murder?

- Before the search

- During the search

- After the search

"I got it!"

✿

"It had to have been taken before the search. Before Monohenka's announcement, probably," Miko concluded. "The killer likely woke up early just to take the knife for their plan while avoiding detection."

"Honeybee, Ringo, and I were all in the kitchen during every part of the search, whether together or not," Matsuri added. "It's impossible. A never-ending riddle, so it must be before the riddle had a chance to even form!"

"Is there anything else besides the knife we can use..." said Daisuke. "Okay, sure, we know the murder weapon was taken before the search, but that gets us nowhere. It still could've been anyone here..."

"Well, about that..."

Koharu twirled a strand of hair around her finger, nervous but pressing on nonetheless. "I've...had this thought the entire time. This lingering feeling that...everything about this case feels kinda rushed, don't you think?"

"Rushed?" Sora's face flickered with concern. "Kokoharu, what do you mean?"

"Just...since we're talking about it, let's think about the evidence at the crime scene," said Koharu. "There was a knife, yes, but not much else. It's as if the killer ran up to Reina, stabbed her, and left, just like that. The whole situation feels rushed, especially if it took place during the search when we were all usually with someone else."

Surprisingly, Aspen hummed in agreement. "She's right, Sora. I've been thinking the same thing."

"Well, Kokoharu beat you to it," Sora snapped.

"Well, excuse me for keeping my intuition to myself. I thought that's what you've always wanted?" Aspen jabbed back. "Still, Koharu said exactly what I've been thinking. If you were going to commit a murder - a murder with a group of Ultimates, no less - most people would think too much of it, wouldn't they? They'd make an elaborate plan that would likely take them days, at the very least."

Aspen's voice grew more serious as he continued, and Miko realized that this was the genius that stood up to Sora's intelligence. 

"This crime was hastily planned. If I had to guess, it was planned last night, maybe even this morning when the killer decided to take the knife, and, well...figure it out from there," Aspen explained. "And honestly, it ended up working out in their favor, even if they didn't realize. The less clues you leave, the harder the mystery; hence, why we're already at an impasse."

"That's...yeah." Koharu nodded, as Aspen had practically taken the words straight from her mouth and added some of his own. "Maybe the killer wanted this. To rush the mystery, to leave behind as few clues as possible..."

"That's not going to get us anywhere, dammit," Ringo complained. "Whining about how we're already stuck won't do us any good. The knife wasn't the only goddamn piece of evidence, anyway."

Ray folded his arms, surprisingly also lost in thought. "Then let's continue down the line of the search, hm? We talked about the groups, but just because we went off in pairs doesn't mean we always stayed in pairs."

"Good point," said Sora, earning a grin from Ray. "Aspen and I were, ugh, together the whole time we searched. I made sure not to let him wander off like a stupid horsefly. What about the rest of you?"

"Matsuri and I...split up," Ako reluctantly admitted. "I looked around the dining hall, and she searched the kitchen, but if she left, I would've seen her."

Ray let out a fake, dramatic pout. "I didn't even think my own comment through...because Koharu, we split up for a bit, didn't we? So we could cover more ground and search the forest right outside of the tree room."

"Ah...yeah. Sorry, Sora," Koharu apologized, "but Ray and I did split up. He left to go search the forest, though, so he's telling the truth there!"

Big shocker. Miko ignored how Ray's words felt like bugs crawling under his skin and focused on his own answer. For a second, he froze as the truth washed over him, but he swallowed, forcing his nervousness aside. 

It doesn't mean anything.

"Kanon and I split up as well," Miko calmly said. "I searched the top floor of the mansion, and she searched the bottom."

Just because we split up...doesn't mean anything at all.

Sora let out a frustrated groan. "You guys seriously had to go and all...whatever. Whatever! Ringo's right, it's not like anyone predicted that...this would happen. That...we'd all be here. What's done is done, and since none of you were apparently together, that means all of you are suspicious!"

"Except us," Aspen said, amusement worming its way into his words.

"And me!" chimed Matsuri. 

"...And me, too. Obviously," said Sora. "That leaves the suspects as, oh, I don't know, everyone else. Miko, Kanon, Kokoharu, Ray, Ringo, Ako, and Daisuke - if all of you were alone at some point, that makes you a possible culprit."

"Sora, slow down!" Koharu exclaimed, overwhelmed. If anyone could see Sora growing increasingly stressed the more time passed, it was her best friend, and Miko sensed Koharu's unease, too.

The trial was moving quickly. Almost too quickly. Just like the murder. Miko tried to push the connection out of his mind, but it lingered there. The more someone talked and the more evidence was thrown into the discussion pool, the more Miko felt like something wasn't right.

"Not everyone was split up the whole time," Koharu continued, attempting to hold onto Sora's attention. "Maybe we should focus on who could've left, gone to the garden, and..."

"Killed Reina in a relatively short time," Ray finished, as if he'd read her mind.

"I don't think you were gone for that long, right, Ray?" asked Koharu. After a moment, she rephrased, "No, you weren't gone for that long. You couldn't have killed Reina at all!"

Miko swallowed, a little nervous about Koharu's defense of Ray. "Are you absolutely sure?" He knew Ray. He knew that the toxicologist had killed someone, and while he wouldn't be idiotic enough to do it again, Miko still couldn't trust him.

Not with what you've done. The memories of Yui's death and the news that Ray shot someone, killed someone, at the end of the first Killing Wonder came flooding back. Miko remembered hearing about the pictures. The whole crime. Every aspect of Yui's death. He remembered how Yasuko had never been the same, too - all because of her own brother.

And yet, none of that mattered now. Miko watched as even Ray's face flickered in surprise, but he wasn't one to deny being in the clear. Slowly, he nodded, and for a moment, Miko truly believed that he was genuinely grateful for Koharu's words.

"I didn't kill Reina," said Ray. Even though there was a faint smile on his face, his voice was sincere, and Miko flinched at the sound. "I know that alone doesn't mean much, but...Koharu's word should be enough."

"I'm sure," Koharu repeated, blinking away the last bits of hesitation in her eyes. "Ray...couldn't have done it."

...

...That's the truth, then.

If Koharu believed in Ray, then Miko couldn't argue. As much as it hurt him to accept Ray's innocence, as much as it stung to pretend like he was a good person, Miko had no choice but to accept Koharu's words.

She didn't know the truth, and Miko didn't want to break that illusion. Whatever friendship she and Ray had, Miko didn't want to ruin it, no matter how strange it made him feel at first. Maybe, just maybe, the two of them needed each other, just as he felt he'd been waiting to meet Koharu his whole life, too.

"...Okay, great, one less person is a murderer," Daisuke murmured. "And as for clues...there was something else there. Besides the knife...and we haven't talked about it yet, so are you guys just going to brush over the bloody tablecloth there, or..."

Miko's eyes widened as he realized just how much of a fool he'd been. "You're right, Daisuke. That bloody tablecloth...it was used to block the blood splatter."

"Wait, wait, wait. How the fuck did someone get a damn tablecloth?" Ringo asked. "What, do we have a tablecloth room now? Full of hellish colors and unnecessary details or some shit like that?"

Miko sucked in a breath. He already knew the answer.

He knew where the tablecloth was from. He knew exactly where it was and who was in said area during the search. He knew they were alone. He knew they had the time. He knew it could've all been done.

But unlike Koharu, believing in others didn't come as easily.

Miko followed his heart. He was emotional, rash, and foolish at times, and while he cared, he knew what it was like to be betrayed. Ray was right there. Ray was the reason why Miko was so, so different from the person he was in the past - back when she was still alive.

Back when Yui was around. Back when there were no Killing Wonders or worrying about Wonderlands or anything foolish and life was simply so much better, just as it was always meant to be.

Now, as Ringo asked the question of where the tablecloth was, Miko desperately tried to ignore the slow wave of betrayal and pain dawning over his thoughts.

✿

HANGRABBIT'S GAMBIT

Where was the tablecloth taken from?

...

..

.

.

.

S - T - O - R - A - G - E    C - L - O - S - E - T

"This has to be it!"

✿

"The tablecloth..." Miko swallowed, trying to rid himself of the suffocating dryness in his throat. "It was taken from the storage room in the mansion. There are spare tablecloths there, as well as cleaning supplies and anything else we may need."

"That storage room was on the first floor of the mansion," Sora clarified. "But if that's the case, then..."

The first floor. 

The first floor of the mansion.

Miko shut his eyes. Don't say it, he prayed. Deep down, that was all he could do - pray. Everyone else was gradually coming to the same conclusion as him, but Miko couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it.

"The first floor of the mansion?" Aspen played with one of the rings around his finger, a glimmer of interest sparkling in his eyes. "Well, well, well. During the search, who was there, exactly?"

Don't say it.

Memories of the promise he'd made came flooding back.

He promised to find the truth. He promised to avenge Reina's death. He promised to bring whoever killed her to justice, no matter what. Before the trial, he'd reminded himself over and over that it was for everyone's sake, not just his. 

But now, it all felt meaningless when the truth that everyone slowly accepted was the complete opposite of what Miko believed.

"No." Ako spoke up, her usually confident voice now beginning to crack. "No, no, no, you're not saying-"

Don't say it.

Miko agreed with her. Miko felt her pain. Miko shared her pain. As he watched Ako's eyes fill with tears of denial, rage, and horror, he forced himself to look away. He tried to think of something, anything, to say, but the more he said nothing, the worse he felt.

"The person searching the first floor of the mansion was..." Koharu cut herself off with a gasp, her hands flying up to cover her mouth in shock.

Don't say it.

Miko felt horrible. It was as if his once-hopeful thoughts turned into a pile of mud, tearing him apart and disgusting him from the inside out. It felt like he was drowning in a pool of sludge, consumed by his own guilt at his now-false promise.

Ray folded his arms, eerily calm. "We all know who it was, don't we?"

Don't say it.

Don't say it.

Don't say it.

Miko looked up and that was when he wanted to scream at Ray to stop it, stop it, stop it, don't say it-

...

- But Ray smiled.

Ray smiled, but it was different from his usual playful grins. It was an all-knowing smile - one that Miko knew far too well.

He knew the truth, and once he believed something, he had the genius and the ability to convince others to think the same. Whatever he deemed as true, he could get everyone to follow. The memories of Yui's death and Ray's involvement and his betrayal stopped Miko in his tracks, and he froze. All he could do was slowly watch Ray accuse someone - the person that Miko made a heartfelt promise to. The girl Miko swore to keep safe no matter what. 

...

..

.

.

.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Ray said, eyes glowing for a brief moment. "Kanon."

✿

Kanon killed Reina.

The moment Ray accused Kanon, the room went silent.

Kanon killed Reina.

Kanon hadn't said a word the whole trial, as still as a statue at her podium. She'd been shaking, but for the first time, she was eerily still, and her head slowly raised at the sound of Ray's accusation.

Kanon killed Reina.

Ray's words were clear. Ray's words were absolute, and Kanon heard them. She stared into space as the words pounded themselves into her mind over and over and over. The once-sweet and always kind Kanon looked like a ghost, and Miko was briefly reminded of the first time he'd met her. He remembered when he'd been terrified of her, and now, the image of her as the distant angel from his dream nearly reflected the sight in front of him.

Kanon killed Reina.

Miko couldn't speak. Koharu's hands were still pressed to her face as tears dripped down her cheeks. Sora sucked in a heavy breath, Aspen didn't have a witty remark on hand, Matsuri's gaze darted around the room, and Daisuke was more alert than ever before. 

Kanon killed Reina.

Ringo's eyes were wide in shock. 

Kanon killed Reina.

Kanon killed Reina.

Kanon killed her own sister.

"What are you saying?!"

It was Ako who unsurprisingly broke the silence.

Ako looked as if she'd been the one stabbed, her face paralyzed in an expression of pure fury and confusion. One of her classmates was dead, and if that wasn't enough, another - her best friend, no less - was being accused of doing it.

"You're saying..." Ako paused, stumbling over her own words. Her usual confidence was shattered and shaped into pure determination that Miko never imagined he'd see. "You're saying that...that Kanon killed Reina. Her own sister."

For a moment, Ray hesitated, but then nodded. The truth was heavy for someone like him, too, but it didn't mean Miko could forgive him or agree with him.

"She didn't do it," Ako said. That had been a fact since the very beginning to her. "Kanon didn't do it. Kanon wouldn't kill anyone, no less her own sister. Are you...are you out of your mind? What kind of horrible...horrible person are you?"

"She's the only one who could've taken the tablecloth," Ray calmly retorted, "and with Queenie upstairs, she could've easily slipped out into the garden and-"

"And you expect me to believe that?" Ako spat, growing more worked up the longer she spoke. 

Ray bit the inside of his lip. "I don't want it to be true, either. But if we want to survive, then-"

"She's my best friend and I know her better than you ever will," Ako snapped, cutting Ray off. "I don't care about your fancy logic or how smart you are or how correct you think you'll ever be. Kanon didn't do it. Kanon didn't do it, and you're wrong. Maybe someone as insane as you would kill your own sister, but Kanon wouldn't. You don't know her like I know her. You didn't see how much she truly cared about Reina."

"Ako's right," said Ringo. As angry as he was, his voice was surprisingly controlled. "Killing your own damn sister?! That's fucking crazy, and...and..."

Koharu nodded. "I don't believe it at all, either. No one would kill their own sister, let alone someone as kind as Kanon!"

The more everyone else spoke up in confusion and outrage, the more hope Miko started to regain. Kanon didn't do it. Why would he accept Ray's supposed accusation as the truth, even for a mere second? For a moment, Miko felt like a fool.

He remembered his promise to Kanon, Ako, and to himself. He remembered how distraught she'd been, and no matter how many questions he had about her, Miko knew that Kanon was a good person. As he watched everyone speak up with their beliefs about Kanon's innocence, the rotten pit in the depths of Miko's stomach slowly started to disappear.

"...Have you all looked at the footprints yet?"

...

Ray spoke up again, now unbothered and cold, despite the remnants of a smile still lingering on his face.

Before anyone else could speak, Ray continued, louder and more confident than he was before. Ako, Ringo, and everyone's words were just a mere setback for him. He leaned forward and rested his head in the palm of his hand, acting as if the trial was another easy challenge for him.

"The faint trail of bloody footprints leading away from the scene is what will give us our blackened," Ray explained. "It's what will solidify and prove that Kanon's the guilty one here, and we can end this, just as you all wanted."

Ray drew a little picture with his finger. "They were shaped like this, remember? A footprint, but...with a square on the end. What kind of shoes make indents like those? Not normal ones like sneakers, that's for sure. It's like a part of the shoe doesn't touch the ground at all."

"Aww, Little Yoko, don't you know that it's best to cut the riddles and get to the point sometimes?" Matsuri interjected. "It's a heel. That's what you wanted to say, right? Those footprints were caused by heeled shoes."

"You..." Ray blinked, thrown off by Matsuri's unexpected assistance. "No, you're exactly right, Matsuri! Those footprints were caused by heels, and if you look at them now, you'll see that I'm right."

No, no, no.

Miko wanted to tell Ray that he was wrong, but deep down, he knew he couldn't - all because Ray was right. He was right about the footprints. He was right about their shape. He was right that they were left by heeled shoes, as it was all that made sense.

But he couldn't agree with him. The more Ray spoke, the more Miko realized he was right, and that horrified him. The trial falling into Ray's hands was the last thing he'd ever wanted - not just because of Ray himself, but because Miko knew he didn't have the power to pry it away from him.

Ray's words made Miko feel like he was drowning once again. Once more, he tried to scream, tried to object, tried to think of something that could prove Kanon's innocence, but his mind drew a blank, only making Miko feel all the more helpless.

"He's...right," Sora said, as much as she hated the idea of Kanon being a murderer. "Those footprints could've only been left by someone who wears heels, and..."

"Sora...?" Koharu tried to stop her friend, but it was too late. Sora was a logical person, as much as it hurt her in the end, and not even Koharu could fight the possibility of Kanon being the blackened.

Everything was spiraling out of control, and more and more people realized that Ray's evidence was perfectly clear. Matsuri tilted her head, having been the one to first help him, and Aspen was still silent, the sparkle in his eyes now completely gone.

"...There's not that many people who wear heels and could've gotten the tablecloth," Daisuke muttered. There was real, genuine sorrow in his voice, and he hid his gaze out of shame, which was the last thing Miko expected to see from him.

"You're not...! You're not seriously saying...no, no, no..." Koharu shook her head, still in denial as she softly cried into her palms.

"She..." When Miko finally spoke, his voice was shaky and uncertain, no matter how much he believed in Kanon's innocence. "She didn't do it, Ray. Those footprints, the tablecloth, all of it...it won't convince me at all, and..."

Ray tilted his head, intrigued by Miko's objection. "But Queenie, you were the one who confirmed that you and Kanon were alone during your search in the mansion. If Reina was killed in the garden, of all places, wouldn't Kanon be the only one who could've gotten there fast enough?"

"That's..." Miko flinched, but his mind didn't waver. "No, I still don't think that she did it. I promised her. I promised her, and Ako, and Reina, and I..."

"Kanon didn't fucking do it!" Ringo shouted, cutting Miko off with far more genuine passion. "No matter how much you shove your supposedly damning evidence in all our faces, there's no way we'll ever believe you and accept a shitty truth like that."

"But...those heels match Kanon's shoes," Sora quietly said. It was a truth she didn't want to accept, but to her, it was the only truth that made perfect sense. "I don't want to believe that Kanon's a murderer. I don't want to believe that anyone here is a murderer, but if we want to survive, we need to accept these heavy truths. It's the only way we can."

Sora's words felt like the final nail in the coffin. For someone as kind as her to gradually believe in Kanon's guilt made Miko feel like he'd been hit by a bus. Aspen nodded in agreement, while Koharu looked as if she'd been struck in the face, and the poor girl went horribly pale.

"The footprints, the tablecloth, the fact that she was in the mansion and right next to the garden..." Daisuke exhaled and pressed a hand to his face, clearly shaken. "...There's no other option, is there? No other way for Reina to have been killed..."

"Daisuke, dammit, not you too..." Ringo ran a hand through his hair, practically trying to rip it out. "No, no, fuck, this is ALL WRONG!"

As he watched the Ultimates around him slowly accept Ray's words or fall into horrified silence, Miko knew he was the only one who could do something. He was the only one who could stop Ray. He was the only one who knew Ray, flaws and all - who could prove him wrong.

But as everyone around him descended into stunned madness, as everyone around him saw Kanon's guilt as the one and only truth, Miko felt powerless. In that moment, all he was reminded of was Ray, his smile, and just how terrifying the toxicologist could be.

It only took him minutes to spin the trial in his favor. It took him moments to find evidence and effortlessly prove Kanon's guilt. It took him such little effort, a smile, and seemingly no emotion at all, and it pissed Miko off as much as it scared him.

Miko remembered punching Ray at the start of the Killing Wonder. He remembered the rush of power over having control over Ray, but now, all of that strength was gone, and Miko watched Ray's gaze slowly shift towards him.

His eyes practically glowed in the extravagant trial room, and his smile was more deadly than ever before. For a brief second, all Miko wanted to do was accept that Ray was right. With a mind like his, with power like his, why had Miko ever tried to resist?

Why?

Why?

Why?

In the end, all of Miko's doubts were always caused by Ray. Ray Fukumoto. Ray was the source of all his problems, all his woes, and all his mistakes. Miko was his worst self around him, and Ray, on the other hand, seemed to thrive off of who Miko was around him - the "true" Miko. The emotional, uncertain Miko, who was nothing more than a fragment from their shared pasts; their lives always interwoven and disgustingly tangled together.

"Queenie."

Ray's smile widened when he said Miko's nickname, meant for him and him alone. Miko saw the rush of victory in Ray's eyes, and he knew he'd lost. The trial was practically over, and it was short - too short.

Miko remembered Koharu's words. It feels like the trial won't even matter. In the end, she'd been somewhat right - the moment Ray spoke up, the trial didn't matter. His promise didn't matter. Nothing mattered when it came to Ray. Ray didn't care about everyone's feelings, the lives of others, or change.

"Sorry for making you break your promise," said Ray. His smile faded, and for a moment, Miko wanted to believe that he was sorry. Maybe, just maybe, he regretted having to watch Kanon die.

Miko was stunned, frozen in place and unable to scream back. As he scrambled for something to say, for something to do, a last chance to change the trial and the fates of those around him-

"I DIDN'T DO IT!"

...

- Kanon screamed.

Her porcelain face was now stained with tears, and her eyes were puffy and red. She gripped her podium as if her life depended on it, and her entire body trembled with fear. Her usual graceful self was completely shattered, and just like before, Miko was terrified of her all over again.

"I...I didn't...I didn't," Kanon said, her words now ruined and shaky. The more she talked, the more desperate and broken she sounded. "I didn't...I wouldn't do that. To Reina...I didn't, she..."

"Kanon. Kanon, please-" Ako tried to get to her friend, but it was too late. Kanon was already gone, too much of a mess to firmly plead her case. Miko felt more and more distraught by the second, and for the first time in a while, he heard the sound of his own heavy heartbeat.

Kanon sniffled and hugged herself as she continued to sob. "Reina...Reina, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't...I swear, I'd never...never ever, just come back, please, please, I'm so, so sorry..."

"Fuck." Ringo tore his gaze away from Kanon, trying to hide his own tears. "Don't you get it? She didn't fucking do it, dammit..."

"...There's nothing else to be said," Ray interrupted. His smile was gone, and he looked away from Kanon, too, as if seeing her flicked a switch in him. Still, that didn't stop him from turning back. 

"I...I DIDN'T!" Kanon screamed. "Please, please, I'm innocent...Ringo, Ako, someone, anyone, please..."

"But you did," said Matsuri. She, too, was unusually serious, and she closed both her eyes, gently swaying back-and-forth. "Poor, poor Kanon, lost in your own guilt. I must say, Little Yoko, do you feel bad? Do you take your words back yet? Well, not like it matters. We're all much too convinced."

Kanon hurriedly looked around the room, searching for a way out. Eventually, her eyes settled on Miko, and he felt numb. It was as if he'd been shocked to the heart, and her once-enchanting eyes were now hollow and empty, ruined by her tears and sorrow. It only made the sight of Kanon all the more terrifying, like Miko was looking at a second corpse.

"Miko. Miko." Kanon tried to get more words out between her cries. "Please, please, please..."

When she said his name, Miko finally looked away. He couldn't bear to hear her. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. He'd broken his promise. Deep down, he still didn't believe it, and as the trial warped and moved in front of him, he wanted to stop it all so, so badly.

Something wasn't right. Nothing had been right since the very beginning. Miko remembered Koharu's confusion over the entire murder - isn't it too quick? What's the motive? Why? Why? 

Why?

Miko felt as if he was moving in slow-motion compared to the rest of the trial. As more and more people stopped speaking, as everyone accepted Kanon's guilt or lacked the strength to fully change it, all Miko could do was watch.

The trial was rushing and moving and spinning before his very eyes, and he knew it wasn't right. He felt like he was being turned upside-down and inside-out and everything in between, and Kanon's cries and Ringo's screams of outrage and Ako's desperate pleas and seeing Koharu so disheartened and Daisuke felt terrible and Matsuri looked more peaceful than ever and even Sora believed she was guilty and Aspen looked doubtful and Ray Ray Ray-

Nothing felt right at all. Everything was nonsensical and messed-up and rushed, just like the murder itself. Miko's eyes shot open as he welled up all his strength to say something, anything to keep Kanon from being voted as the blackened -

- But it was too late.

Monohenka's voice broke through the chaos.

...

"...I suppose it is time. To vote. Use the tablets...on your podiums. Cast your vote...to end the trial."

...

Miko blinked.

The tablet in front of him had come to life, but his hands were trembling with fear, confusion, and pain. He felt disoriented, as if the world in front of him was just a story for him to watch.

Slowly, he tried to move. He tried to press on Ray's portrait or anyone but Kanon's, but Miko already knew that whatever he did wouldn't matter. It was just as Koharu said - the trial won't matter. In the end, nothing he did and all his wishes never mattered.

The tablet shut off. The voting ended. Miko pulled his hand back. He hadn't voted for anyone. He couldn't vote, and it was too late, but it felt like nothing mattered anymore. Miko felt his heartbeat return to normal, but that didn't make him feel any better.

The screen behind Monohenka flickered on, revealing a giant flower-shaped roulette of sorts. All Miko watched was a blur of color, unfocused on anyone's faces. He watched it spin and spin and spin, but he already knew what would happen.

Nothing was right about the entire trial, after all, and Miko was too weak to change it.

...

Seven votes.

Seven votes for Kanon.

Seven people voted that Kanon killed her own sister, and Miko knew he wasn't one of them. In the end, though, that didn't matter. He wasn't part of the majority, and like always, he didn't change the trial at all.

All because of his emotions. All because of his promise. The moment Kanon was accused, Miko had gone silent, too dominated by his own fear and distress that ended up completely destroying him in the end.

As always, Ray was right. Miko's own emotions, feelings born from the heart, were his greatest weakness, and he'd never felt more guilty until now. As the wheel spun and landed on Kanon's portrait, Miko didn't feel good in the slightest. 

Then, the beeping started.

A horrible, screeching, pounding alarm resonated through the room, and the words in front of Miko's eyes were all too clear.

NOT GUILTY

...

Kanon was not guilty.

They'd lost.

They'd lost the trial.

They were going to die. Everyone was going to die, and yet, Miko wasn't surprised in the slightest. He'd known that Kanon was innocent, he knew that he should've at least tried, and now, it was all over.

The trial room fell into heavy, stunned silence once more. Miko felt as if he was suspended from a hook, ready and waiting for his fate. He was exhausted. His body was numb and practically dead, and he stared into space, unable to focus as he leaned against his podium.

...

"...You lost."

Miko looked up at the sound of the true culprit's voice, framed by the red glow of everyone's incorrect votes.

...

And suddenly, horrible laughter filled his ears.

It was a hollow, empty laugh, filled with apathy and ambition. It was a laugh filled with eerie cheer. It was a laugh that was all too familiar, but at the same time, was a sound pulled from the worst of Miko's nightmares. It was a laugh that made Miko's mind bleed with anger and disgust and everything in between. It was a laugh that felt like strings of toxic poison pulling him towards his imminent death. 

Miko looked up to see Ray Fukumoto laughing over his victory in the class trial, and that was the moment that snapped him out of his trance.

✿

Ray won the trial.

Ray was the one who murdered Reina. Ray was the one who tricked everyone. It was no wonder that the trial felt uncontrollable the second he started running it. This was exactly what Ray wanted, and Miko was powerless to stop it. Now, it was far too late, and he watched the toxicologist break down into messy laughter, as if he was in denial, too.

"You really...you really, truly lost," Ray said. He took a deep breath and stood up straight, leaning against his podium with all the satisfaction in the world. "Leaving so little clues behind was something I knew would work, but for it to be this easy, wow..."

Ray won.

"You're..." Sora took a step back, shaking her head in complete denial. "You're...you're joking, right...?"

"Oh." Aspen looked away, trying to hide his distress. "Haha...so it really ended up like this, and so early on, too..."

Ray won.

Daisuke didn't say a word. Ringo, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to kill Ray, but at the same time, he was too paralyzed by fear to move. Ako's knees buckled as she fell to the ground, her confidence completely broken as she sobbed, too.

Ray won.

Matsuri simply tilted her head, more lifeless than ever. Kanon's screams filled the room, enveloped and merging with Ray's laughter and words of sickening glee. The more Miko looked at Ray, the more he thought of Reina and how her death was now for nothing and how he failed and how now, now now now-

- We're all going to die.

"...How?"

It was Koharu who dared to speak up. Her face was frozen in a wide, shaky smile as tears poured down her cheeks, and she let out a pitiful laugh of her own. "How...how did you do it, you were with me...with me, and...and..."

"Hm?" Ray's smile fell as he stared at Koharu, but he didn't dodge her question, instead giving her the abrupt truth. "I murdered her when I left you. You simply...misremembered. You wanted to believe in me, so you defended me. It happens when you think the best of your friends."

Koharu's eyes widened, and she laughed again, this time louder than before. "Friends? Friends? You're...you're my friend, aren't you? So then...why did you just betray me, Ray?"

Ray hesitated. Betrayal. It was a word that defined his and Miko's relationship. Hearing Koharu direct it right back at him reminded Miko of all the pain he'd felt. He remembered learning about Ray's involvement in Yui's death. About his hand in the Killing Wonders. About just what kind of a person he was. More than anything, Miko briefly remembered the friend he'd once had in Ray, and how more than anything else, he'd never stopped wishing for that person to come back, even for just a little.

His silence said everything, and Koharu looked away, her face resembling the pain Miko felt in the past. Her usual sunshine was completely gone, all because of Ray. Koharu's pain was what gave Miko the final push to step away from his podium and slowly walk towards Ray.

Even if he was about to die, he couldn't leave Ray with nothing. As he moved, however, Koharu spoke yet again, and he paused.

"Tell me I'm wrong, Ray," Koharu pleaded. "Do...do something. Stop this, whatever you've done, just stop it. Prove me wrong, show me that you care, that you care about all of us, that...that Miko was wrong about you, Ray!"

Ray looked away. His silence spoke volumes to Koharu, Miko, and everyone else, and the room fell into silence yet again as Ray gave her a wordless answer. It was all Koharu needed, and she tore her gaze away, shaking her head in disappointment and despair.

"It's ironic," Ray cooly said, finally breaking the silence yet again, "that you say that."

Miko stepped forward, as if he was hooked on a line and drawn to Ray's words. The more he spoke, the more confusing he sounded, as if he, too, had been put into a trance all because of the trial.

"The only way for me to stop this is if someone does something," Ray continued. "If someone saves all of you, all of us, then it'll all be okay. That's your only hope at this point. That's the only way to change this."

"What are you..." Miko continued to move. "Ray, what the hell are you saying?"

Ray briefly smiled, but it was different from his usual grins. There was a flicker of sorrow in his eyes that had been there as soon as the trial ended, and it only continued to intensify. 

Nothing changed. No one stepped forward to save them, even when Ray repeated himself.

"Someone can save you all. All they have to do is act," Ray repeated. "If it happens, you all will be okay. Everyone here...they all have a purpose, but yours can be to save everyone. See how much everyone wants to live?"

...

No one responded.

Miko moved, even when his vision started to blur. Even when the moment of everyone's executions drew closer and closer, Miko kept going. If there was one thing he could do, it would be to try and get to Ray one last time.

He was blinded by rage, fury, memories from the past, and feelings from the present. Nothing mattered anymore. Listening to his heart over his head didn't matter, who the culprit was didn't matter, and keeping all of Ray's supposed secrets didn't matter. He was teetering on the bridge between life and death, and Miko intended to make the most of it, powered by his failed promise, Kanon's broken self, Koharu's disbelief, and more. 

Ray was closer and closer, still illuminated by the red light of the wrong decision. As he stood and waited for everyone's executions to begin, Miko saw how he, too, was dejected.

Ray's words meant nothing. His ambiguous plea for "someone" to change everyone's fates had been nothing more than a lie, and now, he was unusually silent. No more laughing, no more remarks about how he'd won, and no more last words for anyone.

Seeing Ray so stoic, silent, and guilty made Miko freeze. He tried to lift an arm or a hand to say something or do something or punch Ray one last time, but before he could, the toxicologist turned to look at him.

At the sight of Miko, Ray's eyes fluttered with something akin to confusion. Miko felt his vision get worse and worse and he stumbled, but the sight of Ray remained all too clear, especially when he started laughing again.

This time, though, his laughter was completely different. They were desperate, erratic, perplexed laughs, like Koharu's earlier laughs of denial. As Ray stared back at Miko, he'd never looked more like Yui - laughing, smiling, yet not happy in the slightest.

Yui.

The thought of her stunned both of them. Miko could tell that Ray was thinking of her, too, reminded of all the better years they'd spent together. But just like everything else, they meant nothing now - not when Ray had turned into whoever he was now.

"Haha...ahahahaha..." 

As Ray laughed, all Miko could do was watch.

The energy and rage that once filled him was gone yet again. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Ray, who he'd never seen so distressed, broken, and scared, despite the fact that he was the one person able to leave alive.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Why had it come to this?

Why had Reina died so suddenly? What was Ray's motive? What did he mean about someone being able to save everyone? Question after question popped into Miko's head without him even having to think, but they were questions that already felt familiar, as if they'd stay for a long time.

"Queenie. Miko." Ray stepped closer and outstretched a hand, as if he was trying to find the right words to say. One last word. One last remark. Something for only the two of them, just like it was during the years when Yui was still alive.

"Ray." Miko was at a loss for words. "Ray, I..."

Surprisingly, he wasn't afraid anymore, as if Ray's words were the one thing that could bring him true comfort. Death was so near, and yet, it was just as Koharu said earlier - like none of this will even matter. As if they'd go back to the beginning with a fresh start. As if they could repeat the trial, and Miko would have the strength he needed to find the right truth.

But just as he thought of something to say, Monohenka's robotic, coldhearted voice distracted him with the announcement of his execution.

...

Execution.

"It...is now time," Monohenka said, ignoring everyone's reactions. "Let us...give it everything we've got. For...it is now..."

...

Like anyone else, Miko didn't want to die.

His questions weren't answered. He hadn't found his purpose. He'd messed up. The trial could've been prevented because of him. Everyone could move on with the Killing Wonder and their lives because of him, but Miko didn't have that strength. Maybe, in that case, he deserved to die.

He looked up at the ceiling, staring at the intricate patterns of the trial room. It was oddly beautiful despite its cruel nature, and he felt Ray still standing in front of him, refusing to move or leave his side.

Somehow, that was enough to give Miko a moment of comfort.

As he closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of Monohenka starting the execution program, Miko suppressed his fear. He repeated Koharu and Ray and everyone's words over and over, ignoring his own fear and the rapid pounding of his heart - the very thing that caused the majority of his questions.

Maybe none of this will matter.

Miko hoped for that. He hoped that none of it and all of it mattered. He dreamed of meeting everyone again and again yet still remembering the friendships he'd already formed. Koharu and her cheerfulness, Sora and her smarts, and Aspen and Ako and Ringo and Matsuri and Daisuke and Reina and Kanon. Miko didn't want to forget any of them, even if he wanted to meet them all for the first time over and over.

Over and over and over. 

As Miko let himself fall into the darkness, his mind felt like a clock rewinding itself. Somehow, that motion, no matter how absurd or unrealistic, was enough to bring him a shred of comfort before it was truly too late.

...

"It's...punishment time."

...

The last thing Miko saw through his closed eyes was a flash of light before it all changed for the first out of five times. 

✿

END

Surviving Students: ?????

0/5 completed.

BEGIN?

✿

Chapter Text

The day after the deal was formed and Reina lost her second match, the girl came back yet again.

"You look exhausted," she said, gesturing to Reina's school uniform, her heavy breathing, and her slightly out-of-place hair. "Did you rush here straight after school? Don't overexert yourself, silly."

Reina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying not to let the girl's words shake her. "...I'm fine. It was just a busy day. I had a student council meeting, and I don't like to keep people waiting, that's all."

"Student council member, hm?" The girl smiled. "I'm not surprised you're impressive both in and out of school."

"President. Student council president," Reina curtly said. She pulled her chess board and pieces out of her bag, trying to keep her mind focused on their upcoming match instead of a casual conversation. Reina was determined to win, after all, but she knew it wouldn't be an easy battle.

This girl was the smartest person she'd ever met. As Reina set up the board and put the pieces in their proper places, this time, she tried avoiding looking at the girl's face. Her simple but sweet smile, the graceful way that she carried herself, and everything about her screamed at Reina to look and analyze, but she resisted the urge.

"Your move," Reina said, gesturing to the girl. Around them, the wind briefly whipped up, but Reina ignored it. She tugged at the edge of her sweater and smoothed down her skirt, keeping her eyes and mind trained on the board and game in front of her.

The girl moved her pawn first. Reina followed. Every play required her to be one step ahead, and hundreds of possible positions for each and every piece popped in her head. Reina sorted them out quickly and carefully, searching for just the right move. The earliest parts of the game were just as critical as the final checkmate.

"You're so tense. Loosen up, okay?"

The sound of the girl's voice shattered Reina's thoughts and scenarios, and she looked up, startled. All her previous promises of no distractions and keeping her mind honed in on yet another win disappeared in an instant - all because of the girl's voice.

She smiled. Her smile was a simple thing, oh-so-natural on her, but that was what made it captivating. "I want this to be an opportunity for us to get to know each other better besides the game, too, okay?"

"That's..." Reina wanted to tell her no. That's not the point. Instead, though, she nodded, as if the girl was pulling her along a string she couldn't cut herself free from. "...All right, if you insist."

As Reina moved yet another piece, she could practically feel the girl's smile, as if it was baring into her skin. She stared at her rook, forming a strategy in her mind. The rook was a piece that was often underestimated, but today, Reina wanted to use it as much as possible, as if it was calling her to do so.

What's happening to me?

Everything felt strange when she was around this girl, even during something as natural as a chess game. Reina felt like she was in a parallel dimension, lulled into a sweet dream where she always won yet never felt the thrill of victory that she usually did. It was all because of the girl - her smile, her presence, and her genuine kindness were so confusing to Reina.

If she was being honest, Reina was the slightest bit terrified, too.

The girl leaned forward and moved her own piece after taking a moment to think. "I must say, you've already caught me in quite the predicament. Do you like doing anything else besides playing chess? Not that that's a bad thing, of course - call it curiosity."

"Besides chess?" Reina blinked, thrown off by the question. "I...suppose there's student council duties, and reading."

"Do you have any family you like to spend time with?"

Family. Without thinking, Reina answered, as family was the most important thing in the world to her. "...I do. I have a sister."

"A sister?" The girl's eyes sparkled with a fondness that Reina had never seen before. "That's wonderful. But...if you love her so much, if you speak so fondly of her, then why do you look so sad?"

Reina froze, almost dropping her piece. She sharply recoiled her hand back, in shock because of the girl's words. They didn't sting - rather, it felt like tearing a bandage off far too quickly and painfully, exposing a wound that Reina had never truly thought about before. 

It was far more painful than she initially believed. The thought of answering a question about her recent thoughts and interactions with her sister, of all people, somehow felt extremely difficult. The mere thought of Kanon now, likely off with her friends or fulfilling her role as the "world's princess", made Reina sad, just as the girl noticed.

"I..." Somehow, Reina felt compelled to share. If anyone could help her, if anyone could guide her, it was the girl, who was the toughest opponent she'd ever faced. Chess came easy to Reina, but when faced with a challenge in the game, it felt like she was facing all her challenges in the real world for the first time in a while.

Reina moved her rook, pinning several of her opponent's pieces before answering, "Our relationship...has been somewhat strained recently. I miss her a lot. I want to talk to her, to understand her, to know her like I used to, but..."

"But it's difficult," the girl responded, briefly lowering her head. "Once you lose someone, even if it's just for a little while, it's difficult to truly get them back, don't you think?"

"It...it is," Reina said, surprised by her hesitation. The girl was right, and Reina looked down, suddenly unable to fully focus on the game now. Still, she carried on with her rook strategy, hoping that maybe, the little castle could become a pillar of success for her.

When she made her move, she looked up to see the girl leaning in, carefully studying her expression. "You're still thinking about something, aren't you? Something heavy and important that isn't the game at all."

"That's-"

"You look like you have a question. Not for me, but for yourself," the girl said, as if she was saying every little thought of hers out loud. "It's like I said when I first met you - we're both searching for something. That one single answer that you've always wanted...I'm sure you'll find it someday."

Reina swallowed. Suddenly, she wished the distance between them was far greater.

The girl's smile was still there, ever-present on her face as she casually read Reina's mind and life like it was nothing, just like the first time they'd met. Strangely, though, it was comforting, and the girl's words filled Reina with a warmth that made her skin tingle.

Reina felt her heartbeat quicken, and despite this new, unfamiliar comfort, she was still afraid. Afraid of the girl. Afraid of the girl who, in a way, reminded her of Kanon, as much as she hated it. She was kind yet dangerous, threading and manipulating conversations without a second thought. She wiped the comparison from her mind as the girl thought for a moment before making her next move.

"Sorry if I startled you," she said, swiftly changing the conversation to something a tad more pleasant. "Back to your sister. I can tell you care for her, despite everything you've been through."

Reina nodded, continuing with her rook strategy as she captured yet another one of the girl's pieces. "She's my adopted sister, but we've been together for as long as I can remember. It's only natural that I'd care."

There were a few minutes of silence as the girl thought and thought before reluctantly moving a piece into a good position for Reina. A few moves later, and it was done. Reina's rook strategy worked just as she wanted, and she ended up putting the girl's king in yet another checkmate, but the victory didn't feel as satisfying as it usually did.

"Good game," the girl chirped, shaking Reina's hand. Her skin was soft to the touch, but like everything else, there was something off about her, as if she was only meant to be a mere memory once their deal was over.

Reina sat back down, but before she could bid the girl farewell again, she spoke up. "Have you ever tried telling your sister stories?"

"Stories?" Reina shook her head, somewhat flustered yet intrigued. "I...haven't. I read sometimes, like I said, but it's mostly small tales. She wouldn't enjoy them. She...doesn't enjoy more straightforward and logical activities like me."

"You should try. You'd make an interesting storyteller, given how direct you are," said the girl. She crossed her legs and smoothed out her skirt as her smile reappeared. Surprisingly, Reina felt more comfortable than she had in a long while, despite the fact that her mind was racing due to the unexpected turn of events.

Her rook strategy worked. She'd won another game. Why, then, did she feel like she wasn't the one in control?

"I'll give you a story to tell, if you'd like. I'm sure she'll like this one," she continued. Yet again, Reina felt as if she was being strung along, but slowly, she wasn't beginning to mind, as strange as it was.

The girl tilted her head, her smile drawing Reina more and more in by the second. "So, then...have you ever heard the story of the little angel?"

Chapter Text

Miko woke up with a sharp gasp.

As he sat up, his body still tingled from the aftereffects of the drug. His head throbbed with an uncontrollable, unfamiliar pain, and he scrambled to sort out his memories, his brain hazy and his thoughts disoriented.

"What...what the hell..." Miko remembered leaving another day of work, only to be suddenly knocked out, and now, he was here. The floor beneath him was cold and decorated with extravagant, confusing patterns, but the rest of the room looked even crazier. It was like he'd been dropped straight into some sort of nonsense riddle, with strange chairs dotted around the room, oddly patterned walls, and a sparkling chandelier over his head.

"Where am I..." He was attacked. He was attacked while trying to leave, and now...

...

...I was attacked while leaving work.

That's all.

That was the truth.

That was what Miko remembered.

It was his first time seeing these surroundings, with a magenta door in the distance and a black-and-white color scheme dominating the whole room. How could he forget such a place? 

His memories were clear, weren't they? So why, then, did his head still feel foggy? Why did his own thoughts feel like they were working against him more than ever before?

...

Everything's so...familiar.

...

Miko shook it off, trying to focus on his present situation instead of his own conflicting thoughts. Maybe it was simply another result of the drug. He blinked, trying to get rid of the lasting spots that sprinkled in front of his eyes. He was good at staying calm. He was capable, he was smart, and whatever happened to him, it was something he could handle, right?

"Aw, look who finally decided to wake up."

An all-too-familiar voice cut through Miko's moment of clarity, and he groaned, mentally bracing himself. "You've got to be kidding me."

Sure enough, perched on one of the chairs to the side was none other than Ray Fukumoto, looking as if he already owned the place. He eyed Miko with a look of intrigue, like he'd been staring at him for quite a while. Even in the dim lights of the room, his blue eyes were as eerie as always.

"You looked like you were sleeping peacefully," Ray said, his words laced with a snarkiness that Miko always hated, "my dear Queenie."

Their conversation went surprisingly well, given how Ray was in a similar situation. Miko was a little pleased that he was just as confused as he was, but was thankfully not foolish enough to completely abandon him.

Ray woke up before Miko, but a realization dawned on him - the past two Killing Wonders were because of Ray. If Miko was caught in a strange situation akin to those games, there could only be one reason why.

Without thinking, Miko lunged forward, his body moving as if he'd already done all this before. He'd had enough already, and Ray was childish, irritable, and most of all, a horrible person, and Miko was tired of it. He fiercely grabbed Ray's collar with a rough pull, watching the other boy's eyes widen in surprise and fear.

"Don't lie," Miko demanded. "You're behind this. This is another damn game of yours, so let me out of here and tell me the truth."

As expected, Ray clawed at Miko's hands and still denied his claims, despite the pain he was facing. The more Miko looked into Ray's eyes, the more he savored the toxicologist's fear. 

Somehow, it felt more deserved. Miko was angrier than he expected, but deep down, he didn't know why. It was as if a small part of his emotions were working on their own, forcing him to pull Ray closer and watch him struggle even more.

The feeling that this was all familiar briefly returned, but Miko didn't let it waver him. Without thinking, he suddenly said, "I'm not afraid of you."

It made his mouth feel dry, like it was something entirely new pulled from the air around him. What? Miko's grip briefly faltered as he watched Ray freeze at his words. Both of them were in a new situation. Both of them had never seen this Wonderland before. Ray was in denial, but at the same time, he was genuinely confused, just like Miko. 

Everything felt like deja vu. Miko's entire world felt like it was slowly being tilted on its axis, and maybe, just maybe, Ray felt it too. There was a moment of silence between them - a beat. A frozen moment suspended in time where the sensation that this had all happened before slightly intensified for both of them.

Ray snapped back to attention, and his smile shifted into a confident grin. "...We'll see about that, Queenie."

Suddenly, slivers of memories flashed back in Miko's mind, and he dropped Ray to the ground in an instant.

I'm not afraid of you. Why, then, was he terrified of Ray in a moment that felt like it had just happened? Why could he see Ray's smile? Why could he hear his laugh? Why did it feel like Ray had claimed victory over something so, so terrible? Why did Miko feel powerless?

He took a step backward, struggling to catch his breath. Stay calm, Miko. This was the first time he'd seen this room. This was the first time any of this had happened. Maybe it was the drug. The drug. That's what Miko told himself over and over, hoping to shake off the horrible, wrenching feeling that everything was off and awfully familiar. 

From the ground, Ray looked just as confused, as if he was experiencing a moment of conflicting clarity, too. It didn't take him long to stand back up and happily walk back to Miko's side, gesturing for him to lead the way.

Miko tried to focus on the undeniable fact that everything around him was new. Ray's outfit was slightly different, and just like everything else, it was the first time Miko was seeing it. Right?

"Is that new?" he asked. "The flowers, I mean."

Ray glanced down at his outfit with a smile. "I didn't realize you'd memorized every detail of my outfit. What, want me to spin around to grant you a full-body view?"

"Never mind." At least him being annoyed at Ray had never been a completely new thing. Surprisingly, that alone made Miko a little less uneasy as he pushed open the magenta door.

✿

The two of them met Sora Hayami, the Ultimate Watchmaker, who became their guide through the new strange "Wonderland" they'd woken up in. As they moved through the forest, the mansion, and the dining hall, Miko took in each and every sight for the very first time.

It was all undeniably new. He'd remember if he'd woken up in Wonderland before, wouldn't he? How could he forget people like Aspen and Matsuri? How could he forget someone like Kanon, who was just like the girl from his dreams? They'd never met before. That was the truth.

Thankfully, the new faces helped calm his nerves, despite everyone's rather unique personalities. When Kanon squeezed his hand and reassured him that it was okay to be afraid, the feeling that something was oddly familiar about his surroundings quickly dampened. He was afraid, yes, but now, he felt like he was afraid for all the right reasons.

At the tree of trickery, their final stop, Miko met the lively Koharu, who nearly fell out of the tree. When he mentioned Koharu and Sora's friendship around them, he watched both the girl's faces brighten.

"Umm, let's see...we're both in Class 102," Koharu said, explaining the story behind the two of them. "We met there, and, well, I guess since then, we've been the best of friends! But as for how we actually met and became friends, I still don't know..."

"It was because of Miki," Sora recalled.

"Miki?" Koharu blinked, confused.

"Our classmate? The Ultimate Cardiologist?" Sora raised an eyebrow. "Geez, Kokoharu, why are you forgetting about our own classmate? She set us up for that very first group project, silly!"

"Oh, oh, you're right!" Koharu giggled, obviously a little flustered. "Yeah, Sora's right! And ever since then, well, haha...you know!"

Seeing the two of them interact was heartwarming, and even Ray didn't have anything snarky or sassy to add, much to Miko's relief. Still, the feeling that he had an undeniable connection to Koharu hadn't disappeared since the moment he met her, but he was suddenly cut off by a loud, melancholic noise.

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

✿

The rabbit robot, Monohenka, announced the beginning of the final Killing Wonder, and Miko felt sick to his stomach.

His hands were still shaking from when he'd punched Ray. His mind was reeling from everyone's shocked and horrified expressions, both at the killing game and at him. He was embarrassed, terrified, and nervous, and as he walked towards the mansion, he was unable to stand up straight. Miko had never felt so disoriented before, and it was like a never-ending cycle - the more he thought about everything around him, the more afraid he became, and the cycle started again. Over and over and over and over and over.

He stepped up to the mansion's door, ready to go to sleep and pretend that, even if for just a moment, this was all one horrible dream. As his gloved hand touched the cold metal of the handle, however, a voice stopped Miko in his tracks.

"...Miko. Wait just a moment."

He turned around to see Reina, standing still and illuminated by the false light in the garden. She looked the same as when Miko last talked to her and met her, but somehow, there was something more sincere and softer about her now that it was just the two of them. It was like the moon brought her own insecurities to light, and Miko froze. Unlike before, he wasn't as afraid of her.

"Reina." He gave her a polite nod of courtesy, letting the door close behind him as he moved back towards her. "What is it? Did you need me for something?"

His previous worries and fears about the Killing Wonder were temporarily gone when he stood with her. All Miko wanted to know was more. The strange sense of deja vu briefly washed over him again as he stared at Reina against the moon, as if they'd talked in a similar setting before.

Yet, at the same time, there was something new about all of this. Miko wanted to go to bed. Miko felt like he should go to bed. After the announcement of the Killing Wonder, it was natural for him to go straight to bed, right? Why was Reina stopping him, and why wasn't he scared?

"I wanted to find you. I'm...glad I did before you fell asleep, it seems," Reina said, cutting right to the point. "Our conversation when we first met...I felt like it was somewhat unfinished, as if I gave you the wrong impression."

Miko blinked, a little more confused than before. "Wrong impression? No, Reina, that's not what I got at all, I promise you-"

"I understand you were taken aback by me, especially what I said regarding mine and Kanon's relationship. The relationship between me and my sister," Reina explained. Strangely, she seemed to be the more nervous one, tightly gripping one of her sleeves as she folded her arms.

Once more, Miko shook his head, trying to calm Reina's nerves. "Reina, if anyone should be apologizing, it's me. If I gave you the impression that I was scared by you or your relationship with Kanon, that's not true in the slightest, I assure you."

Reina paused. It wasn't like her to have nothing ready to say, no matter how short it was. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked away, her expression somewhat solemn. A light breeze drifted through the garden, and although it was small, Miko couldn't help but shiver.

You're supposed to go to bed. As always, more questions floated around in Miko's head. Why is she talking to you? He swallowed before taking a leap of faith, acting on the strange urge to change and understand the eerie differences of the current conversation. 

"Reina, that's..." Miko sucked in a sharp breath. "You...aren't talking to me because you think I'm unnerved by you, is it? You already know I'm not, and even if you did, you wouldn't act on it. There must be some other reason why you wanted to find me."

Reina's eyes widened in shock, and the sight of her taken aback startled Miko, too. Still, he tried to stand his ground. Something about Reina seemed off, too, as if she understood that their whole conversation, this Wonderland, and everything about their very existence was wrong, as if the world had been shifted upside-down and off its axis.

If anyone could find a contradiction, it was Reina. If anyone could swiftly act on any error and mercilessly correct it, it was Reina, and Miko watched her do just that. The temporary surprise in her eyes was swallowed up by her own determination, and her voice was quieter yet still absolute when she spoke again.

"You're right," she sighed. "That's not it at all. I suppose you could say that I merely wanted to ask you one thing."

"One thing?" Miko felt another brief rush of fear run through him. "What is it?"

In an instant, Reina stepped forward, her gaze an unusual mixture of serious and doubtful. Miko had every reason to be afraid, both of her and everything going on around him, but he felt awfully calm. 

But every speck of peace in his body faded when she asked her question.

Reina moved past Miko, her back now turned to him as if she regretted her words. As if she was ashamed, conflicted, distraught, and everything in between in terms of herself, the game, and Miko, too.

"Miko."

Her question sounded simple at first, but in reality, it was heavy. It was a question that lingered deep in Miko's thoughts for the rest of the night. In that moment, he felt Reina open her eyes, both their hearts heavy with a painful feeling of familiarity.

...

"Have we..." Reina hesitated before she fully asked, "Have we met in this game before?"

✿

✿

Miko felt as if he was floating in a haze the next day, waiting and waiting just to talk to Reina again.

Even throughout the search for Sora and getting to know Koharu, a part of Miko's brain was somewhere else, still fixated on the one question Reina asked him. How could he not think about it, especially given how nervous she was in the moment, too?

"Okay, let me see," Koharu said, trying to remember Miko's favorite things as the two of them walked together. "You like cranberries, even though it's a weird choice, you were born in February, and you don't really have a favorite season. I know I got that all right, didn't I? See, how could I forget?"

Miko smiled, trying to cling to Koharu's words and their newfound friendship as much as he could. "Three for three, Koharu. You're exactly right."

As he walked, he continued to shove all his worries and lingering sense of familiarity aside. Surprisingly, Miko was somewhat thankful for Ray's arrival, as anything distracting was good, no matter how unpleasant said distraction was in the moment.

It was all in his head. That has to be it. Miko was simply confused, that's all. He was taken aback by the whirlwind of events and the horrible, horrible game looming over his head. That was all, wasn't it? That had to be all. 

That has to be all, for my sake. Answers were normally something Miko clung to, so why did this one not feel satisfying in the slightest? Miko tried to brush it aside, but the more he stared at the ground, the more lost and conflicted and this isn't new this isn't new this isn't new-

"Queenie?"

Ray's voice snapped him out of his trance, and Miko had never been more glad to hear it. For a moment, he stared at Ray in shock, watching the other boy's face contort in surprise and confusion. 

Miko remembered when they first woke up. During the search, Ray, too, hadn't been his usual self. He was slightly less sharp, slightly less annoying, and a tad bit unusual. No one but Miko could've noticed it. Did he realize something was off, too?

It's all in your head, Miko. He muttered a curse to himself - this was Ray, after all. There was no way the two of them shared anything in common, especially regarding the Killing Wonders.

"You're falling behind," said Ray, surprisingly less teasing than usual. "You're going to make your brand-new shiny friend Koharu super sad. You don't want that, do you?"

"Ray, I don't need to hear this from you-"

"Then catch up, Queenie! Didn't think that would be difficult for someone as strong and capable as you, wow," Ray said, now back to his usual irritating and sassy self. Miko rolled his eyes as he picked up his pace, thankfully relieved once more to be distracted from his own thoughts.

Koharu's hands were shoved in her pockets, unfortunately keeping Ray's attention on Miko. Thankfully, they managed to track Sora down before Ray became too unbearable, all thanks to Koharu's eventual efforts to befriend him.

That night, Miko went to bed early. The sun had just set by the time he returned to the mansion and the solace of his room. As strange, wacky, and eye-straining as the room was, Miko found it somewhat comforting to finally be alone.

Memories of his budding friendship with Koharu, somewhat casual conversations with Ray (shocker), and the joy of finding Sora helped him peacefully drift to sleep. The sense of deja vu, familiarity, and confusion was temporarily abided, and as Miko fell asleep, all he thought of was how new everything felt.

Like it's the first time that this has all happened.

...

...That's the truth, right?

✿

The next morning, Monohenka announced an unexpected search for something "important", much to everyone's dismay, Miko included. He was still weary and worn-out from the exciting spree of events from yesterday, but nevertheless, he couldn't turn Monohenka's pushy request down.

"If we're going, it would be safer to travel in pairs, especially if we're doing an extensive search. And if anyone finds anything, we can communicate using our Monocards. Does that work?" Kanon suggested. She was the one who managed to get most people on board.

"But we don't have to search," said Daisuke, "so...I'm leaving. Good luck to you all..."

"I'm out, too," Ringo bluntly said, but Miko noticed him shooting a glance at Kanon, as if he was worried what she might say. Before he left, however, Koharu spoke up, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.

"Wait, don't leave!" she exclaimed. "Just...it's like what Kanon said, right? No one should be alone, even if you aren't actually searching. So, uhh...Daisuke? Ringo? Do you two wanna hang out together, or..."

This earned a giggle from Matsuri. "My favorite budding friendship! Awww, Suke, it's like what I said before, right? By before, do I mean yesterday or a year ago or who even knows? But you and our dear class chef would make for a nice little duo to overcome all the other pairs in this lone world."

Daisuke groaned, grabbing Ringo's arm and practically dragging him out of the room before Koharu, Matsuri, or anyone else could get on his nerves. The last thing Miko heard before the two of them were gone was a cry of surprise from Ringo, but he wasn't one to challenge Daisuke, of all people.

"Hey, wait, if Daisuke left, then..." Matsuri was quick to latch onto Ako's arm, much to the flutist's dismay. "I'll go with the little honeybee here, yay!"

"I told you to stop calling me that," Ako grumbled. "And I wanted to go with Kanon, too..."

"I'll go with Sora!" Koharu said, taking her best friend's hand with a little jump in her step. "If that's okay with everyone, haha...but come on, best friend time! Sora and I always make a good pair, don't you think?"

Sora grinned, lacing their fingers together as she shot a smug look at Aspen, who rolled his eyes in return. "Of course, Kokoharu. You know my timeliness better than anyone, so off we go, then! Goodbye everyone, see you after we find this clue before all of you!"

As they sped out of the room, Miko watched Aspen turn to Ray and extend a hand of his own. "I think we'll be more efficient than them. Don't you, Ray? What a wonderful superstar you are on your own, right?"

"Superstar? You flatter me," Ray said, accepting Aspen's offer. Miko folded his arms, somewhat concerned. I hate remembering that the two of them are somewhat friends, of all the pairs here...

Before the two of them left, however, Miko was struck with the sudden realization of who his searching partner was, and his eyes widened in shock. The only people left to partner up with are...

...Kanon and Reina.

He expected to be afraid. He expected his mind to race with fear over having to choose between the sisters. There was Reina, who he felt strangely connected to, and the beautiful, angelic, kind Kanon, the girl pulled straight from his dreams. Miko expected to feel like he was stuck on a thin bridge, unable to choose which side he wanted to run to, and he expected the decision to be dreadful, difficult, and conflicting.

But instead, it was easy.

Miko was struck with that sudden, impending sense of familiarity again, but this time, it didn't confuse him at all. For the first time, it felt like fate was working for him, helping to gently guide him in the right and new direction.

His mind was made up. He had to go with the person whose destiny, story, and fate were entirely brand-new. Without thinking, Miko said, "Reina. Can we search together, if you don't mind?"

...

Have we met in this game before?

More than anything, Miko wanted that question answered, and he watched Reina's eyes widen in surprise. She wanted that answer, too. Much to Kanon's surprise, she nodded without a word, stepping closer to Miko's side.

"Then...I'll go with Aspen and Ray, if you two don't mind," said Kanon. "That way, no one is left alone, just like Koharu said. Right?"

Miko's words left no room for arguments, and Ray and Aspen knew it, happily accepting Kanon into their group. Kanon was powerless and unable to stop her sister as she left with the two boys, leaving Miko and Reina behind in the rabbit hole.

Somehow, he knew Kanon was in good hands. Koharu's suggestion was the right one, and in doing so, Miko felt as if he'd opened a new branch in his mind, quelling his previous worries and sense of familiarity. For the first time since he'd woken up, he was perfectly calm, his mind not racing in the slightest as he turned to face Reina.

"Reina, I..." He wanted to talk about her question from before. Have we met in this game before? Instead, Miko simply settled on pushing that mystery aside, trying to focus on the present search. "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me," Reina curtly said, turning on her heel to lead the way. The air felt heavier with her in charge, as if she'd be the one to change the entire outcome of the Killing Wonder. All Miko could do was watch in stunned silence, still uncertain and a tad bit afraid around her. 

Reina paused by the door to the room, and she turned over her shoulder and beckoned for Miko to follow. The search had begun, and all Miko could do was follow her lead, waiting for the right time to address their relationship and her question.

"Come on," she said, a bit of sincerity laced in her words. "Aren't you ready, Miko?"

✿

Chapter Text

Miko and Reina reached the mansion swiftly and quietly. The walk there was fairly awkward, with Miko always a few paces behind the chessmaster, the air heavy and strained from their last conversation. Still, he kept his head up and his mind focused on the investigation, more than eager to get Monohenka off his - and everyone's - cases.

"We're here," said Reina, holding the door open for him. It only took her a few moments to establish a game plan, as expected. "I'll search this bottom floor. Miko, you search the second floor with all the bedrooms, and let me know if you find anything."

"Ah..." Miko winced, somewhat uncomfortable with looking in everyone's rooms, but Reina's intense stare was too much to deny. "All right, then."

Thankfully, exploring everyone's rooms proved to be somewhat entertaining, given that they were all coincidentally personalized. Occasionally, he thought about Reina's search, with the storage closet and lounge area also present downstairs. Knowing her, though, she'd search everything around her meticulously and carefully, no matter how small the area. 

It wasn't until he'd reached the few unoccupied rooms in the back and looked under a bed that Miko found something. 

"Reina, I found something up here!" Miko shouted. As promised, he let Reina know, a little nervous at the thought of reading a strange paper all alone. Knowing Reina was with him was surprisingly comforting, to say the least.

The familiar click of Reina's heels was nearly instant, and soon, she was kneeling by his side.

"Open the paper," Reina said, out of breath yet also waiting in anticipation. "This is most likely it, so let's not waste any time."

"You sound like Sora," Miko muttered, earning him a glare from the girl. He looked back down at the paper, sucked in one final breath, and unfolded it for him and Reina to read.

✿

Page 3

The first was a book, given by the never-changing world.

She wrote her tales down in said book, which was empty when she received it. All her stories, all her hopes, all her dreams, all her sorrows...all of them were written and sealed away, left for the world to carry into the hands of another. As long as it remains, her story will never truly disappear, as the book is the same as the world it came from: eternal.

The second was a key, used to access the world again.

The entrance to the never-changing world is the one aspect that changes. From tree to tree, the entrance moves, making it impossible to find without the use of the key. Where is it now, I wonder? 

The third was a recipe for the chemicals she specialized in.

She was a chemist, after all - and a genius one at that. The recipe from the other world is unlike any other, and it's believed to create a concoction that has varying unknown effects. What they are, I might possibly never see. This was the relic she was the most protective over.

These three relics are the answer to finding her again. These relics, along with us five, will access the never-changing world again - I'm sure of it. I know, deep down. As I am the last one alive, unable to fulfill her wishes, I leave it to the hands of the future to decide what to do with her legacy.

✿

"What...is this?"

Reina's voice broke the silence before Miko could even process what he just read. Her brows furrowed as she pinched a corner of the paper to read it more carefully, perplexed and determined to understand.

"Three relics...needed to bring someone back..." Reina murmured the words on the paper to herself, the gears in her head slowly turning as if she was making moves on a chessboard. "Knowing Monohenka and how vague and confusing she's been, this has to be what she wanted us to find."

"Ah...do you think so?" Miko said, trying to ignore the one name that popped into his head: Alice.

Arisu Haraguchi.

Thankfully, Reina's words and coolheaded attitude helped calm Miko down, and she hid her own confusion well. "Yes. This ambiguous 'her' that Monohenka mentioned here must be relevant to the Killing Wonder. These three relics, along with other people..."

She put a finger to her chin, concerned. "...I'm worried that we're in a situation far more atypical and bigger than we initially believed."

"That's..." To see Reina show even the slightest bit of worry over something was enough to concern Miko. Before he could say anything, however, Reina had carefully taken the paper from her hands, swift as ever.

"We need to go," she said, offering a hand to Miko. "We need to inform the others and end this search and Monohenka's antics. If this is what she wanted, I'm determined to find out why."

Her determination was apparent, and Miko, as always, was powerless to deny her. Even so, Reina's efficiency was one of her greatest strengths, and the more Miko spent time with her, the more determined he became to understand her.  

He took her hand, and Reina pulled him up with ease. For a moment, Miko swore he saw a hint of a smile of satisfaction on her face, like her inner child speaking up to high-five him in a show of glory.

Instead, she smoothed out her blazer. "...Thank you for finding that, Miko. We make a good team."

"We..." Miko blinked, stunned by Reina's abrupt thanks. As usual, he didn't dare to disagree, especially to a compliment like that. "Yes, we do."

...

Have we met in this game before?

The more time Miko spent with Reina, the harder and harder it was to deny that the answer to her question was an absolute yes. As he rushed back to the rabbit hole behind Reina, the urge to truly befriend her slowly crept up on him, eventually prompting him to start a conversation.

"That search wouldn't have been as quick if it wasn't for you and your idea to split up," Miko said. He meant every word whenever he complimented someone, and Reina, of course, was no different.

Reina looked back over her shoulder to send him another glare, but surprisingly, her expression was more confused than anything else. "...Miko, do you always try to compliment everything about everyone's actions?"

Miko nearly jumped, flustered and taken aback. "I-"

"Nevermind. I was messing with you, but I startled you instead," Reina muttered. "As thanks. Or something nonspecific like that. Now keep moving. You get just as surprised as my sister whenever someone points out your own emotions, don't you?"

"That's-" Miko bit the inside of his lip, choosing to stay silent instead. Reina's attempt at "messing" with him was surprising, but at the same time, it was endearing. Whenever she was with him, it was like she was embracing a long-lost memory. Miko silently swore to help her treasure that feeling, no matter how little sense it made to him, too.

How was it that they'd only spoken twice before the search, and yet, they acted somewhat naturally around each other? It wasn't just a coincidence or a sheer gut feeling - it had to be because their paths had crossed before.

We've met before, Reina.

Miko decided that he'd save that answer for another time. For now, his focus was simply keeping up with Reina, who was impressively agile. If I didn't know better, I'd say she was the time-obsessed one, not Sora...

✿

Thanks to the messaging system on the Monocards, it wasn't long before everyone was back in the rabbit hole safe and sound. Koharu's arm was linked around Sora's, Matsuri was annoying Ako as usual, and surprisingly, Daisuke and Ringo were still together. 

Everyone was safe. Everyone made it back from the search. That was a given, right? That was to be expected. Nothing bad happened. Somehow, it felt as if a massive weight had been lifted off Miko's shoulders, but he was never aware of it to begin with.

"Monohenka." Reina spoke up, her arms folded and her face serious. "Miko and I found what you were looking for."

Koharu cheered in joy, the most relieved out of everyone. "No way, we really found it!"

"Wooow, it was the Reina and Miko combo that found it!" Matsuri exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. "But what exactly was the mysterious 'it' that our robot friend desired, hm? Tell us, tell us - a riddle I don't know the answer to is one I hate and one that's the most fun."

Sora shot Miko a grin of thanks. "To think that Kokoharu and I lost the race...oh well. It's unsurprising that it was to you two."

Kanon tilted her head. Miko couldn't ignore the curious look in her eye as she looked over him and Reina, her smile a bit softer than usual. "Thank you, you two. I'm glad we were able to end this search without any issues."

"You don't need to thank us, Kanon," Reina said, back to being blunt around her own sister. "...Anyway. Where is Monohenka? That useless robot...we have a paper that you might want. Stop hiding and come on out."

"Put us out of our misery already..." Daisuke grumbled. "And to think that I couldn't even take a nap...whatever."

"You almost did in the damn kitchen!" Ringo shouted. "This is why being around you is fucking impossible, even after a whole year..."

Ringo's fury towards Daisuke was thankfully cut off by the lights suddenly dimming. Miko took a deep breath as Monohenka made her usual swift entrance, her body still twitching and her movements as erratic as ever.

Her eyes were trained on Reina and the paper in her hand, and without a word, she hopped over and snatched it from her, earning a slight shiver from Reina. Miko noticed her shove her hand back into her pocket as if Monohenka gave her some kind of disease. To be fair, if she touched me, I'd probably react the same way...

"...Thank you. This was...what I needed," Monohenka flatly stated, carefully handing the paper back to a surprised Reina. "I hope that...it will be important. To you...as it was to me. At once...in the past...it once was..."

"Is that enough of the theatrics?" said Aspen. "An eye for an eye, Monohenka. Now that we found what you wanted, what's the 'important' thing you'll give to us in return?"

Surprisingly, everyone was silent, and all attention was on Monohenka, Miko included. His mind was blank, unsure of what Monohenka would give them, but deep down, he had a horrible feeling about her supposed present.

The shaky smile that spread across her face only increased Miko's worries. "D...Don't worry, all of you. This...is a gift. From me to you, as...as something for the game...allow me to present..."

She extended her arms, and in a sudden moment of clarity, all of Miko's fears were confirmed when Monohenka said, "...your very first motive."

...

Motive.

Miko knew about the past Killing Wonders, and that included the motives. Even besides that, being presented with a motive by a sinister robot was more than enough to send the Ultimates around him right back into a state of panic.

"...Motive?" Koharu went pale as if she'd seen a ghost, and the once-relieved look in her eyes immediately disintegrated. "You...you don't really mean a motive as in..."

"A motive to kill." While Daisuke wasn't afraid to state the truth, even he wasn't as stoic as before. "And it's only been a day..."

"You're insane," Sora spat, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're insane if you think that we're going to listen to anything that comes out of your broken, unpolished, cruel system, and-"

"It...is never too early to begin," Monohenka interrupted, unbothered by everyone's outbursts. "This...is the final Killing Wonder. A game...to help. A game to help find successors. So...let us begin. Let us increase...the stakes. For murder. All for the sake of...the game."

Miko swallowed, trying to quell all his questions. Next to him, Reina tightly gripped her sleeve, the paper now useless and back in her pocket. All of her and Miko's worries about their search didn't matter now that Monohenka had jumped the gun on the Killing Wonder.

"What's the motive?" Ray asked, both curious and unfazed. "You seem oddly excited about it. Didn't take you to be the sadistic type, huh?"

"Ray's right," said Kanon. Her gaze flickered between Monohenka and her own sister, and Miko was surprised to see that she was the calmer one, having the strength to speak up for everyone's sake. "This motive that you're talking about...explain."

Monohenka blinked, taking a moment to recover. "Everyone...is so demanding. But...but it's simple. It's very easy. It...is a time-based motive. In a few moments, you all will receive a note on your Monocards, and...and if no one is murdered in three days..."

She paused, and Miko felt as if he'd been suddenly hurled off a building. Without thinking, he shouted, "Snap out of it, Monohenka. If no one dies in three days, then what happens? What do the notes we're getting have to do with this?"

"And...even Miko's yelling at me. What...a kind prince. How surprising," Monohenka said. "But...it's simple. I said that. Already. It's...simple. On the note is...what you'll lose if no one...is murdered."

Miko felt a shiver run down his spine. Numbness and a cold sensation slowly spread throughout his body, and it was growing harder and harder not to let his concern and true fear show.

Once more, everyone was silent. Even Matsuri was at a loss for words, dangled in suspense at Monohenka's hand. This was the Killing Wonder Miko was terrified of. This was the game that Ray once ran - and the one he got a thrill of. The motives were part of that. The motives were part of everyone's suffering, and Miko tried to bury his boiling anger at the mere thought of the past.

Sensing everyone's discomfort and anxiety, Monohenka's face flickered with a smile yet again as she delivered the final blow.

"If no one is killed in three days time," she stated, "then...you will all lose what you value the most above all else. You'll lose the most precious thing in your life...permanently."

...

...

...Beep.

Just then, everyone's Monocards chimed, snapping Miko out of the daze he'd quickly fallen into.

With shaky hands, he reached into his pocket to pull the Queen of Hearts out. My most precious thing. His mouth was dry. He could hear the sound of blood rushing in his ears. He was paralyzed by fear, powerless to stop the first motive of the Killing Wonder.

The thing you value most. Immediately, several things came to Miko's mind. Family. Friends. My upbringing. My well-being. My sense of security. My hobbies? My personality? My very life? The more he thought, the more absurd his worries became, and the further and further he fell down the rabbit hole of fear.

He stared down at the bright screen. Sure enough, there was a new notice sent to him and him alone, impossible to ignore. Around him, everyone else's screens lit up as one by one, they all saw their most precious thing, written and delivered to them on a horrid platter.

Miko couldn't tear his eyes away from the big, bold letters that formed his motive. All his expectations and worries were shattered in an instant the second he read what was on the line.

Miko Kutsuki:

Your desire to find a purpose

The motive was right.

The motive was completely right, and it terrified Miko, to say the least. More than anything else, what made up the very foundation of him as a person was his desire to find the truth. To find answers.

If that's taken away from me, then...then...!

"This is..." Daisuke jumped, taken aback. Kanon let out a sharp gasp of fear, Aspen's gaze was trained on the ground, and even Reina tightly gripped her Monocard, afraid to let it - and her most precious thing - slip away.

"You're lying," Sora yelled, stepping closer to Monohenka with anger burning in her eyes. "You have to be lying. How can you even take something like this away from all of us, you-"

"Want me...to prove it?" Monohenka coldly responded. "I...can. It's very simple. Let's...take an example, shall we?"

"An example? What the hell is wrong with you?!" Ringo screamed. "First, you trap us in this fucking claustrophobic-ass place with Ultimates, and then we were supposed to go on a damn trip, and now there's this messed-up game and...and..."

"My, my, my. This is quite a turn of events," Matsuri muttered. Both her eyes were closed as she was lost in thought, much to Miko's concern. "I wonder, too. Monohenka, tell us. If our most precious things are qualities instead of physical objects, what kind of solvable riddle is that, I wonder..."

Miko looked over at Monohenka, intrigued by Matsuri's point. She's right. His supposed most "precious" thing wasn't an object at all, but the brief rush of determination that ran through him was quick to fade. This was the Killing Wonder he was dealing with. This was the life-or-death game possibly funded by one of the world's most successful billionaires, and against a potential foe like that, nothing was impossible.

To make matters worse, Monohenka spun around until she abruptly stopped, extending a stubby hand towards the chosen victim of her demonstration - Ako.

Ako hadn't even looked up from her Monocard yet, too distracted to notice Monohenka and everyone's eyes on her. Her gaze was firmly fixated on the screen, but not in a pleasant way. To say she was shaken was an understatement, and for Ako, of all people, to be affected by something was enough to scare Miko even more.

"Ako...?" Kanon rushed to her friend's side. "No, Monohenka, what do you think you're doing-"

"Take...the dear flutist. The world-renowned...Ako Kiyoha, for example," Monohenka said, ignoring Kanon's pleas. Ako's gaze slowly shifted up at the mention of her name, but the damage was nearly done, her Monocard about to slip out of her trembling grip.

All Monohenka had to do was make the wound worse and noticeable. All she had to do was show just how serious the motive was. Only then could it be called a true motive, and only then would the game progress. Miko knew the outcome of the story all too well, and now, he was living in the very nightmare he'd once heard about through others.

The lights dimmed even more as Monohenka hopped up onto one of the scattered chairs. The wall behind her suddenly flickered to life, serving as an impromptu screen. Images of Ako's many performances - some that Miko was familiar with - lit up one by one, highlighting her success.

"In this world...what she values above all else is...unsurprising," Monohenka explained. "Ako's most precious thing is...her own talent."

Miko felt sick to his stomach. As Monohenka said, it was unsurprising, but nevertheless, it still hurt. Ako was frozen in place, her eyes glued on the many images of her fame, but everyone knew what Monohenka was about to demonstrate. Even Kanon's hand on hers wasn't enough to calm her down.

"And if a murder doesn't happen...well. Well. That...will be a shame," said the robot, "because...because we can get rid of it all, Ako. Your money. Your...fame. Your success. All...it takes is a few mere lies, some stories, and...the damage will be done. Ako Kiyoha, the Ultimate...Flutist, her name erased and tarnished for all of-"

"STOP IT!" Ako screamed. 

Miko jumped at the sound of Ako's voice, laced with pure fear at the thought of losing what was special to her. He never thought he'd see the confident Ako so shaken, but here he was - all because of the motive.

The images on the wall soon turned to demonstrations of Monohenka's words. Fake stories. People tarnishing her name. Her performances tampered with. All it took was a matter of time. The Killing Wonder had the ability to control every aspect of its participants' lives, and Ako slowly breaking down was proof of that.

"As for...the harder things. It's still...possible, you know," Monohenka continued. "Take...Sora Hayami. Your dream of being...a genius? We can cause that with...test scores and results that will end your spirits in no time."

"You're not..." Despite Sora's efforts to stay strong, Monohenka's vague words were heavy and devastating. "You coward..."

"Reina Hagimoto. Your...wish. Your most precious wish to be close to your own sister...we can take that away from you as well. It's very...easy," said Monohenka. 

What? 

Miko looked over, expecting to see Reina just as afraid as everyone else, but she was already gone. The click of her heels echoed throughout the room as Reina fled without a word, all because of Monohenka's motive.

Her most precious thing was her desire to be close to her sister - Kanon - and Miko couldn't bring himself to look at her reaction, too. He looked down at his own screen, the words taunting and pulling at him more and more with every passing second.

Your desire to find a purpose. What would they do? It surely wouldn't take much, just as Monohenka described. Doing things to my family, to my career, destroying every hope I have of finding the answers I've always wanted...

The screen behind Monohenka shut off, but the eerie smile on her face hadn't faded. Her eyes glowed in the dim light as she basked in everyone's reactions, and Miko was powerless to stop her or the motive.

This is the Killing Wonder. This was the true extent of the game he'd always feared, and seeing the brave, successful Ultimates around him reduced to terrified messes was proof of that. 

"Do you...see now?" Monohenka asked. "What...we're trying to do. Someone...murder someone. Or else, well...you all know. The consequences...are rather severe, are they not...? So...I wish you all luck. Farewell. Goodbye...good luck. With...the motive. And the game. Who...will win? I am so...so curious to see..."

The lights of the rabbit hole returned to normal as soon as Monohenka disappeared, but she'd made her point all too clear.

In an effort to distract himself, Miko looked around at everyone else. Surprisingly, most people were completely silent - even those like Koharu, Aspen, and Matsuri. Even Ray had nothing to say, staring at the ground and lost in his own thoughts.

"...Hey. Was what she said true?"

To everyone's shock, it was Daisuke who broke the heavy silence. He looked troubled himself, but his gaze was trained on Ako, who was still in Kanon's arms. His gaze was more intense than ever before, and Miko took a step away from him, afraid of the sheer power in Daisuke's expression.

"Daisuke, please, she's-"

"About my talent being the most precious thing to me?" Ako cut Kanon off, unafraid to give Daisuke a straight answer. She gripped Kanon's hand tightly, but her words were firm. "Yes, it's true. What about it? I'm not going to lose it, no matter how much that worthless robot tries to scare me. Happy?"

"Pfft." Daisuke scoffed. To him, Ako's words were a joke. "You're serious? Out of all the things in this world...what's most precious to you is nothing more than your own talent?"

That question alone was enough for Miko to instantly realize what Daisuke was getting at, and he suddenly felt like he was intruding on something too personal. He watched Ako's eyes widen in horror, as his question wasn't just an inquiry, but an insult.

Still, she tried to stay calm. Between Daiuske's new demeanor and the motive, the weight on her shoulders was growing heavier by the second, but she smoothed out her skirt nonetheless. "And do you have a problem with that?"

"A problem? No, no, not at all..." Daisuke yawned, but his gaze was sharp, whittling away at Ako's courage. "...I just can't understand why someone would value their own selfish skills above anything else in this world. Do you have any shred of dignity...?"

"That's..." Ako hesitated, and Miko saw her grip Kanon's arm tighter. "If you have a problem with me or what I value most, Daisuke, then say it. I never took you, an accomplished fencer, as a coward."

Daisuke chuckled as he moved forward, his mannerisms blurring the line between apathy and disgust. "I'll ask you again, since you didn't hear it the first time...do you have any shred of dignity, let alone any concern for others?"

Ako kept her ground, a brief spark of realization in her eyes. "...I've heard about you. Daisuke Hikawa, the fencer who lost all passion for his talent - the very thing he'd worked his whole life for. How can you lecture me about talent when you've completely abandoned yours?"

Miko looked over at Daisuke, expecting Ako's harsh words to at least make him flinch, but he shrugged. He was both uncaring yet more adamant than ever, and it was all because of Ako - all because of talent, something Miko himself couldn't fully understand.

"My own talent is something that, like you said, I don't care about anymore," Daisuke bluntly said. "I left it behind for a reason...so, if you have any ounce of reason, you'll see why I'm criticizing the pedestal that you put your own skills on. Just answer the question already..."

For the first time, Ako was silent, scrambling to think of an answer. Miko tried to understand Daisuke's feelings and logic. The fencer who abandoned his talent. He'd heard the rumors from people vaguely acquainted with Marmoreal, and he remembered how much Daisuke tried to escape being the Ultimate Fencer when they first met. Even so, for someone like him to challenge Ako, on the other hand...

"My talent," Ako said, swallowing down the shakiness in her voice, "is something I've given everything to. Not just my life and my strength, but the people around me and the family I once had. I sacrificed so, so much to be the Ultimate Flutist, and that kind of passion, that kind of dedication, that kind of loss...

It was the first time Miko had seen someone as powerful as Ako nearly on the verge of tears. She let go of Kanon's arm, and with a furious gaze of her own, Ako turned on her heel, practically spitting her last words.

"That's something you'll never understand, Daisuke," she said. "And no matter how dangerous this motive is, I'm not going to prove it wrong. My talent has always been the most important thing to me, and I'm not the fool you think I am for admitting it."

...

A heavy, suffocating silence filled the room once again after Ako's abrupt departure.

Kanon squeezed her other arm tight, as if she was imagining that Ako was still there. Miko himself was at a loss for words. Between the motive, Daisuke's shift in attitude, and Ako's confession about her own talent, it was hard for him to calm down, too.

"...How surprising, Suke."

It was Matsuri who spoke up first. Her usual cheery smile was gone, and her purple eye was open, staring intently at her friend. Seeing her unusually serious only made Miko more uneasy.

"Seeing you so dedicated...it's like witnessing a ghost," Matsuri said. "And all because of my little honeybee's mere mention of her talent...does that hit a nerve or two for you? If it's talent you're wondering about, Suke, then-"

"You know full well why I said something, Matsuri," Daisuke interrupted, turning his back on her. "...And I know more about you behind all your riddles. There's no need to play that game with me."

Matsuri tilted her head, even more amused than before. "I asked out of curiosity, Suke, not to hurt you any more. Despite all the years we've known each other, even I'm not fully sure just why you're so adamant about giving your talent up."

Miko looked over at Daisuke, stunned by Matsuri's words. If not even she knew the full reason why Daisuke was so apathetic, then that raised the question of who did. For even her, his childhood friend and classmate, not to know is...

Daisuke stepped towards the exit, not keen on answering anytime soon. The look in his eyes was more somber than before, but even so, he didn't let it show in his words, still cryptic and blunt.

"...You're losing it too, you know," he muttered, his gaze firmly fixed on Matsuri - someone who was both his greatest friend and the person he wanted to leave behind. "Your passion for your talent, your energy for what you've put your life's work into...I can tell, Matsuri. You can't hide it from me."

...

Just like that, Daisuke was gone, too. Between Ako's argument and Matsuri's confusion, he, too, was conflicted, and it was the last thing Miko ever expected to see from someone as strong as him.

As everyone else slowly trickled out of the room to spend some time alone, Miko looked down at his own hands, which had thankfully stopped shaking. Even so, he couldn't forget about just how much the motive had already done to everyone - and he was no exception.

If no one dies in three days, we lose what's most precious to us. If only a few minutes of taking in the motive had already brought out unusual sides to Ako and Daisuke, Miko didn't want to even begin to imagine what would happen in time.

✿

It wasn't until around dinnertime that Miko felt ready to start talking to the others again. Thankfully, it wasn't hard to find some of the Ultimates. When Miko walked into the mansion that evening, a small group was already gathered in the lounge.

The sound of Ringo loudly sipping a tall glass of something was the first thing Miko noticed. He looked somewhat awkward, which was to be expected given who was sitting by him - Kanon and Ako.

Ako thankfully looked a little more like her usual self, happily eating a pastry. It was Kanon who was the main source of Ringo's discomfort, as he was actively avoiding her gaze. Kanon was as graceful as ever, sitting with her legs crossed as she lightly sipped from a teacup.

Miko went to greet them, but Kanon noticed him first. "Good evening, Miko. Care to join us? I made some tea and pastries...and Ringo came with some apple juice, too, if you'd like some of that as well."

"Ah...good evening." Miko smiled as he sat down in the large chair next to Ringo, who looked more relieved upon his arrival. I never thought I'd see someone so fiery as Ringo embarrassed, but is it because of...Kanon?

Kanon was kind to everyone, Ringo included, so he didn't have a reason to be nervous around her. Unless...

"Here." Ringo practically shoved a cup into Miko's hand, giving him an intense look in the process. "Come on, Miko, drink something! And tell us about your goddamn day or what's new with you or what you've found around here! Right?"

"Okay, okay." Miko leaned forward to pour himself some tea, trying to think of a way to ease the tight atmosphere. "I suppose...the afternoon has been nice, all things considered. Getting to relax after Monohenka's terrible announcement was much needed."

Ako winced at the mention of the motive, much to Miko's dismay. "Ah, Ako, I didn't mean to-"

"Do you think I'd need an apology? It's not your fault that robot made a motive. It's predictable, really," said Ako, setting her pastry down. "...Really, if anything, it was Daisuke's words that got to me, if we're being honest."

Honesty was something that was unexpected from Ako, but at the mention of Daisuke, Ringo groaned. "Fuck, what was he thinking? That guy confuses me so damn much, I swear to god..."

"Confuses you?" Kanon raised an eyebrow, more interested in the fact that Ringo started talking instead of his actual words. "Okay. Ringo, I don't mean to pry, but..."

"...You're not prying," Ringo muttered.

"Ringo, seriously, I don't want to annoy you-"

"Kanon, it's fine," Ringo repeated, his voice a tad bit softer. Kanon, too, had loosened up a little just by talking to him, and she sat back in her chair, the message loud and clear. The brief smile she gave him was more natural than her usual smile that looked like a doll's.

Miko turned his attention to Ringo, who finally set down his glass of juice. "Daisuke's my classmate, but, well...over the last year, he got less passionate. Or something. He just...stopped caring about honing his talent. It was gradual, but surprising, too, if that makes any damn sense or whatever."

"So it's just like the rumors, then," said Ako. 

"He's never thought of them as rumors. He's never been one to run away from the truth, no matter how brutal it is," Ringo explained. "Plus, there's his friendship with Matsuri, which is a whole other damn issue..."

"Him and Matsuri's friendship..." Miko couldn't deny that he was curious about the two of them. "They've been friends for years, right?"

Ringo nodded, growing more relaxed the more he spoke. "Since they were kids, yeah. They grew up in the same orphanage and everything. But every time they talk, like you guys just saw...it never makes sense. It feels like they're strangers but also friends and just...ugh. It's a damn headache."

"Matsuri does care about him, from what I've heard from her," Ako added. "But you're right, Ringo. It's as if there's a wall between them that's gradually built itself up over the years. Not to mention the comment Daisuke made about Matsuri's own talent, too."

"Ako, are you sure you're okay?" Kanon asked, placing a hand on top of hers. "You really were quite shaken, and I want to help you if something's still on your mind. The motive affects us all, and-"

Ako squeezed her hand, trying to give Kanon a smile of her own. "I'm fine. Do I really need to repeat myself? There's no need for you to tell me another story like I'm a child, you know. I've heard about the little angel enough - I can tell it perfectly on my own."

"The little angel story?" Those three words - the little angel - felt like a nudge on Miko's brain, scratching and prying him to just remember. "Sounds like a childhood fable of some kind."

At the mention of the story, Kanon tensed up, but at the same time, her face relaxed, as if she was unconsciously pulling from familiar memories. She gently set her teacup down and folded her hands in her lap, but strangely, she avoided meeting anyone's gaze.

"It...was, in a way," she said. "I heard it when I was younger. If you'd like, I can tell you the story now."

"Kanon..." Ako folded her arms, unable to stop her. "...You're forcing yourself to make everyone happy again, see? If you-"

"I'll tell them, Ako. It's just a story, right?" Kanon said, shooting a smile at her friend. "If Miko and Ringo are curious, I'll tell them. It's an interesting story, after all, despite how short it is. It's...a more ambiguous story than you'd expect."

Out of the corner of his eye, Miko saw Ringo shoot him a glance, both confused and worried. Still, he couldn't deny that he was interested, and he didn't have the power to stop Kanon, either. Her smile grew more natural as she settled back in her chair, like a parent telling a child a lullaby.

"The story starts with you," Kanon said, her voice soft as she perfectly took the words from memory. "Once upon a time, as a young child, you and your family moved into a new home. It was an older house, but it had its charm, with antique decorations and even wind chimes to make the place feel like a pixie's grove."

The more she talked, the more alluring Kanon became, and Miko intently listened. 

"You eagerly explored your home, happy to pick your room and help your parents decorate," Kanon continued. "But during your investigation, you find an attic door built into your ceiling, and being a young, whimsical child, you're eager to check it out."

"When you get in the attic, there's a small window, allowing for just the tiniest bit of light to peek out and barely illuminate the room," she said. "And to your surprise...there's something there. No, someone on the dusty ground, barely highlighted by the glow from the window."

Kanon hesitated for a moment. "...You find a tiny little angel on the ground, helpless, stranded, and as fragile as a doll."

"You're left with a choice," she stated. "Do you help the angel by giving it wings and lifting it up so it can fly? Or...do you set it free and leave it to find the mysteries of the world on its own without any abilities at all?"

She lowered her head, taking a long sip of her tea. "...The choice is up to you. Will you let the angel fly, or will you let it fend for itself?"

Just as she said, the story was short, but Miko was left at a loss for words. It wasn't just because of the mysterious nature of the supposedly innocent nature, but because of Kanon. Despite how calm she looked and the smile still on her face, something was off about her, and it was all because of the story.

"...Where did you hear a story like that from?" Ringo quietly asked, bold enough to crack the silence.

Kanon jumped at his voice, but at the same time, she looked relieved, thankful for Ringo's question. She exhaled, her behavior still oddly stiff as she said, "It was...it was Reina. She told me this story over five years ago."

Reina. At the mention of her sister's name, the room grew even heavier. Ako let out a hum of acknowledgment, and this time, the roles had been shifted, as she was now the one left to comfort Kanon about the motive. 

"Reina's most precious thing..." Only Ako had the strength to comfort Kanon with the truth. "Her wish...it really was to be close again to you, hm? Somehow, I suppose I always had a feeling, even when we first met..."

Kanon let out a hollow chuckle, much to Miko's surprise. "...She's always been like that. She cares. She cares more than she lets on, and she cares in such a natural way once you find it, and..."

She set her cup down again, and when she moved back into the chair, Kanon wrapped her arms around herself, her smile briefly fading. "It's...like you said, Ako. I suppose I've always known that Reina's greatest wish would be something like that, even more than the answer she's always wanted to find."

"Then why the hell are you so confused about it?"

Ringo's question was a shock, but he wasn't angry in the slightest. Instead, the look he gave Kanon was one of genuine confusion, and in a way, Miko understood him. He never took Kanon as someone to dismiss or push aside the feelings of others, let alone her own sister, and seeing her even the slightest bit shaken was jarring.

"Just..." Ringo blinked, startled by his own outburst, but he swallowed his nervousness down to focus on confronting Kanon with a truth she needed to hear. "You say you know she cares, so why were you so surprised? Back then, now - it makes no goddamn sense, Kanon!"

"Ringo..." Kanon leaned forward, grasping for words to say. "Ringo, it's...I-"

"If you have a disagreement with someone, you need to fucking work it out," Ringo said, the most confident he'd ever been. "Even if...even if that person is family or someone you don't want to be hurt by, you just...you just have to do it sometimes, okay?"

"Now, why are you so worked up, apple boy?" Ako said, stepping in for her friend. "Listen, don't pretend like you know anything about Kanon's situation with Reina. It's...something even I can't fully wrap my head around."

Ringo groaned, digging his hands into his hair. "No, no, fuck, just...Kanon. Listen to me, god. If it's about anything, listen to me about this. It...pisses me off when things are left unsaid, okay? So just...if you need help or anything at all, whatever, I'll try, but...seeing someone like you, someone who gets along with damn near everyone, unable to talk to her own sister? That's not normal, and you damn well know it."

"Ringo." Kanon was unsure of how to react, but she leaned further forward, trying to catch his attention. "Ringo, please, I-"

"Someone as cold as her had the most sincere precious thing of all. What a piece of shit," Ringo muttered. "If you told me that one day ago, I would've laughed in your goddamn face, and now, if you want to face this motive head-on or something corny like that, then it's not that difficult, and especially because it's you, Kanon, it's you, and fuck-"

"Ringo." 

Miko had no choice but to cut him off. Like the swift slice of a sword, his voice was all that was needed to quiet Ringo down. 

He couldn't deny that he agreed with the saucier's words. Reina's wish had been nagging at him, too, but if anything, he was the most surprised by Kanon's reaction. He thought they cared, but it was just as Ako said - the situation between the sisters was far more complicated than he initially believed.

Still, it was as if his heart was crying out to him. Seeing Kanon so torn and conflicted was too much for Miko, especially given her story. Without thinking, Miko asked a question of his own, trying to dampen the mood.

"Kanon." When he said her name, his voice was soft, trying to calm her own emotions down. "That story you told us. If you choose to let the angel fly, then...it'll go free, right? But what if you left it alone? What kind of mysteries would it discover if it's still so small?"

Kanon's eyes widened at the mention of the familiar story, and for a moment, it looked as if she was ready to thank him. Instead, though, her gaze dipped to the ground again.

"...That's a question I've always had," she admitted. "One angel flies so, so high, and becomes adored by many. But the other angel, the one without wings, the one without that same kind of charm..."

She laughed again, trying to frame the story as nothing more than a small, funny thing. "I suppose...that might be one of my greatest wishes. To truly know the angel who never got to fly. To truly understand that person and who they were - no, who they are...I think that would be nice."

The look on her face was one full of distant, melancholic longing, and Miko had a feeling that her words didn't apply to the story alone. The weight that had been on her shoulders briefly fell on his, and a wave of understanding washed over him, filling him with a sense of sadness.

Around him, Ako and Ringo had gone silent, seemingly hit with a similar understanding. The tea on the table had long gone cold, the pastries no longer had the same sweetness, and Monohenka's new motive continued to affect everyone as if they were mere pieces stuck in a game they couldn't control.

✿

Chapter Text

When Miko arrived at the dining hall the next morning, it was nearly empty - save for one Reina Hagimoto seated towards the back, sipping a cup of tea with her breakfast. 

Miko's stomach lurched at the sight of the chessmaster. The last time he'd seen her was after she'd fled the room during the motive, and now, it was hard to look at her the same. He remembered her most precious thing all too clear: to be close to her sister again.

Still, they'd searched together. Reina seemed more relaxed around him. The time they'd spent together had to mean something, and Miko couldn't forget how she approached him the very first night with that fateful question: have we met in this game before?

He saw her as someone he trusted. He saw her as someone close to a friend, and to Miko, that was more than enough. 

"Reina." Miko walked up to her and buried his lingering nerves. "Good morning. How did you sleep? How are you doing?"

"Miko." Reina was as curt as ever, her stare both blank yet inviting. "...You're the same as ever, I see. Ever polite, ever open, ever the first to greet someone...I suppose my initial assumption about you being the passive type was wrong. Good job."

What? Miko tried to shake those words aside as he sat down next to Reina, the fragrant scent of flowers hitting his nose. "Oh, what kind of tea is that? It smells delicious...I haven't found a single tea I've really enjoyed here. Not that I'm surprised, given the horrid nature of this place and all..."

Reina grinned, taking a small sip. "Chamomile. Don't let it drift you back off to sleep. These chairs don't seem ideal for sitting in. They don't seem ideal to do anything in, come to think of it...they're quite uncomfortable."

"Ah...sure." The air between them was stiff, the memories of yesterday's motive still hanging heavy over both Miko and Reina's heads. Miko cleared his throat, scrambling to think of another, far less boring topic, but nothing came to mind but the motive and Reina's wish.

It was early in the morning, but Reina seemed the same as ever, still cold and straight to the point. Somehow, Reina had to break that, and he took a deep breath. The only way to establish some connection, some sense of familiarity with the chessmaster was to target her vulnerabilities, as much as Miko hated doing so.

He had no choice. He wanted to know Reina better, after all. He wanted her to be his friend. He wanted to know the real her - the one who Kanon promised cared more than anything else.

We've met before.

We've met before.

You're not a stranger to me at all, aren't you?

"...Reina." Miko summoned all his strength and tried to be just as blunt as her, like a queen pinning down an opposing piece. "About your wish yesterday. Could I...ask you about it, if you don't mind?"

Reina's grip around her cup tightened, and for a moment, Miko expected the worst. He felt like nothing more than a mere pawn meant for her to capture, but in an instant, that feeling of doom transformed into one of surprise when she nodded.

"You don't hesitate to ask for what you want when it comes to seeking answers," Reina commented. "I suppose that's what I appreciate about you, Miko. You're honest. Whether it's around me or everyone, I don't know, but it's something I certainly have no faults with."

Miko bowed his head, still unfamiliar with the idea of Reina actually complimenting him. "Thank you. If it makes you uncomfortable, we don't have to talk about anything regarding you and Kanon. I was simply curious, and-"

"I'll talk. You've been wanting to ask me that for a while - I can tell," said Reina, cutting him off. "You've been meaning to ask me a lot of questions, which...was my fault. Our first few meetings were so ambiguous, and I understand why that might've been strange to you. It was weird to me too, I won't lie."

Miko tried to suppress a chuckle. At least she's self-aware...

"But...no one has really asked. About me and Kanon, I mean. Me and my sister," Reina continued, her sentences becoming far less structured and more spontaneous than usual. "I might regret this later. Call me a fool, even, but I appreciate that someone asked, especially someone like you."

"Someone like me?" Miko asked.

"You're like my sister," Reina explained, "in that you care in a far more natural way than most people. That's all. So, if anyone were to hear my thoughts about my sister, it's only natural that it's you, Miko."

...

"You...really do think like her," Reina said, breaking the silence. "My sister. Kanon, I mean. You two...you have that same emotional view of the world that I can't fully understand, no matter how hard I've tried."

...

Miko blinked, snapping out of his trance of familiarity. The deja vu that washed over him always felt like a bad dream. Reina paused, tilting her head with a somewhat knowing look before she took a sip of tea and dove into an explanation that Miko eagerly wanted.

"It's true. What Monohenka said about my most precious thing being to be close to Kanon again...it's all true," Reina confessed. "As you've probably noticed, Kanon and I...we don't necessarily fully avoid each other, but we dodge drawn-out interactions as much as we can."

She sighed, folding her hands in her lap just as her sister did yesterday. "It's a strained relationship, to say the least. To put it simply...she's a different person than the friend I first met when we were very little."

"The friend you first met?" Miko flinched, immediately embarrassed. "Ah, my apologies, I forgot that-"

"That I haven't been her sister my entire life?"

Miko's face turned a pale pink, but thankfully, Reina didn't seem bothered in the slightest. "We don't look similar at all. You know that we're adopted, Miko. It makes natural sense. Just think a little."

"Easy for you to say," Miko muttered. "Given your talent and your prestige, you're far more logical than I am, haha..."

"Stop putting yourself down. This is something I fully agree with Sora on," Reina scolded, clearly picking up on Miko's words. "...That's besides the point. As we grew up, she...drifted further and further away from me, beyond what's normal for siblings. On the surface, she was still the same, but deep down to me, Kanon...something's been completely different about her for a long time now."

"What?" Miko leaned forward, admittedly concerned. "Reina, that's..."

"When we were kids," said Reina, swallowing down the lump in her throat with more tea. "Kanon and I told each other everything. But now, it's as if...I don't try to talk to her because I know it won't do me any good, and she knows it, too."

For the first time, Reina's words made little sense, but it didn't stop Miko from worrying about both her and Kanon. She touched the braid in her hair, and Miko caught a glimpse of a strained and distant look in her eyes. Reina herself didn't know what she was saying, as if she was afraid of her own heart. 

"...Miko." Just the way she said his name felt more uncertain than usual. "The other reason I'm telling you this, the other reason I want to trust you...is because you're searching for answers about your life just like I am."

Miko nodded. Somehow, it was as if he'd known. Him and Reina were always the same - not just in appearance, but motivation, too. It was a fact he'd felt he'd heard over and over again, but he didn't want it to ever disappear and sever their connection.

"The answer I'm searching for..." Reina paused. "I'm sure you already suspect this, but...it has to do with Kanon, and in a way, with my wish. For us to be close again, this answer is something I need to-"

"Ooh, what do we have here?"

Miko's spirits sank when he looked over towards the door to see none other than Aspen, as smug and gleeful as ever. Reina rolled her eyes, clearly disappointed as Aspen skipped over to their table and briefly admired the teapot Reina had chosen.

"I didn't know this place had such lovely pots. Wonder who they were made by!" Aspen exclaimed, spinning around to sit on the table itself. "But look at you! The two braided-haired acquaintances speaking so early in the morning...what could be going on, I wonder?"

"It's none of your business," Reina snapped. 

"Everything's my business if I want it to be," Aspen hummed. "Well, since you seem so prickly, dear Reina, I'll make a guess. Let's see, let's see...it's no surprise that you'd be talking about the motive, of course, but just what about it specifically..."

Both Miko and Reina flinched at Aspen's immediate mention of the motive. The mycologist snuck a peek at Reina's tea with a smile, intrigued by the scent like a moth to a flame.

"No answer? Didn't expect that from you," he teased. "To think that the two of you are so alike in both appearance and story...it's quite fascinating. The strategist and the heartbeat of the world around him, what a pair! Maybe being around each other will help your answers come to light."

"How do you know-"

"Ah, it's time for breakfast. See you all later - I'm sure you'll miss my presence!" Aspen exclaimed, fully interrupting Reina. With a jump off the table and a skip in his step, he was gone in an instant, leaving Miko with a brand-new headache.

Reina sucked in a sharp breath, and she looked about ready to go in the kitchen and tell him off. "...How did he know we were talking about questions and answers? For someone like him to be so self-righteous and interrupt conversations without a purpose...tch. I shouldn't have expected anything less."

"It's not that surprising, though," said Miko, trying to calm Reina's slowly-boiling temper. "Aspen's always been the cryptic type, dancing around his true goals. I'm sure he's waiting to make Sora mad, so in the meantime, he messed with us instead..."

"Better her than us. She has less patience than I do," Reina muttered, taking a long sip of tea. "On the other hand, though...I suppose it makes sense that the two of them are together quite frequently. Sora annoys me in her own way."

Miko blinked, stunned by Reina's blunt words. "That's-"

"I'm not trying to be mean," Reina said, noticing Miko's discomfort. "I was just stating the truth. Do with it what you will, okay, Miko? You don't always have to look so surprised  around me."

"I'm not surprised. Just...taken aback," said Miko.

"That's the same thing."

Point taken. It was useless to try and debate with Reina, who nearly always seemed to get the swift upper hand. Still, she was right - Miko had no reason to be scared or surprised around her, especially since she'd opened up to him about Kanon. Little by little, they truly were becoming friends, and even the silence they sat in together meant something to Miko.

✿

Boredom was, unfortunately, easy to come by in the Killing Wonder. Miko found himself wishing for entertainment, whether it be books, practicing his swordfighting, or, as much as he hated to say it, some form of drama to watch.

He wandered around that afternoon, letting himself get lost in the strange surroundings around him. It truly felt like Wonderland, akin to something pulled straight from a fairytale, and it all still felt so surreal to Miko.

The Tree of Trickery was the most confusing part of the place to him. Why is there just...a tree here? It was pretty, he'd give it that, but it seemed like nothing more than a landmark. Still, Miko wasn't one to discredit beauty, and without thinking, he found himself in the Tree of Trickery.

Thankfully, the rousing entertainment he'd been unconsciously searching for was there. Much to his surprise, the person he most liked seeing and the person he detested seeing were engaged in a conversation at the base of the tree.

"...and then, if you want to really make a good impression on someone, wonder girl, you-" Ray stopped, his face immediately falling at the sight of Miko. "And what a great way to soil the conversation."

"Seriously?" Miko sighed, already fed up with Ray's antics. "What were you two even talking about, god forbid..."

"Dating, actually. Making yourself likable to others," Ray shamelessly admitted. "Come sit, Queenie. Maybe I can give you a lesson or two."

Miko rolled his eyes, but nevertheless, he begrudgingly sat next to Koharu, who was far more appreciative of his presence. She tried her best to smile, as if she was attempting to erase Miko's memory of Ray's words and their supposed conversation topic.

"Did you really ask him for dating advice?" Miko whispered. "Koharu, seriously, if you need it, I..."

"No, no, no, you've got it all wrong!" Koharu exclaimed, unable to stay quiet. "We talked about other things, too! Ray found me taking a nap on the tree, and I woke up, and we just...started talking, I guess?"

"You almost fell off. You had me worried, Koharu!" said Ray. "But yes, that's the truth. Leave it to Queenie to assume the worst."

Miko groaned. "Ray, I swear-"

"You were the one who went on and on about that oddly specific yogurt flavor that you just so adore," Koharu mocked, trying to help Miko out. "And then it was you who brought up dating because everyone just love love loves you, and-"

Ray giggled, amused by Koharu's sass. "Point taken, Koharu. I never denied it for a second - you really are a fun friend!"

"Was it your mixed berry rhubarb yogurt?" Miko asked, raising a knowing eyebrow. "You've liked that stuff ever since we were kids. I don't know how or why you ended up finding it, but whoever keeps making it has to know that you're their only customer."

"How astute of you," said Ray. Miko winced at the compliment, no matter how backhanded it was. "I could say the same about anything cranberry-flavored that you're so fond of. Who even likes the taste of cranberries but someone as special as you?"

"I like strawberries a lot," Koharu added.

Ray grinned. "And you know who looks just like a little strawberry and also happens to be very pretty, Koharu? Looooook-"

"Okay, okay, that's enough!" Koharu lightly hit Ray's arm, causing the toxicologist to laugh even harder. It wasn't long before Koharu was laughing with him, and Miko couldn't stop himself from letting out a chuckle or two of his own.

But in the back of Miko's mind, a question came to light. Why did it feel so strange to laugh around Ray, of all people, again?

Miko knew Ray was cruel. Miko knew that better than anyone else, for Ray had done nothing but hurt him time and time again. Seeing him laugh with Koharu, with someone else, with someone he saw as a friend only left a bad taste in his mouth.

Maybe the Killing Wonder was a chance for Ray to be a better person. Miko remembered his words - it's my word or nothing, and his supposed ignorance. But at the same time, deep down, he knew.

The feeling of familiarity washed over him again as he watched Ray, and all Miko could think about was how he'd seen Ray be cruel yet again in the Killing Wonder. A brief, foggy memory floated in the back of his head, like nothing more than a distant dream, but Miko couldn't forget about it.

Familiar.

...

You really, truly lost.

...

Had he seen Ray in the Killing Wonder before?

He remembered how something about him had been off, too, as if he knew. As if the two of them had the same sense that something was wrong. As if Ray himself was aware of his past cruelty and was now trying to fix it.

"Koharu."

Miko's voice alone was enough to snap both Koharu and Ray out of their laughing fits. Without thinking, he spoke, his mind a blur and his words unprocessed. Miko was driven by nothing but pure emotion, but the deja vu he felt was strange. The more he thought, the further and further away he felt from reality, his entire body tingling with a light, needle-like pain.

"Why...are you befriending him?" Miko asked, eerily calm. "...You can't trust him. You can't trust Ray, let alone be his friend."

"Miko..." Koharu briefly looked away, and the hesitation in her eyes was enough to startle Miko even more.

"I'm telling you, it's dangerous," Miko insisted. This was the one matter he didn't need to think about. His relationship with Ray was something entirely governed by his feelings alone. "Please, Koharu. You have to believe me, he's...here, in a place like this, he-"

"...I know."

It was then that Miko realized what he'd said, but it was too late. He sucked in a sharp breath as he waited for Koharu's response. The slip of his tongue could be costly, but much to his surprise, Koharu looked away with a faint smile.

"I know," she repeated, "how you feel, Miko. I really do."

"But-" Miko scrambled to argue against her, because she couldn't know. She couldn't understand. He'd just met Koharu, but she couldn't understand how he felt, how familiar this all felt, how this Killing Wonder couldn't be the first time-

"Miko."

Koharu reached over and took his hand, and the smile that was once on her face was gone, replaced by a seriousness he'd never seen before. It was as if the sun inside her when they'd first met had been dimmed by the clouds, and in that moment, Miko knew that she knew. 

"Trust me," she said, and Miko had no choice but to do just that.

"I...want to believe in him. Ray, I mean," Koharu explained, whispering so Ray wouldn't hear. "I know he's not the best, I know, but...I have to believe in him. It's just who I am. I'm always nice to people, whether I like it or not."

Miko sucked in a breath. He wanted to tell her that he understood, but he couldn't. All he could do was trust Koharu and her sense that she knew what he felt like. She, too, had the sensation that this had all happened before, but knowing that she was in it with him calmed Miko down instead of worrying him even more.

Koharu let go of his hand, and with it, her sunny smile returned. She lightly elbowed Ray, who looked rather bored and was sulking due to being left out of the conversation. Her words still swirled around in Miko's head, and he watched her face Ray with the utmost sincerity, despite knowing his cruelty. 

Deep down, Miko couldn't help but envy her. He envied Koharu's kindness. He envied her determination to befriend him. He envied her ability to see the good in Ray - an ability he'd once had, even after Yui's death.

Ray leaned over and looked at Miko with a knowing smile of his own. Miko wasn't surprised if he'd secretly overheard their conversation, but that was the least of his worries. For now, Koharu was here, and that was enough to temporarily quell his memories of Ray.

"Stop smiling at me like that," Miko said, flicking Ray's nose. "It's not like you to be at a loss for words. If you have something you want to say to me, say it."

"Ow!" Ray rubbed his nose with a frown. "I thought you were going to be nice to me around your dear friend Koharu, Queenie."

"I think it's funny," Koharu muttered. "You two bickering is really funny, so I don't really care. I'm kinda nosy, though, soooo...if you ever wanna tell me just why you both don't like each other, then since I'm a dear friend to both of you and all..."

Ding-dong, ping-pong...

The sound of a shrill chime cut Koharu off.

It was a chime that Miko had, in all aspects, never heard before, but he knew that he had heard it before. It was a sound that sent a shiver down his spine, and it was a sound that only meant one thing: the worst had happened.

"Attention, everyone."

Monohenka's voice was stiff yet terrifyingly empty. "A body...has been discovered on the first floor...of the mansion. Make...your way there. Now. Quickly."

...

Click.

✿

A body.

Those words alone were enough to scare Miko, to say the least. His mind went blank, his body felt more numb than before, and he was paralyzed with terror. He cared about everyone around him, and to think that someone he'd recently met had truly died wasn't something he could easily process.

"No..." Koharu's face quickly paled, and she looked as if she'd been hit by a truck. "No, no, no..."

Unsurprisingly, the only one able to move was Ray, but even he was shaken. He grabbed Koharu's arm and pulled her up, and suddenly, Miko found himself being unwillingly pulled off the ground, too, despite Ray's lack of strength.

"We have to go," Ray said, unusually direct. "Koharu, Queenie, we have to go! The investigation's already started if the body's been found!"

"You..." For once, Miko couldn't argue with Ray, and with a sigh, he drove himself forward, leading the way out of the Tree of Trickery. "Ray's right. Come on, Koharu, let's move. The...the first floor of the mansion, let's go."

He didn't have the time to wait and listen for Koharu's footsteps or argue with Ray. Miko ran and ran, stuck in a trance. He ignored how tired he was, how much his legs ached, or how afraid he was. All he did was run.

It was already too late. Nothing he could do would change the fact that someone was dead, and it was up to him and everyone else to find the killer. That was the truth, but despite its cruel nature, it was one Miko had no choice but to swallow.

Miko was only human. He was afraid of people dying, especially those he knew, so it was only natural that he was terrified as he approached the mansion. No matter how much he tried to control his feelings, no matter how much he tried to stay strong and put on a brave face, Miko knew the sight inside would be too much for him to bear.

With a shaky hand, he pushed open the door of the mansion, ignoring all the commotion.

There was already a crowd at the back of the first floor. Miko pushed past them all, still stuck in a daze. All he had to do was see the body, and then he'd be snapped back into reality and realize just what he had to do.

Everyone had to move forward. Even Koharu, even Ray, even him. Miko sucked in a breath as the horrid stench of blood quickly hit his nose, and he pushed aside the urge to hurl over and vomit, sick to his stomach.

The room was small. Combined with the bright red blood and the obvious screams, it only took Miko an instant to see just who was dead.

...

Against his will, against everything in him screaming at him not to look and wake up from the nightmare he was trapped in, Miko looked down.

...

..

.

.

.

Shoved in the mansion's storage closet was the body of the girl Miko had seen in his dreams.

She was a memory he couldn't forget. She'd once been so beautiful, but now, her white outfit was stained with red, burning an unforgettable and horrifying picture in Miko's mind. It was a sight that woke him up and reminded him of just how brutal the Killing Wonder was, and one that reminded him of just how cruel those around him could truly be.

In front of him was the dead body of Kanon Shirayuki, the Ultimate Wedding Planner, and Miko fell to the ground, his vision quickly darkening and his mind on the verge of blacking out.

✿