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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IO5k4k3vQ0

“It’s been a while since we were in here, hasn’t it?”

You look around the clubroom with a sudden sense of nostalgia. The whiteboard is still marked with several of your more outlandish theories, surrounded by doodles from Kiriko and Kuin.

You haven’t visited the clubroom regularly for a few months. Not since New Year. After those attacks, the class were generally on the same page when it came to matters of demons… and investigation of the Darkworld took a back seat to the loose demons who were terrorising your world. The Darkworld Investigation Group was redundant.

“Look at this,” Anri points out, as the two of you examine the room after such a long time away. “It’s Sae’s pencil case. With the polka dots?”

“You mean she threw a fit over losing it, and she never bothered to check here?” you ask. “Look, this chair’s still wobbly from when Takeshi-sensei tripped on it.”

Anri can’t help but give a small smile. She’s often stoic, but your investigation partner’s lighter side comes out more often these days. She grabs a purple marker, and begins scrawling the word “Memories” on the whiteboard.

“So…” she mutters. “You know the real reason we’re here, right?”

You nod. “It’s what you said yesterday. We’ll be going back into the Darkworld. The spot where Yasunari died… to find out what really happened.”

Anri nods, her back still facing the whiteboard, as she reaches into the pockets of her jacket. “It’s true… we’ll be going there. But not this morning. Other important business awaits us first.”

“Hm?”

Anri beams a smile as she spins around, revealing in her hands… tinsel?

“We have to decorate this place for a party!” she laughs. “It’s Kuin’s birthday, after all!”

“It’s WHAT?!” you exclaim. “Geez… you made the atmosphere all introspective and serious on purpose, didn’t you?”

Anri nods. “I can have my fun, Kazuma.”

You take the tinsel from Anri and look around the room once more. “Memories… okay, let’s not waste time.”

After much cleaning and decoration, you and Anri manage to shape up the cluttered clubroom into a decent spot for a party. After a quick vending machine break, you both sit back in the clubroom chairs, exhausted and admiring the passable job you’ve both accomplished.

“Looks like we’re done here…” you remark.

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As Anri takes a sip of her drink, she turns to you. “Before the others arrive, I want to talk about the Yasunari situation.”

“Go ahead.”

“I figure we’ll discover most of what we need to know when we can revisit the site of his death… but based on general reactions and the circumstances we do know, I can narrow it down to six credible suspects.”

You nod. “Okay… and they are?”

Anri pauses. “Atasuke has always lied whenever Yasunari has been brought up. He claimed at first not to know them, then put on a mocking display claiming they were lovers. Neither lines up with the details remaining in Yasunari’s journal.”

“You said pages were torn out,” you reply. “Is it possible the lovers story is true, and those pages were omitted out of fear of revealing their relationship?”

“Perhaps…” Anri explains. “But who would have torn them out? Atasuke was happy to out this alleged truth when pressed, would that mean Yasunari tore them out before he died? Either way, it’s awfully suspicious. Being the closest to Yasunari, and the most deceptive in questioning thus far, it’s safe to say Atasuke is my primary suspect.”

You nod. “Fair… go on.”

“We do know that Mio sold vast quantities of salt to Yasunari at his request shortly before he died. Mio herself seemed suspicious of the purchase… looking at his journal, there were some remaining mentions of some kind of ritual taking place… perhaps the salt was used for that.”

You raise an eyebrow. “But Yasunari purchased the salt himself, right? That would make Yasunari himself one of the six suspects, if you’re assuming this is a ritual gone wrong.”

Anri nods. “You’re right… personally that is the outcome I’m hoping for. It is better than the alternative… that one of us was responsible.”

“I don’t like to think about that either…”

Anri nods. “However, the ritual aspect raises the remaining four suspects. In his journal, there are brief mentions of consulting the knowledge of Taiyo, Tsuki, Amaya and Makoto. We know the Shibata twins past is secretive and deeply spiritual, so perhaps they have knowledge of the ritualistic…”

“But they would never be the type to murder,” you reply.

“Murder, no. Perhaps cause a fatal error, one they want to keep secret? It’s possible.”

“Wait…” you mutter. “If he wanted to consult Tsuki and Taiyo, then… does that mean he knew about their natures as demons well before anyone else? How else would he consider them experts on something like that?”

Anri pauses. “Exactly my thinking. Tsuki would be my number two suspect… taking out Yasunari in order to keep his secret hidden at the time. However… he never admitted to it, even after he was exposed. At that point, Tsuki would be the type to revel in the death he caused. But Taiyo, on the other hand… he kept the secret as well…”

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You place a finger to your chin. “But Taiyo is a good guy, right? He’s literally the good half of the evil that Tsuki was.”

Anri shakes her head. “While it’s true that he was defined as the good half of The Eclipse, that means nothing when we speak of demons. Their concept of good and evil is clearly different from our own. Perhaps Taiyo would see exterminating Yasunari as a greater good.”

“So…” you mutter. “Our main theory is that Yasunari was killed during a ritual when we were separated that night… and whether it was intentional or not, is most likely to have been caused by Atasuke, The Eclipse halves, or the Shibata twins.”

Anri nods. “That’s the gist of it, yes… though I haven’t ruled anyone out entirely… Sae is quick to temper, Roka is violent, Mayu can be vicious, Hanako is a mystery, Risa had secrets to keep… you were unstable during that period of time. So I can’t rule you out, either. I hope you understand that.”

“I do,” you reply. “But I know at the end of the day, you can trust me.”

Anri smiles, as the two of you clink your cans together. “Okay…” she replies. “Time to get this party started.”

>Later

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hcbNt48XZs

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

Kuin stands on the table in the clubroom, a can of soda in her hand and her cape still firmly attached as she gives a bow. “Thank you, thank you my loyal subjects! Now, on such a wonderful day, all I can say is… STAGEDIVE!”

Kuin leaps off the table, to be caught by Ninsei and Ukon who carry her overhead in celebration.

Gado looks on, his arms crossed and a smile on his face. “They grow up so fast, don’t they?”

“You’re talking like she’s your daughter!” you point out. “She’s not much younger than the rest of us!”

“Come on, everybody!” Mai exclaims. “It’s dance time!”

“In a room this small?” Akuro points out. “Don’t you think that’ll be-HEY!”

Mai gives Akuro no choice in the matter, grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her into a dance.

“You the dancing type?” Kiriko smirks to Roka.

Roka scratches his head. “Well, Sae did ask me about it first.”

“SAE?!” Kiriko exclaims, before calming herself. “Hey, you’re teasing me, aren’t you?”

“You started it,” Roka responds, before taking her hand.

“Come on!” Risa pleads with Amaya. “You’re a gymnast and you’re saying you can’t dance?!”

Amaya shakes her head desperately. “We weren’t exactly a dancing family…”

“It’ll come naturally!” Tami assures her. “Just like when I first skinned a pig!”

“Okay, I… wait, what?!” Amaya raises an eyebrow. “That’s not a comforting analogy!”

“Maybe, but it’s true!”

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You notice Alice bopping her head in excitement, but hesitating to join in the actual dancing. Even the stoic Anri gets pulled in by Gado. She just seems happy to be experiencing modern music. She’s always been more detached from the class than others.

Akuro turns her head to Alice. “Wanna join us?” she asks. “Mai is… a lot to handle, but maybe she can teach you some dance moves that have been invented in the last… fifty years?”

Alice smiles, and takes a step forward. Akuro was an outsider as well… no surprise she’d reach out to Alice.

“It seems Soshu and Omitsu haven’t answered the invitation…” Taiyo notes. “The Demon Hunters continue to keep to themselves.”

“I’m surprised you even showed up,” Sae notes. “You shouldn’t be calling out others for keeping to themselves, ya know.”

“I suppose I am somewhat of a hypocrite,” Taiyo admits. “But I couldn’t be rude, could I?”

Atasuke approaches Hanako and offers out his hand. “Would the lovely lady Simada care for a dance?”

Hanako hesitates, considering it, before shaking her head. “I’d rather not. I don’t have any co-ordination, I’ll just end up causing an accident.”

“That’s a shame,” Atasuke admits.

“Wait, you aren’t going to protest it being the case?!” Hanako mumbles. “Oh… I really must be bad, then. Besides...”

Hanako turns her head to look at Kaiya. Still sitting in a chair in the corner.

Kaiya… her words yesterday ring through your head.

"We'll never speak again. It has been good... Shadow of a shadow. After today... it breaks. Be ready."

Just what the hell did she mean by that? Kaiya has always been cryptic, even moreso since her latest revival… and yet, for the first time while speaking to Kaiya, you felt conviction in her words.

“Kaiya…” Hanako mutters hesitantly. “Do you want to grab a snack? Do you just want to stay there? I mean, that’s okay too… whatever you’re comfortable with…”

Kaiya looks up at Hanako and smiles her ever creepy smile. “Yes… my friend… Hanako. Let us celebrate… let us smile, one last time.”

“One last time?” Hanako mutters. “No need to be so morbid. Come along.”

Chuichi stares at Kaiya from across the room, his vision transfixed on her, only interrupted by a poke in the ribs by Mio.

“Excited?”

“It’s a standard party,” he remarks. “Nice that we’re on the verge of becoming second years. In four years, we’ll all be able to drink booze.”

“Not that,” Mio smirks. “Are you really playing it cool and trying to pretend you forgot?”

“I have no idea what her mean,” Chuichi playfully replies, but his eyes give him away. “Was something else supposed to happen today? I think my schedule is free…”

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Mio shakes her head. “Oh well, I guess I’ll make dinner plans with Makoto then…”

“Makoto?” Chuichi scoffs. “Lower your standards a little, Mio.”

“One more crack like that and I’m cancelling our date!”

“Fine,” Chuichi smiles. “I’m looking forward to it, I really am.”

Makoto looks at the celebrating group and turns to you with a smile. “Your choice of music, I take it.”

“Of course, can’t trust anyone else with that,” he reply.

“Well, most music is unfamiliar to me… but this is becoming a familiar sight, isn’t it?”

“What is?”

“This!” Makoto smiles as he gestures you to the room. “To think… just a year ago, we were strangers meeting for the first time. And now… well, maybe calling us a family is a bit presumptuous. But we have been through so much together.”

“That’s true…” you remark. “When we first had our eye on this clubroom, Kiriko and I struggled to find even three people who would be interested in joining us. I’ve often been… alone throughout my school life. Kiriko has been the only one close to me through that time. But now…”

Makoto smiles, as he pats you on the back. “Speaking of… something seems to be alone right now. I think you should talk to her.”

Makoto points your in her direction, and you’re surprised you barely noticed her presence.

It’s not often that Mayu Nakatoni doesn’t command the attention of a room. Even in her usual silence, her steely demeanour, and her ice cold beauty naturally draws eyes to her. It never fails to draw yours to her. But you know the inner warmth behind that demeanour… and you also know why today she cowers in the corner, forgoing her intimidating presence.

You walk over to your girlfriend and offer a hand. “I know you claim to be an awful dancer…”

“Claim?” Mayu notes. “I have proven those claims time and time again.”

“I feel like you get better each time,” you reply. “How about a little more practice?”

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Mayu looks at you, giving a hesitant nod, before taking your hand and being lead to the centre of the room. Despite the upbeat music, you keep her close to you, both because she is by admittance a terrible, terrible dancer… but also so that you can speak to her. The last while, Mayu has been withdrawn… even from you or Kiriko. It’s not hard to see that she’s depressed, and even easier to see why.

“Mayu…” you mutter. You’re not great with these kinds of conversations. “I know the last few weeks have been difficult. With your mother, and the tournament, and feeling like you’ve been sidelined… I understand.”

Mayu clenches you tighter, as she meekly responds, a far cry from her steely directness of the past. “I am simply not good enough, Kazuma… I thought I was, but I was wrong. I am unable to protect this class, I am unable to live up to my mother, I am unable to avenge my father.”

“There’s so much more to you than your battle prowess,” you reply.

“Such as?”

You pause. “Mayu… nobody thinks you aren’t useful. You’re not letting anybody down. You may feel lost and alone now, but just remember… I’m here. I… love you, Mayu.”

Mayu pauses. Her movements become more stilted as she looks up to you.

As a pit forms in your stomach, she gives her response.

“… Why?”

You hesitate. What kind of question is that? How are you supposed to answer it? It’s not the kind of thing anyone can put into words… let alone someone like you. But Mayu… the look on her face… she needs an answer.

“I… I just do.”

That’s the best you can come up with.

“Of course…” Mayu responds politely. “I am sorry… it was silly of me to ask such a difficult question.”

“N-no, don’t be!” you reply. “I… I’m sorry about giving such a simple answer…”

You and Mayu continue to dance in silence, until Kiriko peels her away to take some group photos amongst the girls.

You approach Kuin, placing a hand atop your shorter classmates head. “Happy Birthday, Kuin. Finally joining the rest of your class, huh?”

“Until late April,” Kuin notes. “When Sae turns seventeen. Not counting Alice, Kaiya and Gado, that is when the balance shifts against this poor benevolent dictator once more.”

“You have to face it,” you reply. “You’ll always be the class baby. Even in a few weeks when we move up a year, you’ll still be the baby to us.”

“But I’ll have plenty of kouhai to make into loyal subjects…” Kuin gives an evil cackle. “Although… being pampered as the little sister to the class also has its benefits…”

“Enjoy it,” you tell her. “You’re only sixteen once.”

“Wait… aren’t you the next youngest in class?” Kuin protests. “Why are you doing the big brother act?”

You chuckle. “Well, I can’t do it with anyone else, can I?”

“Fair enough.”

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With that, the party continues, with Kuin and Mai doing most of the dragging into group activities. Ninsei’s vegetarianism spared him from partaking in the russian roulette takoyaki, but Sae was less fortunate. As the party winds down, the red faced Sae is still downing soda after soda after ingesting the takoyaki overloaded with death sauce, swearing profusely as she does.

You meet with Anri just outside the clubroom as the others are cleaning up, leaning against a wall. “That was fun…” she sighs.

“You’re hesitating meeting with Hoshi-senpai and visiting the site now, aren’t you?” you ask.

Anri shakes her head. “I feel bad, likely ruining a day that started off so well… but the truth needs to be known. I’m not going to wait around any more.”

“Well said!” Atasuke’s voice calls out, startling you both. “Our great mystery does indeed need to be unearthed.”

Anri turns to Atasuke, her body in a defensive stance. Her number one suspect, she doesn’t trust him at all. “You know of our plan?”

“I tend to eavesdrop when I come across something interesting,” Atasuke notes. “A terrible habit, I know. But I did happen to overhear your conversation while you were preparing for the party.”

“So you know we suspect you,” you reply.

Atasuke smirks. “Of course, though I suppose suspicion can’t be avoided. Know this… Yasunari was important to me.”

“And yet you won’t be honest about your relationship with him-”

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“That’s for me to know,” Atasuke explains. “But I don’t approach you to confront you with your theories. Rather… I wish to join you on this investigation. I want to know the truth myself.”

For the first time, you hear a serious tone in Atasuke’s words.

And then another voice speaks up from behind you. “I wish to join as well.”

You spin around to see Taiyo standing, still shading his face with his hood. “What?” you mutter. “Why?”

“You intend to enter the darkworld?” he replies. “In a spot where a classmate died? It’s my belief Yasunari was simply killed by something there, so the two of you entering alone would be suicide. I want to join in order to keep you safe in a dangerous area.”

Two of Anri’s lead suspects, asking to join you? What’s their game? They know about it, but what the hell should you do? Can you trust them?

“Very well…” Anri notes. “You can both come with us.”

You stand in shock, as Atasuke and Taiyo move on. “But… wasn’t Atasuke your lead suspect? And Taiyo wasn’t far behind…”

Anri nods. “It’s likely one of them may be seeking to join us in an attempt to cover their tracks once we learn the truth. But in that case, we will be able to confront the killer immediately.”

“But if it turns violent, one of them-”

“Exactly,” Anri explains. “ONE of them, not both. Odds of both being the culprit are slim to none, if my theories hold water. In either case, we’ll have another body to defend us against the true culprit should things spiral out of control. In any case… we don’t have much of a choice. Those two would insist to follow us no matter what we did.”

“I see…” you mutter.

Anri turns her head back to you as you begin to walk. “I forgot to ask your feelings, Kazuma. I’m sorry.”

“Huh?”

“I gave you my theories,” she explains. “But we’re partners in this, aren’t we? Do you believe one of my suspects holds more weight than the others?”

>Atasuke is a shady figure. I can’t help but agree that he’s the primary suspect.
>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.
>The Shibata Twins… I don’t want to believe they’d do something like that… but there is something off about them. They seem to be plotting something.
>I don’t know… I hope it’s none of them. I don’t want to believe any of our friends could be guilty.

>>4377791
>>I don’t know… I hope it’s none of them. I don’t want to believe any of our friends could be guilty

>>4377791
>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.

>>4377791
>>I don’t know… I hope it’s none of them. I don’t want to believe any of our friends could be guilty.
It's not a shonen murder mystery without the protag who doesn't want to believe the killer exists.

>>4377791
>>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.

>Inb4 it was actually Tsuki
>He's currently in another dimension
Well, that's one mystery solved.

>>4377791
>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.
You guys hang out with Alice and she tried to kill her own niece fyi.

Calling for
>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.

Gonna write after I make dinner.

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>Taiyo and Tsuki… either one of them could have easily killed him and covered their tracks. They’re the most capable of having done it.

"You have a point there..." Anri remarks. "In the short time we were separated, for Yasunari to not only have been killed, but also dismembered before we reunited... it would have been a case where he was taken out by someone incredibly powerful. Taiyo and Tsuki have that ability... though Atasuke is an unknown quantity."

"It's also possible it means he didn't put up much a fight," you remark.

"In that he could have been a willing participant?" Anri asks. "That's... possible, although unlikely. Not many people are willing participants in their own murder, especially the circumstances."

You pause. "I suppose... maybe I just want to hold out hope that this isn't the full-blown murder it seems."

"You aren't the only one, Kazuma..." Anri notes. "I hope as much too."

The two of you run through your theories for a little while longer, before meeting up with Taiyo and Atasuke and heading to consult with Sanada-senpai.

To no surprise, Sanada is incredibly nervous upon your arrival. "A-a-ah!" she responds. "I d-didn't expect... f-four of you..."

Anri steps forward. "It's for our safety, Hoshi-senpai. We're heading to a dangerous area."

"D-d-dangerous?!" Hoshi exclaims. "Are... are you sure you want to go, then?"

You nod. "It's okay, senpai. We know what we're doing. We won't be rushing into danger, and we have Taiyo here to protect us."

"He... won't need to protect you!" Hoshi puffs her chest and arches her back in an attempt to seem taller. "If you come into the first sign of trouble, I'll be able to pull you back out. You... you just need to stay in constant contact with me, okay?"

Anri nods. "Okay. No matter what, I am going to attain the truth!"

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Hoshi gives a hesitant nod in turn. "O-okay... remember, if I send you there, I need you to give me a signal at the first sign of trouble."

"I'll tell you if we're in a dangerous spot," you reply. "Until then, you don't have to worry about us."

Hoshi's breaths are erratic, she's clearly nervous and anxious about this plan. "As your senpai..." she mutters.

"Let me guess," Atasuke flicks his hair back. "You feel guilty about potentially landing us in trouble, correct Sanada-senpai? I can see the fear on your cute little face... but let me make it clear. You're doing the right thing by helping us today."

His words are reassuring, but his tone is intimidating. He's scaring Sanada into agreeing.

"Cut it out," you reply. "It's up to her if she wants to be a part of-"

"I'll do it," Hoshi replies. "I... I need to be able to trust you... and be able to trust myself. I'll do it."

"We'll be going now, then," Anri replies. "No time to waste... and I have a theory that the Darkworld inhabitants are less aggressive when it isn't night over here. Hence why an incursion will never happen before sundown. This will give us safe room for our investigation."

Taiyo adjusts his hood. "An inquisitive theory..."

"Are you ready to go now, Kazuma?" Anri asks.

>Yeah... let's go.
>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

>>4378027
>>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.
No worry sisteru

>>4378027
>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

Hahaha what could possibly go wrong
See the rest of class 1 in decade when we finally manage to escape

>>4378027
>Yeah... let's go.
My money's on Hoshi teleporting us to separate locations. Again.

>>4378027
>>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

>>4378027
>>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

>>4378038
More like Hoshi is going to send everyone to the same place
But in different years

>>4378027
>Yeah... let's go.
Probably best to avoid getting anyone else involved in Hoshi's rituals, I like everyone having all 4 of their limbs.

>>4378027
>Yeah... let's go.
Let's not get anyone else involved given Hoshi's track record.

Also feel free to discount this vote if my other one pops up, don't think my original vote registered.

Calling for
>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

Writing now.

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>I should text Kiriko first, in case she comes looking for me.

"Of course," Anri nods. "You don't want her worrying about you when you're out."

As Hoshi begins to prepare her spell, you lean against the wall and pull out your phone. For a brief moment, you agonise over what to send to Kiriko. Your sister will no doubt wonder where you are, so you have to give her something, so that she doesn't think you've vanished into thin air.

... But what do you send? The truth? Nah... she wouldn't let the truth slide, she'd insist on tagging along...

Then what kind of excuse can you send?

Do you let her know everything's okay? Or will saying as much make her suspicious?

Why do you feel the need to assure her you're okay in the first place?

You ponder over it, and the answer there is obvious... it's because you're scared.

You were so focused on finding the truth with Anri you've begun to neglect just how dangerous the trek you're performing is.

A part of you worries you might not come back.

But you're a coward when it comes to saying what you want... so you simply text; "Heading out with Anri for a while. Will be back later."

Only seconds later does Kiriko responds. "No prob bro! Take care! :)"

With that, you put your phone away, and look to Hoshi as she readies her spell.

"On the count of three..." Hoshi remarks. "One... two..."

And upon the three, you feel yourself falling through the floor.

You wake up to that ever familiar red sky above you. "Well... we know we're in the Darkworld, at least..."

You pick yourself up, spotting the other three surrounding you. Anri picks herself up and dusts herself off as she looks around. "There... look familiar?"

"It's the forest from that night..." Taiyo remarks.

"The memory of this place is burned into my mind," Atasuke notes. "Come on, let's go."

Atasuke's eyes have a sudden determination behind them, as he is eager to press forward.

As your group gets moving, Anri speaks to you in a hushed tone. "Now would be a good time to pry some questions out of these two, wouldn't it?"

You nod. "Yeah... whether they'll give a straight answer is another story."

"They have to be willing to co-operate at this stage," Anri explains. "Go ahead."

"Me?!"

"You're the muscle," she replies.

You raise an eyebrow. "Muscle? They're both way taller than me!"

"You're more intimidating than me, at least..." Anri responds. "Go get them, partner."

Pulling the old 'partner' trick on you... okay... but what to ask?

>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.
>Taiyo, were you ever in contact with Yasunari before he died?
>Do either of you know if Yasunari had enemies within the class?

>>4378112
>>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.
Is funny how I believe an ancient demon using a meat puppet is more trustworthy than Atasuke.

>>4378112
>Taiyo, were you ever in contact with Yasunari before he died?
TALK YOU SONOVABITCH

>>4378112
>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.

>>4378112
>>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.

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Calling for
>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.

Writing now.

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>Atasuke, it's about time you were honest about your relationship with Yasunari.

"I told you," Atasuke replies. "That's for me to know."

You shake your head. "And I'm telling you now, we need to know. We're working together here... if you want us to trust you, you need to tell us."

"Maybe I have no intention of you trusting me," Atasuke smirks. "Perhaps I like to keep an air of mystery about myself."

"You're our lead suspect, you know."

Atasuke looks back at you, unamused. "I had gathered. You pair look at me as if this investigation is merely a formality, before the inevitable reveal of my oh so obvious guilt. Do you truly wish to pry into my life so badly?"

"Keep your secrets if you want," you reply. "But it's only going to hurt you."

Atasuke runs a finger through the front of his hair, fixing some errant locks as he begins to lose his composure.

"... Fine, then. I'll tell you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqqaWo8-Y8s

Atasuke takes a deep breath, as you continue to walk. "Yasunari was... my butler."

"Your... butler?" you ask. "That's it?"

"Clearly you've never had a butler," Atasuke replies. "He was my servant, my follower, my closest confidant..."

Atasuke begins to trail off in his speech.

"What's wrong?"

"After the first incursion... he felt... distant," Atasuke explains. "It was like... he wasn't the same man. Yasunari was never one to wear his emotions on his sleeve. He would advise me in my affairs, he would provide stoic and professional counsel when called upon... but after our first visit to this hell... he changed. He was scattered, he had little attention... and he could not be honest to me when we spoke."

"Atasuke..." Anri mutters.

"Make no mistake," Atasuke admits. "I am a horrid, sordid gentleman. I wear that reputation on my sleeve. I would chase suitors all over town, spend my parent's money extravagantly, and make many enemies simply because I knew they couldn't touch me. At the end of it all... Yasunari was always the one to scold me. To warn me that this way of life would come back to haunt me, to tend to my bruises..."

Atasuke lets out a heavy sigh, as he stops in his tracks. "I... loved that man, as one loves a brother. He was my best friend, he was my family... but something turned him away from me... and then something took him from me."

Anri pauses. "So... you joined us because you want to know what happened with your friend. Is that your honest answer?"

"No."

"No?"

"I care about the truth," Atasuke replies. "But it's simply the first step. Once I know what happened... I intend to kill whoever took Yasunari from me."

>I don't know if I can believe you... but I'll accept that answer for now.
>Calm down... we don't know the truth yet. It's not worth swearing revenge until you know what happened.
>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?

>>4378148
>>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?

>>4378148
>>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?
Oh no
This was sad and deep
I love atasuke even more now

>>4378148
>>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?
Poor rich hedonistic boy.

>>4378148
>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?
Based Atasuke, purge the demon filth.

Calling for
>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?

Writing now.

File: Atasuke13.jpg (216 KB, 564x750)

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>I understand... he truly was important to you, wasn't he?

Atasuke pauses. "Indeed he was. Without him, I often don't know how to handle myself... it's been almost a year already, hasn't it?"

"Yeah..." you remark.

Atasuke nods. "Then it seems my vengeance is long overdue."

His head then turns to Taiyo. "And believe me when I say, it does not matter who did it. Be they human or demon, I will get my vengeance."

"Do you distrust me?" Taiyo asks.

Atasuke gives a small smirk. "It's only natural in a case like this. Not just you... but anyone. After all... doesn't even our own detective have a shady past herself?"

Anri pauses, her face taken aback. "Well... as a thief. It hardly means I would be capable or willing to commit something such as this..."

"Yet for someone with such a poor track record of investigation, and for one with seemingly no connection to Yasunari... you would not let go of this case for close to a year now. Why is that?"

"I need to know the truth," she replies.

"And why this truth?" Atasuke replies. "I'm one to spy and eavesdrop. I've seen your cork-board of mysteries. Yet you're not this eager to pursue the mystery of why Hanako never mentions her family, or exactly how much Toriyama-senpai is worth, or-"

"None of those involve one of us being potentially dangerous," Anri replies. "If there's a wolf amongst us, I need to know. For our safety."

Atasuke chuckles to himself. "That's fascinating... you know this class quite well by now. Kitamura-san, tell me... do you believe even a single one of us to be sheep?"

Anri pauses. "No... with what little information we have, even the possibility of myself committing the act and not remembering it cannot be ruled out entirely. But it's highly unlikely."

"See?" Atasuke replies. "Isn't honesty good for you? Don't you feel it filling in a part of your soul? Maybe if you had that fulfilment before, you wouldn't try to quell that emptiness by prying into other's business."

You throw up your arms. "Calm down, both of you. We're on the brink of discovering the truth. Why stop now just to turn against each-other?"

"I just want to see the four of us on the same page when we turn to the final chapter," Atasuke responds. "What of you?"

"Anri never ruled me out as a suspect-"

"Never mind that," Atasuke replies. "We find Yasunari has been killed by one of our own... then what? These people have come to mean a great deal to you, haven't they. Just as Yasunari was truly important to me... what if we pull back the curtain, and therein lies your sister? Or your beloved Mayu? I've stated my intent to kill whoever wronged me, would you stop me were it them? How would you see their fate?"

>If they're guilty, they'll be brought to justice. What that justice is... I don't know yet.
>We won't know how to deal with it until we truly know what happened. We can't ask these questions now.
>They didn't do it. I know they wouldn't.

>>4378219
>We won't know how to deal with it until we truly know what happened. We can't ask these questions now.
If is someone we like we stop you, if is someone we don't like we might even help you.

>>4378219
>>We won't know how to deal with it until we truly know what happened. We can't ask these questions now.
It's entirely possible he was possesed and it was self defence for example.

>>4378219
>If they're guilty, they'll be brought to justice. What that justice is... I don't know yet.
If they've done it once they'll do it again.

>>4378219
>If they're guilty, they'll be brought to justice. What that justice is... I don't know yet.
You all know if the shoe was on the other foot we'd murder anyone in our way as well.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4378225
>>4378228
>We won't know how to deal with it until we truly know what happened. We can't ask these questions now.

>>4378234
>>4378240
>If they're guilty, they'll be brought to justice. What that justice is... I don't know yet.

Rolling to break the tie.

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>If they're guilty, they'll be brought to justice. What that justice is... I don't know yet.

Atasuke turns away from you. "You don't know? That's just a fanciful way of telling me you won't have the guts to carry it out when the time comes."

"No," you protest. "It means we need to know the circumstances of what happened before we can decide on the right course of-"

"There's no conviction in your words," Atasuke explains. "Lucky for you... I'm here. You won't need to follow through."

You and the others pace through the forest, looking for the exact site.

"Do you remember it?" you ask.

Anri shakes her head. "So many of these trees are identical... and terrifying."

It's true, the Darkworld looks twisted. The wood of the trees are indented in such a way... well, they look like they have faces. Faces in pain, and eyes that stare at you, cutting through you with their glare. What's worse, every so often you look back... and you can swear the faces have changed, and the eyes have followed you.

"Follow me..." Taiyo notes.

"Hm?" you turn your head. "Why?"

"I can sense something."

Something? "Enemy, or...?"

"I don't know."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYHy3VnZRp0

The three of you follow behind Taiyo, as he leads you into a small clearing. As you arrive, the eyes of Atasuke widen. "This..." he mutters as he takes a step forward. "This is it..."

In the centre of the clearing... the tree where Hanako found Yasunari's body... or rather, his head.

"It was there..." Atasuke mutters, his usually sharp eyes softening and welling up as he approaches the hollow of the tree where he was found. He places his fingers against the bark, before resting his forehead against the wood. "This is where he was... Yasunari..."

You can't help but walk up to Atasuke, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. You can't think of any word to say.

File: Taiyo11.png (511 KB, 850x1202)

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Anri notices something on the floor surrounding the tree. "It's as I thought..." she mutters, as she rubs her fingers into the earth. "Salt... just as Yasunari ordered."

"Salt?" Atasuke looks confused.

"Yasunari ordered it, and spoke in his journal of planning something. I deduced it must be some kind of ritual, and that it played into his fate this night."

"So what are you saying?" Atasuke replies. "That Yasunari had a hand in his own death? A ritual gone wrong?"

Anri pauses. "I don't know... a ritual could be for any purpose. I couldn't begin to know what he intended to do with this... but I figure you might, Taiyo."

"Why do you think that?" Taiyo asks.

Anri stands up, staring him in the eyes.

"Because you knew to stop right at the edge of the circle."

You look down, and Anri is right. Taiyo stopped his approach rather conspicuously right as he was about to enter the circle of salt. "Explain yourself," Anri demands.

"I simply know that I cannot enter this circle," Taiyo explains.

>And why is that, exactly? Don't lie to us, Taiyo.
>So, it's harmful to demons, then? Was Yasunari attempting to protect himself?
>Taiyo... were you involved in this?

>>4378291
>>So, it's harmful to demons, then? Was Yasunari attempting to protect himself?
But why would a buttler know that salt repels the demons? And does that mean for sure that it was a human who killed him?
Ahh it's useless, it's all useless.

>>4378291
>And why is that, exactly? Don't lie to us, Taiyo.

>Taiyo can't enter the circle
>Atasuke's ready to kill us and anyone stopping him from murdering the killer
>Hanako was the only other person around that could get past the circle
Who could it be hhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm?

>>4378291
>>So, it's harmful to demons, then? Was Yasunari attempting to protect himself?
Is this unique to the eclipse, or does it work on all demons, that's the question right now.

>>4378291
>Taiyo... were you involved in this?

Calling for
>So, it's harmful to demons, then? Was Yasunari attempting to protect himself?

Writing now.

File: Taiyo34.png (556 KB, 576x825)

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>So, it's harmful to demons, then? Was Yasunari attempting to protect himself?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVehoGdrAms

"You're forgetting an important part of the equation..." Anri notes.

Atasuke nods. "Yes... even if that were the case. How would Yasunari know about that? I've never heard word of this, yet he was somehow able to find this out?"

Taiyo shakes his head. "It's not harmful to demons."

"Then be our guest and step on through!" Atasuke barks. "Back up your claim!"

"It doesn't harm us... but it does restrict us," he explains. "Even if I wanted to try... my body would freeze and seize up. Demons are completely unable to cross a line of salt."

Anri pauses. "Unable to cross..."

"I don't believe this was for the purpose of a ritual..." Taiyo explains. "It was for protection. No matter how they try, a demon outside this circle cannot enter it."

"... And a demon inside this circle can't exit."

You tilt your head. "What?"

Atasuke's eyes narrow as he looks at Anri suspiciously. "What are you suggesting?"

Anri examines the salt. "You said after your first incursion, Yasunari began to feel like he was a different person... what if he was?"

"I don't take kindly to what you're implying," Atasuke mutters.

"It's just a possibility," Anri explains. "It was Yasunari who prepared this salt, who seemed worried and withdrawn, who was asking about these rituals... in fact the only one who could have removed pages from his journal before I found it was... himself. All signs point to the secrecy of this event being the work of Yasunari. What if the demon he wanted to contain was... himself?"

Atasuke steps forward, clenching his fist. "You take that back! Yasunari was no demon! He'd never allow himself to be taken! He's smarter than that!"

"Smart, yes..." Anri mutters. "But even the smartest among us act desperately in times of fear."

"Are you telling me... you believe all of this... he did to himself?!" Atasuke exclaims.

Anri shakes her head. "No... there's a piece missing. He was dismembered... he couldn't do that to himself... and yet, it couldn't have been a demon. If none can enter, he couldn't have been attacked. And if none can exit, then the demon who killed him would have still been trapped in this circle when Hanako found the body. The circle's still unbroken, so they would even be trapped here now."

"So that means..." you mutter. "A human did it?"

"If anything did... it had to be..." Anri sighs. "Which means you can't possibly be the killer, Taiyo..."

"It is nice to see you rule me out-"

"But you knew," Anri continues. "If Yasunari was a demon... you would have known. You could have sensed it... and so could Tsuki. In my research I know Shida-senpai didn't have the full extent of his demon powers until the end of first term, and of course Alice didn't join us until after he died."

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Taiyo pauses, before tilting his hood back with a sigh. "It's true. Yasunari had contracted a demon host during our first incursion. I knew... but I chose not to say anything. To do so would reveal my own secret at the time."

Taiyo looks ashamed, as Atasuke folds his arms. Still... you feel like there's a missing piece...

"Wait..." you mutter. "You weren't the only one who could sense a demon's presence."

"Hm?" Anri raises an eyebrow. "Wait, of course..."

"Third year Yamato Misawa..." you point out. "We learned he was hosting a demon from the start of the school year."

"I..." Taiyo mutters.

You shake your head. "Not only could he sense another demon... he was actively seeking them out. That's why he was so obsessed with Alice. How did he not know?"

Atasuke crosses his arms. "Quite right... if only there were someone we knew could hide their demonic presence, and had been doing so for months..."

All your gazes turn to suspicious glares towards Taiyo. "It wasn't as simple as not revealing his secret..." you mutter. "You actively concealed his presence. Why? Why not allow Yamato to expose himself as a demon instead?"

Taiyo lets out another deep sigh. "I must commend your detective work. I... did so to protect him."

"Protect him?"

"I reached out to him myself," Taiyo explains. "I... wanted to help him overcome his possession, without others knowing... and..."

As Taiyo continues, you feel something different about your surroundings. You can't quite put your finger on it, but it still sends a chill up your spine. You look around, and it dawns on you. "Guys... the trees aren't looking at us anymore."

Indeed... their eyesight has turned elsewhere, all in unison. All looking towards a figure... behind you and to the left. What commands their presence like this?

You spin around... and are greeted with a familiar face.

Or rather... a familiar mask.

One you haven't seen in a long, long time.

"It has been quite the while, Kazuma Asai."

That mysterious white haired man, from that day...

"Who is this?" Anri mutters, quickly placing her hand on her gun. "How does he know your name?"

"This..." you mutter. "This is that old man, from the Endless Night. We found him and he provided us with shelter..."

"You told me of this encounter..." Anri mutters. "And this is him?"

The Kind Man bows. "I'm just a simple kind man, who offered help in exchange for a favour. I do not intend to cash in that favour right now, however... instead, I offer my assistance again. Free of charge."

"Owing a favour to a demon?" Atasuke mutters. "I don't like the sound of that, Asai."

"Step back..." Taiyo mutters.

"What?" you reply. "Are you sensing something from this demon."

"Kazuma, you're wrong..." Taiyo mutters... as The Kind Man walks casually across the line of salt. "That is not a demon."

File: Trivia_Anri.png (364 KB, 1100x622)

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And that'll be all for tonight, continuing the session tomorrow evening! Stay tuned!

>>4378345
>He's still not cashing in his favour
IT'S BEEN FUCKING YEARS, GET RID OF THE AXE ABOVE OUR HEADS

>>4378345
Scared

File: tenor (2).gif (57 KB, 120x90)

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>>4378345
OH GOD AAAAAAAAAA STAY CALM STAY CALM AAA
"Kazuma, you're wrong..." Taiyo mutters... as The Kind Man walks casually across the line of salt. "That is not a demon."
THERE IS NO CALM ANYMORE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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>Meanwhile

“Heading out with Anri for a while. Will be back later…”

Kiriko stares at her phone, before putting it back in her pocket.

“Something wrong?” Makoto asks, sitting on the bench beside her.

Kiriko shakes her head. “Kaz isn’t usually that considerate… or vague with what he’s doing…”

“Are you worried?”

“Nah…” Kiriko continues. “After all… actually, I was about to ask how much trouble those two could cause by themselves, but that would be tempting fate.”

Makoto chuckles. “I’m sure he’s okay.”

“He better be,” Kiriko notes. “So… what did you want to talk about?”

Makoto leans forward as he speaks, clasping his hands together. “I’ve made a decision. I may be the head of the class… but I feel that from now on… leadership should be passed onto you.”

“Me?” she raises an eyebrow. “But I’m not even second in command!”

“I know…” Makoto explains. “Kiriko… I appreciate each and every one of you in this class, friends I never thought I could have before. But I’ve always felt a detachment… My upbringing was abnormal, I struggle to relate with my peers. To meet them eye to eye… it alludes me. And as I enter Nakatoni-sensei’s training, I’ll have even less free time on my hands.”

“I see…” Kiriko mutters. “But why-”

“Why you?” Makoto smiles. “The choice is obvious. I’ve never seen anyone connect with people as well as you. I would hazard to say most in the class would never have become friends were you not there to link them together. You’re the heart and soul of this class, Kiriko… without you they would simply fall apart. That’s the qualities I see in a leader.”

Kiriko blushes. “I think you’re giving me too much credit.”

“I think you’ll surprise yourself when you try it…” Makoto explains. “As we enter second year, I want you to take command.”

“But I don’t know the first thing about…”

“It’s okay,” Makoto places a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be behind you the entire way… leader.”

Kiriko pauses, before giving a nod. “Okay… I’ll do it.”

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>Back to Kazuma

“What in the hell do you mean?” You ask, panicked.

“I mean that thing isn’t a demon,” Taiyo explains.

“You mean he’s human?!”

Taiyo shakes his head. “I don’t know what he is…”

The Kind Man looks to Taiyo, a smile forming on his face. “I almost didn’t recognise your presence. It’s faint, but… you’re The Eclipse, aren’t you?”

“I was,” Taiyo replies. “Not anymore.”

Anri looks to The Kind Man with hesitation. “You say you were going to offer your assistance. How so?”

The Kind Man smiles. “Something tragic happened here, a soul cries out in pain… strong enough to leave behind a memory. And echo of what occurred… I can reach in, and pull it out.”

“So…” Atasuke mutters. “You can show us exactly what happened here?”

“I wouldn’t trust it,” Taiyo replies. “How can we be sure what it shows us isn’t an illusion?”

Atasuke glares at Taiyo. “We can trust it just as much as we can trust you, can’t we? You’re just hiding behind secrets, my friend.”

Anri pauses. “Perhaps Taiyo doesn’t want us to see what happened… because you were there, weren’t you Taiyo?”

“Excuse me?”

“You never claimed to want to know the truth,” Anri explains. “Your only stated priority was to protect us. You’re direct in your intentions to a fault. Taiyo… you already know what happened here, don’t you?”

>Calm down, Taiyo has a point. How can we trust what we’re shown?
>This man has been honest in helping us before, Taiyo. I have no reason to distrust him, now.
>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.

>>4379311
>>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.

>>4379311
>>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.
Trustowrthy old dude it's fine :)

>>4379311
>This man has been honest in helping us before, Taiyo. I have no reason to distrust him, now.
What could go wrong?

>>4379311
>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.
What could possibly go wrong

>>4379311
>This man has been honest in helping us before, Taiyo. I have no reason to distrust him, now.
He's done more to help us the last 3 seasons than you have Taiyo

Calling for
>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.

Writing now.

File: Taiyo09.jpg (296 KB, 600x600)

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>It’s worth seeing either way. Whether we can believe it is another story.

Anri nods. "Agreed. If what we see is a credible outcome, then perhaps we can believe it. If not, we can question its validity."

"But..." Taiyo begins.

"Besides..." Anri continues. "I believe Taiyo will be able to confirm or deny the truth to these visions."

Taiyo's eyes widen. "I'm warning you. Think before you agree to be shown what could be a deceitful illusion..."

"I only intend for you to face the truth," The Kind Man replies. "I am an objective force."

Taiyo's hand is shaking as he looks around. "No... you can't trust that thing, you don't even know what it is."

"And we know what you are," Atasuke replies. "A demon. So shut your-"

"As was Yasunari," Taiyo explains. "Believe me when I say it! Everything I did was in the interest of helping Yasunari!"

Atasuke glares at him. "Everything you did?"

"I..."

"And just what, exactly, did you do?"

The Kind Man shakes his head. "It is time to face the truth. Are you all ready?"

"No!" Taiyo protests. "I... Sanada-sama! Take us out of here! It's an emergency!"

"A-ah!" Hoshi's voice echoes in all of your heads. "Just a moment, I'll sta-"

The Kind Man snaps his fingers, and Hoshi's voice cuts out.

"There will be no running from the truth," he explains.

Anri looks to Taiyo. "I am this close to discovering the answers I seek, and you tried to pull me away? What are you trying to hide?"

"Wait, we've lost contact with Hoshi..." you mutter. "How are we going to get back?"

"You'll return when you accept the reality of what happened," The Kind Man replies. "That is the last request of the aching spirit which suffered here."

"Yasunari...?" Atasuke mutters, before looking to Taiyo. "Explain yourself, demon."

"I have to protect..." Taiyo mutters. "I just want to keep you all safe..."

>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari.
>So... you were there. You saw the whole thing, right?
>Protect who? Yourself? The killer?

>>4379359
>>So... you were there. You saw the whole thing, right?
Ohhh shit is going to hit the fan, hopefully it was just assisted suicide...but if Sunboy killed glasses kun in cold blood... I don't know what is going to happen

>>4379359
>>Protect who? Yourself? The killer?
OH BOY
THIS DOESN'T LOOK GOOD
AHAHA

>>4379359
>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari.
Always knew Tsuki was the cool one.

>>4379359
>So... you were there. You saw the whole thing, right?

>>4379359
>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari.
Oh man it's all kicking off

>>4379359
>>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari.

Calling for
>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari?

Writing now.

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>Tell us now before we see this, Taiyo. Did you kill Yasunari?

"No!" Taiyo exclaims. "I did everything I could to help him! But... I failed..."

Atasuke glares daggers at Taiyo, as you all face him.

"Explain yourself. NOW."

Taiyo takes a deep breath, before removing his hood and speaking. "When I sensed the presence of Yasunari, I quickly hid it to avoid Tsuki or Yamato finding out about him. From there, I reached out to him... he told me that he had accepted a strange offer in his head..."

"What was the offer?" you ask.

"He said he gave himself up for the demon... in return for keeping Atasuke safe..."

Atasuke pauses, speechless.

"From then..." Taiyo explains. "I saw it as my goal to assist him. I had no idea how to remove a host from a human body, but I promised him I would find a way. But Yasunari... he was worried."

"Worried about what?"

Taiyo's eyes dart downward in dismay. "That he would lose control. That he would completely lose himself to the demon within, and hurt the people around him. He wanted to ensure your safety... and so we devised this plan for incursions. By circling him in salt, he would be safe from being attacked by demons... and in turn, if he lost himself, everyone would be safe from him."

Anri pauses, looking to the tree. "Based on this information... I would assume the end of this story sees him becoming a monster, and you having to put him down."

"And yet..." Taiyo begins.

"We already established that you're unable to enter this circle, therefore it couldn't have been you," she explains. "But he did lose control, didn't he?"

"He did..." Taiyo mutters. "I watched as he put up his best fight... but he lost himself to the beast within."

"No... you're lying!" Atasuke exclaims. "If that's the case, then how did he die?"

"You were witness," Anri continues to grill Taiyo. "You know who did it. Why won't you say?"

Taiyo shuts his eyes, before looking away. "Please... it's a truth you don't want to know. It will do more harm."

"You know?!" Atasuke exclaims. "And you won't tell us?!"

"I'm trying to protect-"

"You're trying to protect a killer!" Atasuke exclaims.

"I'm not sure!" Taiyo exclaims.

Not sure? What the hell does that mean?

>We don't need his answer. We can just see what happened with our own eyes.
>Taiyo... please. Tell us who did it. Give us the truth.
>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?

>>4379401
>>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?

>>4379401
>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?

>>4379401
>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?
What are the chances The Kind Man is just bullshitting about reliving memories just to get a confession from Taiyo?

>>4379401
>>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?
Oh god
Why do I feel like it's Kirko
oh god oh no oh man

>>4379401
>Taiyo... please. Tell us who did it. Give us the truth.
The truth will set you free!

File: Trivia_Taiyo.png (331 KB, 1323x622)

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Calling for
>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?

Writing now.

>>4379424
>Most powerful stat: Mystery
Not for long it seems

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>How can you not be sure? You saw it, didn't you?

"I... I did... but..." Taiyo mutters.

"But what?!" Atasuke yells. "Stop hiding it from us."

"I can't be sure what I saw was the full story..." Taiyo explains.

Atasuke shakes his head. "Damn you! Dancing around an answer like this... show us what happened, old man! Now!"

"NO!" Taiyo protests, too late.

"Very well..." The Kind Man replies, before snapping his fingers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfpgVT-naD0

As he does, the figure of Yasunari appears at the base of the tree, his body faded out like a projection. "Yasunari..." Atasuke mutters.

You look, to see a spirit of Taiyo from the past, standing behind the Taiyo of the present, looking on.

Before long, Yasunari falls at to his knees at the base. "No..." he mutters. "It's too late for me..."

"No!" The past Taiyo protests. "You may turn now, but if you can calm down... you'll return to your former self! We can recover from this!"

"No..." Yasunari clenches his stomach. "Holding it back... hurts too much... AAAAAAAAAGH!"

Yasunari screams in pain, doubling over once more... until a figure steps out. The Taiyo of the past turns around to face them, obscuring them from your view. "Oh, what are you doing here?"

The figure doesn't answer... who is it?

"Is that..." Atasuke mutters. "They must be the one..."

Taiyo looks ashamed, covering his hood, as his eyes well up. "I wanted to protect you from this..."

You notice who Taiyo looks at when he speaks.

Every time, he addressed you. Never Anri or Atasuke.

Each and every defence of wanting to protect... he looked you dead in the eye.

And it becomes clear why when the figure steps into view.

And you see a face you know all too well.

... Your own.

"K... Kazuma...?" Anri whispers under her breath. "You were... here?"

You look around. No... this can't be right... maybe it is an illusion. This never happened! It never happened... did it? "No... I-I wasn't!" you exclaim. "I don't remember this!"

"You... you wouldn't, would you?" Anri mutters.

"Asai-san?" The past Taiyo mutters in confusion, as the past you walks straight ahead, entering the circle of salt without a word, or even a change of expression. Your eyes look lifeless... just... just what the hell is going on?! No! This isn't right, this isn't right, this isn't right... you feel like you're going to throw up...

"Asai-san, what's wrong?" The past Taiyo exclaims. "Answer me!"

You... you look like a zombie... as you draw out you katana before a helpless and pained Yasunari. "W-what the hell?!" is all you can mumble as your eyes begin to well up.

"Asai-san, NO!" the past Taiyo cries out.

"I... just wanted to protect you from this... Kazuma..." Taiyo mutters.

"That's enough!" you cry. "S-stop this!"

Atasuke looks dead ahead at the you of the past. "Keep it going. I need to know for sure."

With that... the you from the past brings the Katana down upon Yasunari.

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"And now you have the truth," The Kind Man explains. "I only wished to relieve you of your burden."

"This isn't what happened!" you cry. "I'd remember it if it was! Tell them, Taiyo! This is just an illusion!"

Taiyo looks to you with true mourning in his eyes. "No... that's the truth. That's what I saw."

No... no...

You back up against the tree. You feel dizzy, you're losing your composure...

"You son of a bitch..." Atasuke smirks. "This entire time... you took him from me. YOU!"

"Wait!" Anri exclaims. "He sounds like he doesn't remember it! He didn't seem himself in the replay... Kazuma often lost control of himself at the time due to that stone, so-"

"What a convenient excuse," Atasuke scowls. "I don't give a damn if he lost his mind over a stone or not! He killed Yasunari!"

"No, I didn't!" You exclaim. "I... I don't know what's happening... Anri... partner... you believe me, right?"

"I... I want to..." Anri mutters.

You shake your head desperately. No... no... the tone in her voice... "If that's true, then why are you holding your gun?"

Anri grimaces, her fingers resting on her pistol. "I... I just need to be cautious. I want to know the entire truth..."

"I noticed the trance he appeared to be in..." Taiyo mutters. "I knew Kazuma couldn't be in his right mind. He was being controlled by something... I knew I couldn't confront him. I came in the hopes that I would know the second part of the puzzle myself-"

"There is no second part!" Atasuke cries. "I saw it with my own eyes! I saw the steel meet flesh! You... you took my brother from me!"

With that, Atasuke rushes you, tackling you to the ground and raising his fist. He brings it down hard onto your face, drawing blood from the first shot. "You... I honestly trusted you..." Atasuke says as his body shivers with anger and fear.

You lay back, the blood from your nose drifting upwards to your eyes... you still don't understand what's going on... it's not right, is it? It must be a lie... yet deep down, you know it was you... you can feel it...

>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.
>Please... it wasn't me... something else is responsible... you have to believe me...
>Atasuke... I want justice for Yasunari too... we don't have the full answer...

>>4379462
>>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.

>>4379462
>>Please... it wasn't me... something else is responsible... you have to believe me...
Third answer is only going to make angry boy angrier.

>>4379462
>>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.
OH GOD WHY

>>4379462
>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.

>>4379462
>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.

>>4379462
>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.
I'm still betting it's Hanako wearing Kaz's skin

>>4379475
>I'm still betting it's Hanako wearing Kaz's skin
It was just Chuichi controlling his Kaz-puppet!

Calling for
>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.

Writing now.

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>Allow Atasuke to continue beating you. You... don't deserve to fight back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L_CgMfnVy0

You still don't fully understand what's happening... but you know you can't fight back. After what you saw... you don't have that right.

Another fist rains down on you, Atasuke mounted atop with you glaring eyes. Behind them, an intent to kill. Maybe that's what you deserve.

"You son of a bitch!" He cries, his face welling with tears as he throws down another fist. "I trusted you! You promised me the truth... and behind it all... DAMN YOU!"

Atasuke's own knuckles cracks from the force of his punches, his skin cracked and torn, blood streaming between his fingertips, as more shots rain down upon you. You barely even feel the pain... each impact is like a droplet of rain on your skin. You know the damage being done... you know if this keeps up... he'll kill you. And yet... you're numb. You can't bring yourself to do anything about it.

"Atasuke, please!" Anri pleads. "Stop!"

It was you...

Kiriko... Mayu... Chuichi... Mio... Gado... Kuin... Risa... Anri... Ryoji... your thoughts turn to your friends, to your mother, to your father...

You let them all down... you always tried your best to be good. To do the right thing...

But you just weren't able to.

This is right... this feels like the proper outcome for you.

You deserve to die.

"DAMMIT!"

Atasuke screams, your eyes adjusting and focusing on him as your breaths become laboured. He's covered in your blood... but his beatdown stops.

"I can't..." he cries. "Not until I know why. I need to know why... tell me!"

"You found the truth that matters," The Kind Man responds. "Do with it what you may."

With that, The Kind Man walks away. Anri's eyes follow him as he passes by the tree, lowering his head briefly as he passes the base of it, before walking on.

"Why did he...?" Anri mutters, before walking to Atasuke. His hand shaking, she places her hand on his arm. "Please, Atasuke... you can't do this."

"I swore..."

"You swore you would kill whoever's responsible," Anri replies. "Kazuma swung the sword... but why? What's the full story? You need to know, don't you?"

"I..." Atasuke looks down upon you, before standing up. "I need to know why. Until then... I have to keep you alive."

You cough up some blood, as Anri raises your head and body to prevent you from choking. "Kazuma... I truly do want to help you..."

Taiyo looks to you. "You... don't have any answers for us, do you, Kazuma?"

Your head is spinning...

>I did it... that's all that matters. Please... justice should be served.
>All I know is that I don't remember it... something must have forced me to...
>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

>>4379495
>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

>>4379495
>>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

>>4379495
>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.
So when does Namika wheel herself in and reveal he has a twin?

>>4379495
>>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.
Haha big face damage

>>4379495
>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

Calling for
>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

Writing now.

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>I... I don't. I'm as in the dark as you.

"Of course you would say that..." Atasuke spits. "You really want to play ignorance?!"

"It's not ignorance..." Taiyo notes. "Look at him, Atasuke. He truly doesn't know. He was as shocked as any of you to see what happened."

"I don't want to hear the pithy defences of the demon who covered for him!" Atasuke fires back. "All the excuses in the world are never going to bring Yasunari back, are they?"

"Atasuke..." you mutter, trying to bring yourself to a proper sitting position, blood pooling from your mouth. "I'm so sorry... the least I can do is help discover what happened..."

Atasuke glares at you. "The least you can do is lie back down and die..." he turns around, exiting the circle of salt. "But if Anri wishes to draw more information from you before you do... then so be it."

He continues to walk, brushing past Taiyo, and keeping his back turned to proceedings.

Anri helps you as you sit up. "Kazuma..."

"I let you down, partner..." you reply with tears in your eyes. "I... I can't believe it was me... the whole time..."

"Kazuma... there has to be more to this..." Anri replies, with a tone of desperation in her voice. Is she trying to comfort you? Or herself?

"No memory... and during the event you were completely unresponsive..." Taiyo mutters. "Could it be you were being compelled by that stone?"

You pause, thinking it over. "No..." you answer. "The stone didn't have that much hold over me... not at that time, at least. Even then... I would hallucinate under it's power. I would sometimes lose control of my body... but I never became that. I wasn't mindless, I didn't lose my memory of events... that was completely different..."

"Then... it must have been something else!" Anri exclaims. "There... there must be something I missed. Some detail..."

>Give it up, Anri. This was just another dead end.
>What does it matter? Let's go back...
>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?

>>4379541
>>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?
Doesn't look that kind now does he?

>>4379541
>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?

>>4379541
>>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?
Kaz is the big sad forever

>>4379541
>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?
He was nodding when he was walking past where Yasunari was killed, must've been saying good-bye or whatever

Calling for
>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?

Writing now.

>>4379541
>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?

>>4378112
>Taiyo, were you ever in contact with Yasunari before he died?

>>4379598
Uh anon? I think you might want to check your calendar.

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>Why did you eye the old man so suspiciously as he left?

Anri looks at the spot where The Kind Man passed by with suspicion. "That's right..." she mutters as she returns to her feet. "I noticed that as he left... he lowered his head right before the base of the tree."

"A nod of respect?" You mutter. "To say goodbye, perhaps?"

Anri shakes her head. "No, if it were, it wouldn't have grabbed my attention."

"You're grasping at straws," Atasuke mutters, his back still turned to proceedings. "You're so desperate you're analysing a simple nod of the head and making it out to be something more."

"It wasn't a nod... it was more of a... duck," Anri explains.

You look at her, confused. "What?"

"A crouch," she elaborates. "As if he knew there was something to avoid. Let me see..."

Anri approaches closer to the tree where Atasuke was killed, and examines the space above her head. She focuses her eyes, and seems to lock in on something. "Is this..." she mutters. "It's thin, but..."

"What are you talking about now?" Atasuke asks.

Anri reaches her hand up, her fingers ready to pinch what's above her. "Yes, it's..."

"What is it?"

"... Rope? Or... a string?"

And just like that, whatever Anri touched snaps, and you feel a rumble.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR7ghsIlT0E

Taiyo's eyes widen in horror, unable to enter the salt circle. He turns to his right and grabs Atasuke, spinning him around. "Look out!" he exclaims... as a bolt of something too fast for you to fully process flies from the hollow of the tree, hitting Taiyo in the back. He saved Atasuke, but the demon crumples on top of him, unresponsive.

"W-what?!" Atasuke exclaims. "What happened?!"

"A trap?" Anri panics, before the hollow of the tree lights up again. You try to move... but your body fails you as you watch a bolt pierce through Anri's shoulder as she crumples to the ground.

"ANRIIIIII!" You exclaim.

Dammit... dammit! Things are just going from bad to worse!

You have to do something... you're weak, but you have to do something...

You notice the circle of salt fading away after the apparent trap was set... you're all sitting ducks in this forest for any demon that comes by now. There's no safety here... and none of you can move. All the trees have their eyes focused on you.

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No... you have to have some strength left in you. You saw what you did... and you need answers. Not just for yourself, but for the others. You don't deserve to die a mystery. You need to find something withing you to...

You begin dragging your body to a crawl, just enough to get moving. You reach Anri, grabbing her by the jacket and using all the energy you can to drag her away from the tree, along the floor, and out of the forest into a proper clearing.

Taking a breath to gather yourself, you notice the size of Anri's wounds. Oh... no...

You place your ear to her mouth. She's not breathing...

Without hesitation, ignoring the limitations of your wounded body, and as tears stream from your eyes, you begin chest compressions on Anri.

"Come on..." you mutter, cursing yourself. "Come on, partner... don't leave me like this..."

You apply two rescues breaths in desperation to Anri, before continuing with the compression. "Please... dammit!"

With one last compression, Anri jolts to life, coughing up some blood as she does.

"Kazuma?" she asks.

"You made it..." you can't help but smile. "You made it!"

"Taiyo... and Atasuke..." Anri groans in pain.

"I... I don't know," you reply. "We need to go back for them... I worry Taiyo could be dead..."

Anri sits up, before hugging you tight.

"A-Anri..." you mutter.

"Thank you..." Anri mutters. "Kazuma... you're innocent. You... you're innocent..."

You pull away, as you look to her face welling up with tears. "What? But what we saw..."

"I know..." Anri sniffles. "But... I worked it out."

"Then... why are you crying?" you ask.

The tears continue to fall from Anri's face. "Because... I worked it out."

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>POV Shift: ???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDRKubdmIk8

You still remember their faces.

The faces they made when they were ripped from you by that thing.

You were just a little boy. I was just a family walk...

To think such evil could exist in this world or the next.

"Good afternoon!" calls out the local shopkeep. "Isn't it just fine day?"

"You bet!" you reply with a smile.

Of course, that's just being polite.

You've long since learned there is no such thing as a fine day.

It's all a matter of putting on a face. If you hide the pain well enough, you can even convince yourself it's not there.

Puppets on a string never show the agony they feel. They must keep the same playful expression, always.

You see that on their faces every day.

When your parents were taken from you, you were shocked to learn a world of such uncaring, unfeeling evil existed.

It wasn't long after that you learned such malicious apathy existed in this world as well.

That school... the last beacon for humanity. That's what you've been told. What you're sick of hearing every goddamn day.

They allowed you to suffer, to have everything ripped from you. And then they cast you aside.

You were a child. A victim.

But to them, you were an inconvenience. A burden.

And soon you learned... your fate was just the tip of the icebergs.

Covering up deaths, using children as weapons...

Allowing a poor girl to be revived again and again and again until she lost all sense of self.

That place deserves judgement just as much as the Darkworld does.

All the demons, and all those who run this wicked school, deserve to burn down.

You've been quite introspective lately.

It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since what happened with Yasunari... how you ensured his demise.

He was a good kid... once. But once a demon takes over, it deserves to be purged. A mercy kill.

It kills you to have done that. It kills you even more knowing how you had to rely on Kazuma to carry out the blow... at that time, you were far too weak.

The children in that school... they're the one true victims in all of this. Sent off to die against those monsters, by uncaring shitty adults who see them as nothing more than expendable.

And yet they can never know your goals. They have an admirable sense of justice, but like the poor puppets they are, they find themselves loyal to their uncaring masters.

They... they're good people.

You learned that the hard way.

Friends who mean the world to you.

You can never lose them... and that's why it must remain hidden with your final breath.

It's true... there is no such thing as a fine day. Such a thing is impossible when this weight bears down upon you.

Although... there are some moments of light in these dark times.

... You are looking forward to your date with Mio tonight.

END OF EPISODE 38

>>4379617
AW SHIT

>>4379617
GOD FUCKING DAMN IT
YOU DID IT YOU BASTARD
YOU TRICKED ME
AND THANK FUCKING CHRIST ANRI DIDN'T DIE GOD DAMN IT AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA I HATE I HATE I HATE YOU CONVINCED ME TO LIKE HIM AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>>4379617
I called it lol
Puppets too creepy

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YF8vecQWYs

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Gate%20Academy

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Discord
https://discord.gg/yz7sDra

Thanks for playing! Four goddamn years this story thread has been going! Thanks for following for all this time, next thread soon! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Questions
Well, the killer is FINALLY revealed! So, so long overdue! And now Class 1's arc for the rest of Season 3 is in session! What did you think of the reveal? What did you think of the investigation? What are your thoughts on Atasuke now that you know of him? And what do you think is next for Chuichi and Class 1?

>>4379630
>Well, the killer is FINALLY revealed! So, so long overdue! And now Class 1's arc for the rest of Season 3 is in session! What did you think of the reveal? What did you think of the investigation? What are your thoughts on Atasuke now that you know of him? And what do you think is next for Chuichi and Class 1?

I like the very reasonable reasoning for Anri's deduction of the suspects, and while they were wrong they led directly to the actual truth. I espeically liked the question of "why did he know he needed salt" cause I just assumed it was a given.

I love my Bi disaster and really hope he doesn't die from that attack. His whole personality being self destructive is fun, but knowing that the poor victim was literally there to stop it makes it a more sobering reality.

I REALLY HOPE IT ISN'T MORE MURDER HAHA

>>4379630
>>4379634
It's gonna be more murder.

>>4379630
Thanks for running Booker. Also fuck you, I had my money on Hanako.

>PQ
It was a great reveal, I was expecting it to not be anyone actually there but I didn't expect Chuichi. Atasuke's pretty good, got to see that there's someone else on the team that shares the "fuck these demons" attitude, which makes the fact that the killer has the same attitude all the more amusing. In terms of the new arc? I imagine Chuichi's managed to gather enough resources to cast something that'll fuck up the demons which puts him at odds with the school since some of them are demons. Which again is interesting because if that is his plan, then the rest of the cast are stopping him for totally selfish reasons ie you can't kill all the demons my boyfriend's one etc.

>>4379630
>>Player Questions
So many fakeouts, can't believe the first meme suspect was actually the killer.
Atasuke a good boy but I am not sure we will be able to talk him out of his quest for revenge and Chuichi and is also a good boy but I am not looking forward to the confrontation.

>>4379630
Aaaaaa i can't believe this shit. I personally never even would have suspected him, i was sure he was a good boi. Looking forward to seeing what happens when we get back and the ruse is lifted.
also
>most powerful stat: Loyalty
Loyalty to what, cause def isn't his friends. Rip kazoo, used as a puppet

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CHUICHI-SAN?!