"...Ugh... ngh..."
When I somehow managed to open my eyes, bright lights shone down on me like the sun.
They were bright yellow lights—the kind you would never see in a theater during a screening.
"...Where am I...?"
And no matter how I thought about it, the place was too narrow for me to be lying down like this.
More than anything, if this was the White Theater...
"...! Ah, he's awake!"
There was no way Tsurudo, who had gone into the Black Theater, would be looking down at me.
"Tsuru...do?"
I called his name with difficulty and tried to haul myself up to look around.
"Waaah!! Shokong! Shokong! You're awake!! I'm sorry!! It hurt a lot, didn't it?!"
"Ta-Tana...? Whoa!?"
With tremendous force, Tana wrapped me in a tight embrace.
"Urk... Ta-Tana... I... can't breathe..."
Though I genuinely tried to push her off, it did not work on her at all.
[Hey, Tana!! Are you trying to knock him out again!? Bad!!]
"U-uaaah...! Toto, please don't pull my ears... Tana's hurting..."
Fortunately, Kaiju pulled her away at just the right moment.
"Whew... Kaiju, what do you mean, knocked out?"
[Ah, it's nothing much. Looks like this one has a corn allergy she didn't even know about. She started sneezing so violently that the recoil made her topple over and headbutt you.]
"Tana hates popcorn... Ugh... Can't be friends anymore... Rivals are just right... Ugh..."
"Hmm..."
Between the raw strength she had shown just now and everything else, it seemed a vampire's strength was on a level that humans could never hope to reach.
More importantly, when I looked around, this did indeed seem to be the fourth floor of the main building where we had been standing earlier.
The four of us were huddled together on an old sofa of some kind.
"...More importantly, the movie's already over. Then the others..."
"Yeah, it's been about ten minutes, I guess? You should be grateful, you know. Tana's the perpetrator and Kaiju's the caretaker, sure, but I stayed purely to nurse you."
[Who's the caretaker!? Don't casually dump the work on me! ヾ(｀ε´)ﾉ]
"Mm, thank you... But, guys, as you know, I passed out in the middle of it, so..."
[I know. You want us to tell you what the movie was about, right?]
Before I could even nod, Kaiju turned over a page on her sketchbook.
[I'm sorry, but check the school rules.]
At that utterly one-sided instruction, I checked the school rules despite my confusion.
"...What?"
[You may not reveal the contents of the movie by any means whatsoever.]
"...What kind of school rule is that?! Then I'm the only one who can't know what the movie was about!?"
[Um... You don't need to feel that cheated. The movie ended about... thirty seconds after you passed out.]
"What...? But, Kaiju, it says we can't talk about what happened in it..."
"Ah, that's fine. It only forbids spoilers and exchanging opinions about the contents. A timeline is apparently okay."
"Really...? Then Tsurudo, how was the movie on your side...?"
I was merely asking for his impression, but I was certain everyone other than Tana understood what I really meant.
"Hmph, same as yours. From the title to the plot, the setting, the length, the plausibility... there wasn't a single thing about it I could stomach with my eyes open. In short, it was nothing but wasted time."
"...I see."
I could not be certain, but it seemed they too were having trouble learning about the past of the [Ultimate Black].
"...You've got a lot on your mind, right? I understand, but let's leave and think about it some more outside. We're only being allowed to stay here as a courtesy from the Monotwins, and I want to get away from those things as soon as possible."
"Ah... Come to think of it, didn't the Monotwins say anything? This was a movie everyone was supposed to watch."
[I already checked on that too. They said this kind of unexpected situation was new to them as well, so they'd let it slide once—but next time, they'd force you awake and make you watch it, or something...]
"...I see."
"M-more importantly, Shokong... are you really okay? Tana's sorry again, really sorry..."
"Mm, it's okay, Tana. It wasn't like you did it on purpose."
Comforting the uncharacteristically subdued Tana, the four of us finally left the main building.
*
*
Afterward, I parted ways with the other three and took a short walk around the dormitory to get some fresh air.
Nighttime had already begun, but we were still allowed to walk outside.
"Come to think of it... what do you think Shu is doing right now?"
According to Tsurudo, she had disappeared without him even noticing.
I did not think it was particularly strange. After watching such an unpleasant movie, she must have felt awful enough as it was.
"...Still, she could've stayed for a little while."
It was not as if I was upset. Really.
But leaving for the day without even seeing my face felt, well, a little cold, didn't it?
We'd known each other for years...
"...It was only one year, wasn't it?"
I had memories spanning ten years, but when I thought about it, we had only actually spent around one year together.
"..."
Even so, not for a single moment had she left a corner of my heart.
- Shoko, take your bag...!
- Shoko, I made this... Would you like to try it...?
- Yeah! If it's you, Shoko, I'm sure you can become a great detective! I'll be rooting for you!
"...Hehe."
Even now, simply remembering who she had been back then made me smile.
"...Yaaawn..."
Regrettably, though, drowsiness was a formidable foe I could not overcome.
*
*
Whirr...
"...Whew."
Once I returned to my room, I flopped onto the bed and sank into thought.
The reason was simple.
Though I had not even seen all of it and could no longer learn anything more, I had decided to analyze what I could about the past of the [Ultimate White]—the 'white screen.'
First, let's recall the major characteristics.
- They wear the body parts of their comrades as accessories.
"...Is he insane?"
No matter how I thought about it, that went beyond merely having bad taste. Or perhaps it had been adapted, and the original was distorted into such an absurd setting.
Either way, I desperately wanted to believe there was no one who fit that first condition.
- Did you get thirteen people killed for nothing?
"...Is he insane?"
No matter how strong someone was, no matter how weak their opponents were, thirteen people dead?
Honestly, Hiranui came to mind immediately, but even then, I doubted he could be that strong.
- Ultimate...
"...I'm the insane one."
Why had I let my mind wander and missed such an important part?
But there was one thing I knew for certain.
Unlike the previous two conditions, there was not a single person who did not fit this one.
In other words, it was an impossible deduction.
"...Ugh!"
A fresh wave of self-reproach washed over me.
Why had I been dragged into a place like this, where I had to rack my brains over motives designed to make people want to kill twice over?
"...I'll just sleep."
In the end, what I chose was to flee into unconsciousness right where I lay.
...Ding!
"...?"
Just then, a notification sounded from the Monophone I had carelessly tossed beside me.
Hoping they were not summoning us again, I warily checked it.
"...Huh."
For a moment, I stopped breathing.
I could not believe it.
- Hey, would you come see me for a moment?
It was a text message from someone.
- If it's okay, come up to the rooftop. I want to talk, just the two of us.
The gentle wording could not possibly have come from the Monotwins.
- Please. I'll be waiting.
There was only one person here who would speak to me that way.
"...!"
The instant I realized that, I got into the elevator and headed straight for the rooftop.
Ding!
As soon as the doors opened, I was greeted by a full moon, and beneath it, I saw her.
"...Ah, you came. Welcome!"
She had been gazing up at that full moon with a somewhat lonely smile.
"Shoko."
My childhood friend.
*
*
Come to think of it, this was my first time on the rooftop at night.
It had been daytime when I met Rekida and Komada, and I had been too busy talking to them to look around much.
The air was pleasantly cool, but not cold at all.
"Shu..."
"Come on, let's go over there first. The view is nice!"
Led by Shu's hand, I stood beside her at the railing.
"...I heard from Tsurudo. You got knocked out when Tana headbutted you?"
"...If you heard, you could've stayed a little. Not that I'm upset or anything..."
She snickered and gave my back a couple of firm pats.
"Oh, come on, I'm sorry! Um, I had... a hard time too, in my own way."
"Well... apparently everyone did. They watched it all tense up, but it was just boring from beginning to end..."
"..."
Without answering, Shu lightly tapped the fingers resting on my shoulder.
"Look over there. It's a full moon. Pretty, isn't it?"
"Ah, it really is..."
Before us hung a yellowish full moon, almost clichéd in its appearance.
Stars surrounded it, scattered in an unchanging pattern as if they had been fixed in place.
That enormous iron wall was still an eyesore, but the scenery was beautiful enough that I barely cared.
"...So why did you call me out this late at night?"
"Oh, going right into the main point? I wanted to spend a little... relaxed time together."
"Ah, it's not that I want to get it over with quickly. I'm just curious, that's all."
"That's true, too... But taking it easy really is the main point, you know?"
As if to prove it, she slowly drew in the night air.
"...I see."
And now that I finally understood what she meant, I did the same.
Thinking back, she had always been the sort to get lonely easily.
In this unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar people and unfamiliar unpleasantness, perhaps she needed someone to lean on.
"...Hey, Shoko, this might be a bit... out of the blue, but..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"How have you... been all this time? Um, in every way..."
"Ah..."
That was right. We had reunited after ten years.
We had been so close that it had not felt too awkward when we met again, but of course she would be curious about things.
"Well... I just studied hard and kept working at it... It's embarrassing to say, but I became the youngest detective in the country."
"I suppose so... You've always been diligent, Shoko. You were such an elite that it was almost boring, right?"
"Oh, it wasn't that much. What about you? You were in Europe, right? Which country did you move to?"
"Ah... I don't know if you've heard of it, but..."
She hesitated for a moment.
"It's a small country called Britalia. From Japan, you could call it the gateway to Europe—it's surprisingly close, considering it's between Europe and Asia."
"Ah, I've heard of it. It's a country that hasn't even existed for a hundred years, right? Its culture is a mixture of Britain and Italy, just like the name..."
"Yeah, that's right. It doesn't really have much of a foundation, but it's a very nice place to live! You should come visit sometime... No, don't go out of your way for it..."
"I'm busy enough with work as it is. Being trapped somewhere like this is already enough to make me sick of it. But... why did you immigrate to a country like that? I can't remember very well..."
"Ah... that's..."
Shu fell into deep thought for a moment.
"...Sorry! Um, I can't remember very well either... Hehe..."
She merely scratched the back of her head and gave a bitter smile.
"Is that so... Well, it was ten years ago. Still... I'm glad we haven't changed much. Not our relationship, and not the way we've grown up..."
"Haven't changed much... I see..."
"...?"
It was only for an instant, but her expression seemed to darken.
"...Shu, are you okay?"
"Ah, no! It's just, um..."
Only briefly, and then this time I saw her cheeks growing a little red.
"I-I was wondering if, while you were growing up as you said, you might have... um... d-done it..."
"What? Done it...?"
Before I knew it, my face had begun to redden too.
"D-dating... I mean."
When she said that, I turned so red I could hardly hide it.
"D-dating? Why bring that up all of a sudden...?!"
"A-answer me...! Did you, despite leaving me behind—no, no... Um, did you ever get involved with another girl?!"
"..."
It was embarrassing to say, but I had been somewhat popular.
I was decent-looking and capable in various ways, enough that I had received a few confessions from colleagues.
"...No. Not once."
But it took me only seconds to give that answer.
"Not once...? What do you mean?"
"I-I mean, I've never dated anyone... D-don't make me say it over and over...!"
Because there was only one reason.
"...Pfft!"
"W-why are you laughing?!"
"Ah, sorry, sorry! You're so funny, Shoko! You've got a somewhat... cute side too...!"
"W-what about you? How many times have you dated?! Well... someone like you seems like she'd be pretty popular..."
"..."
Because I had wished for it for one year, and waited for ten.
"...Me neither. Not even once."
Only for you.
"I-I see..."
"Y-yeah..."
The air suddenly felt strange.
Why did it feel so ticklish and warm...? It was like being in a sauna.
"Th-that's a relief...!"
At that moment, Shu's lips moved faintly.
"Hm? What did you say?"
"Ah, nothing! Wow, the sunlight's so bright today!"
"Ah, yeah, it is..."
I would probably never get to hear what she had said.
"...Haha."
Then she laughed again.
"Haha, hahahahaha..."
"Hm? Why are you suddenly laughing?"
"Ah... Well, you know, being here like this... it suddenly made me think of the old days."
"Hm? The old days?"
"You know, when we first met!"
"Ah..."
Yes, I could understand that.
- Say hello, Shoko. Starting today, this girl will be working for our household.
At my father's arrangement, we had exchanged awkward greetings.
- H-hello...! I'm R-Roshiya Shuko... P-pleased to meet you...
- I see! I'm Keisha Shoko! You don't have to be formal with me! Hey, can I call you by your name? Oh, right! Would Shu be okay? It's a nickname, though!
- Ah, um... Well, that... Ugh... Is that okay...? Th-then, pleased to meet you, Shoko...!
...Thinking back, our personalities had both been completely opposite from what they were now.
Of course, the way our faces reddened back then was exactly the same as now.
"Come to think of it, your eyes were all covered when we first met, weren't they? I thought it was such a shame, covering such... p-pretty eyes..."
"P-pretty, what are you saying...! A-and now... I don't really think they're pretty anymore..."
"Ah..."
I did not have to ask. The scar running across her left eye was proof enough.
"...No, Shu."
But that did not matter to me.
"I think even that scar... is beautiful. I mean it."
Because if it was her, I could love even that.
"...Shoko."
After hearing those words, Shu hesitated for a moment.
"It's not. Never."
For some reason, she stated it a little coldly.
"...Huh?"
It did not feel like she was simply putting on a stern face. It felt closer to instinctive revulsion.
"At least that... don't ever say it, especially not you. Please."
"Shu..."
It seemed I had been careless.
She had said at first that she did not mind it, but perhaps I had taken only that at face value and dismissed a woman's sensitivity too easily.
"...I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me."
"Mm... It's okay. I understand enough... your feelings, at least."
Even so, an awkwardness began to flow between us for the first time in quite a while.
"...Hey, Shoko."
Shu, who had been staring at the full moon in the meantime, spoke quietly.
"Yeah... What is it?"
"It's sudden, and it may be a really stupid question, but..."
"...?"
After a slight pause, she turned toward me. Her face held half the moonlight's glow and half the darkness of its shadow.
"What would you do... if I were the [Ultimate Black]?"
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