Part 73: Twilight
[Music: Chill and Rigor]
He was just a shell of flesh and bone.
Seven turned to Snake.
![](3-Serious.png)
You were there that day, weren't you?
![](6-Serious.png)
Don't misunderstand me. I told you before how Zero threatened me. There was nothing I could do. I couldn't say anything about what happened 9 years ago.
![](6-Serious.png)
Of course not.
![](3-Serious.png)
Clover...? What about you...?
![](10-Surprised.png)
I did hear that a detective rescued the kids on the boat, but I didn't know it was you...
Her surprise seemed to be genuine.
Seven regarded Clover for a moment, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
![](3-Serious.png)
Hm. Well, I guess I believe you.
Clover nodded.
![](3-Serious.png)
All right, lemme ask you another question.
He stuck his hands into his pockets and took a few steps.
Then he stopped, and turned to face them again.
![](3-Serious.png)
He's Akane's brother. You know that?
![](13-Thinking.png)
Well... Yes, I know Aoi Kurashiki was her brother.
![](13-Thinking.png)
9 years ago, he was in the middle of puberty. His voice is entirely different now. I'm ashamed to say that even my
![](13-Thinking.png)
As such, I had no reason to think Santa was Aoi...
![](3-Serious.png)
When did you figure it out?
![](13-Thinking.png)
A short time ago, Clover told me that Santa might have been one of the subjects of the initial experiment. When she told me that, I had a...feeling.
Junpei blinked. He was back.
![](18-Focus.png)
I mean, like, a
lot a lot.
![](19-NeverMind.png)
But...there is one thing I think we can say we know.
![](3-Serious.png)
What's that?
![](18-Focus.png)
The body we found in the shower room had
![](3-Serious.png)
What...?
![](21-Surprised.png)
C'mon man... What kind of a detective are you? You didn't figure that out already?
![](3-Serious.png)
Cut me some slack...
![](18-Focus.png)
Hmm... Well, if he is, the 3 murders make sense then, don't they?
![](18-Focus.png)
So why did these murders take place...
![](13-Thinking.png)
If Junpei is correct, and the body in the shower room was Nijisaki's... That means all of the people who were
![](10-Surprised.png)
You mean this was all just revenge?
![](18-Focus.png)
If I'm right, then it's not hard to figure out who the next victim's gonna be, is it?
![](19-NeverMind.png)
I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you...
Snake, Clover, and Seven all nodded.
![](10-Surprised.png)
The person who planned the Nonary Project.
There was a moment of silence--
[Music: Silence]
[Sound Bite: Explosion]
![](33-Surprised.png)
Whoa! What the hell's going on here?!
![](33-Surprised.png)
Shit!
![](35-SubEnd.png)
C'mon! We need to get outta here!
![](10-Surprised.png)
How?!
Junpei grabbed it.
![](35-SubEnd.png)
I'm betting this sucker opens the exit! C'mon! Let's go!
[Music: Nonary Game]
![](38-Shock.png)
Zero... Zero...
![](35-SubEnd.png)
(Goddamnit... Zero's just screwing with us, isn't he?!)
Well, it's certainly a key card, even if it's not quite like any others we've seen before. We don't have time to mess around any more either, so let's just make a beeline for the exit!
![](39-028.png)
This thing better work...
![](41-Happy.png)
Junpei, look! It's unlocked!
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Yeah! Now we can go back to the library!
![](6-Serious.png)
Hurry up, Junpei! We don't have time!
Aoi Kurashiki official art.