Part 45: Elimination/Impact
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BGM: Rinka's Room
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06/03 (SUN), Night
Today turns out to be another rare day. I keep the cafe open all day long. Leaving it closed so often has taken its toll on me. My legs feel like rubber now that my shift is over. Either way, working up a sweat from hard work feels pretty good. And getting to see all the customers relaxed and content makes it all worth it.
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This week's election awaits. It doesn't actually matter when I decide to go to sleep, but the more sleep I get, the better I should feel in the morning.
...
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I notice a sizeable black object in my room as soon as I enter. Ah. It's Lethe, lording over my bed as always.
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In all honesty, it's reassuring to know I'm not all alone.
...
BGM: The Sacred Large Hall
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06/03 (SUN), Midnight
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Parca's voice echoes throughout the Court of Fate. That's the prelude to this week's election.
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She smiles as she responds to Shigetsugu. There is something inherently off about hearing a being like her, who feels right at home in a fantasy setting, talking about TVs. I wonder if she observes events in the real world from here, as if watching us on TV.
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Federico speaks up in his typical tone of jest. From what I can tell, he doesn't have any serious injuries. Yu claimed to have rendered him immobile, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Either that, or the dream world doesn't reflect our current state in the real world. Meaning, he's acting fine to cover up the fact that he's been injured.
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Things proceed as usual after that. Each participant announces whether or not they want to elect someone as the clock hand makes its revolution. Naturally, I'm up first because I'm Numeral I. I announce my intent to not elect anyone tonight. In the end, Alan is the only one to announce an election.
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As expected, he goes straight for Shigetsugu. Shigetsugu seems satisfied with this outcome. I can only guess the meaning behind it, but I'd like to believe his story ends on a positive note. More importantly...
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A sense of guilt washes over me as I hear those words get muttered.
...
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Two people face one another in the Court of Fate's upper stratum. Alan and Shigetsugu. For Alan, this is his third time. Much like the previous two, his expression remains solid.
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Alan remains silent after Shigetsugu's remark. The only thing in his eyes is the reflection of an old man's decrepit smile.
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Alan gives no response to Parca, who appears out of nowhere, either.
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BGM: Fated Selection
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Alan opens up his card book and produces the relevant cards. Once done, he reads them aloud.
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Before Alan can respond, a bright light floods from his cards. It envelops the area in an instant.
...
BGM: Fall Into...
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A man haunted by loneliness. On the floor in his home. As starvation whittled him away, all he could do was reflect on his past. He wished to return to those happier times. It was an unrealizable dream, and yet it was one he would cling to as his life's light gradually extinguished.
...
BGM: Silence
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Alan's platform begins to move as Shigetsugu's cards float in front of him. He must pick a card to keep before returning to the lower stratum. His expression remains emotionless as he chooses.
...
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Sometime after, Alan descends by himself.
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BGM: Do You Understand?
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Something's wrong. Yu seems completely unfazed by Alan's selection. No, that's not quite right. His expression is alien compared to a few minutes ago. It sends a shiver right down my spine. His gaze remains focused on me rather than Alan.
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I find it hard to believe that it's simply anger over me not electing him. This is something else. Like I'm staring into an endless abyss of rage.
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My head suddenly begins to pound. But not enough to make me collapse, so I do my best to power through it.
*crack!*
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I notice Alan's bewilderment the moment he touches Yu's card. The card, which was glowing white, suddenly shatters. The fragments disperse throughout the area.
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My card book begins to glow as well. Parca speaks up as soon as I notice.
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The seeds of dissonance have already begun to sprout. But this is just the beginning...
[END OF WEEK FIVE: DISTORTED FAMILIAL LOVE]