Part 142: Okabe Rintarou makes a decision

The center of my head feels dizzy. I feel like I'm out of oil. My body is immobile from fatigue. The pain in my wound the Viral Attackers inflicted yesterday has calmed considerably, though. But in the end, I still couldn't sleep. I promised Faris that we'd commence tactics at 12. Until then, we wait at Faris's house.

I already contacted Daru and the others back at the lab. I told them about the experiment we're going to do today.





"Faris..."

Just seeing that crying face gives me a sharp pain in my chest.

"I'll go give my last goodbyes to papa now nyan."

Oh...? When she equips her cat ears, Faris's usual speaking habits return. What a handy tool.

"Let me be alone with papa for a while nya."

Maybe I should've said "Wait."
Maybe I should've said "I'm sorry."

I said nothing to Faris's back as she went to her father's study.



I got in touch with Daru at the lab, making sure that the 42" Braun Tube TV in the workshop is also on. Now all we have to do is send the D-mail.

But I hesitate.

"..."

Instead of looking straight at Faris's red eyes, I look down to my feet. Eternal separation from her father... I wonder what Faris is thinking now.

"Kyouma, you can't make that face nya. Kyouma's done nothing wrong nyan."

"But..."

"NyanNyaaan♪ That talk's already over nyan!"

"...Okay."

If Faris tells me to blow off my worries, then I can't keep this depressed face on for good. I consciously tighten my face muscles.

Just before leaving the room yesterday, Faris told me the contents of the first D-mail she sent.



The mail stopped her father from riding the airplane. As a result, he didn't die. And, at the same time, the mail slightly changed cause and effect. Her dad needed to sell the IBN 5100 to prepare the ransom money. As a result, the IBN 5100 was not dedicated to Yanagibayashi Shrine. Faris didn't have to participate in Akihabara's city development conferences in her father's stead.



MayQueen+Nyan² didn't open, either. Faris wasn't worked to death, so she could enter RaiNet tournaments as well. That is to say, the current Faris enjoyed a normal student life. Before the past changed, Faris was a student and had also inherited the piled up work from her father, and she worked hard at her part time job as well.

Which one is happiness? That isn't for me to decide. Faris decided it. Faris decided to return. I'm helping her close this dream.

Faris already inputted the cancellation D-mail.







When Faris sends that to her father, it will really be her last words.

"By the way, if we return the world to normal, will all of Faris's memories now disappear nya?"

"...No way that'll happen. You'll surely remember. After all, you remember what happened both before and after the past changed now, right?"

"Is that why you so desperately saved Faris nya?"

"...That's, well. Up to your interpretation."

I feel my cheeks unconsciously get warm, so I look down to hide my face.

"Faris..."



"...Thank you."

I take Faris's phone.

Sorry, I lied.

Most likely, if we change the world back,



(Hey, look, another critical decision point! The structure is the same as with Suzuha - if I send the mail, the main storyline will continue. If I don't send the mail, I'll branch off into a side path.)

Or perhaps another miracle will happen, and, like this Faris, she will regain her memories of this world line. But I don't know the chances. It might not ever change back.

That's why...

I will engrave onto my mind...

The memories of Faris, the RaiNet Champion.

The memories of her dad, who gave thanks to a stranger like me.

I will engrave them onto my mind.

"Well then, by bye... papa."

I will,

For Mayuri's sake,

Take Faris's memories,

Just like I did Suzuha's,

And sacrifice them...



(And once again we diverge from the decision of Steins;Gate!)

"Kyouma?"

I won't let this end yet.

"I don't want to let this dream end yet..."

Don't jump to conclusions. We should explore other various methods. We shouldn't make hasty decisions about this problem. After all, the life of Faris's father hangs in the balance.

"Let's try... some other way. I won't kill your dad."

"Kyouma... Apawlogies... Faris tempted you, nya..."

"No. It's okay. This was my decision."

I won't become a god after all. I don't think I could stand the burden gods should bear.