Part 166: Makise Kurisu recommends an unethical course of action

As always, she absolutely won't let go of her phone.

"Hey, was it something I did? I'll fix it, I'll fix it, so don't abandon me. I'll do anything for you, FB. Reply, answer me, order me around. I'll obey. Command me, command... a command... ooh, oooh..."

This is... a mental breakdown.



It's almost like Moeka's a completely different person. Is this also an effect of world line divergence? I mean, it's only been a little over a week since Moeka was sent the D-mail. Has she changed this much?

I get on my knees and shake Moeka by the shoulders.

"Hey, can you hear me? Hey!"

"Oooh, FB... contact me... please, contact me..."

"Kiryuu Moeka! Hey! It's me! Okabe!"

Even if I call out to her, Moeka just keeps muttering incoherently while crying. No matter how strongly I shake her, she doesn't resist. I notice her thumb keeps restlessly pressing on her phone's keys. Confused, I peek at the screen.



"You..."

Did something happen to Moeka? I somehow understand that her superior, FB, hasn't contacted her, but I don't understand how that drove Moeka this far into a corner.

...No, don't think about it. I don't care what happens to her. With that clear cut attitude, I reach out my hand to snatch that phone from her grip.

A sharp, dry sound reverberates through the room.



It was really weak, but she quickly knocked my hand away. Moeka curls up her body with her phone to her chest, as if to protect it. She wouldn't ever give up her phone. As if that small device were her lifeline.

"...the mails... the mails won't come..."

"...from that FB guy?"

"The mails won't come..."

I try snatching the phone away from the incoherently muttering Moeka several times, but she won't let go. So, I reluctantly try lying "I'll search for the person called FB, so lend me your phone." Of course, I don't intend to search.

Wait, it actually might be a good idea. But that's for after I make sure Mayuri doesn't die, and when I have free time.

"...ugh, oooh..."

But Moeka didn't buy into my lie. Or maybe my words just didn't reach her.

Dammit. We're not getting anywhere. Should I snatch it by force after all? She might kill me before I get the chance to send the cancellation D-mail, though...

It's sink or swim. I'm hopeful. Since Moeka's emotionally weak right now, there's only a low chance she'll attack. I'm afraid. If she has a gun, I'm unarmed, and wouldn't have any means to protect myself. These two feelings mix and dissolve into hesitation.

A gun, huh... Where would it be in this dreary room? I take a quick look around, but I can't find it in visible range.





"Hello."

I stand up, relocate to the entranceway, and take the call without letting Moeka leave my sight.

"Where are you now?"

"...Sorry, but I'm busy."

"A woman? You're with a woman?"

"You really are a mainstream woman, aren't you?"

"Shut it. You promised to help with the Microwave Ophone's improvements, didn't you? Or are you Lab Member 001 just for show?"

"Please ask Daru. I can't do it today."

"...just what are you doing? Where are you?"

"I'm at Kiryuu Moeka's apartment."



Did she not meet Moeka as a lab mem in this world line?

I reluctantly give Kurisu the usual explanation. Except this time, due to circumstances, I have to simplify things. Kurisu silently listens to my explanation. Like always. The same as before. She might be unexpectedly softhearted.

After listening to my story, Kurisu tells me one conclusion.



"How hardcore. Have you been watching too many Hollywood flicks?"

"Your enemy is a SERN official. If you hold back, you might be the one to get killed. This isn't the time to hesitate. You're doing this to save Mayuri. You're flailing around helplessly, but now's your chance to win."

She says things one by one without restraint. Or so I thought, but Kurisu suddenly lowers her voice.

"...you might doubt my character if I say this, but... no, it doesn't matter if you're the one doubting it, but.."



"I doubt your character now, but I love how you're not a hypocrite, Cristina."

"Eh... lo-love is, well..."

What's with the commotion, oh assistant of mine.

"What you said was the truth. You're a lot more upright than the likes of me."

"...well, thanks."

"But let me hear your intentions, You must have a reason to kill, too, right? That's why you reached that conclusion."

"Thank goodness. That calms me down a lot. I can't tell for certain whether your story's real or fake. I still don't quite understand the equations behind Attractor Field Theory. So, based on your explanation, if this Kiryuu person commits suicide in four days, then we can infer that she triggered a death flag. Meaning, the world has recognized her death, right? If cause and effect converged and killed her in a previous world line, for example, nothing could obstruct that. Or possibly, the instant you killed her, the world line would change dramatically. But if you just think about this world line, she is near death. After witnessing Mayuri's death countless times, you should know this by now. Whats important is that she dies. The process doesn't matter, meaning this Kiryuu person's reason of death doesn't matter, I think."



"Her death has been decided, so it doesn't matter if I kill her, huh? That's almost like the argument a murderer would make."

"Don't act like a hypocrite. Right now, I'm talking outside of human morals. You should too, Okabe."

That’s a really unforgiving way to talk, but speaking frankly actually feels good.

"...But what about the law? Even if the world forgives me, society won't."

"As long as we have the Time Leap Machine, even if you kill her, you can go back in time and undo everything. The only remaining result is that Okabe obtained the necessary information without killing anybody."

"I get what you mean."

"...whew. Just remember this: Everything you do, you do at your own risk. It's kind of irresponsible of me to say that after saying whatever I pleased, though."

"No problem. It was truly a mad scientist-like opinion."

"Put an end to this quickly. Bye."



But Kurisu's relentless words mysteriously encourage me.

"You a commander or something?"

I mutter and shut my phone. Moeka is still squatting in the same place.



Just like Moeka did to us. There's no need for hesitation. Everything is at my own risk. I'm free to kill or let live. The result is my responsibility. If I undo it with the Time Leap Machine, the memories of the unethical act of murder will only remain with the Time Leaper - me. That sin - that guilt - I'll have to carry that weight. I can't forget about it. That's what Kurisu was implying. No human can go unpunished for murder.

Understand, Kiryuu Moeka?