Part 184: Shiina Mayuri learns the whole truth

And in her place was a single mail.






While sitting down on the sofa, drying my hair with a towel, I look towards the PC in the corner of the room. The IBN is already there connected to it, ready for whenever Daru is ready to start hacking.

I already contacted Daru by mail. Hacking starts tomorrow at noon. When I said so to Daru, I drove myself into a corner, so that I couldn't turn back, no matter how much I hesitated.

I chose Mayuri.

I will let Kurisu die.



Honestly speaking, I couldn't deny the feeling that I was washing away Kurisu's words. The fact that she's okay with this leaves a bad aftertaste.

Is she really okay with this?

"...is someone here?"



When she sees me, she looks like she's about to burst into tears. But soon, she smiles.





"What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I just decided to come here. Ehehe♪"

I swallow my breath. Maybe I should explain the situation to Mayuri. But if I tell her, Mayuri will be sure to feel indebted.

Mayuri doesn't really need to know in the first place. Things will be okay, as long as we hack SERN and I reach the β World Line.



"But I don't want to be a burden to Okarin, either."

Shouldn't it be okay, even if I end this without saying anything?

Shouldn't it be okay, even if I don't tell Mayuri I'm sacrificing Kurisu for her sake?

"Did you take a shower?"

Mayuri wraps around behind the sofa, grabs the towel on my head, and starts wiping my hair dry.

"Okarin, you smell good, like shampoo!"

Saying so, she buries her nose into my hair and starts sniffing.

"Hey, stop that."

I tilt my head to escape. Mayuri goes back to work wiping my hair dry.



"Hm? Why...?"

"I was thinking about Okarin. Whenever I remember Okarin's painful-looking face, I can't enjoy ComiMa. So, I went all the way to Ariake, but came back without participating."

"I see... Sorry. For worrying you."

I wonder if I should speak. Or rather, if I shouldn't let Mayuri know anything.



"So, Mayushii might be getting a little lonely..."

"Mayuri. If I said I was keeping a secret from you, what would you think?"

"...You mean something surprising, like 'Actually, Okarin and Cris are going out'?"

"Why would it be that..."

"But Okarin and Cris are getting along really well, you know? I think you two are meant for each other."

"...I'm not talking about anything like that."

"Ah, okay... I don't want you to tell me everything if you don't want to. Since I'm a hostage, it's natural for me to not have a choice or to not be told anything."

"I'm not talking about anything like that...!"

Mayuri's hand is separated from my head. Wanting to know where it went, I look over my shoulder. I take Mayuri's hand, using a little force.



Again.

"So I'll wait until Okarin's ready to tell me. I said the same thing yesterday, didn't I?"

"I might not tell you your entire life, you know."

"It would really bug me, but I guess it couldn't be helped, then..."

"Even if what I'm hiding is related to you?"

"To Mayushii...?"

"I haven't told you because it could hurt you."

"...Could that be why Okarin's been making that painful face?"

"..."

"If that's the case, I want you to tell me. I don't want to see Okarin in pain."

"Even if it means you might get hurt?"

And then, Mayuri gave me...



"Yep."

She nods without hesitation. I'm taken aback by that smile that shows no sign of malice.

"I said so yesterday, too. Mayushii doesn't want to be a burden for Okarin. When Mayushii was sad because of what happened to grandma, Okarin took Mayushii hostage, right?"
"So Mayushii always thought she could lend her strength to Okarin whenever he was sad, you know? Mayushii might not be of any use, though."

Any use.

That moment.

I remembered.

Mayuri's death.

The future I've been through once before.

Mayuri's last words when she died protecting me...





So this... is what she meant...

"So, I don't want you to make a painful face again."

"...Understood."

If she's going to say that much... If she's going to think about me that much...

I'll tell her everything.



"Sit down here."

Mayuri does just as she's told, and sits next to me.

"Umm, can I have some snacks?"

"You just can't read the atmosphere, can you?"

"That's true..."

Mayuri puts both hands on her lap, straightening herself up.

"Then, go ahead!"

"...What I'm about to say is all true. It's related to the dreams you saw. And, after this, I plan to sacrifice a comrade, for your sake."

"Eh... Okarin...?"

When I see anxiety cloud Mayuri's face, I hold her chin with my fingers. A switch inside of me has already flipped.

"Hehehe, hehehehe, better give your sincere repentance for the dreadful deeds of this insane mad scientist, Hououin Kyouma, are numerous! Fuuhahahaha!"

What's evil is all the inhuman deeds done by this mad scientist. That's how I speak. Starting with how Moeka and the Rounders first attacked the lab and how Mayuri was killed there. I spoke about Suzuha, Faris, Rukako, and also about Moeka, FB, and Nae.