"I understand a little better." Seiji fell silent for a moment before speaking up again. "To you, a tragic story… any tragic story in the world is probably 'interesting.'"
Deriving joy from other people's pain.
There were plenty of such people in the world. Or, perhaps it should be said that it was common for humans to have such negative emotions.
Some people would openly display their joy in other people's tragedy. Some people would only display it on the internet. Some people would only display it towards animals rather than humans. Some people wouldn't display it openly, but would secretly laugh in their minds…
It was quite normal to have such negative emotions. As long as one didn't lose control of their emotions, that person would still be a normal person. However, Itsuki Kamitani had obviously left the realm of "normal" long ago.
Kamitani chuckled yet again.
"I'm quite happy that you can understand me. But, I don't think that you only understand a little better… you should say it more directly," Kamitani told him.
If he spoke any more "directly," he would probably want to start using foul language towards Kamitani.
"Don't talk in such a scary tone." Kamitani chuckled. "Let me ask you another question. How much of a price are you willing to pay for precious 'peace?'"
"I don't want to play riddles with you. Either say what you have to say directly or I'm hanging up," Seiji refused to play games.
"Don't be in such a rush. This topic is still related to the main course," Kamitani spoke in a meaningful tone. "Or, let me change the question. How many people's lives do you think are worth sacrificing in order to maintain 'peace?'"
Seiji's gaze sharpened upon hearing this question.
"…What do you mean by asking this question?"
"You should know exactly what it means. No need to pretend to be a fool, my bro Haruta," Kamitani spoke directly this time.
Something flashed in Seiji's eyes.
"A sacrifice is never worth it, no matter how many or how few people," Seiji responded in a serious tone.
"Such a standard answer is so boring. I want to hear your real answer."
"That is my real answer."
"No, you should know what I'm asking and what I want to know."
Only silence filled the phone call after that.
Seiji remained silent because that was what he truly believed.
Kamitani kept waiting for Seiji's reply.
This type of heavy silence continued for a full minute.
"Alright, I suppose I know your reply now," Kamitani finally spoke up. "I originally had another question for you, but I don't think I need to ask anymore. Onto the main topic. This time, your payment for being a 'hero' is another piece of information.
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Cherry blossoms were falling on the wind.
Everything was hazy, unclear, ethereal, beautiful, and fantastical.
Chiaki realized that she was in a dream again…
A giant bright red torii stood before her. Behind the torii was nothing but a white haze, from which something that sounded like singing could be heard.
Since all she could see was this torii and the falling cherry blossoms, Chiaki naturally started walking towards the torii.
As she walked over, the sounds gradually got louder.
The sound was indeed singing, incredibly beautiful singing by a female voice. Although Chiaki couldn't hear clearly what the song was, it sounded divine and pure.
"Come… over…" There seemed to be some unclear words mixed into the singing.
Chiaki noticed this and carefully listened.
"Don't… come…"
"Don't… come… over…"
It seemed to be repeating the words "Don't come over?"
Chiaki was only able to make out the words to this degree. She couldn't even tell if this voice was male or female.
Chiaki stopped in front of the torii.
Something like a dense white mist was before her, obscuring her vision. This mist felt rather icy, as if something bad would happen if she walked into it.
But, if she didn't go there, where else could she go? All she could see were falling cherry blossoms and this torii. Walking through this torii was the only possible path to move forward.
Although there was a "warning," it was unclear, and perhaps she had heard it wrong.
Not to mention, this was only a dream.
Nothing bad would likely happen in a dream… Chiaki, whose consciousness wasn't completely clear, started walking.
The moment she stepped forward with her right foot, it was as if she crossed over a certain boundary. She instantly felt a bone-piercing chill!
This chill started spreading along her right foot, swiftly moving upward and making Chiaki's entire right leg lose all sensation as if it had been frozen!
Chiaki started panicking and wanted to retreat. However, she was unable to lift her leg as if it was now frozen and connected to the ground.
As she was struggling in fear, a hand suddenly appeared before her and forcefully pushed her backwards!
Chiaki collapsed backwards on the ground. Her foot left the icy area and the chill stopped spreading in her body.
'Who pushed me just now?'
Chiaki looked before her, but still saw nothing but white mist.
But, she definitely saw a hand just earlier… that hand had definitely come from the mist!
Someone was inside the mist. Someone was on the other side.
Who could be on the other side of the torii?
Toriis represented entryways into the divine realm… The person on the other side was from the divine realm… The person there stopped Chiaki from entering and saved her…
"Mom?" Chiaki finally came to this conclusion.
She should have come to this conclusion much earlier, but her thinking was sluggish due to being in this hazy dream.
"Mom… is that you?" She increased the volume of her voice.
There was no response.
"Mom… I'm Chiaki, Chiaki Wakaba!" the girl shouted out her own name.
There was still no response.
Chiaki tried to stand up. However, even though the chill had stopped spreading in her body, it hadn't disappeared. It was still impossible for her to move her right leg.
No matter how hard she tried, she was unable to move.
'My leg… will it become lame?'
Chiaki couldn't help but panic as she thought about this.
"Mom…" Chiaki instinctively wanted to plead for help. However, she couldn't see anyone around at all.
She should have called out her mom's name, but she couldn't remember it… Chiaki's eyes started tearing up.
She couldn't remember a single thing about her mother.
She only knew what her father had told her… Yet even he couldn't remember her mother's name… Besides, those were her father's memories, not her own.
It was far too much to accept that she couldn't even remember her mother's name.
Just what type of evil god had done such a thing!
Yet, her hatred and grudges were all useless now.
Chiaki kept looking to the other side of the torii. She was certain that her mom had to be within, that her mom must have saved her just now. Yet, she couldn't even remember her mother's name.
Her mother's name… a name that she should have been familiar with… that she absolutely shouldn't have forgotten…
Cherry blossoms kept falling on her head and body, affecting her field of vision and senses.
An invisible force enveloped Chiaki and began pressuring her as if it wanted to chase her out of this dream world.
"Mom!!!" Chiaki shouted while resisting against this force.
Even though her mom was clearly so close… Chiaki was unwilling to leave without at least seeing her!
"I'm sorry for forgetting you…
"Dad still remembers you… although he doesn't remember much, he's always held onto his memories…
"He said that you were the one who raised me… I want to remember as well, but I'm unable to do so. I'm so sorry.
"Mom, I really want to see you…
"I miss you so much… I really want to remember everything about you, and the times that we were together…"
Her precious memories that should have existed had all been taken away by some outside force.
It was to the point where Chiaki didn't even know what she had lost. How pitiful was that?
Just thinking about how her mother had been forgotten made Chiaki feel a pain in her chest.
Just a mere "apology" would be far too insufficient!
No matter how much she shouted, it would all be insufficient.
She absolutely had to remember, even if it was only a tiny bit, even if it was only a name.
"Seiji… help me…" The force exerting pressure on her became even greater. As Chiaki's consciousness became hazier, she reflexively sought assistance from her boyfriend.
Something in the void seemed to make a connection. Chiaki mysteriously felt something in her right hand.
Chiaki turned around and saw a certain object that caused her to widen her eyes in astonishment.
It was a beautiful paper umbrella.