This is a story about a deranged world.
Hey.
Why aren't you saying anything?
Are you trying to buy time until the beast arrives?
Ten more seconds.
If you can't say it by then, I'm abandoning you, princess.
Ten.
Nine. Eight. Seven.
It's okay.
You can break this one like the other girl.
Six. Five.
I...
Four. Three. Two. One.
I...
feel so frustrated.
Zero.
Don't be ridiculous.
What did you say?
I ask that you not be ridiculous!
I was just teasing her a little.
I would've saved her even if she hadn't apologized.
But...
My heart was pounding for some reason.
Not because I was running or because I was irritated by the unexpected turn of events.
If anything...
I felt affection for her.
I touched the softest part of Mishiro's heart
and felt her drive me back.
I thought she was cute.
I didn't want her to die.
I like you!
I'll make an exception and save you!
Turn left at the next corner, then turn right at the third corner!
Go while I'm drawing its—
Hurry!
Ow...
I haven't felt this in a while.
There was pain, but...
Perhaps the pain calmed me, because I felt no panic.
"The audience might disapprove if I kill it too brutally."
I could even afford to think about that.
Come on, you mutt.
I was in fantastic shape.
She's so soft-hearted.
I can't believe she went to rescue Mishiro after how much they fought.
I don't think that's why.
Huh?
I think she might be far scarier than she looks.
What makes you say that?
If I tell you, will you do me a favor?
What do you mean?
Just promise me you will.
Sure.
Do you still have that paper?
What paper?
The one that was in your backpack.
Oh, yeah.
That's a special paper they use in elections.
It's convenient because it opens back up inside the box even if you fold it.
Huh. I had no idea.
What, are we going to vote using that paper?
Look at how we're dressed.
Did you not wonder why we're wearing white dresses in an abandoned building?
No, not really.
Then why do you think there aren't any traps or other threats to us on only this floor?
Because we're close to the finish—
Don't you think it's because there's some kind of final conclusion waiting for us?
What?
I'm back.
Welcome back.
Mishiro-san?
What a relief! You're all right!
Yes, more or less.
What? Uh, where's Yuki-san?
I mean, you're the only leader we need, you know?
That's right.
Hello, players.
Congratulations on beating the game....
is what I'd like to say, but the game isn't over yet.
You will now undergo a final trial.
Please wait in your individual rooms.
Wait? Why do we have to wait?
Because not all players are present yet.
Is Yuki-san alive?
Needless to say, it's one person per room.
She's alive.
She must be alive.
We'll speak again later.
Thanks.
I'm going now.
Chie.
That promise...
I know.
Yuki-san.
Let's begin.
Players, please open your backpacks and look in the right side pocket.
There should be a white paper in there.
If you've lost yours, open the drawer.
The same paper can be found in there.
This is a special synthetic paper.
It is difficult to tear and opens on its own when folded.
It's used in elections in this country.
Did any of you notice that?
I see. A few of you did.
Then you've probably already realized what this means.
You will now vote for the player
who contributed the least to beating this game.
Ostracism.
Exile by pottery shards.
An ancient Greek system in which dangerous individuals were selected by vote and exiled.
Exiled? Which means...
Sorry. I realized it from the start.
I knew this was coming at the end and said nothing.
That's why I wanted to lead the group while we explored.
When I lost at rock-paper-scissors,
I was actually happy.
I wouldn't be chosen if I put myself in danger.
I won't vote for you, Chie.
So don't vote for me.
Okay.
You are dressed in clothes resembling chitons, an ancient Greek garment.
Thanks, Kotoha.
Do you like them?
Naturally, this was also an important hint.
In accordance with the ancient Greek voting system,
the player who receives the most votes will be exiled.
In other words, she will die.
A drug we took great pains to acquire will be released into the chosen player's room.
We hope you savor it to your heart's content.
Voting time is fifteen minutes.
Those who do not vote within that time will be considered to have voted for themselves.
This concludes the explanation.
If you have questions, we will accept them for a short time.
We have a question already.
"What if two players tie for most votes?"
That's a good question.
In the event of a tie, votes cast by players using their original ballots—
in other words, those who did not lose them— will be considered stronger in a tie-break.
If there is still a tie, there will be a runoff vote.
With an odd number of voters, there will be a clear winner.
Another question.
"What if we submit a blank ballot or vote for a player who isn't here?"
In both cases, you will be considered to have voted for yourself.
Illegible handwriting and other acts of God will be treated similarly.
I have a question.
What happens if a single player casts two or more votes?
Another question.
If a single player casts two or more votes, only their first vote will count.
In the event that it is difficult to determine which was first,
we will treat the first ballot we opened as the valid vote.
There seem to be no more questions, so please excuse me.
Your fifteen-minute voting period begins now.
Good luck, players.
Whose name should I write?
That hateful girl.
If she disappeared, then I could be number one again.
What?
You survived.
Yeah, thankfully.
I used this.
I won easily because of it.
Oh, right. I don't need this anymore.
I guess the agents aren't here yet.
I voted for Chie-san.
I see.
Who did you vote for?
I wonder.
What?
I think it was probably Chie.
Kotoha, you voted for Keito, right?
Huh? Yes.
And you, Keito?
I voted for Kotoha.
Yeah.
I don't know who Chie voted for, but there wasn't a tie.
I wrote everyone's name on a ballot and submitted all four at once.
I didn't care who got my vote.
But ultimately, it was my vote that determined her fate.
Did you notice from the start?
Both the ballots and that someone would die at the end?
Yeah.
I understand why Kotoha-san did, but how could someone like you notice?
Are you mocking me?
It's my woman's intuition.
Yuki-san.
I apologize for being impudent.
It's clear to me now which of us is better.
Please forgive me.
It's rare for you to apologize.
Was that the first time in your life?
I wish I'd recorded that.
Would you mind if I let loose a little?
Go ahead.
If it was going to frustrate you this much, you shouldn't have apologized.
I merely did it because it felt necessary.
I cannot defeat her without accepting reality.
Will you continue playing?
I refuse to quit until I've beaten her.