animus_network | ♪ 001. [Video]

[ Sending a message over the network for the first time after three months of captivity feels awkward, even for a social butterfly like she's supposed to be. But even worse is the fact that she's got to do this after such a weird experience. Then again, this is the best way to catch up on everyone she knows in the Tower.

She can't even fake a smile in this situation. Cue a blue haired girl appearing on the feed, blue eyes nervously looking at the camera. ]

Hello... My name is Sayaka Maizono for those who don't know me. There are some of you who know me certainly, so if you see this, can you please get back to me and tell me if you're alright?

[ A pause, then a sigh. ] I don't really remember much about what I've done while being in that state. What about you guys? It was so weird, and... depressing, too. Does that mean we're going to stay in the Tower for that long of a time? It's scary to think about it.

[ That's not a good impression she's making. Not like it really matters... but then, she adds. ] What do you think these noises from down below are about? It's drilling pretty hard in the lower floors, especially the cafeteria.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nothing good comes from building basements. What if there are going to be more shady rooms? Maybe... torture ones?

[ It's something that sends her chills, but it's not impossible at all and it would make sense in this context.

...

Her gaze turns even more serious as she seems to study Ishimaru's face. Ah... that one time, at the library. Should she question him about it now? He seems to be back to his old self, but back there, she felt definitely alienated by his behavior. She was so caught up in the experiment that she forgot about it. ]

Ne, Ishimaru-kun... when you're not busy, can we have a talk somewhere in private? I need to ask you something else. [ Talking about that in the network where everyone can see is bound to raise questions that would make things complicated... better not risk it. ]

Torture chambers...?

[Or execution ones? Of course Sayaka wouldn't know about that. He should really look into it with the others who do before he can propose such a theory. It wouldn't do any good to scare her for no reason.

That and... he'd love to be wrong about it. Time to jump all over the change in topic for now.]

If there's something else that needs to be discussed, I do have some free time now. Did you have somewhere in mind?

Maybe the lounge in the fourth floor would be okay? [ It's best to get it out of there and clear things out as soon as possible, or else she'll go crazy thinking about all the things she's been told back there. ]

Hm... Very well! I'll meet you there in ten minutes!

[ YEAH OK that can work. With a sigh, Sayaka cuts off the communication.

... And about 10 minutes later ~~plus one second~~, she'll show up at the lowest lounge floor, looking rather nervous. ]

[~~ONE SECOND LATE!!~~

Ishimaru got there a little early, naturally. He could have been sitting on any of the nice couches while he waited, but he's been standing the whole time, looking out the window at the very exciting smog, but keeping a close eye on the door. When Sayaka shows up, he turns and nods in greeting.]

What was it you needed to speak privately about?

[ She waits until she's a few steps away from him, before starting. No knife in sight, nobody's around, everything's good. ]

Do you... perhaps remember meeting me at the library, the other day? [ Insert a precise date in which she met Monomaru, ok. ]

The library...?

[He balls a fist under his chin, looking pensive.]

So, did I meet you while we were older, then?

No, no... it was a few days before that. I met you at the library, and you were acting really strange.

[ Understatement of the year... but she's just gradually bringing that up. ]

No, I don't remember anything like that.

[HOLD ON... the gears are turning...]

So, are you sure it was me that you met?

Er... yes. At least the person I talked with had your same features, and wore the same uniform as yours.

[ What's going on...... ]

...Wait, this person... Was his uniform black on one side?

[OH NO.]

... I haven't noticed. I think it was entirely white like the one you're wearing right now.

[ if there was anything black, she hasn't paid attention to it... ]

[OH NO THEN IT WAS HIM... It doesn't even occur to him that his doppelganger might have some regular uniforms, too.]

...What happened, exactly?

At first you... were acting normal. I was talking to you about that school idea we heard about in the network weeks ago. [ Gulp, and a frown. ] And then you suddenly brought up my murder case. Giving me the blame for what I've done before that, and then being delirious about discipline and rules...

[Yeah, talking about the school group? That seems legit. But the next part is what worries him.]

Maizono-kun! I don't think the person you met with was me at all!

[ STARTLED BY THE FINGERPOINTING-- nah, that... doesn't make much sense, seeing as that person had his same looks and his same voice. ]

Are you really sure? Maybe you don't remember acting that way...

[Ah. There isn't room for any doubt... And in the Tower, there is nothing but.]

I do know that there is someone here who shares my name and my face! So while it is possible I could have acted so strangely without remembering it... However, it is equally possible that it was that lookalike!

♪ 001. [Video]

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