T-This doesn't make any sense… I just went to sleep and...
I died?
"How did you die this time, dear?"
"I WANT TO KNOW TOO!"
Here I am again, in the endless white world that stretches around me, empty and blinding. I'm back in the place that has become synonymous with "I died." A place I've grown disturbingly familiar with.
Damn it, damn it, damn it, what the hell happened this time?!
Did someone poison me? No, I didn't even drink anything.
Then… was I murdered in my sleep? But I had locked the door, and why would anyone want to kill me?!
Above me, Brain drifts lazily through the air, not even bothering to look at me.
"Do you want me to say who killed you?"
"Of course not! I already said that I don't want to cheat for anything. I myself will find out who killed me."
Brain's wings hum faintly as it circles me "Knew you'd say that. Just letting you know: by default, one second here equals one second in the illusion."
"That's fine. If time stopped there, I'd wake up with the killer right on top of me and probably just die again."
"As you wish."
Damn it… but why would someone kill me? Did I do something to wrong?
Better force myself to think rationally, going through each of them one by one:
Anfang: No way. He saved me and invited me in. Not to mention that he's the leader, he could have simply rejected me if he wanted me gone.
Mochiko: She doesn't like me much, sure, but she's just a grumpy little brat. I doubt she'd take it that far.
Ruma: Same deal. She didn't want me in the group either, but she even defended me once. I don't see any reason for her to kill me.
Freya: Impossible. She was the only one who kind of stood by me and she's been kind, at least in her own weird way. No motive there.
Edward: He clearly didn't want me around, and I caught some envy from him, but envy alone doesn't equal murder. He doesn't seem to have bad intentions, more bluster than strategy. He'd more likely pick a fight than sneak a kill.
Gota: For what I've seen, she's lazy as hell. She probably would be too lazy to even come to my room, and seemed kind of indifferent to me joining the group.
Princis: The only one who fits the role, stereotypically. Cold, suspicious personality, and the reason being that I'm weak or something. But Anfang explicitly told him that if something happened, he'd handle it himself. And I highly doubt he would disobey his leader.
Still, anyone could be wearing a mask.
"Aaaaghhh!" My head spins. "This makes no sense! Why would anyone kill me, goddammit!?"
Tsk, I don't think any of them would actually kill me...
"It's always good to hear your thoughts."
Brain's small voice snaps me back.
I look at her, my eyes steady now.
"Brain, open the portal. The killer thinks I'm dead, and I am... but they don't know I can come back. At the dinner, I'll watch carefully their expressions and their words."
Brain tilted her head, smiling slyly. "Oh wow. Are you so immersed in the illusion?"
"Open it."
"Roger."
The familiar white rectangle appeared in front of me.
"You know, I could just teleport you. The whole portal thing is unnecessary."
"Whatever. See you."
"Keep teaching us, dear conscience."
I step through without hesitation.
I wake in my bed, my body perfectly fine. No wounds, no pain. It's as if I had only been napping.
I glance at the clock. 7:57 p.m.
"Almost time."
I strip off the hoodie, pull on the black coat. I'm feeling a little hot.
I whispered to myself as I leave the room "I'll find the killer."
The tavern's noise and smell greets me as I step inside, right toward the long table.
I need to pay attention to everyone's expressions, the killer thinks I'm dead, they must be very surprised to see me.
"Ah, Theo, right on time," Anfang calls, raising a hand. "You're the last to arrive, but not late." His smile is more natural than water itself.
"Yes, thank you," I reply, keeping my voice calm and low.
The table is simple but carefully cared for: A white tablecloth, with cutlery and plates on top. Not fancy, but definitely theres a certain effort to make it look at least look nice.
I slide into my seat, my eyes flickering across the group.
Gota is asleep on her plate. Edward, Ruma, and Mochiko look bored. Princis stares at me, his expression unreadable, and Freya smiles sweetly.
"How are you, Theo? Did you sleep well?" she asks.
"Yes, I'm fine."
Acting like a detective is strange, it steadies me, take away my stutter.
Freya… the one I trust most, the one I like the most in the group. Which makes her dangerous. Kindness it's a very common disguise for a psychopath, to act nice.
She wouldn't be like that... why would she kill me?
She tilts her head. "What's wrong, Theo? You've been acting strange."
"No, I'm fine."
But killers don't need motives. Sometimes they just… kill for no reason at all.
Anfang's voice booms: "Eat as much as you want, everyone. Tonight's on me."
Cheers erupt "YAY!! THANK YOU, BOSS!!"
Mochiko spins to the waiter, practically bouncing. "WAITER! WAITER!"
"Yes, lady?"
"BRING ME EVERYTHING YOU HAVE!"
"…W-What?"
Ruma crosses her legs and put her hands behind her back, putting on airs. "Hey, waiter~ what's your most expensive dish?"
Princis immediately snaps. "DON'T EMPTY THE BOSS'S POCKETS!"
Anfang waves calmly. "Don't worry. I've got plenty tonight."
Mochiko turns back to me, her eyes glittering. "You know what? I'm happy you joined. Thanks to you, I can finally try Wagyu beef! They say every wizard has to eat it at least once!"
Didn't she just say she wanted everything? Well… her excitement feels real. She has to be innocent.
Ruma sighs, then smirks "Aghhhh, maybe your joining wasn't so bad. The leader gave us a feast because of it after all."
Edward put a whole piece of meat in his mouth and swallowed it quickly "Yeah, I'll admit it. Because of you, we're eating better than we have in months! Maybe we should invite more people—"
"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!" Ruma and Mochiko shout in perfect unison.
I scratch my head, awkwardly. "Haha, thanks guys…"
Not him too... None of them feels like a murder.
Freya leans toward me "Aren't you going to eat anything, Theo?"
"Ah, I usually eat little, and I don't want to waste his money—"
Then it hits me. Shit. What if the food's poisoned?
N-No but then, all foods would be poisoned right? S-So everyone would die, b-but maybe they found a way only to poison me—
Oh, but it's okay... If I die, I can just come back...
N-No shit, what am I thinking!?
No. That thought is poison too. I won't abuse this power. It's not a shield. It's not an excuse. It's just… a wayfor me to be able to continue writting my story.
I force myself to breathe "A spaghetti with meat should be enough."
Normal. Stay normal.
The food comes, everyone's chatter fills the air and everyone eats.
Then Anfang rises with a glass in hand, a smirk on his lips.
"Alright everyone, let's toast our new member!"
Glasses lift around me without hesitation.
"Hey Edward," Gota mumbles, half-asleep. "Lift my glass for me."
"Do it yourself!"
Thank goodness there was cola in the Middle Ages, somehow... I can't stand wine like most of them.
...Like a 14-years-old girl.
But even as I raise my glass, a thought circles at me:
I want to feel like I belong here. To call them friends.
But I can't. Not yet.
One of these seven faces wants me gone. And the truth is… I still don't know what it even means to have a friend.
How do you even have a friend?