The three doors waited at the end of the crimson hall, each marked with a name.
AYA. HARUTO. ARATA.
The distorted voice dripped like venom.
> "Enter. Learn your secrets. Choose silence or betrayal. The choice is yours — and yours alone."
The doors swung open with a hiss.
Aya clutched Arata's hand desperately, her nails biting into his skin. "Don't be afraid. I'll never betray you. Never."
Her eyes were wild with devotion, too bright, too fierce.
Haruto adjusted his glasses, his expression unreadable. "Promises mean nothing in a game like this. Words can kill."
Arata gave a timid nod, his voice trembling. "I-I'll stay quiet. I don't want anyone to die…"
Aya pressed her forehead against his. "Then we'll survive together."
But as they pulled apart, as they each stepped toward their doors, Arata's lips curved into the faintest smile.
Promises are chains. And chains are easiest to break when pulled tight.
Her door sealed behind her.
The room was empty, save for a single chair and a glowing screen. She sat, shaking, and the screen lit up with words.
SECRET: HARUTO HID A LETTER IN HIS DESK — A LETTER FROM THE GAME MASTERS. HE KNEW OF THE GAME BEFORE ANYONE ELSE.
Aya's breath caught. Her heart thundered. "No… no, that can't be true…"
Her hands flew to her mouth. Tears blurred her vision. Haruto… you knew? You… you let us walk into this trap?
Her devotion twisted into confusion, into suspicion.
His door sealed with a metallic thud.
He stepped into the dark, and the screen in front of him lit up.
SECRET: ARATA KILLED ANIMALS AS A CHILD. HE SMILED AS THEY DIED. HIS PARENTS COVERED IT UP.
Haruto's stomach churned. His breath came ragged. "So it's true…"
He remembered Daichi's screams, Riku's accusations. The way Arata's eyes had gleamed for a second when Riku fell.
Cold sweat trickled down his back. He's not timid. He's not innocent. He's a predator hiding in sheep's skin.
Arata's Room
The door closed with a hiss.
Arata stepped into the silence, his mask slipping the instant no one could see. His trembling stilled. His eyes sharpened.
The screen glowed.
SECRET: AYA TRIED TO KILL HERSELF LAST YEAR. HER SMILE HID THE SCARS. SHE BELIEVES SURVIVAL IS THE ONLY WAY TO REPAY THE ONE WHO SAVES HER.
Arata read it slowly, savoring each word. Then his lips curved into a smile.
So that's her chain. Perfect. She's already bound herself to me. Now I just have to tighten the knot.
He leaned back in the chair, hands folded calmly in his lap. And Haruto… I wonder what poison they fed you?
The doors opened at the same time. The three emerged, their faces pale, their breaths heavy.
No one spoke at first. Their eyes darted, avoiding one another, clutching their secrets like knives hidden behind their backs.
The distorted voice returned.
> "The Confession Room is simple. If no secrets are spoken aloud, you all survive. But if even one secret is spoken… the truth-bearer dies instantly. Lies will not save you. Decide."
Silence.
The timer appeared above them: 05:00… 04:59…
Aya's eyes darted to Haruto. Her lips trembled. "…Did you know?"
Haruto stiffened. His jaw tightened. "…What are you talking about?"
She shook her head violently. "No… I can't… I promised…" She gripped Arata's arm again, clinging to him like a lifeline. "Arata… tell me you trust me."
His voice was soft, trembling. "I trust you, Aya. I trust you more than anyone."
Her tears spilled again, her devotion tightening further.
Haruto's gaze cut through them both. "…You're manipulating her."
Arata flinched. "W-What? No! I…"
But Haruto's eyes burned. I know what you are. I know what you hide.
02:12… 02:11…
The silence grew unbearable. The weight of secrets crushed them.
Aya's voice cracked, frantic. "If we don't talk, we live. That's all that matters! Please, just stay quiet!"
Haruto's fist clenched. His breath came ragged. His eyes locked on Arata.
"…I can't. I won't stay silent while a monster hides among us."
Arata's eyes widened. "P-Please… don't say anything… we'll all die…"
Haruto stepped forward, his voice sharp, cutting. "Arata killed animals as a child. He smiled while doing it. His parents covered it up. That's who he really is."
The room froze. Aya's gasp tore through the silence.
The voice purred.
> "Truth has been spoken. Judgment will be delivered."
A red light blazed above Haruto's head. He had spoken. The secret he revealed was true.
And with a deafening crack, a spike shot through his chest.
Haruto's eyes widened in shock, blood spilling from his lips. He staggered, choking, before collapsing to the ground.
Aya screamed, clapping her hands over her mouth.
Arata stood frozen, trembling violently, his eyes wide with horror. "…H-Haruto…"
Inside, though, his mind whispered coldly:
You knew too much. Now you're nothing but a corpse.
Aya collapsed into Arata's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "It's just us now… just us… I can't do this without you…"
He held her, trembling, whispering soothing lies into her ear. "I'll protect you, Aya… I swear it…"
Her nails dug into his back, her devotion sinking deeper, binding her tighter.
But behind her sobs, Arata's eyes gleamed in the dim light.
Two chains broken. One chain bound. And now… this game is truly mine.