The room was silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WRCcrIWn6
Across town, Elias sat alone on the edge of his bed, the glow of his phone illuminating the darkness. He had finally reached Episode Twelve of Tomodachi Game.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWionJGW7nx
When the credits rolled, he didn't move.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xuJQhPlX0
For several long moments, he simply stared at the black screen, replaying every twist in his mind.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hQjnEEaxy
Finally, he let out a slow breath.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyetT2QL75
"Damn..."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonGHRGZGSG
He rubbed a hand over his face before opening his messages.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdYFGtCLDi
His thumb hovered over Rei's name.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozkGbI4lYE
He typed.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxSOgn9Dha
> I finished it.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq93QD13TQd
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb29XWVp5ro
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUHM3t2k71
He frowned and deleted it.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ577Wd5P89T
Too simple.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFfdtEoR51
He tried again.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdfdjZNgMp
> That was insane.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8sVN0rIoM
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkv0o0oKDec
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8LVSf0jYV
Another pause.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ335MjerI9v
No.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF94Lj5CxfU
That wasn't enough either.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy0BelmpD1
He closed his eyes, remembering Rei's voice explaining every hidden motive and every psychological trap long before he had even reached them.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQNHEz8RdC
A small smile appeared.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yEPV5825q
Finally, he wrote,
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqc2in9lpO
> I have so many questions... and I think I know exactly who I need to ask.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHXHCj33xr
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaCg1CzuYZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3Nx4VIrk4
He hit Send and leaned back against the headboard, his phone resting on his chest.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBH627EDrC
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTOVRS5ldM
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcScGCgxmlL
A few minutes later, his screen lit up again.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUUvl9MHYG
Rei had replied.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmV0DhZhiw
> Oh... You finished it? It's almost three in the morning.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCebD6PSm7
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qxcMKJi1m
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBuLJlX7U
Elias smiled.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF0Chy34O4
> I couldn't stop, he admitted. Episode Twelve is a trap. I should've known.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASXpbaQC7L
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROfnC3Q0Xq
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOfMCI1TmW
After a moment, he added,
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspseZsqTkC
> But you're right. It's late. Go to sleep, Rei.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLR8YdnH7q
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEyqwF4kSJ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtteXqnsoDv
His fingers lingered above the keyboard before typing one more sentence.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtu6mii5Le
> I'll save my questions for tomorrow... unless you're a night owl too.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLlVxKokCO
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTU2BWCPJ5h
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXqGLGKIuv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbic13Ayp5Q
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zYU7Luh8D
Her reply came almost instantly.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs4d4KsNbd
> I am.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXBfWmt23N
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrb9w3gOTx
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡccjnLhsSng
Another message followed.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOJnG1LKq6
> I'm awake now. You can ask your questions. I'm not sleepy anymore.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo80BOGHFYO
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOi49RSqT6c
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuFA1lHmNHd
Elias laughed quietly.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQj4E1DkUr
A genuine grin spread across his face.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZatlFM7ly
> You're dangerous, he replied. I should've known better than to trust someone who recommends psychological thrillers.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHHejFRBPN
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl09Zx1fCV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNCSE3hnwx
He adjusted the pillows behind him and settled in.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXs0voLCU4M
> All right... let's start with Yuichi.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV622F71gPG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMk9Eu8uSA
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡot27YsBULe
> In that final confrontation... was he really protecting his friends? Or was he simply playing another role to ensure his own survival?
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5OusDSI7Nd
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM6qGdjbgLc
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPAkUenjbx
> Because I honestly can't decide if he's a hero... or the most efficient monster in the room.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHklqH3gpC
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbky6fZ50S8
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkfrNfoIKY
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNT4bx2qTR
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROfkGm0hWC
Rei read the message carefully before answering.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2jUxKgV4l
> "That's exactly what makes Yuichi such a fascinating protagonist."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvlhHqro7l
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaU7EV5aeYH
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAOQ1ctUFi
> "He isn't a traditional hero, but he isn't a monster either. He genuinely wants to protect the people he cares about."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifYP3w9f27
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqX9VCkNXe
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMKiVWPhPZ
> "The difference is that he doesn't mind becoming the villain in everyone else's eyes if that's what it takes."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF4t97I3mp
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgM36Dy8EP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpVrtSJkIQ
> "He'll manipulate people, deceive them, and even sacrifice his own reputation without hesitation."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡViuLq4OMnE
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1NkMkC4Cv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡassHSc0Ky9
> "To him, being misunderstood is a small price to pay if the people he's protecting remain safe."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQQyDKxXem
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOOSFkvLYv
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ8ALAfo7B
> "That's why he's so difficult to judge."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfXqBOgRXW
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3k4a6yGY8
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHmJWKYEL6
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQ8umQdnrM
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMkcsI7Wma
Elias read her explanation twice.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2CF2T7cpv
Then a third time.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs2S2e22yq
He slowly typed,
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT2Q7jCtuzI
> So... he carries the burden of being hated so others don't have to.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMDCfnXWmV
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5HhbY8a6m
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1nm5uHA2H
A pause.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMtjoGFwVD
> That's a heavy way to live.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sSdhesdAk
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBdGqNL1Hz
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNzjjeaNgp
His fingers stopped above the keyboard.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46wlULu9Ep
It reminds me of someone I know.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIEJYiEJ5a
He almost sent the sentence.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRVcHrGlZl
Instead...
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu0nH89NNS
He erased it.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89810qx2kL
It was too personal.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrjdLBHIPE
Changing the subject, he asked,
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLbxLSjmqG
> Then what about the game itself?
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZwpIQJKF9
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxiICwyjTh
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnPhFL3LoiA
> Was there ever a real chance for anyone to win honestly? Or was the entire system designed to destroy friendships from the beginning?
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxzoh3wDK3g
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgqcBEoDMzM
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqfzBJzRFY
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwReGMum7SC
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMM25VivO9
Rei smiled.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aW40hFIsg
> "I think the game was designed to break people from the very beginning."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpE9JOThWr
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg57ylv1EP
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87pznNbFgG
> "It forces friends into situations where they must choose between trust and survival."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgxFpK3Z0X
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJRs6fquan
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWqbDEVNIC
> "Most people panic."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetZZtTP9ES
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSMfmJkmW2
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqRrAZkqhP
> "They lie."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdlfIW8dzS
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5EITrOVr8l
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPcSAEZIS6
> "They betray each other."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfEKcBMumG
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn3kie4bUQ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6g854XTRB
> "Because that's exactly what the game wants."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71UMs31ax5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGBNP7AOFD
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSj2pRi6v7u
> "The only way to win is to stay calm... and think smarter than the game itself."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CdzYJu577
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nC3YUU0fs
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nRL8bVhiZ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK0t1Gsr2i
---
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYSu3ecMJU
Elias stared at those last words.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6yKEm6OGK
He whispered them to himself.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNlg0nmwKn
"Think smarter than the game itself."
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8PrflrAJI
A quiet admiration settled in his chest.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9s7FziWtTu
She made something so complicated sound almost effortless.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdC7uL2euW
He began typing.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ45Z4BRVS
> You make it sound so simple.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLQUZEQvcd
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IO0VYCup5
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56rrjIQ3GB
> But I think most people would fall apart long before they reached that point.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKeQtUK2fh
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRO6f94QklL
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwEx68eCcO
He paused.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7LH3hoP9uC
Another sentence appeared on the screen.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡattbyQ1n9A
> You're a lot like that, aren't you?
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxoyEG8sKy
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHwrp1OMgx
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡApSDsCoYUM
He looked at it for several seconds...
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisV9d9WlFi
...then smiled to himself and deleted it.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC585ECDyEL
Not tonight.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAG194VH7KI
Instead, he simply sent,
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ11oyG4mJqt
> I don't think I've ever enjoyed talking about a show this much.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DvPb9zzkJ
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGlJaezqlE
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GIMPmwTEr
Outside, the city slept beneath the fading stars.
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUWsO7SklL
Inside two different rooms, separated by miles but connected by a quiet conversation, neither of them noticed that dawn was slowly beginning to approach.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Tq7CmxZTa
and then Add to home screen.