The room was silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.
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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.
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When the credits rolled, he didn't move.
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For several long moments, he simply stared at the black screen, replaying every twist in his mind.
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Finally, he let out a slow breath.
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"Damn..."
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He rubbed a hand over his face before opening his messages.
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His thumb hovered over Rei's name.
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He typed.
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> I finished it.
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He frowned and deleted it.
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Too simple.
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He tried again.
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> That was insane.
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Another pause.
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No.
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That wasn't enough either.
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He closed his eyes, remembering Rei's voice explaining every hidden motive and every psychological trap long before he had even reached them.
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A small smile appeared.
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Finally, he wrote,
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> I have so many questions... and I think I know exactly who I need to ask.
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He hit Send and leaned back against the headboard, his phone resting on his chest.
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---
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A few minutes later, his screen lit up again.
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Rei had replied.
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> Oh... You finished it? It's almost three in the morning.
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Elias smiled.
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> I couldn't stop, he admitted. Episode Twelve is a trap. I should've known.
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After a moment, he added,
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> But you're right. It's late. Go to sleep, Rei.
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His fingers lingered above the keyboard before typing one more sentence.
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> I'll save my questions for tomorrow... unless you're a night owl too.
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---
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Her reply came almost instantly.
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> I am.
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Another message followed.
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> I'm awake now. You can ask your questions. I'm not sleepy anymore.
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Elias laughed quietly.
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A genuine grin spread across his face.
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> You're dangerous, he replied. I should've known better than to trust someone who recommends psychological thrillers.
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He adjusted the pillows behind him and settled in.
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> All right... let's start with Yuichi.
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> In that final confrontation... was he really protecting his friends? Or was he simply playing another role to ensure his own survival?
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> Because I honestly can't decide if he's a hero... or the most efficient monster in the room.
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---
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Rei read the message carefully before answering.
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> "That's exactly what makes Yuichi such a fascinating protagonist."
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> "He isn't a traditional hero, but he isn't a monster either. He genuinely wants to protect the people he cares about."
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> "The difference is that he doesn't mind becoming the villain in everyone else's eyes if that's what it takes."
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> "He'll manipulate people, deceive them, and even sacrifice his own reputation without hesitation."
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> "To him, being misunderstood is a small price to pay if the people he's protecting remain safe."
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> "That's why he's so difficult to judge."
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---
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Elias read her explanation twice.
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Then a third time.
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He slowly typed,
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> So... he carries the burden of being hated so others don't have to.
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A pause.
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> That's a heavy way to live.
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His fingers stopped above the keyboard.
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It reminds me of someone I know.
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He almost sent the sentence.
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Instead...
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He erased it.
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It was too personal.
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Changing the subject, he asked,
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> Then what about the game itself?
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> Was there ever a real chance for anyone to win honestly? Or was the entire system designed to destroy friendships from the beginning?
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---
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Rei smiled.
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> "I think the game was designed to break people from the very beginning."
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> "It forces friends into situations where they must choose between trust and survival."
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> "Most people panic."
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> "They lie."
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> "They betray each other."
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> "Because that's exactly what the game wants."
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> "The only way to win is to stay calm... and think smarter than the game itself."
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---
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Elias stared at those last words.
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He whispered them to himself.
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"Think smarter than the game itself."
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A quiet admiration settled in his chest.
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She made something so complicated sound almost effortless.
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He began typing.
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> You make it sound so simple.
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> But I think most people would fall apart long before they reached that point.
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He paused.
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Another sentence appeared on the screen.
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> You're a lot like that, aren't you?
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He looked at it for several seconds...
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...then smiled to himself and deleted it.
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Not tonight.
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Instead, he simply sent,
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> I don't think I've ever enjoyed talking about a show this much.
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Outside, the city slept beneath the fading stars.
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Inside two different rooms, separated by miles but connected by a quiet conversation, neither of them noticed that dawn was slowly beginning to approach.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83rgkhnbNE
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