-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-10:31 PM, MARCH 7, 2017-
The air felt heavier now.
Not physically—
But mentally.
Rikuu stood in the center of the room.
Three men surrounded him at a distance.
Watching.
Waiting.
The man who led them gestured slightly.
"…Let's begin."
-UNKNOWN ROOM (MONITOR VIEW)-
-10:32 PM-
Ichika stood in front of a screen.
Watching everything.
Her breathing steady.
But her expression tense.
"…Rikuu…"
She stepped closer.
As if she could reach through the screen.
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-10:33 PM-
The man spoke calmly.
"First question."
"…Why do you fight?"
Rikuu didn't answer immediately.
"…This isn't a fight."
The man smiled faintly.
"Everything is."
Rikuu remained silent.
Then—
"…I don't fight anymore."
A pause.
"I stopped."
The man tilted his head.
"Then what are you doing now?"
Rikuu looked directly at him.
"…Standing."
The answer was simple.
But firm.
Ichika's hands clenched slightly.
"…That's not enough…"
She stared at the screen.
"…Answer properly…"
The man continued.
"You say you stopped fighting."
A pause.
"But your actions suggest otherwise."
Rikuu didn't respond.
"Protecting someone."
"Resisting pressure."
"Walking into a trap."
The man smiled slightly.
"That's not passive behavior."
Rikuu's expression didn't change.
"…So what?"
"Control," the man said.
"That's what we're testing."
One of the other men stepped forward slightly.
"Subject is stable."
Another spoke.
"Emotional restraint within expected range."
The first man nodded.
"Good."
-UNKNOWN ROOM-
-10:40 PM-
Ichika took a step back.
"…This is wrong…"
Her voice was quiet.
But firm.
"…This isn't a test…"
She looked at the screen.
"…This is manipulation."
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-10:41 PM-
The lead man stepped closer to Rikuu.
"Tell me."
"…What would you sacrifice?"
Rikuu's gaze sharpened slightly.
"…I'm not answering that."
"Then we will."
A pause.
The man's voice lowered slightly.
"Let's raise the stakes."
-UNKNOWN ROOM-
-10:42 PM-
Ichika froze.
The screen flickered.
Rikuu's image distorted slightly.
A warning tone.
"…What are they doing…"
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-10:43 PM-
The man spoke.
"Your answer will determine what happens next."
A pause.
Then—
A small device activated in the distance.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed.
"…What is that."
The man smiled faintly.
"Pressure."
-UNKNOWN ROOM-
-10:44 PM-
Ichika's expression changed instantly.
"…Stop…"
Her voice was quiet.
But urgent.
"…Don't push him…"
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-10:45 PM-
Rikuu stood still.
Watching.
Calculating.
Then—
"…You're not testing me."
A pause.
"…You're trying to break me."
The man's smile remained.
"Same thing."
Rikuu exhaled slowly.
Then spoke.
"…You won't."
A beat.
"…I won't let you."
The room fell silent.
Even the observers paused.
Because that answer—
Was not hesitation.
Not fear.
But certainty.
-UNKNOWN ROOM-
-10:47 PM-
Ichika's eyes widened slightly.
Then softened.
"…Rikuu…"
