-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-11:09 PM, MARCH 7, 2017-
The silence inside the building was no longer empty.
It was charged.
Rikuu stood still for a brief moment.
Then—
He exhaled.
"…I see it now."
The man in front of him raised an eyebrow.
"…See what?"
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
"…Your structure."
A pause.
"…This isn't just a test."
The man's smile grew faintly.
"Correct."
Rikuu continued.
"…You're trying to shape my responses."
Silence.
"…By limiting what I can do."
The man studied him carefully.
"…Continue."
Rikuu took a step forward.
"…But you made one mistake."
The air shifted.
The observers became more alert.
"…You assumed I'd play inside your frame."
A pause.
"…I don't."
-UNKNOWN MONITOR ROOM-
-11:10 PM-
Ichika stood still.
The screen still dark.
But she wasn't passive.
"…If I can't reach the system…"
Her expression hardened.
"…Then I'll reach the place directly."
She grabbed her bag.
Then moved.
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-11:11 PM-
Rikuu didn't wait for permission.
He acted.
Turning slightly.
Then—
He stepped back.
Not retreating.
But repositioning.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You're adapting outside the structure."
Rikuu didn't respond.
Instead—
He spoke calmly.
"…You wanted control."
A pause.
"…Then you should've controlled the environment better."
The man's expression changed.
Subtly.
"…Interesting."
He raised a hand slightly.
"Then let's escalate."
A signal.
One of the observers moved.
The atmosphere tightened again.
-UNKNOWN LOCATION, OUTSIDE BUILDING-
-11:13 PM-
Snow fell harder now.
Ichika arrived.
Her breath slightly visible in the cold.
She looked at the building.
"…Rikuu…"
Without hesitation—
She moved toward the entrance.
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-11:14 PM-
Inside—
Rikuu suddenly stopped.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Someone's here."
The man tilted his head.
"…Oh?"
Footsteps.
From outside.
Approaching.
Rikuu turned slightly.
"…Ichika."
The man smiled faintly.
"…She's come anyway."
-ENTRANCE AREA-
-11:15 PM-
Ichika stepped inside.
The door creaked slightly behind her.
She looked forward.
"…Rikuu."
Their eyes met.
And for a moment—
The tension softened.
Then—
Rikuu spoke.
"…Why are you here?"
Ichika walked forward.
"…Because you were about to face this alone."
A pause.
She looked at the man.
Then back at Rikuu.
"…That's not happening."
-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-11:16 PM-
The man observed them both.
Then smiled.
"…Perfect."
A pause.
"Now we can proceed to the real phase."
Rikuu's expression darkened.
"…What now?"
The man stepped forward slightly.
"…A decision."
A pause.
"Together."
The room went still.
The man's voice lowered.
"Now that she's here…"
A pause.
"…let's see what you choose."
Rikuu and Ichika stood side by side.
Facing him.
Not alone.
But together.
And for the first time—
The test changed completely.