-ABANDONED BUILDING-
-11:43 PM, MARCH 7, 2017-
The air changed again.
Subtler this time.
But heavier in a different way.
The man stepped forward slowly.
"…You've passed several layers."
A pause.
"But now…"
He stopped in front of them.
"…we remove all safety."
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
Ichika's expression stayed calm.
But her focus intensified.
The man gestured.
The screens flickered.
Then—
A single feed remained.
One scenario.
Clear.
Unavoidable.
"…This is the final constraint."
A pause.
"You both must act."
Rikuu frowned slightly.
"…Both?"
"Yes."
The man's tone was calm.
"But not together."
Ichika looked at the screen.
Then at Rikuu.
"…Split actions."
Rikuu nodded slightly.
"…But linked outcome."
She understood immediately.
"…Meaning we rely on each other."
Rikuu responded.
"…Without coordination."
Silence.
The tension rose.
The man smiled faintly.
"Correct."
A pause.
"Now we test something deeper."
He looked at both of them.
"…Emotional stability."
The scenario on the screen began.
Complex.
Fast.
High-risk.
Rikuu's eyes sharpened.
Ichika's breathing remained steady.
"…We split focus."
Rikuu nodded.
"…I'll handle the immediate action."
"…I'll manage the variables."
The man observed quietly.
"…Good."
A pause.
"But remember."
His voice lowered slightly.
"…One mistake…"
"…affects both of you."
Silence.
Rikuu moved first.
Ichika followed through with analysis.
Their movements weren't synchronized.
But they were connected.
Like two sides of the same system.
Time passed.
Seconds.
Then—
A critical moment.
Ichika spoke quickly.
"…Now!"
Rikuu reacted instantly.
The system stabilized.
A successful outcome.
But—
The margin was small.
Very small.
Silence returned.
The test ended.
For now.
The man looked at them.
Then—
Slowly smiled.
"…Impressive."
A pause.
"You passed."
But his tone shifted slightly.
"…Barely."
Rikuu and Ichika stood together.
Breathing steady.
Unshaken.
But aware.
This—
Wasn't the end.
The man stepped back.
"…We're done for tonight."
A pause.
"But now…"
His gaze lingered on them.
"…we know what you're capable of."
The atmosphere shifted one last time.
Then—
Silence.
