The courtroom was gone.
The stage remained.
Broken theatre seats.
Dust in the air.
And two chairs facing each other.
Higuruma sat forward, elbows resting on his knees.
Takeru sat across from him.
Calm.
Direct.
Megumi, Yuji, Hana, and Angel stood nearby.
Watching.
Waiting.
Takeru spoke.
"…I would like to ask you to add the rule—"
A brief pause.
"'Players can exchange points with one another.' Please."
Silence.
Higuruma didn't answer immediately.
He studied Takeru again.
But this time—
not as a defendant.
As someone making a request.
"…That's efficient," Higuruma said quietly.
Megumi nodded slightly.
"…It solves a lot of problems."
Yuji stepped forward.
"…We can move points where they're needed."
Angel added:
"…It increases survivability across cooperative units."
Hana looked at Takeru briefly.
Then back to Higuruma.
Higuruma exhaled.
"…You're not asking for power."
A pause.
"…You're asking for flexibility."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Correct."
Higuruma leaned back slightly.
"…You understand what this means, right?"
Takeru answered immediately.
"…Yes."
Higuruma continued.
"…Once this rule is added… players will start forming systems."
"…Alliances. Trades. Control."
Megumi crossed his arms.
"…Better than everyone killing each other blindly."
Yuji added:
"…It gives people a chance."
Higuruma looked down for a moment.
Then back up.
"…And you trust people to use it properly?"
Takeru didn't hesitate.
"…No."
That made Higuruma pause.
"…Then why ask for it?"
Takeru's answer came simple.
"…Because it is necessary."
Silence.
Higuruma stared at him.
Then—
a small exhale.
"…Yeah."
He stood up.
"…That sounds about right."
He raised his hand slightly.
"…Kogane."
A Kogane appeared beside him instantly.
"…Yes, player Hiromi Higuruma?"
Higuruma's voice was steady.
"…I will add a rule."
The air shifted.
Megumi straightened slightly.
Yuji focused.
Hana held her breath.
Higuruma spoke clearly.
"…Rule addition request: 'Players may exchange points with one another.'"
A pause.
Kogane processed.
"…Request acknowledged."
A beat.
"…100 points will be consumed."
Higuruma didn't hesitate.
"…Do it."
Silence—
then—
"…Rule added."
The colony shifted.
Subtle.
But real.
Angel spoke quietly:
"…System update confirmed."
Megumi let out a breath.
"…That's huge."
Yuji smiled slightly.
"…We can actually work together now."
Hana looked at Takeru again.
This time—
not confused.
Not analyzing.
Just understanding.
Higuruma lowered his hand.
"…There."
He looked at Takeru.
"…What you do with that… is up to you."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Understood."
A pause.
Then Higuruma added quietly—
"…And… thanks."
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
But real.
Takeru didn't respond with words.
Just stood.
And turned slightly—
toward the next step.
Because now—
they had something they didn't before.
Options.