Ch. 1: An Innocent Smile
Land of Magical Science, Daten, Month of Completion…-.
The metropolis before me with its rows of skyscrapers reminded me of the world I came from.
The people hurrying about and the sounds of car horns all felt incredibly nostalgic.
Makoto: “Sorry for having you come all the way out here.”
Turning towards the voice, I found Makoto looking up at me with wide eyes.
OO: “Makoto… it’s been a while!”
Makoto: “It’s good to see you OO.”
His smile reached his dark black eyes.
Makoto: “Were you surprised at how noisy it is?”
OO: “No, it’s like the city I lived in before I came here, so it makes me both nostalgic and happy.”
Makoto: “I see, then that’s good!”
After Makoto smiled again, his gaze suddenly dropped to my feet.
Looking down, I found a small tawny-colored dog looking up at me. I had no idea where it came from.
(…is it lost?)
Makoto: “So cute! Hey, where’d you come from little guy?”
Makoto crouched down next to me and gently pet the dog.
(He looks so happy…)
OO: “Do you like animals Makoto?”
Makoto: “Yeah! I love them!!”
Makoto’s entire face lit up with a smile as he looked at me.
(His smile is so cute…)
Makoto: “Are you lost? There there, don’t look at me like that, it’ll be okay. Hey OO, let’s look for this guy’s owner!”
OO: “Yeah!”
I found myself returning Makoto’s innocent smile with one of my own.
But…
At that time, I still didn’t know the real Makoto.
Ch. 2: A Cold Voice
After that…-.
We were able to safely return the dog to its owner, then I followed Makoto to his home.
Makoto: “It was so cute! That little puppy, now I want one too.”
I completely understood what Makoto was talking about as he spoke in a voice filled with adoration.
OO: “Yeah, me too.”
Makoto: “Ah, but I can’t because I have Jan at home.”
OO: “Jan?”
Makoto: “Yeah! I’ll introduce you! You can count on it!”
We walked through the city as we talked, then…-.
Guard: “Sorry, this way’s closed off today.”
Ahead of us on the path we had been walking stood a burly man wearing a uniform that resembled a policeman’s outfit.
Guard: “The President’s return parade is about to start. Didn’t you know?”
(President…?)
Makoto: “Five years ago, this country switched from a monarchy to a presidential system.”
As if responding to my doubts, Makoto started to explain.
Makoto: “My father was the last king. That’s why now I’m just living in the city.”
(I hadn’t realized… something like that had happened.)
Eventually, the parade began, punctuated by the excited cheering of the crowd.
From the window of the sleek limousine, an ostentatiously-dressed man was waving at the crowd.
(That’s… the president?)
OO: “Makoto, is that…?”
I turned to ask Makoto about it, but…-.
OO: “…!”
When I saw him, I froze.
Makoto: “…
As he watched the parade, Makoto’s eyes were frighteningly cold…
Makoto: “…that’s the president.”
After murmuring those words to himself, his expression returned to the cute smile from earlier.
Makoto: “Come on, let’s go!”
OO: “Y-yeah…”
Putting the cheering behind us, we left the parade route.
Makoto: “If we follow this road, we’ll end up right outside my house!”
Walking down the road that detoured from the parade route, I thought back to the cold look in Makoto’s eyes.
————————–
Makoto: “Five years ago, this country switched from a monarchy to a presidential system.”
Makoto: “My father was the last king. That’s why now I’m just living in the city.”
————————–
(What happened… five years ago?)
OO: “Makoto, did something happen with the president…?”
Makoto: “…you want to know?”
OO: “…”
Makoto: “What’s wrong OO?”
As Makoto smiled up at me…
OO: “…!”
Multiple people in black suits appeared from the alley and surrounded us.
Makoto: “…”
Not minding that I had no idea what to do, Makoto simply smiled at the men.
(…!)
Suddenly, all of the men moved to attack…-.
OO: “Makoto…”
I spoke without thinking, and Makoto gently took my hand.
Makoto: “…”
Makoto looked around at the men with a smile on his face.
Then suddenly, all of the men collapsed to the ground, prostrate.
(Eh…?)
Man: “Ugh…”
One of the men groaned in pain but started to move towards Makoto, then…-.
Makoto: “Ahahaha! It’s useless. Seriously, no matter how many times you try, do you still not get it? You never learn…”
Makoto gripped the man by his hair and yanked up his head.
OO: “Ma… Makoto?”
Makoto: “I’m in a good mood, so I’ll let it slide. This time…”
I felt a chill run up my spine.
Makoto: “…ah, sorry OO, come on, let’s go!”
Tossing the man aside, Makoto kept on walking as if nothing had happened.
(What on earth just happened…?)
I was completely confused over what had just happened.
And the cold voice that Makoto had directed at the men still rang in my ears.
Ch. 3: Imprisoned Butterfly
Makoto: “Ahahaha! It’s useless. Seriously, no matter how many times you try, do you still not get it? You never learn…”
Makoto: “Well, I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll let it slide. This time…”
————————–
(I can’t get Makoto’s voice out of my head…)
Makoto didn’t have many possessions in his house, and a chill filled the air.
OO: “…”
I kept sneaking glances at Makoto’s face in profile as we sat there in silence.
Makoto: “Oh man, I’m sorry!”
Now that I had calmed down, Makoto spoke as if he were worried about me.
Makoto: “I bet you’re curious now. Hmmm, how should I put this… A bunch of things happened when we switched to the presidential system. It looks like there are still some people who don’t think very highly of the royals like me. So those guys that attacked us back there were close aides of the president, and they have it out for me.”
OO: “What…!?”
Makoto: “That’s all.”
Makoto’s tone was light as he explained the situation like it was nothing.
OO: “Are you always being attacked like that?”
Makoto: “It’s fine, because I have this power!”
(Power…?)
I remembered how the men had suddenly collapsed during the attack.
Makoto: “…anyone who meets my eyes will do as I say.”
OO: “…like psychic powers?”
Makoto: “Yeah, something like that.”
OO: “Is it… like hypnotism?”
Makoto: “Ahahaha! Hypnotism huh? That’s a pretty good word for it.”
Makoto’s answer was assured as he laughed.
With that, Makoto walked up to what looked like a square cage set in the corner of the room.
Makoto: “I’m home! We have a guest!”
Then…
OO: “Ah…”
An adorable little hamster with brown and white fur trotted about the cage in the corner.
OO: “A hamster? It’s so cute!”
Makoto: “Hamster? His name is Jan.”
Makoto put his finger up to the cage and Jan nuzzled it.
Makoto: “You really are so cute!”
Makoto smiled as he held Jan in his hand.
That smile erased all thoughts of the coldness I had seen earlier, and I started to relax.
Makoto: “I’ll take care of your bags. You can just sit here with Jan for a minute.”
I nodded, and Makoto grinned as he placed Jan in my hands and left the room.
(Maybe I imagined it… I hope I did…)
I felt a faint tickling sensation on my lap.
OO: “What’s wrong Jan?”
Jan clambered down my lap then got on his back legs as if he was worried about something.
(What’s he doing…?)
I looked in the direction Jan was staring and…-.
OO: “…!!”
I let out a soundless scream.
(That’s…!)
Within a glass box in the corner of the room, several layers of thick webbing were strung up.
Inside the webbing was a beautiful insect cage.
(Butterflies…?)
Trapped inside the cage were countless beautiful butterflies with bluish purple wings.
(What… is this…?)
The thought that those butterflies were the prey for the spider in the webbing crawled into my mind.
Makoto: “What are you doing?”
At the unexpected voice, my heart nearly stopped.
I turned around and found Makoto standing there, smiling.
OO: “…”
My voice was stuck in my throat and I couldn’t say a word.
Makoto chuckled as he walked up to the insect cage.
OO: “What is this…?”
I was able to muster my voice as I asked Makoto about it.
OO: “…”
A chill raced through my body and I couldn’t speak.
Makoto: “It’s it amazing!? It’s my guilty pleasure.”
OO: “Guilty pleasure…?”
Makoto had on a carefree smile as he spoke, then he opened the glass box and let one of the butterflies free from the insect cage.
At being released, the butterfly seemed to dance through the air in joy at its freedom, but then…
(…!)
It was blocked by the glass wall and quickly got caught in the webbing.
Then the master of the web quickly approached the butterfly…-.
OO: “…!!”
Makoto: “Ahahaha! Why aren’t you watching? This is the best part.”
I had reflexively looked away, and Makoto mocked me for it.
OO: “Why… would you do that…”
As those beautiful bluish-purple wings caught in the white thread of the web, they seemed to lose their color.
Makoto: “Isn’t it just the best when you watch something struggle frantically to live? If that display satisfies me… I’ll rescue it.”
I couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth.
Makoto: “OO… what expression will you make when you suffer?”
As Makoto looked at me, a shiver ran through my whole body and I froze.
Ch. 4: Makoto's Madness
(That’s… so cruel…)
I looked away as the butterfly got trapped in the webbing.
I looked at Makoto and a sweat broke out on my brow.
Makoto: “…”
As he stood there with a thin smile on his face, he once more turned his attention to the cage with more butterflies.
They flapped their beautiful wings as if begging for freedom.
Makoto: “…they’re saying they want out. So let them out.”
Saying as much, Makoto urged me towards the insect cage.
OO: “…no…”
I stepped back, shaking my head.
OO: “…what are you saying?”
At his words, I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my face.
Makoto: “Aw, don’t say that ♪”
Makoto took my hand and tried to move it towards the lid of the insect cage.
OO: “…no!!”
I violently whipped my hand away.
And for an instant, Makoto’s eyes went wide, but…-.
Makoto: “…that’s a nice expression. Makes me want to see you kneel.”
He sneered cruelly at me and looked straight into my eyes.
(Eh…!!)
It seemed like Makoto’s eyes started to glow strangely…
Then suddenly, my body started to move of its own accord.
Makoto: “Ahahaha!!!”
OO: “What… are you…”
Makoto: “Isn’t it great!? You know, when my mom and dad died, this power awakened in me!”
OO: “They… died…?”
Makoto: “That’s right. My entire family was killed when we moved to a presidential system. We were betrayed by a close aide.”
(…!)
Makoto: “And that traitor is now the president.”
OO: “That’s…”
Makoto: “And so… I want to use this power to make that man realize. His expression twisted in pain… just thinking about it makes me excited! Ahaha!!”
OO: “Why did you bring me here…?”
Makoto: “At most it’s been five years since we switched over to a presidential system, so the people haven’t completely forgotten what it was like under a monarchy. If the people see me with the Princess of Traumere, I wonder what they’ll think.”
OO: “…!”
Makoto: “I will take everything from them. I won’t let them relax so easily. I will give them suffering upon suffering. They stole everything from me, so they’ll get what they deserve, right?”
Makoto spoke dispassionately.
(He intends… to use me.)
Makoto: “Ah, yes, that’s a nice expression! …I like that.”
Makoto was peering up into my face with a look of delight.
Makoto: “Well, I won’t do anything bad to you! I just need a little cooperation for my revenge.”
I couldn’t say a word, no matter how hard I tried, so I just looked at Makoto.
Makoto: “I won’t know what you want if you don’t say anything~”
Makoto spoke as if enjoying himself.
OO: “…I can’t help you.”
Makoto: “I figured you’d say that ♪”
Makoto looked happy as he placed a hand on my cheek.
Makoto: “I like you…”
Makoto traced his fingers up the back of my neck and a shudder ran through my spine.
OO: “…”
Makoto: “You know, I just love it when someone tells me no.”
Makoto’s eyes started to glow strangely again…
OO: “…!”
I closed my eyes and bit my lip.
As the dull pain shot through me, I suddenly felt my body fall back under my control.
Makoto: “…!”
In that moment, I ran from Makoto’s room.
Ch. 5: Shaking Shoulders
Beneath the dim, cloudy sky, I ran through the city with all my might.
I ended up down a back alley, then crouched down.
(I was so scared…)
Remembering Makoto’s cruel expression, fear dominated my mind once more.
(But…)
————————–
Makoto: “So cute! Hey, where’d you come from little guy?”
Makoto: “You really are so cute!”
————————–
I remembered Makoto’s kind smile whenever he was looking at an animal.
(…I don’t think he was faking that smile. Makoto… which is the real you…?)
At that moment…-.
??: “Hey, you’re that girl that was with Makoto this afternoon.”
OO: “…!”
I felt something cold press against my back as a low voice spoke to me from behind.
(A gun…?)
Man: “You’re coming with me.”
OO: “No…!”
(These are the people that attacked Makoto…!?)
The man grabbed my arm and tried to force me into the car that was parked nearby when…-.
Makoto: “I was planning on using you, so why’d you get captured?”
Looking toward the voice, I saw Makoto looking at me like I was an idiot.
Man: “Makoto…! Don’t try anything. If you do, this girl will…”
He pressed the barrel of the gun to my head.
Makoto: “You’ll shoot her, right?”
(…!)
Man: “Wha…”
Makoto spoke calmly and the man seemed dumbfounded.
Makoto: “Ahaha! That’s an interesting face.”
Makoto smiled as if he were thoroughly enjoying himself.
Man: “Don’t mess with me… I’m serious!”
OO: “…!”
With the gun to my head, I knew my face was pale with fear.
Makoto: “If you want me to save you, you have to say it.”
Makoto’s words were filled with some kind of anticipation as he said that to me.
OO: “Help me…”
I asked Makoto to save me, my voice raw…
And he smiled as if satisfied.
OO: “…”
Even though I was trembling in fear, I just looked at Makoto without saying anything…
Makoto: “Well aren’t you stubborn… though, do I like that side of you.”
Man: “What are you yammering on about!?”
The man shouted in anger, then…-.
Man: “Ah…?”
Suddenly, the man’s arm holding the gun turned to point back on himself.
Then…
Man: “…aaaaAAAH!”
There was a dull crack from his arm, and the gun that had been pointed at me fell to the ground.
Makoto: “OO’s expression when she’s suffering is my favorite. What makes you think you’re allowed to have her make that face?”
Makoto’s eyes glowed as he spoke, and this time a strange sound came from the man’s foot.
Makoto: “Ahahaha…!”
OO: “Makoto…! That’s enough…!”
Without thinking, I shouted at him.
Makoto: “Huh? You were about to get killed just a second ago. Why should I stop?”
There was anger in Makoto’s voice.
OO: “Well, I…”
Makoto: “These guys… they stole everything from me. My father and mother… everything that was precious to me…!”
Makoto’s face twisted.
————————–
Makoto: “Those guys that attacked us back there were close aides of the president, and they have it out for me.”
Makoto: “That’s right. My entire family was killed when we moved to a presidential system.”
————————–
(Makoto…!)
I could see his shoulders shaking slightly.
Makoto: “I will never forgive them! Then killed my family and now they’re getting to live it up! Rather than killing them, I want to give them pain and suffering… ahahahaha!!”
In Makoto’s scream was anger, pain, and sadness… all of his emotions were wrapped up in it.
At that sorrowful cry, I felt a pressure on my heart.
OO: “…!”
A faint trickle of tears fell from Makoto’s eyes.
OO: “Makoto… please…!”
Before I could think, I rushed to Makoto and held onto him.