Before Sugawara took action, television networks began covering the results of a recent court hearing. According to the news, one defendant was executed in court immediately after the verdict was announced. The second received a prison sentence and was sent to a prison facility. Some networks and newspapers provided photographs and names, allowing the information to be verified, and...it was all true?
However, the problem was the public's mixed reaction to Kira's willingness to compromise. Some interpreted his decision as the result of a large bribe from the government, while others began talking about a "Kira double," but the latter theory was still on par with the existence of aliens. After all, the disappearance of a famous figure from the media consistently provoked reactions along the lines of "he was killed/replaced/created by reptilians," so fans of this theory had already been ridiculed. On the other hand, Kira's fans also faced criticism. Some for ceasing to believe in him, others for starting to do so. Not that society was ready for anything. As before, it was a discontented lump, alternately losing and gaining momentum. But the phrase favored by liberals during every change of power—"the closer the empire's collapse, the crazier its laws"—would clearly soon be back in vogue.
While Sugawara was skilled at manipulating the masses, he, like any politician, had no intention of doing so himself. He was already taking a huge risk, not so much by assembling a "team" against Kira, but by doing so online. One more small act of timidity and Kira-2, Kira-3, or, oh, no, Kira-1, would be knocking on his door.
Sugawara turned around as if the thought had any direct meaning.
He took a deep breath before opening the "Savior Kira" website. There, among the many discussions, was a new post by a user named Pixel:
"You know what this kind of behavior is called? It's the 'not me, not you' tactic. When someone agrees to do something, but, fearing public reaction, makes the decision 50/50. So one defendant is alive. To please those who want to see change. And one defendant is dead. To please those who like Kira's policies. BUT!!! This isn't like Kira. Have you ever seen Kira justify himself? Do you remember Kira agreeing to anything against his will?"
"I'll never believe Kira was forced," Sugawara wrote anonymously.
In my previous posts, I explain in detail who could benefit from this.
And Kira just took the money? Seriously? Sugawara paused. He occasionally glanced at the man's posts, but in a world where police are allowed to shoot to kill at the sight of masked citizens, expressing one's opinion on the events was problematic. So Pixel's comments were more like emotional news reports without any conclusion. What segment of the population was Sugawara planning to incite? He finished the message and sent it with his eyes closed. Could God do that?
Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. It was as if he'd patted a fly with his finger. But when Sugawara opened his eyes, Pixel's answer surprised him:
It's neutral enough, but... If they spread the rumors they want through Kira's fans, not his enemies, that would be wonderful.
Something definitely happened to Kira.
Well, the criminal murders continue. I mean, the heart attacks are still there. So Kira's alive.
If this is still "our Kira."
I don't believe what they said about his way of killing. I think it's some kind of hereditary power.
Passed down from generation to generation. And what Kira's enemies are talking about is just a distraction.
Are you saying Kira is now teaching his children to kill?
"Why not"?! That's just nonsense.
Kira wouldn't let his children make such mistakes.
Sugawara hated conspiracy theories.
You're right. If Kira isn't talking, then he's not here.
Maybe. If so, then his son or daughter continued his work. Unsuccessfully. Because they weren't ready, I guess.
Or because they killed him?
Pixel was silent for a long moment.
The current Kira killed...the previous Kira?
Sugawara had already started writing a message, but Pixel replied, "I'll think about it." When Sugawara hit "send," an error appeared. That's how he realized the post had been deleted. But it seemed like it would have an effect. Maybe...
