I’m the Warden of this place – the one responsible for the people trapped here. Before this trial ends, feel free to refer to me as Esse; once my Prisoners call out to me, I’ll come.
This is TRIANTHA Prison, a place where we pass “judgment” on the people chosen as Prisoners. The possible verdicts are a Victim, a Perpetrator, or a Savior; and these are the only options for the final verdicts, as well.
The Prisoners get chosen by TRIANTHA based on the wrongdoings they committed during their lives. They all took away another person’s life, and they all had their life taken away.
I don’t know what is going to happen next, but I don’t want the ending to be too unhappy. I’ll do what I can; to try and make up for all the disappointment I caused in others.
The rules of the game get adjusted as the trials progress… I guess there aren’t any rules set in stone – a certain someone is choosing them based on her mood.
Prisoner 021 - Hiiro
Nishiyama Hiiro. The age is… twenty… four? Yeah, I’d be a university graduate by now. Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to have interests in a prison?
I’ve only been going easy on you because I don’t think of you as a real threat. Even if you tie me up and take away my voice, don’t expect that I’ll allow you to do whatever you want towards me.
I’ve grown tired of being unacceptable, see. I thought it might be pretty convenient to play along. Once it becomes more convenient for me to turn on you, I will do just that.
I don’t care who dies or gets to live. But when I look back at it, I think– Even though I spent the whole time trying to survive, it wasn’t worth it. Maybe it’d be easier if it were me– Maybe that’s what I’m regretting.
I did everything either because I was told to do so, or on a whim. To sit down and think “what I want”… I wish I’d be killed already, I guess.
Someone fell? I don't think I wanna see. Are we even allowed to go there? A suicide attempt? Most likely. Did anyone call the police already?
Prisoner 022 - ???
Even if you memorize my age, height, or the name you decide to attach to me, it's not like you'll be able to know my heart…
Warden, you know better what to choose. I believe you made this decision for things to become easier for everyone.
I'd like to become an adult one day. I started experiencing the world just a few years ago, so I’m still awkward at it… Well, you've never really been 18, so maybe you can’t fully understand.
I didn't want it. My whole life, I think. It's hard to deal with this feeling of frustration.
After the world ceases to exist, and a new one starts… I'd like to be reborn as someone else. A person who can connect with others in a meaningful way, and doesn't only harbor anger in their heart.
Hey, sorry to bother, but have you seen anything? …Didn't you go to the rooftop just now? It was you, right?
Prisoner 023 - Kai
Can't you drop these formalities already? You obviously know my name.
How funny. You chose the only option that you haven't chosen in the previous trial. Did you decide to mock the words that I told you back then? Though I was being genuine. Well, that must have been my mistake.
Is it fun to look down on me? I hate brats like you. Acting like you can take care of my feelings, just to say, “you’re pathetic”; this kind of so-called compassion — I don't need it.
That’s too much personal drama! Is it that hard to stop complaining about everyone being mean to you when you're the worst! It’s not like it’s anyone else’s responsibility… I know that…
If the world was to end in a few hours? I would rather die right this instant, then. That’s what I would think right away, but… My single wish would be for the world’s end to never come.
Gross… Call the ambulance! Ahh, now I’m gonna be late… Don't look there. That person did seem strange, have you noticed?
Prisoner 024 - Kouta
My name is irrelevant. I stopped counting my age a while ago. There’s no point knowing me.
I’m fine with it. If that's what you want from me. Huh… I wasn't docile before?
Don’t bother yourself. My feelings will change. And things that can’t last, don’t matter. “That’s an unhappy way to live” – but I’m not alive.
There's nothing that would make me say, “that's what I truly wished for at that time”. Even if I once felt regret from putting an end to it, I forgot about these feelings.
…No… I don't want anything. What I wish for can't come true, and so, I would rather never think about it.
Someone here lost consciousness, please take them out of the crowd! …What a nuisance… Why do they allow people like that to simply walk around? Thank god it wasn't me or my loved ones.
Prisoner 025 - Remi
Amano Remi. 21 years old. What are you staring at? I won't hesitate to gouge out your eyes, you know. Ah, although that won't give me any fun.
You're not surprising me, at all. It's always been easy to make me the bad one. No matter if I take things too close to heart, or approach them as carelessly as possible… I'm at fault either way.
You hate it when I'm doing my best to emotionally serve you. If no one needs it, then I won't waste my time and energy, either. Simple as that. Besides, that girl works great as a replacement, right? Cheers.
I don't know. Haven't I said already? I have nothing more to tell her. And… I'll never be the one she wants to see, either.
I would reveal everything that's been on my mind. All the writing I've never published… All the art projects that I couldn't ever begin to create. I'd send letters to the people who've left me a long time ago, and the people who stayed by my side despite everything. I think… I just want to be remembered.
A body found in the park’s lake. It's been here for approximately a few hours, since the early morning.
Prisoner 026 - Ayame
Muku Ayame! Uhh… How old was I again…? Umm, whatever! My name means "message of love" in the language of flowers; open the doors of your hearts wide! Three, two, one, kyu-u-un~!
I couldn’t make anyone happy. Myself, my family, my boyfriend, my best friend… Teachers were annoyed with me, classmates mocked me… I don’t deserve the title of a Savior. But it’s a chance that you’ve given me – so I will take it and treasure it.
I don’t think we’re coming out of here at all! But – or maybe because of that – I want to make the lives of people here a bit more bearable until it’s all over. So I thought to cheer up.
Because I'm a murderer, isn't that right? Hmm— What do my regrets have to do with anything? If this place was really giving me another chance, there'd be another person who I have to meet.
If I say “I still want to become an idol”, that'd be too silly, right? …I do want everyone to come to peace with themselves. And if I can help it somehow — by being by their side, listening to them, or singing them a lullaby… Then I'd be able to rest in peace.
Maybe another fake call? Like a prank? Her voice sounded genuine. Can we identify the address where she called from?
Prisoner 027 - Toa
Suzuki Toa… Eighteen years old? No, seventeen? Hmm… My hobbies… I was in the journalism club at school. That’s what I mostly did in my free time, yup.
‘Tis a bit better than bein’ completely isolated, yeah. Though, havin’ to act as some sorta your assistant makes me nervous. I tend to panic and space out easily, so.
Even my self that tried his best to get along, make those around him happier, or dedicate his life to someone… They don’t grieve for it. Because I fear overhearing these kinds of conversations… Because I can’t find any easy answer to the question, “why do hearts change?”... This is why, I burned it.
He dragged me ‘ere. In the end, I had to sacrifice my life for him against my will either way… Even though he'd never dedicate his life to me. In fact, if he did, then nothin’ of that would happen, y’know?
When the world is coming to an end, I’d like someone to hold my hand. Please don't promise if you won't actually do it. I find no comfort in half-hearted words.
Ah, he left already. I wanted to ask what happened to his friend. You're getting too attached to patients. I mean, he's really young, and his injuries are really bad, you know? Oh, right, it should be the time to check on him.
Prisoner 028 - Miku
You forgot my name again? That's so bothersome. Just Mi-kun is fine~! I'm seventeen, but I haven't even finished middle school! What a bummer~!
Of course that's what you'd do! How about you put a muzzle on my face — then I should be allowed to walk around freely, right? I mean, you've always been weird with these belts and all that!
If you label me as “the bad one”, then you won't get surprised if I do all the bad things! When I try to be a good kid, people put much higher expectations on me, and so I get punished for anything! I bet that's exactly why everyone loved that girl much more than me!
If that guy didn't want to help me, couldn't he at least stay with me during my last moments? To be told I'm the center of someone's world and then get dumped! I'll possess his life for as long as I can!
Wow, are you planning to kill us? …Then, I’d want to be special! I’d want to be loved more than anyone in the world! But wouldn't this wish of mine make us rivals?
Leave him be. Hmph. I will take care of everything else; you all can forget about it. Did you get what you wanted? I told you to leave him alone. He’s asleep.
Prisoner 029 - Chise
Chise Kawai. 19 years old. It’s fine if you don’t memorize this information.
It’s not the first time I deal with this. There’s nothing good to get out of people “relying” on you; I know that, and I knew it this time, as well… But in the bottom of my heart, I still carried a naive hope for something else.
I’ll just do my own thing now, and you can do your own thing. No confrontation, no cooperation either; though, due to my personal disappointments, I can't stand the sight of your face.
It's my fault. I have finally realized what exactly I've been doing wrong, causing us to be trapped here for an indefinite amount of time. This time will be the last one — I'll take the correct course of action. It's a promise.
I'll simply go on with my day as usual. Doing the things I like; chatting with the people whose company I find enjoyable. And then, when the world’s end arrives — hopefully, I’ll welcome it with calmness in my heart.
Huh? Did you hear? A scream. People always get wild at this time of the day, forget it. Hey, over there, someone is shouting. Yeah, it must be a drunk fight or something. Let's get out of here.
The current Voting form/See the voting + More detailed voting form
Important info: Boundaries, Trial 1 schedule, Resources used
Trigger Warnings
This series will directly or indirectly mention, show or imply: abusive and toxic relationships, racism, child abuse, abusive families, misogyny, bullying, mental disorders, ableism, internalized ableism, suicide, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, self-hatred, transphobia, murder, violence and references to religious themes.
Character Profiles
Numen
01,02
03,04
05,06
07,08
09,10
Pre-Trial 1
Introduction
"NUMEN" Voice Drama
Undercover
Voice Trailer
Trial 3 - Voice drama: Simul Stabunt, Simul Cadent [actus reus]
Esse: …Did I forget what my room looks like while I was asleep, or is it definitely not my room?
There’s a bunch of monitors here. Yeah, that’s for sure not inside the prison – I haven’t ever seen any electronics there…
…Ah, maybe it's another dream, just like back then. I wonder which one of my abandoned friends I'll encounter this time.
Ughh– Why is it so dark? Is there supposed to be any kind of switch in this place? Just let me stand up–
Agh!! The monitors turned on!
???: Hello, hello? Can you hear me?
Hey, I can’t see your pretty face! Please get a bit closer to the monitor! Come here, come here!
Esse: Huh? This voice–
Jacka: Yes, that’s me, your loyal assistant~! Did you not recognize?
Esse: …Jacka? Why are you… like…
Jacka: What. Don't tell me you seriously thought I’m a rabbit?
Esse: That's how you always appeared to me! What was I supposed to think?!
Jacka: Hahaha! Sorry, sorry~!
Esse: Where am I? Why am I here now?
Jacka: Hmm, changing the topic so soon~? I thought you’d at least compliment my hair~
Esse: Haa, that’s for sure you, Jacka, yeah…
Jacka: Fufu~
Ah, you see, we’ve been good friends for so long, that I really, really wanted to show this form of mine to you. But you wouldn’t be able to comprehend it inside of the prison, so I had to resort to this method~!
Esse: What do you mean, wouldn’t be able to comprehend…?
Jacka: Hmm, we’re kinda placed in different dimensions? Like, if you were 2D, you wouldn’t be able to perceive 3D, right? That’s also why we can’t see them, but you can hear some parts of their voices, and I can have conversations with them.
Esse: Huh…
Jacka: Anyway, you are currently in a small temporary dimension maintained by me.
It's absolutely safe! Don't worry, once we finish our chat, you'll go back to sleep and wake up in your favorite TRIANTHA Prison again!
Esse: I would like to trust you, but you haven't been the most reliable coworker from day one.
Jacka: Hey! Even though I’ve done so much for you!
Esse: Like kidnapping me in a self-made pocket dimension?
Jacka: That's necessary! It's sort of a cryo capsule to preserve you in-between the Trials, you know?
Esse: Now that is worded like I’m a pickle or something…
Jacka: Fufu~ You know, what I've always liked about you is how you are really chill about all this “dimensions” talk and stuff.
Esse: You know why I don't oppose any of this.
Jacka: Ehh? I dunno~
Esse: …How old even are you? You look like you could be my classmate in school, if not younger…
Jacka: Weren't you taught that asking a lady her age is rude?
Esse: Fine, fine, I guess it's super secretive information that only big bosses are allowed access to.
Jacka: Right! I'm a big boss!
Esse: Anyway, the Trials. Isn't the Third Trial supposed to start soon?
Jacka: Ah, exactly! The discussion of the upcoming Trial is why I woke you up in advance!
I have an announcement.
You see, I won't really be able to come back to the Prison together with you.
Esse: W-what?
Jacka: Rest assured, I still can do it physically, in the form of your beloved fluffy rabbit!
But I have toooooons of work here! Now that the day of the final fates of our Prisoners is coming closer and closer, I must make so, so, so many preparations for it to go properly!
And with that, I will be putting all of my energy into my job separate from yours. Ahh, I can't imagine how much I'll miss you~
Esse: So, basically, you're just abandoning me to solve everything on my own.
Jacka: Don't word it like that!
Ah, and since I need to make so, so, so many big preparations… In fact, there will be no memory reports this Trial.
Esse: Huh?
Jacka: That's right! You can still interrogate the prisoners to figure out everything you want about their crimes, but as for their memories, you have to fully rely on the files from the previous Trials.
That's because I'm working on something huge and very important, you see. I don't have time or energy to arrange snippets of dreams that might or might not be relevant at all in a neat and readable format.
Esse: Yeah, yeah, we got it, you're the most busy person in the world. Well, I guess that just means less work for me.
Jacka: Correct! I'm so kind, setting you free from a part of your responsibilities~
Esse: Let's go back to the point.
Jacka: Hehe, why am I the only one you show your serious, stern self to, Esse-chan~?
Esse: Closer to the point.
Jacka: Okay, okay, hmph!
All the necessary documents will be appearing on your desk at corresponding time — I promise you that.
But if you need me to provide you with some kind of resources that only the prison has, or have an urgent problem to solve… I won't be easily available anymore, sorries~!
Esse: Yeah, because you always did great at solving urgent problems.
Jacka: Oh come on!
Ah, and since the Prisoners can still request personal supplies, I will show you the place where to put the request lists. I'll do my best to come and collect them every day as usual.
Esse: Thank you for your generosity.
Jacka: Finally you acknowledge at least something among all of my good traits!
Esse: Haa…
Jacka: Okay, enough of the introduction part~! Let's finally move to announcing the new rules!
Esse: …The new rules, huh. Do you change them on a whim?
Jacka: Yeah!
Esse: Should have guessed…
Jacka: No time for chit-chat! I will be fast and straightforward. Listen carefully, because I won't repeat twice or answer meaningless questions!
Esse: Yes, yes.
Jacka: For easier understanding, the rules will be separated into “no changes”, “slight changes”, and “brand new” groups.
First, I'll quickly go through the rules that are already familiar to you — those that stayed the same.
Victims can't write the answers in the written interrogations for themselves.
Victims can make requests to the Warden only through Saviors. Saviors can only make requests for the Victims.
Face-to-face interrogations with the Victims require two interrogators: the Warden and any Savior.
Victims and Saviors must be connected with a special belt.
Perpetrators aren't allowed to make requests to the Warden.
The doors of the Perpetrators’ cells have locks on them and must normally be locked.
Perpetrators can be let out by either the Warden or any Savior. Perpetrators must be accompanied by the Warden or any Savior while they are outside of their cell, and it's prohibited to let several Perpetrators out at the same time.
That's all!
Esse: These are familiar to me for sure. I've been seeing these rules in action the whole Second Trial.
The dynamics between the Prisoners got pretty messy even with this order of things… What else could you come up with to make our lives harder?
Jacka: Hehe… Hope you are excited to find out~!
Esse: Haha…
Jacka: Next, rules that serve as additions or updates to the previously mentioned ones. That's the group I refer to as “slight changes”.
First is an update to the rule regarding the requests. Saviors must make requests for Victims regularly.
Esse: This is somewhat reasonable. Saviors must take care of the Victims, but without a formal rule to regulate that, it's easy to take a Victim and then completely forget about them.
It might work well to establish a more friendly or comfortable mood among the Prisoners, actually… Like, they usually asked for things only if they really needed something, but if it's now obligatory to ask for what you want, they’ll get more attentive to their likes and wishes, and will get used to receiving gifts on a regular basis…
Jacka: I agree, I agree~
Second, an update to the rule about two required interrogators. During the Victims’ face-to-face interrogation, Saviors must talk more than the Victims.
Esse: Huh? Wait, so, basically, Victims can't even tell their own story anymore — it must be retold by someone more “reliable”?
Jacka: Third, an update to the rule regarding Saviors’ power over the Perpetrators. Rather than borrowing your keys from the prison cells, they'll all receive their own copy of the keys, and they can let Perpetrators out without a command from you.
Esse: That sounds easier than controlling everyone's actions all the time, but the lack of control is exactly why it might escalate sooner or later…
Jacka: And last, an update to the rule about Perpetrators’ isolation. The time the Perpetrators can spend outside of their cells is limited to 1 hour per day.
Esse: What?! They won't have any time to build connections with other Prisoners!
Jacka: But why would they have time? They're Perpetrators, you know? Criminals, dangerous people, a threat to everyone living next to them!
Esse: Uh… I mean, yeah, but…
Jacka: Aaaand that's all from the “slightly updated” rules!
Esse: Ugh…
Jacka: Finally, it’s time for the brand new rules that are not in any way connected to the ones mentioned before! Are you excited?
Esse: Surprise me…
Jacka: Victims are not allowed to raise their voice.
Esse: That's all for the Victims?
Jacka: Yup.
Esse: Sounds pretty mild. I guess it makes sense, a Victim can't establish their authority over others… Besides, it’d always be good for people to stop yelling at each other.
But knowing some of the personalities here, even a rule as simple as that is likely to become a big problem…
Jacka: Now, a list of rules for our beloved criminals!
First, Perpetrators are not allowed to touch others.
Second, during face-to-face interrogation, Perpetrators must be tied.
And third, as for written interrogations, Perpetrators must write them in their locked cells.
Esse: …Wow. They're isolated from everyone else more and more, huh.
Jacka: They're criminals, you know! Dangerous people!
Esse: Yeah, I bet…
Jacka: And we wrap it up with the rules for the Saviors!
First, Saviors are allowed to read the memory reports of their Victims and themselves from the past trials, and check them again any time.
Esse: I see you liked my idea in the previous trial, the idea of showing the Saviors my work notes on their assigned Victims.
Jacka: That's right~
Esse: In theory, it sounds like they're given too much power, but… In practice, well, what can they really do with these? It's not like they have the power to decide on the verdicts — and I won't let my decisions be swayed that easily. Mhm, that's an okay rule.
Jacka: Second, Saviors are allowed to distribute punishments of their liking for breaking the rules.
Esse: Now what's that.
Jacka: They're your assistants, after all! And you're a pretty soft-hearted person — isn't it helpful if someone else regulates the behaviors in the prison?
Esse: Everyone here is a murderer! They'll sacrifice anything for a chance to inflict pain upon another human being for fun!
Jacka: But a Savior-murderer and a Perpetrator-murderer are two very different things, are they not?
Esse: …I don't know.
Jacka: That's why watching you make the verdicts is so interesting~!
Esse: Haa… I’m just… I'm relieved that no one from the previous Saviors could become a Savior again…
Jacka: Fufufu, what about the previous Saviors~?
Esse: Is this all that you had to announce on the rules?
Jacka: Hmm… Oh, just one more small detail.
Saviors are all placed in a shared prison cell, and Victims are all placed in a shared prison cell.
Perpetrators stay in their individual cells, as before.
Esse: Somehow, it makes me feel even more lonely.
Jacka: Hehe~ Don't worry, there's a surprise awaiting you regarding your room~
Esse: Huh?
Jacka: …Ahh, the time is running up! Before I go, let's take a quick glimpse of the Prisoners!
Just let me switch the camera… Umm, where is it… Oh, here it goes!
Esse: By the way, I've never noticed cameras inside of the prison. Are they hidden that well? Surprising, considering that the prison is a really empty place when you stop to think about it.
Jacka: Hm-hm~ As I said, you're merely 2D, so of course you can't comprehend the structure of my 3D prison~
Esse: …I'll ask Chise and Hiiro to watch out for the cameras and destroy them if they see any.
Jacka: Do not!
Ahem, look at the updated structure of the Panopticon. Here's the Saviors’ room, here's the Victims’ room, and the Perpetrators' rooms are placed in-between.
Esse: No mysterious locked cells anymore?
Jacka: Ah… Ahaha, yeah!
Esse: Why the nervous laugh?
Jacka: I haven't noticed any nervous laugh!
Esse: Keeping secrets from me again?
Jacka: Ugh… I almost lost my job over these locked cells, you see…
Esse: Oh? Your boss said it's an awful architectural decision? They really were out of place, yeah.
Jacka: That’s irrelevant!
Esse: What's this individual prison cell next to the Saviors’ one? The door is different from the Perpetrators’ ones.
Jacka: Fufu. I'm glad you asked. It's yours.
Esse: W-what?
Jacka: I said there's a surprise awaiting you, right~? I will need the Warden’s room for my work, so you have to move to the Panopticon and live next to your beloved friends. Sorry for any inconvenience!
Esse: This is… Umm, I guess… That might be helpful… Yeah…
Jacka: Hmm? Are you hesitating to say “hey, why am I not receiving special treatment anymore”~?
Esse: Aren't we supposed to be discussing the prisoners? You're super busy, can't waste time, all that.
Jacka: Okay, okay, let's go!
Esse: Have the order of the prisoners changed again?
Jacka: Correct!
And the first one this time is Prisoner 021. Switching the camera now!
Esse: This is… Hiiro? Huh, for a second I didn't recognize her.
Jacka: She's much cuter this way, right~?
Esse: Well, it's not just the hair, but also the atmosphere around her… She seems, how can I put it…
Jacka: Helpless.
Esse: …I certainly wouldn't want to use this word, but yeah. She's always been defensive and full of herself, so it's strange to see her in this state.
Jacka: What else would you expect from someone with a Victim verdict?
Esse: Almost all Victims in the previous trial were willing to kill me.
Jacka: Oh! Right! Hahaha!
Esse: Laugh while you can. Who's next?
Jacka: For the next one, we don't even have to change the room! Just move the focus a bit. Peacefully sitting on their bed and reading, Prisoner 022.
Esse: They're back to their reserved self?
Jacka: They might be much more reserved than you expect.
Esse: Double Victim verdict… That's right, when they were full of energy in the previous trial, it was an attempt to force me to change my mind. I guess when they figured that I won't change it, they fell into a state of giving up.
Up until now, they were one of the most friendly prisoners, but I see they're not seeking interaction with anyone anymore.
Jacka: I always thought they were shady and asocial.
Esse: I didn't. Who's next?
Jacka: You're so bossy!
Esse: Since you're abandoning me…
Jacka: Don't word it like that!!
Esse: …I will be the only boss for this trial. I'm preparing myself for the time I'll have to order the prisoners around.
Jacka: Hmph. I don't enjoy being used as training grounds, but out of the kindness of my heart, I will let you get away with this.
Ahem. The next one would be in the same room if she ever stayed in it. She must be roaming somewhere in the prison again….
Not here, and not here either… Hmm…
Oh, there she goes. As expected, she's wandering in the hallway. Prisoner 023.
Esse: Kai-san. Does she dislike being in the Victims’ room?
Jacka: It seems so.
Esse: Hmm, her hair got longer as well.
Jacka: That's right. It actually reminds me of something that I've seen in her memories, but it's too early for you to understand what I'm talking about. No spoilers allowed!
Esse: Why do I not get full access to the prisoners’ memories?
Jacka: ‘Cause it's related to my current work! Once again, I can't waste my time writing down absolutely every barely significant thing!
Esse: Okay, okay, stop whining. And you, out of all people, call me bossy…
Jacka: This is not “whining”! This is explaining what my job is!
Esse: Can we just move to the next one?
Jacka: Hmph. Onto the Saviors’ room now. Prisoner 024.
Esse: Kouta-kun… Oh, he seems pretty calm. It's a relief he stopped constantly lashing out.
Jacka: Hm? Did it scare you that much when he tried to take away your notebook and shouted at you in the previous trial?
Esse: Please don't remind me...
Jacka: Haha!
Esse: Yikes. Even now, I still don't really understand how to behave with a person like that.
Jacka: Rest assured, his current self is completely docile. Even more than his self from the very first trial, you know? I like kids who are obedient, although they become boring quickly.
Esse: Oh? You rather prefer unmanageable brats like me?
Jacka: Hmph. Unfortunately.
Esse: Fufu.
Well, frankly, I don't expect Kouta to be much of a help, but it's fine as long as he's not actively harmful to himself and others.
Jacka: How boring~
Esse: Don't dare to enjoy it when my prisoners are trying to attack each other and me.
Jacka: So boring~
Esse: Who's next?
Jacka: Prisoner 025. Finding her on the cameras will be easy! She's constantly locked up in her cell.
Esse: Remi-chan.
Jacka: Well? Do you have any conscience? How could you put her down in rank like that?!
Esse: You're not supposed to interfere with my voting, aren't you?
Jacka: She was my second favorite! I can no longer just stand by and watch your tyranny!
Esse: She has been avoiding to admit that she committed any murder despite it being very clear from her memories, and also stated plenty of times that she's not treating this whole thing seriously.
I think it's only for the best if this little experiment of yours gains more credibility in her perception.
Jacka: Okay, okay, quit debating with me~ I'm just fooling around, you know~
Esse: I can see why Remi out of all people is your second favorite. Who's the first one, by the way?
Jacka: You will find out right now~
Here she is! Prisoner 026! Ah, I thought I would never see this innocent smile again~
Esse: Huh.
Jacka: Ah?
Esse: I thought I'm your top favorite.
Jacka: You're sooooo much of my top favorite that it's out of the question! Like, you can't be a part of the top, ‘cause that would imply someone can beat you to the first place, and it's impossible!
Esse: I will forgive you just this time.
So… Ayame-chan, huh.
You're right, the depressing, sickly atmosphere that's always been surrounding her is completely gone.
Jacka: Right? All thanks to your verdict!
Esse: You switch from complaining about my decisions to praising them too quickly. Also, Ayame-chan has left the camera’s field of vision.
Jacka: Oh! Ahh, she's moving around too quickly!
These days, she always finds something to do — chatting with everyone, checking on their rooms, dancing, cooking, cleaning…
What is there to clean in the prison at all? Are you implying that the prison I so carefully take care of is dirty?!
Esse: She might become the most-loved Savior if she keeps going like this.
And that might make the Prisoners even more distrustful of me if I don't try harder than her…
Jacka: Yup. The next one can also turn into another one of your rivals, you know!
Esse: Toa?
Jacka: That's right! Prisoner 027. He's not as energetic, but he's well-accepted by most of the Prisoners.
Esse: Mhm, Toa-kun has always been easy to deal with. I went too far with the preventive measures back then, and I hope the Savior verdict can make his life a bit more peaceful now…
Well, I doubt I’m able to bring his self from the first trial back, but he doesn't seem as cold as he used to be in the second one. I see he's pretty actively seeking interactions with others, too.
Jacka: All's well that ends well~
Esse: Talking about ending, we should be finishing soon, right? One, three… Five… Only two people are left.
Jacka: Correct. And for that, we'll take a look inside of the Perpetrators’ cells.
Prisoner 028.
Esse: Huh? Mi-kun? What's with his haircut?
Jacka: I dunno! I'm not the Warden, so I'm not the one supposed to watch the Prisoners all the time~!
Esse: First off, I need to sleep the same as any other person. Second, though you say that, there are clearly times when the Prisoners are awake — or rather, allowed to be awake — while I'm not.
For example, I woke up in this room just recently, but the Prisoners appear to have been awake in the prison for quite a while. This is obviously your doing.
Jacka: Ah come on, you get so serious just from a little bit of teasing!
Esse: ‘Cause you allow yourself too much teasing for someone who's been an unreliable boss and coworker!
Jacka: Ughh, okay, I'll give you an explanation!!
This is true — the Prisoners go to sleep later than you, and wake up earlier than you.
There are several reasons, and it's not like you're permitted to know the details of my job… Umm… Let’s simply say it's related to some technical difficulties due to the difference between the “Prisoners” and the “Warden”, okay?
Still, I really don't watch them as much as you do. I mostly work on extracting their memories and things like that… So I have nooooo idea how or why things changed. That's all!
Esse: Thank you for trying to be trustworthy for a moment.
Jacka: I'm trustworthy for a lot of moments!
Esse: Anyway, Mi-kun…
…
It's hard to comment when he's just locked up in his cell all the time. I guess I'll have to properly chat with him to understand what he is like now. The haircut change is giving me a bad feeling for some reason…
Let's move onto the next one.
Jacka: Talking so coldly even though we reached your favorite~
Esse: She's not my favorite.
Jacka: But you tried to cooperate with her. And then, after you got all the information you needed, you threw her away! So cruel.
Prisoner 029.
Esse: Chise… I guess that's what I did.
But allowing her to continue to scheme behind my back would be cruel to everyone in here, including you.
Jacka: It's not like she's capable of harming me. However, I do carry pretty mixed feelings towards her, yes.
She's very interesting! But she's messing with my job. Yet, if it weren't for her messing with it, maybe I wouldn't have any job at all…
Ahh, it's kind of like being in love~ The pain that it brings us is why we enjoy and seek it, right~?
Esse: No?
Jacka: Hmph. You can't fool me. I've researched humans for long enough to understand that!
Esse: Aren't you also a human? You clearly look like one.
Jacka: And Chise calls herself a god in her memories. So what?
Esse: Oh, yeah, we were supposed to discuss Chise.
…Her hair has changed, too.
Jacka: Does it sadden you?
Esse: Well, I'm sure she hates me now, so I can't help feeling a bit melancholic. I can only hope we will finish the trials safely.
Jacka: Huh~ If you could predict she'd hate you, why did you vote like that?
Esse: I guess I wanted to follow my heart for a moment.
Jacka: Okay, I’m going to remove the prison’s cameras from the screen now! Take a last good look at your Prisoners!
Esse: If you switch them rapidly like that, obviously I won't see anything…
Jacka: Next, please return to your bed. I'd love to sing you a lullaby and watch you fall asleep peacefully, but unfortunately, things will have to happen in a more brute way.
Esse: The hell it means?
Jacka: It's not like I'll hit you with a brick on your head or something!
Esse: The fact it's the first thing that comes to your mind tells me otherwise!
Jacka: It's just that I will, like, “turn you off”, to put it simply.
Esse: This doesn't sound too good either.
Jacka: You're not going to die!! Enough! Have you laid down already? Did you get all cozy? Did you cover yourself with a blanket?
Esse: Yeah, yeah. Aren't you supposed to see all that?
Jacka: I didn't think through the placements of the monitors and your bed, so I really can't see you when you move too far away from the monitor…
Esse: Haha. I'd be more surprised if you thought it through.
Jacka: Stop laughing! Any last words? I will put you to sleep now.
Esse: This really doesn't sound too good.
Jacka: I repeat, you're not going to die!! Stop thinking my skills are that bad!!
Despite that, my sheepish self has a nauseating urge to be accepted. In exchange for not being yelled at, I’ll do anything you ask of me–
No! That’s not right! I was the one committing those mistakes, so I’ll become the one to clean them up! Instead of waiting for your orders, I’ll fulfill your needs before you even notice them; please, please – before we lose our senses, grant me the smile that you used to have in my presence.
When there’s nothing more to hold onto, may we forgive each other? Ah, this heavy weight– what do I do about my soul being restless?
I open my eyes.
They turned chartreuse color.
In a scattered world, I wasn't shown a path to take on. I sacrifice my tears to the empty air around me; when I catch a glimpse of a hand reaching out to grab my wrist, my unhappy face starts to burn, and I rush to hide under the cold waves.
Ah— Don't waste your time on me, the one who will be lost no matter what! The childhood dreams, the memories of grasping someone's fingers, the nights we spent smiling at each other with a tired fondness — all will drown… — as I'll make sure it will.
Although I carry the fate of a Victim, after praying for you to stay by my side, I can't keep up with my vulnerability. When I stare into the indigo blue of my own gaze, I come to realize that my heart is as distant as ever.
To prove that I exist as well, I'll cut your body and take control of the remaining pieces! The only one who must be respected; the freedom in playing with the lives of others is gifted to me by someone unfamiliar, tying my hands as I chew on the words that never belonged to me.
Although I carry the fate of a Perpetrator, my trembling voice fades away with a polite nod. When I hesitantly open my eyes filled with maroon in front of a reflective surface, I find out that I'm still my weak-willed self.
