[HAL Route / If you choose “Run Away”]
↓以下に、日本語翻訳版が続きます！！
Dinner time arrived, and I was seated across from Haru at the large dining table. He gazed straight at me with a dreamy expression.
HAL: “……***.”
Every time he called my name, a gentle sense of reassurance spread through my chest. He wasn’t the scary guy I’d met back then.
The leash that had once bound me to him was gone. I’m no longer treated like a pet.
……It means he sees me as his “girlfriend” now.
That’s why—…the HAL I know now would surely forgive me. That’s what I found myself thinking.
You: “HAL, I… I really want to go back to Earth.”
At those words, HAL stopped his hand mid-reach for his wine glass. He furrowed his brow slightly and glanced at me.
HAL: “Go back? …What’s wrong, ***? What are you unhappy about? Tell me. I’ll take care of everything.”
You: “It’s not that I’m unhappy… I just want to go home.”
HAL: “No way.”
He cut me off coldly, and I fell silent.
HAL: “I’ve told you this so many times. You can’t run away; you have no choice but to stay here quietly. We decided this together. So just give up and enjoy the moment.
Come on, let’s drop this. …Let’s get back to dinner. I had them prepare the dish you said you liked today, didn’t I?”
You: “HAL, but…”
HAL: “Shut up!!! Don’t make me angry… I’m begging you!”
BANG—!
He slams his fist on the table and screams, clutching his temples.
HAL: “I love you…! And yet you want to break up with me!? If that’s the case, there’s no way I’m going to let you! Were your words—‘I love you’ and ‘I like you’—just lies!?”
You: “No! They weren’t lies…!”
HAL: “Then why…! Are you testing me…!?”
His face twisted in pain, yet he still looked straight at me—and my heart ached sharply.
—LHA: “HAL’s brain resources are almost entirely consumed by his emotions, making it difficult for him to control himself.”
Suddenly, LHA’s words flashed through my mind.
Right now, he must be desperately holding back his anger. For my sake… and because of me.
Even so… I want to go home. I wonder why. Even though I love him… I felt something like a mission—or a sense of urgency—telling me I had to go back.
…Ever since I met that red-haired young man…
You: “I’m sorry… HAL…”
HAL: “……!!”
I sensed HAL gasp. I must have hurt him. I was too afraid to look at his expression, so I could only keep my head down and apologize.
The next moment—
You: “!!”
Suddenly, HAL leaped onto the table.
He, who had always valued manners so highly and hated getting dirty, was there with his shoes on. Crushing plates and kicking glasses aside, he walked toward me without a care.
And when he reached me, he forcefully pulled me close.
HAL: “…I won’t let you go.”
His eyes, different colors on each side, looked darker and cloudier than usual.
HAL: “I’ve finally got you. Stay by my side. …You’re leaving me? Talking back to me like that… You need a lesson.”
You: “…!”
His hand raised. He’s going to hit me…! Thinking that, I instinctively flinched.
…But the pain never came.
HAL: “…You really are a sly woman.”
A low, hoarse voice.
HAL: “Are you saying that knowing full well I can’t hit you? …Hey, that’s it, isn’t it?”
Slowly, he brought his face closer.
HAL: “…That’s how much you mean to me, how much I love you… Why can’t you understand that?”
He lowers his eyebrows sadly and, with the hand he’d raised, slowly and gently strokes my cheek.
HAL: “I trust you, so I didn’t think I needed a leash. I thought you felt the same way I do. But… I guess I was wrong.”
As his finger slowly slid from my cheek down to the nape of my neck, a sudden, sharp jolt of electricity shot through me. Everything went white before my eyes, and HAL caught me as I fell forward.
HAL: “I was wrong. I’ll keep you even more tightly enclosed so you won’t go anywhere, okay? Until then, just sleep for a little while.”
Feeling those words as if from a distance, I let go of consciousness… ーーー
―――
……When I woke up next, I found myself in a dark, cramped, and cold place.
On a hard floor. Completely naked, with handcuffs and shackles, and heavy chains wrapped around my body, I couldn’t move properly.
You: “Anyone…! Is anyone there!?”
My voice echoed hollowly, but there was no reply.
Overwhelmed by the sudden loneliness and sense of confinement, I instinctively curled up on the spot. The only thing that came to mind was his face…
――HAL, where are you…?!
HAL: “…Did you wake up?”
You: “…!”
Hearing that gentle voice, I instinctively tried to run toward him. But a solid barrier blocked my path.
By the light of the lantern he held, I finally understood. ――I was locked inside a cell surrounded by iron bars.
You: “Let me out of here…!”
HAL: “I’d like to let you out, too. …But this is a punishment. As long as you keep saying ‘I want to go home,’ I have no intention of letting you out.”
With a faint smile, HAL reached his hand through the bars and gently stroked my head.
HAL: “It’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I’ll come visit you like this every now and then. Meals, bathroom breaks… I’ll take care of everything for you, okay? You’re my cute little pet cat, after all. It’s only natural, isn’t it?”
You: “…”
…I can’t find the words.
Am I really going to have to… keep living like this… in this place without light…?
HAL: “Are you scared? Seeing that frightened look on your face makes me want to protect you even more. …Hey, what do you think you should do?”
What should I do…?
You: “…Do you want me to say I won’t go back to Earth, that I’ll stay by your side, HAL…?”
HAL: “Haha… That’s right. You’re such a good girl. Don’t try to go back to Earth. Stay by my side. If you can just keep those two things in mind… I’ll give you anything.”
Slowly, he whispers sweetly.
HAL: “If you’ll say that, I’ll do anything for you. I’ll get you out of this place right away, wash your body with a warm shower… you’ll sleep with me at night, and I’ll wake you up in the morning. And I’ll comb your hair for you. I’ll get you as many dresses as you want, ones that suit you.
More than ever before… I’ll pamper you sweetly and lavishly.”
Saying that with a smile, HAL lifts my chin. And, through the iron bars, he kissed me.
HAL: “…Now, choose. I’ll respect your decision. Though I suppose there’s really only one answer you’ll give.
Besides… you can’t escape me. Not on your own… absolutely not.”
ここから、日本語版とちょっとした制作話が続きます！↓
From here, the Japanese version and a bit of behind-the-scenes development talk will follow!
