The room was silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioner.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPMQKLZ2x9
Across town, Elias sat alone on the edge of his bed, the glow of his phone illuminating the darkness. He had finally reached Episode Twelve of Tomodachi Game.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYDZSDOI0vw
When the credits rolled, he didn't move.
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For several long moments, he simply stared at the black screen, replaying every twist in his mind.
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Finally, he let out a slow breath.
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"Damn..."
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He rubbed a hand over his face before opening his messages.
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His thumb hovered over Rei's name.
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He typed.
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> I finished it.
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7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hxj9ikdQq
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He frowned and deleted it.
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Too simple.
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He tried again.
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> That was insane.
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Another pause.
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No.
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That wasn't enough either.
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He closed his eyes, remembering Rei's voice explaining every hidden motive and every psychological trap long before he had even reached them.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3YRyYIKHS
A small smile appeared.
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Finally, he wrote,
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRE9UkoYlhY
> I have so many questions... and I think I know exactly who I need to ask.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJh07GLaKC4
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEa4M7BXWsE
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He hit Send and leaned back against the headboard, his phone resting on his chest.
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---
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A few minutes later, his screen lit up again.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZvfASWcBA
Rei had replied.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDtQ28slMP
> Oh... You finished it? It's almost three in the morning.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxhTy9eyc9
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmia8e8tCd
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Elias smiled.
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> I couldn't stop, he admitted. Episode Twelve is a trap. I should've known.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjU7L3b6NRF
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTTDA4anqp
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After a moment, he added,
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> But you're right. It's late. Go to sleep, Rei.
7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxlFL5X8gL
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His fingers lingered above the keyboard before typing one more sentence.
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> I'll save my questions for tomorrow... unless you're a night owl too.
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---
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Her reply came almost instantly.
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> I am.
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Another message followed.
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> I'm awake now. You can ask your questions. I'm not sleepy anymore.
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Elias laughed quietly.
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A genuine grin spread across his face.
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> You're dangerous, he replied. I should've known better than to trust someone who recommends psychological thrillers.
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He adjusted the pillows behind him and settled in.
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> All right... let's start with Yuichi.
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> In that final confrontation... was he really protecting his friends? Or was he simply playing another role to ensure his own survival?
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> Because I honestly can't decide if he's a hero... or the most efficient monster in the room.
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---
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Rei read the message carefully before answering.
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> "That's exactly what makes Yuichi such a fascinating protagonist."
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7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIfXRcwPt5
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> "He isn't a traditional hero, but he isn't a monster either. He genuinely wants to protect the people he cares about."
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> "The difference is that he doesn't mind becoming the villain in everyone else's eyes if that's what it takes."
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> "He'll manipulate people, deceive them, and even sacrifice his own reputation without hesitation."
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> "To him, being misunderstood is a small price to pay if the people he's protecting remain safe."
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> "That's why he's so difficult to judge."
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---
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Elias read her explanation twice.
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Then a third time.
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He slowly typed,
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> So... he carries the burden of being hated so others don't have to.
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A pause.
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> That's a heavy way to live.
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His fingers stopped above the keyboard.
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It reminds me of someone I know.
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He almost sent the sentence.
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Instead...
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He erased it.
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It was too personal.
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Changing the subject, he asked,
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> Then what about the game itself?
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> Was there ever a real chance for anyone to win honestly? Or was the entire system designed to destroy friendships from the beginning?
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---
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Rei smiled.
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> "I think the game was designed to break people from the very beginning."
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> "It forces friends into situations where they must choose between trust and survival."
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> "Most people panic."
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> "They lie."
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> "They betray each other."
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> "Because that's exactly what the game wants."
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> "The only way to win is to stay calm... and think smarter than the game itself."
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---
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Elias stared at those last words.
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He whispered them to himself.
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"Think smarter than the game itself."
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A quiet admiration settled in his chest.
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She made something so complicated sound almost effortless.
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He began typing.
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> You make it sound so simple.
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> But I think most people would fall apart long before they reached that point.
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He paused.
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Another sentence appeared on the screen.
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> You're a lot like that, aren't you?
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He looked at it for several seconds...
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...then smiled to himself and deleted it.
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Not tonight.
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Instead, he simply sent,
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> I don't think I've ever enjoyed talking about a show this much.
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Outside, the city slept beneath the fading stars.
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Inside two different rooms, separated by miles but connected by a quiet conversation, neither of them noticed that dawn was slowly beginning to approach.7Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR036pPoBXf
and then Add to home screen.