act10d5

...Don't let it get to you. You did nothing wrong.

I can't remember what I was dreaming about, but Anna must be thinking it was something to do with them.

She feels bad about it. She never imagined the classmates she trusted would go so far as to attack me just because she asked me to lead them.

I killed them all, of course.

I've seen lots of groups fall apart because of little conflicts like this. It's why I didn't want to join a group in the first place. I'd rather communicate with my fists than try to manage relationships.

Don't worry.

I hear a rustling as she moves over to me.

I know she wants to comfort me, but it's obvious she's the one who needs comforting. I should change the subject.

Anna, were you your class president?

No.

So how did you end up with so many followers?

I was actually very uncomfortable trying to play leader. But Lada kept pushing me, and I just felt... like I had to do something.

Aha! You did have to do something!

You're teasing me.

...But really, when the kids in my class would bully each other, I knew it was wrong. But I just kept to myself. Kept away from it.

You should've kicked their asses. You're a tough girl.

It's true. She may look the bookish type, but Anna's really very good in a fight. She just doesn't like to apply herself.

If only I was as brave as you. I can never find the courage to stand up to people.

Oops, she sounds even sadder than before. I really don't know how to comfort a girl. What can I say to cheer her up?

...At- at least you're standing up now.

That's the best you could come up with, Sonya?!

...Because I believe it's wrong. At least, that's what I thought at first.

What's wrong?

This. All of it.

We've been locked up in this school for eight days. Everything keeps getting worse.

It's all because of that first fire. If it wasn't for the fire...

After the fire destroyed one of the food pantries, the noble students from #4 Secondary School occupied the other one. Then they started looting.

You still see commoners fighting over food.

The school looks like a war zone. Debris and graffiti everywhere. And every night is set against the sounds of kids yelling, screaming, crying.

Perhaps, but don't you think that fire was bound to happen sooner or later?

Are you saying someone started it on purpose?

No. Hrm. How should I put this...? Let me think.

It's more like that which the fire represents would have come about no matter what.

I somehow understand even less.

Even without the fire, something would have happened to send us all into a panic... Is that clearer?

Weird. It must've been the bad guys who set the fire. The bad guys...

There are always bad guys.

I don't think that's right. But I don't know how to argue with her either.

I once read a book that said human nature is evil.

I thought it strange at the time. We've built such civilized societies. We live lives of order and morality. How can we be inherently evil?

It is with this in mind that I was able to muster the courage to gather everyone up and maintain order.

But things kept getting worse. And I did nothing about it.

I didn't restore order. I didn't save anyone. And without you, my classmates might have already killed me...

I'm useless.

Her voice is teetering on the brink of tears.

Aaagh, I made this so much worse!

Whatever. I don't know shit about morals, order, society or any of that. But I understand what she's getting at, so I might as well start talking.

What you're saying is you now think everyone does bad stuff? Including me?

...That's not what I meant.

Now she sounds surprised. Hah, I got her good with that one.

I fight a lot, but they always deserve it!

Okay, don't be sad. I'll help you.

...You will?

I'm your leader. And you want to do good. Of course I'll help you.

...Thank you, Sonya.

Hey, isn't it customary for a group to get a new name when it gets a new leader? You got any ideas?

Let's go with... the 'Ursus Student Self-government Group.'

...I probably shouldn't have expected much out of an honor student.

But I guess a straightforward, brass tacks name like that is okay, every once in a while.

All right. From this day forward, we will be known as the 'Ursus Student Self-government Group.' I lead the group, and you are my counselor.

...Right.

You heard the relief in her voice, and it made you happy.

Because you finally protected something. You earned someone's trust. You started feeling like a real leader, like a hero out of one of those novels.

Who are you?

I'm you. Are you blind?

Sure, she does look exactly like me... But why am I raking myself over the coals like this?

And it freaks me out the way she always says what I'm thinking. Not to mention her creepy tone of voice.

It's no fun for me either. But every time I think back on this night, I want to laugh at myself.

Is that my fault? Or yours?

I don't know. And I'm not going to ask you.

I'm scared you'll say it was your fault. And I'm just as scared you'll say it was mine.

Suddenly, I realize the floor beneath my feet has become a bottomless void.

And I start to fall.

As I fall, I hear disjointed voices calling out.

Think about it, Anna! Sonya alone can't protect all of us!

The only choice is to join them.

Sonya hates the aristocrats, Vika.

So you're going to risk all our lives?!

I...

That's when the darkness begins to swallow me.

I drop down from the second story window, landing steadily on the ground.

They'll catch me if I take the main entrance, so this is my only way.

There's something I have to do. Something very important to me.

I understand Anna. Vika's idea makes sense. And I'm not so full of myself I think I can take all those noble shitstains on my own.

At least, I couldn't take them head-on.

They're definitely asleep this late at night. Now's the time to take them all out once and for all.

Well, maybe killing them all is a bit much. Capturing their leader should do the trick. But really, I'll have to cut off the head to let the body die, at least...

Please, let me go!

Helllp!

Hand over the food you've been hoarding!

We... we don't have any food, I swear!

Please!

I'm not going to save them.

Not only because I'm busy. I also don't care.

I've seen so much of this these past two days.

I saved a few. And now we've got more kids holed up in the classroom than when Anna showed up with her classmates.

So Anna had to listen to Vika.

But the truth is, even though she told her I don't like nobles, it's actually Anna who hates the aristocrats more than anything.

When those shitheads took the last remaining food store and left the rest of the kids to fight over scraps, that was the last straw for Anna.

She doesn't want to join them.