Love You Ninth Night: 04 [Mido Sayoko] ◇ (87) (Patreon)

*Ninth Night: 04 [Mido Sayoko] ◇*

Thump.

Sayoko's consciousness returned.

Like a puppet with its strings cut, she knelt on the floor, then crumpled over.

"Ugh... ugh... uuuuugh... uuuuugh!"

A storm of emotions overflowed.

Unable to even muffle her voice, the girl just kept on crying, and crying, and crying.

(I'm such an idiot.)

For Erika, given her personality, it would have been inevitable that she would sacrifice herself.

But that Erika, that kind Erika...

She had been willing to kill others, to cast aside her conscience, her pride, her entire way of life up until now.

She had wished for it.

Just one thing. Only one single thing.

Erika had wished only for Sayoko to survive.

Love.

It wasn't kindness; it was love.

A different kind of love than what Sayoko had been seeking.

But it was undeniably there. Love.

The kind of love for which one wouldn't regret trading the entire world.

Nagano Erika had loved Mido Sayoko.

Understanding this, tears continued to stream from Sayoko's eyes.

Droplets of emotion—warm, sad, happy, regretful, and heart-wrenching.

As if her entire heart had melted into them... they continued to spread across the floor with her deepening sobs.

◆

『Wake up, Sayoko.』

The voice brought Sayoko back to consciousness.

Apparently, like a child, she had cried herself to sleep.

"Nn..."

When she raised her face, Kyoka was there.

『Sayoko Mido.』

She was not in her fairy form, but the form of the girl Sayoko had seen in the video.

Still, it seemed she wasn't a physical entity, as Sayoko got the same sense from her as she had from the avatar.

『As of 2 AM today, the moment you won this test, your surveillance has been permanently lifted. And by a special measure of the United States Northern Government, you will henceforth be granted human rights and citizenship.』

Kyoka stated this matter-of-factly.

Though it was a holographic image, the eyes in her weary face were still vacant. Naturally, she hadn't recovered.

『In six hours... at noon today, you will be transferred to the southern island where we are staying. I need you to get your personal affairs in order and prepare by then.』

Sayoko listened to it all in silence.

『After you are transferred to our chronoship... well, it's a large time machine. Like a spaceship... you are scheduled for an interview with the Professor and a meeting with the TV station director. After a break, there will be a party to celebrate the end of this test and the filming, with students and program staff attending. It has been decided that you will also attend as a guest.』

Kyoka pointed at Sayoko's school uniform hanging on the wall.

『It may be a party, but your uniform is fine. In fact, we've been asked that you come in your uniform to give a feel for this era. So please bring your shoes to the room as well. You will be transferred to the ship in that attire.』

Her hand slowly lowered.

『After the party, we will pack up the following day. We will take you and return to the 27th century. Once you arrive in the 27th century, you will be temporarily in the TV station's care. I do not know your schedule after that. They will inform you of it in due course.』

Having explained that much, Kyoka averted her eyes and bit her lip.

『...I saw the recording of the final match.』

Sayoko gave a faint nod.

『...I'm sorry. At times like this, I have no idea what to say. It's a joke, isn't it? My specialty is "Educational Operations Management" for efficiently managing humans... really... I'm really... sorry, Sayoko.』

Unable to even make eye contact, Kyoka muttered, her shoulders trembling.

A long silence flowed between the two.

But after a short while, it was Sayoko who broke the hold of the silence and asked a question.

"I'll be blunt. Kyoka, lend me your strength."

They were unexpected words.

Surprised, Kyoka turned to look at Sayoko's face.

In her eyes, a strong light of will was lit.

"This will be a difficult thing for you to accept. And I'm taking advantage of you while you're weak to bring this up. I'm the worst, aren't I? I think it would be perfectly natural for you to refuse. That's why I'll do it alone, even if you do. But... will you hear me out first?"

Stared at directly by Sayoko, Kyoka nodded.

"Thank you, Kyoka."

...After saying this quietly, Sayoko told Kyoka her plan.

And after hearing it all, the head slowly nodded, and the ally became a co-conspirator.

『I see, Sayoko... No. The you right now is [Scar], isn't she?』

"Yes, that's right. I am [Scar]."

That red, black, viscous, hot "something." The other Sayoko inside Sayoko.

The sad and gruesome psyche that Sayoko harbored in order to protect Erika.

The cruel, cold, ferocious monster consumed by her feelings: [Scar].

Towards this [Scar], Kyoka opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

『Alright, I'll help you, [Scar]. However, I have a condition, too.』

"What is it? I don't think there's much I can do for you, though."

『It's nothing big. For the you of right now, it's something you can do in your sleep.』

Kyoka took a breath and closed her eyes... then continued her interrupted sentence.

『I want you to kill me, too.』

2025.04.28

This is "Erika's Decision," drawn by Kiyo-sensei of the comic adaptation!

Her flowing hair, the beauty of the colors. The tears spilling from her gaze of strong determination.

The way the gun hides her expression is a wonderful touch as well.

It's a piece that perfectly captures her existence in the story! Please take a look!

She had been willing to kill others, to cast aside her conscience, her pride, her entire way of life up until now.

She had wished for it.

Just one thing. Only one single thing.

Erika had wished only for Sayoko to survive.